Dare County, North Carolina begins $50 million beach restoration

Dare County officials, led by County Manager and Attorney Bobby Outten, have started a $50 million beach‑nourishment project on the Outer Banks barrier island of Buxton. The effort will pump about 2 million cubic yards of offshore sand onto a three‑mile stretch of eroded shoreline, widening the beach up to 75 feet in places.

The project, the third such attempt in the area, aims to protect the local tourism‑driven economy, homes, roads and utilities that are threatened by ongoing erosion and sea‑level rise. Since 2020, 32 homes in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore north of Buxton have collapsed into the Atlantic. Officials warn the work is a temporary fix that will need to be repeated roughly every five years.

By reinforcing the dunes, the county hopes to preserve its “levee system,” safeguarding power lines, water and internet infrastructure, and maintaining the region’s appeal for fishing, boating and beach recreation.