Addressing Western Erosion Concerns:
- Construct oyster reefs along the Point Peter site in Dare County and the Pains Bay/county border site in Hyde County.
- Restore submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) along the Stumpy Point Bay site in Dare County and the West Bluff Bay/Southwest Bay site in Hyde County.
- Develop multi-species living shorelines at the White Plains/Hillerys Cove site in Hyde County.
High-risk erosion areas in Dare County. Oyster or seagrass restoration can reduce erosion at these sites.
High-risk erosion sites in Hyde County. Oyster and/or seagrass restoartion can reduce erosion at these sites.
Addressing Eastern Erosion Concerns:
- Because oyster restoration opportunities are limited along the eastern Albemarle-Pamlico sounds, conduct pilot submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration projects behind the Outer Banks to determine if SAV restoration will significantly influence shoreline dynamics behind the barrier islands.
- Weigh the costs and benefits of barrier island shoreline protection before initiating projects behind the Outer Banks. Barrier islands fluctuate in response to wind, wave, tide, and weather events. If North Carolina policymakers choose to protect roads, infrastructure, and other forms of development on NC barrier islands, then shoreline protection may become a key management strategy in the eastern sounds. Cost-benefit analyses may help prioritize western sound versus eastern sound stabilization projects.
The eastern sounds represent optimal submerged aquatic vegetation habitat.