Letter from New Hanover County Commissioners February 7, 2005 The Honorable Richard Burr United States Senate 120 Russell SOB Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Burr, We strongly urge Congress, as specified in the attached February 7, 2005 County Resolution, to include full funding for shallow inlet maintenance in the U. S. Corps of Engineers budget this coming fiscal year. The critical need for maintenance of these inlets, and specifically Carolina Beach Inlet, involves not only economic concern, but more importantly, public safety. Economically, Carolina Beach Inlet is widely used by recreational boaters and commercial fishermen. Lack of maintenance will force these boaters to travel many additional miles either to Masonboro Inlet or out to the mouth of the Cape Fear River for ocean access. This will severely impact the local boating community. More importantly, lack of maintenance will severely hinder and delay search and rescue efforts by the U. S. Coast Guard and other public safety respondents. In addition, boaters will continue to attempt to use Carolina Beach Inlet even if unmaintained. This will almost definitely result in increased boating accidents and casualties. We ask your help to restore the budget item for the Corps to maintain Carolina Beach Inlet. The small cost will protect the boating economy and the public safety. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Robert G. Greer Chairman Letter from New Hanover County Commissioners February 7, 2005 The Honorable Richard Burr United States Senate 120 Russell SOB Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Burr, We strongly urge Congress, as specified in the attached February 7, 2005 County Resolution, to include full funding for shallow inlet maintenance in the U. S. Corps of Engineers budget this coming fiscal year. The critical need for maintenance of these inlets, and specifically Carolina Beach Inlet, involves not only economic concern, but more importantly, public safety. Economically, Carolina Beach Inlet is widely used by recreational boaters and commercial fishermen. Lack of maintenance will force these boaters to travel many additional miles either to Masonboro Inlet or out to the mouth of the Cape Fear River for ocean access. This will severely impact the local boating community. More importantly, lack of maintenance will severely hinder and delay search and rescue efforts by the U. S. Coast Guard and other public safety respondents. In addition, boaters will continue to attempt to use Carolina Beach Inlet even if unmaintained. This will almost definitely result in increased boating accidents and casualties. We ask your help to restore the budget item for the Corps to maintain Carolina Beach Inlet. The small cost will protect the boating economy and the public safety. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Robert G. Greer Chairman
