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