New Island and Cleaner Water for Hammocks Beach

Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro got a little bigger on October 29. That’s the day when the N.C. Coastal Federation (NCCF) and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) dedicated the majority of Jones Island in the White Oak River to the park and showcased a stormwater retrofit project on park grounds.

The Coastal Federation and Audubon North Carolina worked to secure a $550,000 grant from CWMTF to buy 6.6 acres of the island. Audubon North Carolina is donating its 10.24-acre property to the park as well. Most of the 23-acre island will become a permanent addition to Hammocks Beach; one tract remains in private ownership.

The park and its partners also redesigned a parking lot to reduce stormwater pollution that had previously drained directly to the Intracoastal Waterway. Project staff removed almost half of the parking lot’s pavement and added natural areas for stormwater control.

“We’re pleased to add the Jones Island land to the park and protect water quality on the White Oak,” said Paul Donnelly, park superintendent. “By preserving a portion of the island as natural area, this will hopefully prevent development and head off a significant new source of pollution in the White Oak. And the parking lot redesign is a great demonstration of what can be done to correct an existing water quality problem.”