regional

Realities along the Atlantic coast and the Outer Banks.

Sediment movement from upland to marsh is being stymied by an expansion of woody vegetation brought about by a warming winter climate. ~ VCU study

The cost of 2019 Atlantic hurricane season was $13.9 billion in damages (well below the estimated $50 billion from last year and the $220 billion in 2017) ~ Financial Post article

3.2 million people reportedly visited national parks at the Outer Banks last year. Those visitors passed $203.1 million in revenue to neighboring communities and provided nearly 3,000 jobs for locals, reaping a combined benefit for the local economy of $255.4 million ~ Landslide report

Shellfish beds are key habitat in Pamlico Sound, threatened by pollution, invasive species, overfishing, dredging. Have declined dramatically. ~ Coastal Resilience

It will cost up to $35 billion to protect coastal communities in North Carolina from rising sea levels, through the cost to build sea walls. North Carolina would be the third most expensive state to protect, with a price tag of $34.8 billion for 5,320 miles of sea walls. Cost will outstrip ability to pay. And sea walls aren’t an environmentally preferred option.

Saltwater intrusion contaminates aquifers, turns fertile fields barren. 9% of US coastline is vulnerable. Blown from sound into canals and ditches across Hyde County. Sea levels are shifting the “zone of transition” - underground gradient where fresh groundwater meets salty seawater. ~ WashPo article on ECU and Hyde

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