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Bogue Inlet Pier (Emerald Isle) and surrounding 15 acres are under contract to be sold (although it's not final yet). Plans of potential buyer are unknown...
IMO, in a very few years, there will be no access for fishermen and our boats other than those who rent/buy specific access (waterway homes, boat storage on water, etc.)
Public ramps in SE NC are grossly overcrowded and seems state gov't is doing nothing to aquire property to increase size or # of ramps.
The fishing pier, my first exposure to saltwater fishing is almost extinct.
Yep, Bogue Inlet Pier is probably going to be history shortly,,,money talks but who can blame the guy for selling what has to be a terrible headache to deal with,,would anyone else not do the same if they owned the pier? I don't like it either but there is simply nothing I can do about it, its the pier owner's decision! I wish the man good luck!
I could not agree more about public boating access here in eastern N.C., in some places its mostly non-existant, between Cape Carteret and Morehead City there is nothing for the public,,a distance of 18 miles! This to me is absurd!
The WRC has acquired Shell Rock Landing over the past few years,,they even put in another ramp at this facility,, but then they blocked off half the parking lot for some reason! I guess they don't want the boating public to have very much parking access either, they really haven't done much in the past 30 years for us around this area of Carteret County as far as boat ramps for the masses!
A new launching ramp was constructed downeast close to Davis last year, the ramp is very nice with a good breakwater around it, but they only have 14 parking spaces in the parking lot,,,go figure, how long does it take this area to fill up in the mornings? What a joke!!!
I guess we have to face it living here, they just aren't gonna give us any help with launching ramps,,thats the norm for the WRC and whoever is running that outfit! We pay all kinds of taxes and nothing gets done!! Sound political to you folks?? Something stinks for sure,, and it ain't the fish!!!
TOWN OF EMERALD ISLE SEEKING STATE ASSISTANCE
TO PURCHASE BOGUE INLET PIER AND REMOVE STORM WATER OUTFALLS
The Town of Emerald Isle is actively seeking to partner with the State of North Carolina to purchase Bogue Inlet Pier for perpetual public use and remove existing storm water outfalls that discharge to the Atlantic Ocean. The Pier and surrounding properties are currently under contract to be sold to a private real estate development firm with plans to redevelop an approximately 15-acre site. The Town is working to purchase only the actual Pier and sufficient land to maintain a parking lot to meet visitation demands.
Bogue Inlet Pier is the last remaining ocean fishing pier in Emerald Isle, and one of only two remaining on Bogue Banks. The financial reality in today’s coastal real estate market is that ocean fishing piers are likely to be lost forever unless a public entity acquires and operates these facilities. The Town of Emerald Isle recognizes this reality, and is taking proactive steps to ensure the perpetual existence of an ocean fishing pier in Emerald Isle. Similarly, the preservation of North Carolina’s outstanding coastal water quality is of paramount importance, and the Town continues its efforts to be a leader in preserving coastal water quality.
The Town is pursuing multiple initiatives to acquire Bogue Inlet Pier and remove the existing storm water outfalls. The Town is submitting a grant application to the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund on June 1 to purchase Bogue Inlet Pier and remove existing storm water outfalls. The Town would utilize grant funds to acquire the property, remove outfalls that drain a vast impervious area, and construct a new environmentally-friendly parking lot to serve Pier and beach visitors. The Town is also partnering with the North Carolina Aquarium to secure a direct appropriation from the General Assembly to ensure the perpetual existence of a public fishing pier in Emerald Isle. This direct appropriation would supplant or supplement any grant funds obtained, and/or be used to improve the durability of the pier structure. In either case, the Town would convey Bogue Inlet Pier to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores to operate as an adjunct facility of the Aquarium. The addition of Bogue Inlet Pier to the NC Aquarium system would assist in achieving a goal of many to maintain one public ocean fishing pier in the northern, central, and southern coastal areas of NC. A similar arrangement has resulted in the acquisition of the former Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, and a southern ocean fishing pier is also envisioned in the future.
“Ocean fishing piers are an essential part of the coastal NC experience, and we want to do whatever we can to preserve Bogue Inlet Pier for current and future generations”, noted Mayor Art Schools. “For many North Carolinians, fishing piers provide the most convenient and perhaps the only access to the ocean for recreational fishing. Ocean fishing piers are also key public beach access and parking locations, and are vital to ensuring that the citizens of North Carolina can enjoy the public beach,” added Mayor Schools. “We look forward to partnering with the State to preserve Bogue Inlet Pier and improve water quality. We also welcome the opportunity to explore other viable options to achieve these goals.”
The Town anticipates a productive and cooperative relationship with the potential new owners of the properties in the Bogue Inlet Pier area. The Town will be working hard to ensure that the proposed redevelopment is sensitive to the natural environment, consistent with the Town’s Land Use Plan and applicable development regulations, enhances Emerald Isle’s aesthetics and sense of community, and is financially viable for the developers.
The Town believes the convergence of these issues represents a unique opportunity to preserve the Pier, improve water quality, and create an exciting new development in Emerald Isle. The Town is working hard to seize this opportunity, for both Emerald Isle and North Carolina.
Contacts: Art Schools, Mayor 252-354-2916
Frank Rush, Town Manager 252-354-3424 or 252-241-6995
Bogue Inlet Pier- under contract to be sold 
