CWMTF 2001 Successes: Bird Island

The Clean Water Managment Trust Fund approved a $2.75 million grant to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management to help purchase one of the last three undeveloped, privately owned barrier islands along the state's coast. It will come the state's 10th coastal reserve.

The purchase of Bird Island, located near Sunset Beach in Brunswick County, balances natural protection of North Carolina's valuable coastline with recreational, research and educational needs of the surrounding community.

The project will create a 108-acre riparian buffer protecting 15,800 linear feet along the Intracoastal Waterway, Mad Inlet, Salt Boiler Creek, Dead Backwater Creek, Little River and the Atlantic Ocean. Over 1050 acres of wetlands and tidal marsh will be protected, buffering primary fisheries nursery areas and shellfish waters.

Additional Resources:

State has Bird Island in hand: News Release from the Division of Coastal Managment, May 13, 2002

News Release from the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management on Bird Island Purchase, March 28,2002

North Carolina Division of Coastal Management Acquisitions

The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve

Natural Heritage Trust Fund