The purpose of this ongoing project (1989 to present) is to monitor and evaluate the shoreline response north and south of the Oregon Inlet due to the construction of the terminal groin built to protect Bonner Bridge at the north end of Pea Island. Phase one of the study was to establish the 'historical erosion rates' for the study area since the change in dredging operations in the inlet in 1984 and before the March 1989 storm. Phase two of the study (ongoing since 1989), was to implement the monitoring program as per the permit requirement to determine position of the shoreline from aerial photography at a two month interval and to evaluate the response of the shoreline in the context of the historical erosion rates. The monitoring agreement specified the triggers and actions if the observed erosion exceeded the historic values over spatial and temporal scales of concern. This monitoring effort continues in support of the new permit for the Oregon Inlet Terminal Groin which was issued in August 2012. As part of the construction of the new Bonner Bridge, Phase three of the project has been established and is underway to monitor an expanded project area and set of metrics in order to inform decision making with respect the NC 12 corridor. This scope has been added to the ongoing terminal groin monitoring project in anticipation of future design and planning need for the NC12 transportation corridor.
