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General Elder discussed at length the problem of silting
in the channels in the sound leading into the canal, using charts and
diagrams, indicating that the entire channel system v/as not a problem.
Instead, he said, there are numerous points along the channel that
were filling in and which in due time would present continuing and
growing navigation and health problems. He said the original channel
was dredged oO feet wide and seven feet deep. Hov;ever, due to wind
and tidal currents—and possibly traffic of boats through the channel
—was causing the silting to reduce the channel’s availability by
more than 10 per cent in many locations.
The committee recommended the project be undertaken with
financing on an SO-20 basis v;ith ^©.percent of the cost being carried
by a grant from the State of North Carolina and 20 percent by a tax
levy on Pine Knoll Shores property of one percent per year over
a four or five year period. The committee also pointed out that the
silting may worsen over the next several years, and since there is a
three to four year lead time necessary for obtaining such a grant, it
would be prudent to proceed as soon as possible with the financing.
It was pointed out further, through comments from the
audience, that the SO percent not have to be repaid, since it would
be a grant, but that before the legislature v/ould consider such a
grant the 20 percent town share would have to be assured.
Considerable discussion was held concerning the disposal
of the spoil from the dredging, and the committee recommended it be
laid on the shore because of complications arising from any other
disposal means.
V/ith respect to the question concerning a health hazard
that might arise if the project v/as not undertaken, it was pointed
out that should the silting effectively reduce the tidal flushing
of the canal through the tovm, this would have a tendency to raise
the fresh v/ater table level throughout the town, possibly resulting
in pollution of this water table. This v/as a major consideration
v/hen the canal was first dug, and v/hich v;as originally a drainage
canal, it v;as stated.
The committee also pointed out, in response to questions,
that if the dredging project should proceed it v/ould impact favorably
on property values in the tov/n, but that before the project actually
got underway they recommended that the channels continue to be
monitored over a few years to determine the full extent of the
silting.
The meeting lasted almost an hour and a half, at the
conclusion of v/hich Mayor Haller said that after considering all
the questions raised and the ansv/ers to them, the Board of Commissioners
would make such decision as seemed appropriate.