Figure “8” Beach Homeowners' Association, Inc.

 

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Enduring Coast Research Initiative

The Current State of Figure Eight Island

Figure Eight is a barrier island, and, like all barrier islands, it is constantly changing. Shoreline movement, erosion, and shifting channel and marsh conditions are part of life here, but the pace and scale of that change are increasing.

Understanding what drives these changes is essential to protecting what we all love about our island, which is why we have partnered with the Northeast New Hanover Conservancy, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and other leading coastal experts to better understand the forces shaping our shoreline.

These changes create risks that affect every homeowner on the island

  • Neighborly Hazard: Erosion and flooding spread across property lines, jeopardizing adjacent homes and lots.
  • Community Hazard: Unstable shorelines affect the roads, access points, and emergency routes for the whole island.
  • Environmental Hazard: The dunes and marshes that buffer Figure Eight from storms are under pressure, and, as they erode, every structure on the island faces greater exposure and risk.

These challenges affect every homeowner on the island and highlight the need to better understand how we can reduce shoreline loss, improve environmental conditions, and protect the island for future generations.

Managing these risks comes at a cost that is only growing

  • Current solutions require significant funding: Dredging and beach nourishment are essential but costly. Each cycle costs more than the last, and without a clear understanding of what is driving coastal change, that trend will continue.
  • Global sand supply is limited worldwide: Demand for construction and beach nourishment is outpacing natural replenishment, thus increasing pressure on available sand resources.

The need for more data

Solving complex problems depends on having the right data to build reliable models and make informed decisions, but even when that data exists, collecting it quickly enough remains a challenge.

  • Government research moves at a glacial pace: Federal and state programs weren't built to keep pace with coastal change. By the time studies conclude, conditions have shifted, and opportunities to act have evaporated.
  • Collaboration fills the gap: Private organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions can move faster and work directly with communities like Figure Eight to collect the data needed to make informed decisions.

What is Figure Eight Island doing?

The Enduring Coast Research Initiative is a collaborative effort led by the Northeast New Hanover Conservancy in partnership with the Figure "8" Beach Homeowners' Association and leading research institutions to better understand and address coastal erosion. We want to answer the question, "where does the sand go?"

The initiative deploys advanced monitoring technology to study shoreline dynamics, sediment movement, and storm impacts in real time. Its goal is to generate actionable, science-based solutions that strengthen long-term coastal resilience, locally on Figure Eight and for vulnerable coastal communities more broadly.

This is a research effort designed to give homeowners and the Board the information needed to make informed decisions about the future of Figure Eight Island.

The initiative is structured in three phases

Phase 1 - Planning

The research team identifies where monitoring equipment will be placed, what data needs to be collected, and secures the appropriate permits.

Phase 2 - Data Collection

Equipment is deployed across the island, tracking shoreline conditions, weather patterns, and sediment movement.

Phase 3 - Data Analysis

Researchers review the data, identify patterns, and produce recommendations to protect the island.

What does this mean for our homeowners?

Starting this research is the first step toward gathering information that could help us protect the island we all love from imminent threats caused by coastal erosion and other events. Over the next two years, monitoring equipment will be visible on the island, including on the beach, beach paths, and in the marshes.

Homeowners can expect:

  • Project updates as the research progresses.
  • Educational sessions with the research team.
  • Posted signage around the island addressing visible equipment.

Figure Eight is well-positioned to lead research that could guide planning for coastal communities facing similar challenges across North Carolina and the world. It is our hope that this work has the potential to reduce the frequency and cost of dredging down the road, while improving our ability to prepare for evolving environmental conditions.

Additional information

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the project team if you have any questions or concerns.

Contact:
Office@figure8homeowners.com

This site will be updated with new findings, dates, and resources as they become available.