KEY INFORMATION:
- Village officials visit Washington, DC, to advocate for the Village.
- Hydrant flow testing is taking place.
- Several beach accesses are getting extended as part of the Village’s regular annual beach access maintenance program.
- Tree maintenance along the Village’s right-of-way continues.
- Marina channel maintenance to start soon.
- Archaeological work is taking place on lighthouse grounds.
- An update on wind energy.
- Be scam aware!
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
- NC Coastal Reserve is inviting folks to a virtual info session on Bald Head Woods Coastal Reserve and its site steward program on March 31.
- Duke Energy will test sirens on April 1, 2026.
- Village offices will be closed on Good Friday, April 3, 2026.
- All are invited to the “It Takes a Village” event on April 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the BHI Club.
- This year’s Earth Day Celebration is on Friday, April 10, from 10-noon at Marina Park.
- The 5th Annual Johnston Coastal Sustainability Symposium is on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
- The next regular Village Council meeting is on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
- We’re having an Arbor Day Ceremony on Friday, April 17, right before the Council meeting.
- The first budget workshop is scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
Trip to DC
Village officials, including Mayor Peter Quinn, Village Manager Chris McCall, and Assistant Village Manager/Shoreline Protection Manager Jae Kim, traveled to Washington, DC this week to meet with federal agencies and congressional representatives to advocate on behalf of Bald Head Island. Meetings included engagement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters staff (focused on sand sourcing, coastal resilience, and partnership opportunities such as an Additional Work Agreement), the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development (advocating for funding of a federal feasibility study to evaluate long-term shoreline protection options), and staff for Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis (discussing shoreline protection funding needs, Wilmington Harbor maintenance and sand placement, infrastructure improvements, and federal policy considerations impacting coastal communities).
The delegation also met with the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development to reinforce the importance of advancing the Corps’s feasibility study, and with Congressman David Rouzer’s office to highlight continued federal partnership on shoreline management, navigation, and resilience initiatives. Across all meetings, Village officials emphasized the importance of securing long-term sand resources, maintaining federal navigation projects that benefit the island’s beaches, advancing critical infrastructure improvements, and ensuring Bald Head Island’s needs are represented in future federal funding and policy decisions.
Hydrant Flow Testing
Hydrant flow testing is currently taking place island-wide and will conclude around April 20, weather permitting. Hydrant testing ensures the ability to provide water at an acceptable pressure and flow rate for public health and firefighting operations. If you experience discolored water, refer to our fact sheet on discolored water HERE.
Beach Access Maintenance
Over the last few weeks, the Village’s contractor has been working to extend several beach access crossovers. Beach Access #39 was completed. The following accesses will be closed during construction as they continue to work on them over the next several weeks: 15, 19, 20, 21, 24, & 26.
Each year, the Village surveys its beach accesses to determine needs, prioritizes the ones that need repair, and selects a handful to include in the annual budget. If you notice any repair needs at the beach accesses, please submit a service request so the Village can evaluate and address the needs as soon as possible. You can submit a service request online HERE.
Tree Maintenance
Tree maintenance along the Village’s right-of-way continues and is expected to wrap up early to mid-April. Tree maintenance is necessary for public safety – to provide clearance for emergency vehicles and to prevent large limbs from falling on people and blocking roadways. Pruning has health benefits for the trees and prevents nuisance debris from falling on roads. More information HERE.
Marina Channel Maintenance
Coastal Dredging is expected to finish up their work at Deep Point and will be heading to BHI soon to maintain the marina channel entrance and clean out the sand bypass area. The material removed will be placed in front of the homes along Row Boat Row. This work does not impact ferry service and will take a few days to a week, depending on marine conditions.
Archaeology Work at Old Baldy
Islanders may have noticed some recent activity in the wooded area across from Old Baldy Lighthouse. This is because Old Baldy Foundation has partnered with American Veterans Archaeological Recovery (AVAR) to perform an archaeological exploration that aims to uncover material evidence from past conflicts, including the American Revolution and Civil War. The lot they will be excavating was generously donated to OBF by Mark and Robin Prak and may hold artifacts and cultural resources that shed light on the lighthouse’s past. Ballast Stone Alley and the closed portion of Lighthouse Wynd (used by pedestrians and cyclists) will remain fully open while the exploration takes place.
Learn more about the collaboration HERE.
BHW Reserve Virtual Info Session
NC Coastal Reserve is inviting folks to a virtual info session on Bald Head Woods Coastal Reserve and its site steward program on March 31 at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the 2nd largest maritime forest in NC and future opportunities to get involved. Sign up online HERE.
Update on Wind Energy
On March 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Interior announced that it had reached an agreement with TotalEnergies to renounce costly offshore wind leases and redirect the company’s investment into U.S. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) production. This terminates two leases off the U.S. east coast, including the Carolina Long Bay (CLB) lease. The CLB wind energy area is located approximately 17 nautical miles offshore from the Carolinas and 22 miles south of Bald Head Island. Over the years, the Village, along with other coastal stakeholders, engaged with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and raised concerns about the viewshed and other potential negative impacts the wind project could have on the area. Duke Energy, which has a lease next to TotalEnergies, announced in August 2025 that it had decided to halt its plans for an offshore wind project due to high costs.
Be Scam Aware
Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal and financial information. But there are several ways to protect yourself.
The Federal Trade Commission has a great article on How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams. Please review it HERE. It covers how to recognize phishing, how to protect yourself from phishing attacks, what to do if you suspect a phishing attack, what to do if you respond to a phishing email and how to report phishing.
The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BSCO) is an excellent local resource for scams that are impacting our area. You can find this information (which the Village often shares on its social media) on the BCSO Facebook page (HERE), website (HERE) or download the BCSO app (Apple: HERE or Android: HERE).
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
Siren Testing
The outdoor warning sirens around Duke Energy’s Brunswick Nuclear Plant will be tested between 10 and 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The test will last five to thirty seconds. No public action is required.
For more information about the outdoor warning sirens, residents can refer to the information available on Duke Energy’s website HERE.
Duke Energy customers can sign up to receive phone, text, and email alerts HERE.
Village Offices Closed April 3
Village offices, including Public Safety administration, will be closed on Friday, April 3, 2026, in observance of Good Friday. The Island Package Center and Post Office will be closed too, but will be open on Saturday, April 4 (10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – closed 12:00 to 12:30 for lunch). Please call 911 if you need a Public Safety Officer to come to you.
Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. released its Easter Weekend ferry schedule today. View it 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 Managers, Department Heads, and several elected officials will be in attendance. BHI Club members can register to attend on the BHI Club App; non-members can register HERE.
Earth Day Celebration
This year’s Earth Day Celebration is on Friday, April 10, from 10-noon at Marina Park. The Village passed the annual Earth Day Proclamation at its March meeting, announcing the event. There will be a free plant giveaway, crafts and fun activities for kids, and lots of information about native plants and habitats. Attendees may also help install new plantings for the Spring Pollinator garden!
5th Annual Johnston Coastal Sustainability Symposium
The Fifth Annual Johnston Coastal Sustainability Symposium is on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the BHI Generator Society Hall. This session will include several guest speakers, including Village Manager Chris McCall. This year’s theme, “Coastal Sustainability through Stewardship,” emphasizes the shared responsibility we all have in protecting Bald Head Island for generations to come. There is no cost to attend the morning session, but please register by emailing BHI Conservancy Executive Director Dr. Chris Shank (shank@bhic.org). Spaces are limited, please RSVP by April 2. More info HERE.
Next Village Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room at the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Extension). The agenda will be posted HERE. Zoom information to listen in remotely can be found HERE.
If you are unable to attend, we will be publishing a written recap HERE. You can also check for the podcast episode recapping the meeting HERE.
Arbor Day Ceremony
Please join us right before the next Village Council meeting, on Friday, April 17, at 9:45 a.m. sharp, for an Arbor Day Ceremony. We will be planting a tree between the Public Safety Building bays and Contractor Services, and Mayor Quinn will read the 2026 Arbor Day Proclamation.
Arbor Day is a day dedicated to emphasizing the environmental, social, and ecological benefits of trees. Arbor Day is observed nationally on the last Friday in April, which is April 24 this year. Some states, like North Carolina, celebrate it when local planting conditions are best, so some in NC observed it on March 20. NC’s always falls on the first Friday after March 15.
FY27 Budget Workshop
The first budget workshop is scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room at the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Extension). Those who cannot attend in person can view the meeting on Zoom (details will be posted on the Annual Budget webpage and HERE). If a second workshop is needed, it will take place on June 11.
Like last year, the Village will assist taxpayers in keeping up with the budget process by placing all the meeting/workshop information, documents, and resources in one place. Our “Annual Budget” webpage can be found HERE. Taxpayers will have access to the budget schedule, video of the budget workshop(s), presentation slides, meeting minutes, and any additional information produced as part of the Council’s deliberation on the FY27budget. Taxpayers are encouraged to submit questions and comments.
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.