Updates and Reminders

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KEY INFORMATION:

  • Update on the Wilmington Harbor deepening project.
  • Dog park closure, reminders for pet owners.
  • NC’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 1-7, 2026
  • Get ready to spring forward!
  • Check your deck!

REMINDERS & EVENTS:

  • NEW yard debris ordinance changes are now in effect.
  • The Village Council’s Annual Retreat is next Tuesday and Wednesday!
  • Badwater Cape Fear Ultra Running Race is on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • All are invited to the “It Takes a Village” event on April 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the BHI Club.
  • Annual PO box renewal reminder.

Wilmington Harbor Project

The January 22 issue of the Village’s Voice provided a synopsis of the N.C. State Ports Authority project to deepen the Cape Fear River shipping channel by five feet and widen portions of the existing federal navigation channel within the lower Cape Fear River and harbor entrance.  The Village has submitted several comments stating its concerns with the project since it was initially proposed, having already experienced negative impacts from the deepening and relocation of the navigation channel in 2000.

On January 20, 2026, the NC Division of Coastal Management released a statement announcing that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the NC State Ports Authority, had asked DCM to pause its review of the Corps’ Consistency Determination, and DCM indicated it had granted the request.  In the statement, DCM said that once the review process resumes, “DCM will decide whether to concur or object to the Corps’ determination for the proposed project. If DCM objects, it can offer alternatives or conditions that, if agreed to by the Corps, would allow the project to proceed.”

On February 25, 2026, the NC Division of Coastal Management announced that it had issued a decision objecting to the Corps’ Consistency Determination, “because the 403 Proposal and supporting documentation did not supply sufficient information about PFAS, flooding, and placement of dredged material to allow DCM to adequately evaluate consistency with North Carolina’s enforceable coastal laws and policies.”

According to a Corps spokesperson, the Corps and the N.C. State Ports Authority are reviewing DCM’s decision to determine how they will proceed.  Since it was early in the review process, they did not give a date for completion. It is possible that the Corps will decide to postpone final federal action on the project and work with DCM to try to resolve the state’s concerns or initiate a formal dispute resolution process.

The Village will continue to monitor the status of this project and has updated its project webpage with recent articles, resolutions, and past comments and correspondence submitted by the Village regarding this project.

Dog Park Closure

The Bald Head Association recently reported that, as a result of the Board’s recent annual retreat and its comprehensive review of all Association-owned common areas, the BHA’s lease arrangement with the Village for the Dog Park located at 230 N Bald Head Wynd, has not been renewed. The decision was not made lightly and was made “after thoroughly considering factors including health and safety, liability risks, maintenance requirements, and overall usage patterns.” The dog park officially closed as of Monday, February 23, 2026.

Dogs are welcome at all of the Village’s parks and on the public beaches. The Village has dog waste bag dispensers at the parks and beach accesses, so cleaning up after your pet is very convenient. If you find an empty dispenser, you can submit an online service request HERE or call 910-457-9700 ext.1000 so Public Works can refill the dispenser at that location.  We ask that you refrain from allowing your dog to dig holes in our parks as we try to keep the turf, beds, and plantings looking good.  For additional information, including our dog-related ordinances and tips for having dogs on BHI, view our “Dogs on BHI” webpage HERE.

Like the BHA, the Village is also evaluating its properties and park facilities.  Village Council will be discussing this topic at next week’s annual retreat. There will likely be a formal opportunity to provide feedback to Council on what you would like to see; however, you can always email Village Council at council@villagebhi.org.  

Severe Weather Preparedness Week

North Carolina’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 1-7, 2026. The National Weather Service has asked local public safety officials to help get the word out about the nation’s readiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience against severe weather during the upcoming season.  The Village will be sharing this information on social media.  Below are some useful links to information that the NWS has gathered for us to send to the public:

On Wednesday, March 4th, at 9:30 AM, the National Weather Service, in cooperation with local broadcasters, will conduct a statewide tornado drill. The alarm test, which will come in the form of a Required Monthly Test, will activate the State Emergency Alert System and be carried by local radio broadcasters. Every school, business, and residence is encouraged to participate in this drill.  It’s really easy:  at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, March 4th, take a few moments to practice your severe weather safety plan, and seek shelter for a few minutes as if a tornado were headed your way.  Practicing this when the weather is good will allow you to react more quickly when the weather turns bad. 

Please visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s preparedness website readync.org. 

On this webpage, you will find an abundance of information and links to a free cell phone app that will help you plan and prepare for the severe weather season.  

Islanders may also want to review the Village’s Emergency Preparedness webpage. It includes a link to the video of the 2025 Hurricane Preparedness Forum and a link to a podcast episode you can listen to in order to refresh your knowledge of how to prepare for storm events on Bald Head Island.

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 a.m., when clocks will spring forward one hour. The change aims to provide more daylight in the evenings.  Many clocks change automatically, but for those that don’t, you might want to set them before you go to bed on Saturday night.

It’s also a good time to schedule an appointment to have your monitored smoke detection system checked by your alarm service provider.  Effective January 1, 2009, all new residential construction and renovated residential structures must have monitored smoke detection systems. Your alarm system should be inspected regularly. Doing so could help reduce the number of false alarms that the Department of Public Safety is dispatched to when there isn’t a fire.

For more information, view our guide HERE.


Check Your Deck!

The corrosive nature of the coastal environment can take a heavy toll on wood and fasteners, and it is important to routinely inspect the condition of your property and take any necessary corrective action.  Now is a good time to do it, so you can get it ready for summer. There are many licensed general contractors and home inspectors who would be happy to assist.

In accordance with North Carolina law, the Village inspects any new construction and significant repairs or renovations at the time the work is completed, but does not engage in routine, periodic inspections.  This responsibility ultimately falls on the property owner, although the Village’s building inspector will inspect any property for which a specific complaint is received.  To assist our property owners, Village staff has prepared a simple, helpful Citizen’s Guide to Deck Safety. This flyer includes a graphic illustrating typical deck construction, along with illustrations of common problems and other helpful tips.

Additionally, it is important for everyone (property owners and visitors) to be mindful of the number of people gathered on a particular deck or section of the deck.

If you have questions or need additional information or assistance, please get in touch with the Village’s Development Services Administrator, Stephen Boyett, at (910) 457-9700 ext. 1004 or sboyett@villagebhi.org.

Citizen’s Guide to Deck Safety

REMINDERS & EVENTS:               

New Yard Debris Rules are In Effect

In January, the Village Council adopted a few ordinance updates to the code of ordinances regarding the Village’s yard debris removal program.  A few of the updates were just codifying policies that are already in place, such as requiring property owners to arrange pick-up no later than 2:00 p.m. on the day before the scheduled pick-up and indicating that Public Works will not use driveways to access debris piles.

The other changes are “new” to folks, and we did communicate them back in January, but wanted to remind folks.  They are as follows:

  • There shall be only one pile per property per scheduled pick-up.
  • Piles of debris shall be no larger than 8 feet by 4 feet and 3 feet in height.
  • Piles shall not be placed on top of utility infrastructure and at least 5-6 feet away from utility infrastructure and any trees/vegetation.

The Village is aware that some folks use one lot on their street to collect debris from multiple properties. In these cases, we ask that property owners note this when making their pick-up requests.

As a reminder, this service is for property owners who do their own yard work.  If you have a contractor/landscaper, they are responsible for debris removal.  Debris must be left on the roadside, and per the ordinance, it must be at least 5-6 feet away from utility infrastructure and any trees/vegetation. This service is not “on demand”; pick-ups are completed on the scheduled dates (calendar HERE).  You must submit your pick-up request via our online service request portal (HERE) or by calling customer service at 910-457-9700 ext. 1000.

Use our online service request portal (HERE) to request yard debris pick-up. 

Annual Council Retreat & Regular Meeting

The next regular Village Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, following the conclusion of the Council Retreat on March 3-4, 2026. The retreat and regular meeting will be held in the multi-purpose room in the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Ext.).  The agenda for the retreat and regular meeting is posted HERE.  Zoom information for listening remotely can be found HERE.

If you are unable to attend, we will be publishing a written recap HERE, uploading the presentations on our YouTube channel, and there will likely be several podcast episodes generated from the topics discussed.

Badwater Cape Fear

The Badwater Ultra Running Race is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026. This all-day race will take place on several Village wynds, and Public Safety will provide traffic control. Other activities for the participants will be taking place on the Island beginning Friday. More information about the race can be found HERE.

It Takes a Village

All are invited to the “It Takes a Village” event to celebrate the volunteers and organizations who serve Bald Head Island. Join us on April 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the BHI Club. The Village Manager and Public Information Officer, as well as several elected officials, will be in attendance. BHI Club members can register to attend on the BHI Club App; non-members can register HERE.

Annual PO Box Renewals

Island Package Center & Post Office staff want to remind PO box holders that they are required to renew their PO Box each year.  When a PO Box expires, an annual renewal form is placed in the PO Box.  These forms need to be filled out and turned in as soon as possible. Please make sure to use your Bald Head Island address and not your off-island address when filling out the form.  Completed forms should be handed to IPC/PO staff at the counter.  If you need a blank form, those are also available at the counter.


Thank you for reading this Village’s Voice announcement and for taking the time to stay informed on Village news and events. If you have any questions about the content in this announcement or about the Village’s departments and services, please reach out to us at public.information@villagebhi.org or (910) 457-9700 ext. 1025.

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