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Perceptions of Beach Users
Michael SlatteryEddie CrowellChrissy CovingtonAndy OstrowskiKimberly CookeBenjamin Overton
Outline of Presentation
Introduction History of Island Geology Demographics and population Wildlife and their protection
Public Beach Survey Interviews Conclusion
Suggestions for the future
History of the Island
Originally called New Hanover Banks and owned by state
1791-1881: Island transferred into private hands
1853: Carolina Yacht Club- 1st structure on Wrightsville Beach
1887: Turnpike and Wilmington Seacoast Railroad company built
1897: Hammocks Hotel built
History of the Island
1899: Town of Wrightsville Beach incorporated
1905: Lumina Hotel Built
1935: Two lane bridge built connecting Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington
1954: Hurricane Hazel struck and destroyed 100-250 homes
Geology
The geology of a barrier island is variable, but can be generalized
Waites Island
http://www.coastal.edu/cmws/waites/aerials.html
sea level
time lines
TRANSGRESSIVE BARRIER ISLAND
Pleistocene Surface
transgressive
relative sea-level
lagoonmarsh
marshsublagoonal barrier
dune
nearshore
unconformity by wave erosion
unconformity
structureless sand
muds with plantfragmentss
bioturbated sands with lagoonal shells
muds with lagoonal shells
muds with plant fragments
dune
marsh
sublagoonal barrier
lagoon
marsh
Typical barrier island system on US East coast
Wrightsville Island complex
Lacking well defined dune system No back barrier marsh or maritime
forest environments. Basically flat sand backed by human structures a lagoon
Wrightsville Beach
Above:http://www.lighthouse-aerials.net/wrightsville_beach_n.htmRight:http://homepage.mac.com/credmond/iblog/C533520058/E1712645515/
Demographics-Income
$55,903
$39,184$41,994
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
In
co
me in
US
Do
llars
Wrightsville NC USLocation
Median I ncome
$36,575
$20,307$21,587
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
$40,000
In
co
me (
in A
meri
can
Do
llars
)
Wrightsville NC USLocation
Per Capita I ncome
Demographics-Population Density
1,943.37
165.2579.56
0.00200.00400.00600.00800.00
1,000.001,200.001,400.001,600.001,800.002,000.00
Pe
op
le
Wrightsville NC US
Location
Population Density
Wildlife and protection
Mainly focused on the North end of Wrightsville
Bird sanctuary instituted Protects endangered Piping Plover
Beach Management
CAMA Land Use Plan Small commercial area (11.8%)
centered in the town with residential stretched out to the periphery (47.9%)
Expansion potential nearly exhausted
Town of Wrightsville Beach CAMA Land Use Plan Update 2003-2005.
Beach Management (continued)
Two AECs Estuarine and Ocean Systems, and
Ocean Hazards system Important due to average erosion of 2
ft./yr
Beach Survey
Purpose Wanted to get Peoples’ thoughts on their
Idea of Wrightsville Beach Procedure
Questionnaire was developed for beach users to answer in a couple of minutes
Survey done by two members on two separate dates
• Saturday, October 16, 2004 and Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Survey Questions
Are you a local of the area or visiting? How many times a year do you come to this area for recreation?
1-2 3-4 More than 4
Do you visit any of the other beaches in the area? Carolina Kure Fort Fisher Wrightsville Topsail Other
Which is your favorite local beach? Carolina Kure Fort Fisher Wrightsville Topsail Other
Survey Questions Continued
While at the beach, what activities do you participate in? Surfing Sunbathing Entertain children Boating/kayaking Clamming/Fishing Scuba diving Camping Swimming Read/relax/study Socialize/meet people Other
Are you aware of beach renourishment projects protecting the beaches?
Do you support these renourishment efforts? Would you be willing to pay a little more for continued
renourishment/protection projects?
Who is at Wrightsville Beach?
51%
49%Local
Visiting
Number of times visitors come to Wrightsville Beach per year
5%
30%
65%
1 to 2
3 to 4
more than 4
People who visit other local beachesOther Beaches People Visit in the Area
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Carolina Kure Fort Fisher Wrightsville Topsail Other None
Beach
Favorite Local Beach
86%
7% 7%
Wrightsville
Carolina
Topsail
Activities at the BeachTypes of Activities done at beach
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Activity
Nu
mb
er
of
pe
op
le
People Aware of Beach Nourishment
64%
36%
Yes
No
People that Support Renorishment
92%
8%
Yes
No
Those that are willing to pay extra for Beach Renourishment
71%
29%
Yes
No
Interviews
Get insight from town officials and government officials
Thoughts and suggestions on important issues of coastal management and beach use
People Interviewed
Ted Wilgis – NC Coastal Federation Erin Diener – Surfrider Keith Harris – US Army Corps of Engineers John Carey – Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Melinda Powell – intern at Wrightsville Beach Town
Hall Dr. Mark Imperial – UNCW professor of Political
Science and Public Administration Avery Roberts – Mayor of Wrightsville Beach Trey Jordan – Alderman of Wrightsville Beach Michael Vukelich – Public Works Director of
Wrightsville Beach
Interview Questions
Overdevelopment – growing tourist industry, lack of concern for environment
Privatization of island Erosion – hurricanes, etc. Environmental threats – water quality Funding for nourishment Local population decreasing Migration of islands
What do you believe to be the biggest threat to Wrightsville Beach?
Interview Questions
Positive – wider, family beach, increased tourism, increased property sales, beach provides 80% of economy
Negative – pollution, problems with renourishment
Little effect because federal and state budgets provide funds
Without restoration, WB would not exist Hugely important to tourism
What are the impacts of beach restoration projects on the economy of Wrightsville Beach?
Interview Questions
No – erosion rates are changing, setbacks not adequate
Yes – but homeowners want to maximize lots, not enough room for large yards
Effective in reducing storm damage
Do you think current setback requirements are effective?
Interview Questions
Negative – too much habitat impacted, positive results only temporary, too much maintenance
Serves as filter for beach pollution Should stabilize sand instead of constantly moving it Too much dredging Should maintain inlets Dredging to renourish Preserves WB property
What role do the inlet management projects play in maintaining a healthy beach?
Interview Questions
Very important! Too small Provides small haven for WB wildlife Valuable natural resource Necessary because of inlet project Animals are smart, could find another place on
their own Very successful
Of what value is the protected habitat at the north end of Wrightsville Beach (past Shell Island)?
Interview Questions
Voted Best Evacuation Plan on the East Coast (2000)
Better since Fran and Floyd High density projects create problem Plan designed for Cat. 3 or smaller Should set deadline to decide about evacuation – have
been to reluctant in the past Local officials respond well
How would you rate Wrightsville Beach’s plan for hurricane preparedness?
Interview Questions
Sand not compatible with natural sand Should reduce density of development Would be more damage without it Positive impact on economy Disturbs environment Need more protection of non-coastal wetlands Need to limit density
Are you satisfied with the success of protection projects at the beach?
Interview Questions
Need more compatible sand Need alternative to beach nourishment Need more political action and citizen awareness More control on polluters Property owners need to realize real costs of protecting their
property Tourist Development Authority does not spend funds appropriately Need better setbacks
Are you satisfied with the current management practices affecting your beach’s health? If not, what kind of changes would you like to implement?
Interview Questions
Currently – 65% local, 35% federal People who benefit should pay more Should implement assessments – those
closer to beach pay more Room occupancy tax More funding State should have control
What are your views on the distribution of funding for beach protection projects?
Interview Questions
If projects stop – decrease in property value, less tourism
Restoration gives false sense of security Area is maxed out More regulations
What do you perceive is the future potential of residential/commercial development in the Wrightsville Beach area? How would this be affected by the continuation or termination of protection projects?
Interview Questions
Overdevelopment Need appropriate sand for beach Tighter environmental legislation Water quality Possibility of losing funding Parking Maintain family beach
What do you think is the biggest obstacle for Wrightsville Beach in the next 1-3 years with respect to beach health and productivity?
Interview Questions
Natural environment Recreation Potential damage reduction – wider beach,
dunes Both economic and recreational – important
for tourism Very important to economy
What is the most important use for your beach as a resource?
Conclusion
Wrightsville Beach is a barrier island that will continuously change physically and demographically
The preservation of Wrightsville Beach’s natural systems is imperative to the quality of life for its citizens and visitors
A little more than ½ of population surveyed are aware of beach nourishment projects, while ¾ favor the efforts taken
Conclusion (continued)
There is almost 100% support of nourishment projects and ¾ surveyed are willing to pay more for renourishment projects
Biggest threat to Wrightsville Beach, based on personal interviews, is erosion and feel that renourishment is vital to the economy and the beach itself
Federal support is imperative for the next 7-8 years for Wrightsville Beach to successively accumulate it’s own funding for renourishment
Suggestions for the Future
Continue to renourish the beach
Control gentrification
Continue to research beach protection options
http://www.greatrentals.com/NC/3206/4778-beach.jpg
“We, the residents, business and property owners of the Town of Wrightsville Beach, shall maintain and enhance our community as one of the finest family oriented beach communities in the United States.”
~Town of Wrightsville Beach Vision Statement
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