Outer Banks Treasure: Oregon Inlet

Posted on June 26, 2011

Saltwater Game Fish

Ever actually watched a boat unload its catch of the day? It is actually pretty neat to see what everyone is talking about when they say how great Outer Banks fishing is. We went out to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center to include it as an Outer Banks Treasure and was lucky enough to get them unloading an awesome catch of dolphin and tuna.

I never actually realized how much of a city girl I was until the day I went to get this video. Before I headed to Oregon Inlet I had to make that always dreaded trip to the DMV to get my car registered. When I get to Manteo I ask where the License Plate office is and they tell me its at a pharmacy…? Being from Charlotte, NC where there is a DMV building on every corner with a line out the door I was completely in awe that they would have a DMV in a pharmacy with 2 people in line! I was in and out in about 15 minutes.

I had been to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center before but never in the summer. I was surprised to see how many people were there and was so excited to see a boat bring in its catch, since I had never seen it in action. As I was walking around I found myself feeling particular about what catches I wanted to film. Kind of funny huh? Well someone was unloading a boat of blue fish and I thought…eh not big enough I’m getting too spoiled with the whole fishing thing! Anyway I saw the Outrigger of Nags Head coming in and thought I would see what they were going to unload.

Like I said its weird that I am so spoiled because as they were unloading the boat I had to ask my boyfriend (the fishing guru) what kind of fish they were bringing out. I had never seen dolphin or tuna before so it was awesome to finally see what they looked like. Pretty big too! I would have to say that since living in the Outer Banks I have definitely grown to enjoy fishing especially in salt water. Ive decided I have to throw my girly-girl status out the window if I’m ever going to fit in around here.

After we visited the fishing center we went down to the Bonner Bridge which was another treasure in itself. Whether it is for fishing or laying out on the beach it is truly a beautiful place with views of the Bodie Island Lighthouse which is pretty neat. The fishing turned out to be amazing on Friday. We usually climb down on the pileands because if you fish from the bridge, with the current sometimes it is hard to feel when you have a bite. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you are with someone who knows what they are doing though, because it could be dangerous. We ended up catching about 70 lbs worth of sheepshead (a type of fish), which is really rare and supposedly a delicacy to eat! They are also pretty funny looking and have teeth similar to a humans.

Between the fishing center and the areas around it for fishing, Oregon Inlet is surely a treasure and offers lots of fun for the whole family. The boys can take off to the bridge while you watch from your beach chair with your toes in the sand, or head to the fishing center to see the catches of the day or check out the state record fish displayed. A real treasure is unexpected and unique. For me the fun in fishing was definitely unexpected and is promised to be the same for you! Make sure if you are in the area you check it out and if you need any tips or have questions make sure you let us know. Enjoy.

An additional $2.25 million for Oregon Inlet dredging

Posted on May 23, 2011

Since our last update on the nearly shut down Oregon Inlet, the Virginia Pilot is now reporting an additional $2.25 million has been allocated to the dredging project. The funds for the project were tucked into a $5 billion corps spending plan released this week and was unnoticed by officials until Friday.

Oregon Inlet

The $2.25 million is in addition to about $4.1 million that had been originally allocated by Congress to dredge the inlet in fiscal year 2011, which ends Sept. 30. Most of that money has been spent.

While this is great news for the Outer Banks and its large commercial fishing industry, this is a far cry from a more permeanent solution that will be needed to prevent the rapid shoaling in the popular waterway.Roger Bullock, chief of navigation for the corps’ Wilmington district said that Oregon Inlet requires at least $15 million per year to maintain at its Congressionally-authorized depth.

“Unless you were consistently getting that amount, you can’t say anything other than it being a short-term solution,” Bullock said.

After the corps mobilized more resources to dredge Oregon Inlet out of an emergency situation in April, less than $500,000 remained in the budget. Next year’s funding outlook is more dire than 2011’s. President Barack Obama’s proposed budget allocates $1 million to Oregon Inlet dredging, and a ban on federal budget earmarks casts doubt on that number increasing, Bullock said.

The decision to increase the project budget was made by administrators at corps headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Because the corps can move money among projects and from year to year, there’s no guarantee that any of it will carry over to the winter fishing season.

A corps-operated side-cast dredge is expected to return to the inlet May 25 in which the crew will work 12 hours a day every other week.

Meanwhile, the crisis this spring has renewed conversations about the need for a jetty to stabilize the inlet, an idea that was debated for decades before federal agencies killed it in 2003 because of environmental concerns. But until the Herbert C. Bonner bridge is replaced in 2015, coastal engineering experts say, dredging is the only way to keep Oregon Inlet consistently open for navigation.

What do you think? Should we continue to spend millions in short-term efforts when we know a permanent solution is necessary? Can it wait until 2015?

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Classic Outer Banks Aerial Photos

Posted on February 25, 2011

I was doing a little spring cleaning in the office today – I know, it’s not spring, but it’s almost 70′s degrees today, and I’m a believer in positive thinking. Anyway, I came across an old CD buried in the back of a file cabinet, and it turns out it is a CD chock full of some amazing Outer Banks aerial photos.

Classic OBX photos from the air! Sweet find!

Here are few of the best…

: Outer Banks Aerial – Bodie Island Lighthouse

: Outer Banks Aerial – Oregon Inlet

: Outer Banks Aerial – Bodie Island Lighthouse

: Outer Banks Aerial – Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

Local & State Officials Push for New Outer Banks Bridge

Posted on March 18, 2010

Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks

It was recently announced that the replacement for Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks has run into delays, but local OBX and NC state officials are making a push to allow for the replacement of the troubled bridge.

The Bonner Bridge, spanning the Oregon Inlet on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is in need of repairs and/or replacement. As with most major projects of this magnitude, the process is complicated, especially considering the environmental impact the project could have on the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

State Lawmakers have begun a letter writing campaign that is pressing for the replacement of the Bonner Bridge. Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration decided that another environmental review would be needed in order to keep the project moving forward. In response to the delays, Senator Mark Basnight and state Rep Tim Spear took charge in urging the members of the state delegation to intervene to get the project under way. A letter urging action went to two US Senators and all of its Representatives. The letter was also sent to Gov. Bev Purdue. The Letter urged the EPA and the Army Corps to allow construction to begin immediately. Here is an excerpt from the letter:

“The Congress and federal officials are responsible for creating this complex and repetitive maze of bureaucracy. And it is the Congress and the federal government that must remove this barrier — the last obstacle to replacing this vital lifeline to Hatteras Island that continues to deteriorate more with every passing day.”

Outer Banks Bridge Delayed

Posted on February 12, 2010

Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks

It seems the process is getting a bit more complicated; construction of the replacement bridge is being delayed again to allow planners and engineers to conduct another environmental impact study. It is reported that the decision came from the state department of transportation. The final phase of planning is currently under review process and will be released at the end of the month.

New Outer Banks Webcam

Posted on March 13, 2009

Update: We just installed a new webcam in Nags Head. This beach cam is located on Sandy Oasis just north of Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The cam offers a great view of the Nags Head beach, a perfect Outer Banks surf break, and the new Jennette’s Pier. Enjoy!

Dare County recently installed a new webcam.

The new cam provides viewers a glance at the Bonner Bridge that crosses Oregon Inlet on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

According to the Virginia-Pilot, the camera will provide 35 second peeks to the browser. The Webcam should be up and running on Monday. The Webcam will provide views of the historic Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station, the inlet, N.C. 12 and the bridge. Two other Webcams provided by Dare County have been extremely popular.

Outer Banks Replacement Bridge Approved

Posted on December 30, 2008

Bonner Bridge After much deliberation (planning started in 1990!), State and Federal officials have approved the replacement of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge; a 2.7 mile structure that spans the Oregon Inlet and connects South Nags Head to Hatteras Island.

In preparation, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is looking for a contractor to oversee the construction project. This will be a $304 million dollar job and so far six contractors from around the country have submitted bids.

The first stage of construction is included in the Federal Government’s 2009 budget and will cover $243.5 million that is required for the project. The state will cover the remaining $60.8 million. The award will be presented to the winning bidder on July 9, 2008.

Before a pile can be driven, the winning contractor will be required to secure environmental permits from at least six state and federal agencies. This can be a timely process, which might delay construction until early 2010.

Hopefully we will see a new and improved bridge in the near future.