Dare County Beaches makes the list of ASBPA Best Restored Beaches for 2018

On Monday, May 21, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) released its annual list of the nation’s best restored beaches, and the shorelines of Dare County earned one of the top five spots.

This year’s list includes representatives from the north Atlantic, mid-Atlantic, south Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts, and the complete list of 2018 winners are:

ASBPA reports that it created the Best Restored Beach award as a way of highlighting the value of restored beaches. To enter the Best Restored Beach competition, coastal communities nominated their projects for consideration, and an independent panel of coastal managers and scientists selected the winners. Judging was based on three criteria:

“I look for commitment and dedication to the project. I want the applicant to make me love his or her beach,” said Chair of the Best Restored Beach Committee, Lee Weishar, Ph.D.

Per a press release from ASBPA, this year’s winners spotlight a diverse selection of beaches and challenges, ranging from protecting coastal marshes in a wildlife refuge to protecting upland properties in one of America’s most exclusive locales.

“What they all have in common, however, is working creatively to address complex coastal issues in way that is sustainable and mitigate the ravages of nature, compatible with the surrounding environment and achievable in the face of both political and natural obstacles,” read the release.

Founded in 1926, the ASBPA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that advocates for healthy coastlines by promoting the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America.

“This year’s Best Restored Beach winners represent a wide variety of beach types that offer unique and varied attributes,” said ASBPA President Tony Pratt.  “I congratulate the winners for their hard work and for the beautiful beaches they have protected and enhanced.”