Saving Sugarloaf: Restoration to begin on shrinking NC island that protects Morehead City

A shrinking island in Eastern Carolina is well underway to restoration after the town it protects and several groups came together to save it.

For the past two decades, Sugarloaf Island has been withering away as strong storms, tides, and rough boat traffic take its toll. The small, unassuming island might not seem worth saving, but it actually provides an invaluable amount of support.

“Sugarloaf Island is vital to Morehead City not only for its natural resources, but for the storm protection it offers our community and that includes residential and commercial districts down here," said Anna Smith, public information officer for Morehead City.

Around 25 years ago, the Coastal Federation worked with the town of Morehead City to purchase the island.

"At that time, it had been slated for development. There were some condo plans in the works. Thanks to that purchase the island was able to be protected and conserved and be the natural resource it is for both for the public and the environment," said Dr. Lexia Weaver, with the North Carolina Coastal Federation.

Since them the island has eroded significantly, she says – as much as a football field.

Over the past few years, the Town of Morehead City and the Coastal Federation, along with others, have been working on a plan to save Sugarloaf Island.

“Morehead City is excited to see this project kick-off. t’s been long anticipated and it will go a long way in protecting not only Sugarloaf Island, but the Morehead City waterfront," said Smith.

This restoration project is the first time in North Carolina that wave attenuation devices are being used.

“We’re using wave attenuation devices called WADs that are designed to slow down the wave energy and protect the island from further erosion. We’re also incorporating Sandbar Oyster Company’s oystercatcher which is a living shoreline approach. It will generate oyster reefs on the island,” said Smith.

While they may seem strange, they have been used in a number of projects in Florida -- and the results have been dramatic.

“They’ve had great success, and the reason we’re using them here is because of the storm surge the island sees as well as the predominant southwest winds in the summertime and the storms have really eroded the area away," said Weaver. "So these devices are going to help stop that erosion, but also help acquire that sand and sediment back which will be planted and in turn will turn back to what it was.”

Scientists say that while some of the results could take anywhere from a few months to a few years to fully show, other benefits will show much sooner.

“Immediately, we will start seeing habitat impacts of the structures," said Weaver. "Immediately fish are going to start using the structures, crabs will start using the area and oysters will start to attach and grow over time on the structures."

Construction is expected to take several months to complete.

The Sugarloaf restoration project will still allow for recreational use of the island.

Morehead city officials say you can keep up with the progress of the restoration work on their website.