North Carolina has given two existing artificial reefs off the Outer Banks another 3,000 tons of material, using damaged and unusable concrete pipe and boxes that would otherwise have required disposal. The N.C. Artificial Reef Program completed the two enhancement projects in May 2026, placing approximately 1,500 tons of recycled concrete at each site. The reefs, designated AR-230 and AR-250, lie offshore of Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke, respectively. According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the material now sits on the seafloor, adding new structure for marine life while improving opportunities for recreational fishing and diving. The concrete was donated by businesses and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which had material that was damaged and no longer usable for its original purpose. The project was part of a year-long process involving public comment, planning, permitting and stockpiling before the material could be deployed.
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