Press Releases

SURF CITY, NC - Following years of collaboration with the Town of Surf City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District, Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) announced Tuesday Surf City’s federal beach nourishment project will move to construction, clearing a major hurdle nearly two decades in the making.

Approval of the Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project followed action by the Trump Administration to allow the use of existing federal funding for initial construction. The Town and the Corps will now complete final steps needed to put the project out for bid.

“The Town of Surf City, after years of work, now has the federal approval and funding it needs to strengthen its coastal resilience and better safeguard the community’s homes, businesses and infrastructure from future storms for decades to come," said Congressman Rouzer.  "I am proud to have been a part of this effort, and I thank all who have been involved for their great work to make this a reality, including the critical work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Trump Administration.”

“Today’s announcement marks a major milestone for Surf City and the future of our coastline,” said Mayor Teresa Batts. “The approval to move this project forward reflects years of hard work, collaboration, and a shared commitment among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our federal, state, county, and local partners. We’re grateful to everyone who helpedbring us to this point, and we look forward to beginning the construction phase. This project will help protect our shoreline, preserve our beaches, strengthen our community, and ensure Surf City remains a place that residents and visitors can enjoy for generations to come.”

The Surf City CSRM Project is a federal partnership between the Town of Surf City and the Corps designed to reduce the risk of coastal storm damage, protect coastal infrastructure, and strengthen the long-term resilience of Surf City’s shoreline. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved existing Disaster Relief Act of 2019 funding for initial construction authorization. Future nourishment cycles will be authorized through the upcoming Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

The project focuses on beach and dune nourishment along Surf City’s approximately six-mile shoreline, including construction of a new dune and an estimated 50-foot-wide beach berm to provide enhanced protection for the community.

This milestone reflects years of sustained effort by Surf City, the Corps, and Congressman Rouzer to move the project forward and deliver lasting benefits for Surf City residents, visitors, businesses, and critical public infrastructure.

Background:

In 2010, the Town of Surf City, along with Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission (North Topsail Beach), initiated a feasibility study to evaluate long-term beach restoration efforts. In 2021, North Topsail Beach withdrew from the project, leaving Surf City to advance the effort independently. This change required additional federal review and approvals, resulting in delays.

Mayor Teresa Batts joined then-Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Rouzer at a hearing on December 14, 2023, to discuss Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2024. Mayor Batts provided testimony on the importance of WRDA in assisting with flood control, inland waterway navigation, and beach nourishment as the town awaited its long-overdue coastal restoration. 

In WRDA 2024, Rouzer secured language directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite completion of the Chief’s Report for the Surf City CSRM Project, which became a key step after North Topsail Beach withdrew from the project. 

In July 2025, the Corps finalized the Chief’s Report, marking a major milestone in the Town’s long-standing effort to strengthen its coastline.

In September 2025, Congressman Rouzer requested an update on the project’s approval timeline from Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle during a Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee hearing. 

In April 2026, Surf City Mayor Batts and Town Manager Kyle Breuer traveled to Washington, DC to meet with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and OMB to discuss the project timeline. 

Additionally, the recently released WRDA 2026 provides the long-term authorization for the Surf City CSRM Project, including $362.3 million in federal funding for future renourishment. WRDA 2026 also modifies the original Surf City and North Topsail Beach authorization by deauthorizing the North Topsail Beach portion, a necessary step for Surf City’s independent path forward.