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Dare County Commissioners Warren Judge, Virginia Tillett and Bob Woodard hand delivered a resolution regarding Oregon Inlet to leaders of the N.C. General Assembly in Raleigh on Wednesday, Jan. 9 for the opening of the assembly's 2013 session.

Copies of the resolution were delivered to the offices of District 6 Representative Paul Tine, District 1 Senator Bill Cook and Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger.

After hearing emotional pleas for emergency action by Dare County watermen at the Jan. 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, the board reviewed their long-time advocacy for the inlet and support for immediate and decisive action to clear the inlet and safeguard the commercial fishing, charter boat and boat building industries on the Outer Banks. The board also scheduled a special meeting to address the issue for Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.

The "Resolution Calling for Immediate Funding for the Dredging of Oregon Inlet" was passed by the board during a closed session at the conclusion of the meeting. Noting the "dangerous situation that threatens the lives and property of commercial and recreational vessels and jeopardizes the economy of the region," the resolution stated that the board "strongly renews its request that state and federal agencies immediately begin the work necessary to clear the channel at Oregon Inlet and to appropriate ongoing funding to maintain safe and reliable access as a matter of economic necessity and public safety."

The resolution also noted that Oregon Inlet has "an annual documented economic impact of over $682 million and generates over $88 million each year in federal, state and local tax revenue."

Read the full story at the Outer Banks Sentinel>>

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