Sandbag removal in N.C. coming, but not soon

Exposed sandbags on beachfront properties still must go, but apparently their removal won't come anytime soon.

An order by the state Division of Coastal Management to take out damaged sandbags remains unchanged after an administrative law judge recently denied a petition by 19 property owners to stay the order.

With that challenge out of the way, the Coastal Resources Commission will start considering deferred variance requests from property owners.

"Hopefully, we'll start hearing those in April," said division spokeswoman Michele Walker. "It's a long process - it does take some time."

Of the 150 sandbag systems statewide that are subject to removal, the vast majority are in South Nags Head. Uncovered sandbags that block the beach were the top priority, followed by damaged and unvegetated bags heaped in front of beach houses.

Other sandbags with active permits are still allowed.

Notices were sent to about 20 property owners in September, telling them that the bags had to be removed and a response was required within 30 days.

Many owners apparently ignored the letters as a stalling tactic.

Walker said the division has since come to an understanding with the owners' attorneys that the letters were sent properly.

"Essentially, they were courtesy letters," she said. "They weren't notices of violations."

Walker said the division has issued those notices only in anticipation of a slew of variance requests, which must be heard one by one at a Coastal Resources Commission meeting.

Yogi Harper, who owns a beach house and a sandbag installation company in South Nags Head, said the conflict over sandbags will play out for a long time because there's so much revenue and investment at stake.

"The sandbag war is scattered everywhere," he said. "There's a lot of talk out there. We'll have to see what happens."

Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com