Rodanza, North Carolina — It received national attention earlier this year when multiple homes fell into the sea along a stretch of the Outer Banks. We are gathering to find ways to keep the
“We are on a part of the coast that is experiencing very high erosion rates,” said Allison Flynn, a coastal advocate. Very quickly and dramatically, these homes have literally become part of the beach of public trust. “
More than 20 homes are believed to be in danger of falling into the sea.
Dare County Commissioner Danny Couch said, “It’s time to reassess and recalibrate the traditional notion that homes face the ocean directly.
The prospect of more collapsing homes is frustrating for many, especially those called in to help clean up the last remaining debris.
“We are known for our beaches and tourism is the main source of income for everyone here. We need to keep our beaches clean so people keep coming here,” says photographer Daniel Pullen. said. There are houses that collapse in every storm. “
Aside from the serious safety issues and the huge amount of rubble left behind after the last house collapsed, there is another issue that many people aren’t necessarily aware of.
“One of the biggest issues is that all these homes have septic tanks,” Flynn explains. You can continue to rent or live in these properties. One of the problems it creates is that various septic tanks on the beach spew wastewater onto public beaches. This is because these drains are located on public seafronts. It’s a tragedy to see families come here on vacation and build sandcastles over the wastewater drains. “
The Coastal Federation, along with the North Carolina Department of Coastal Management, are trying to introduce rules to prevent these homes from continuously replacing their septic tanks in hopes of keeping the beaches clean and safe for visitors.
“These tanks are supposed to be watertight and buried so that the purified water is not easily spewed onto the beach, but they are not,” Flynn said. go to the beach. “
Couch said it’s important to find solutions that not only take into account the rights of these homeowners, but also protect the beach and the people who use it.
“These things have greatly shaped public perception. A man who saw a house fall into the sea in Kansas is going to shape his perception of the Outer Banks,” Couch said. .
The Coastal Resources Commission met on November 17 to consider amending the rules for replacing or relocating purification systems along the coast. Meetings between the National Park Service, Dare County, and homeowners are also taking place to consider what else can be done.
