Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU) is the largest military terminal in the world, the key ammunition shipping point on the Atlantic Coast, the Army's primary east coast deep-water port, and one of a handful of Department of Defense terminals equipped to handle containerized ammunition. It serves as a transfer point between rail, trucks, and ships for the import and export of weapons, ammunition, explosives and military equipment for United States Army and is operated by the 596th Transportation Brigade.

PHASE 1: JOINT LAND USE STUDY (COMPLETE)

The Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) was a project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), now the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDDC) and administered by the CFCOG.  Benchmark Planning was hired as the consulting firm leading the JLUS process.

The Project’s primary goals were (1) to protect and preserve the military- and defense-related operational capabilities of Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU), the nation’s and world’s largest military terminal; (2) to support continued and safe growth and economic development of MOTSU’s neighboring communities; (3) to enhance communication and collaboration between military commanders and local officials; and (4) to establish policies and procedures for managing compatible land uses adjacent to and encroaching on MOTSU.

The study area included a 3-mile buffer around the MOTSU facility and a ¼-mile buffer of the MOTSU rail corridor and yard and covers portions of Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, including the City of Boiling Spring Lakes, the Town of Carolina Beach, the Town of Kure Beach, the Town of Leland, and the City of Southport. MOTSU is located in one of the fastest growing regions in North Carolina. MOTSU’s main operations are located in Brunswick County, the fastest growing in the state according to the NC Office of State Management and Budget. MOTSU’s boundaries cross the county line into New Hanover County where a portion of the blast zone abuts growing ocean-front communities as well as significant State-owned lands containing significant tourist attractions like Carolina Beach State Park, Ft. Fisher Aquarium, Ft. Fisher State Historic Site, Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, and the Ft. Fisher-Southport Ferry. Additionally, the US Air Force Ft. Fisher Recreation Area is located within the MOTSU boundary, as is the Kure Beach and Carolina Beach sewer treatment plants and Dow Road, a regional arterial road and a major bicycling route. As a result, the project study area contains a rapidly growing population and a significant seasonal tourist population. The project is intended open lines of communication between MOTSU commanders, local officials, and key public and private stakeholders, who will continue work collaboratively to achieve the project goals. The State of North Carolina has made it a priority to protect the continued operation of its military facilities, and this project helps in that effort while also accommodating the growth in population and tourism in the area.

PHASE 2: IMPLEMENTATION (UNDERWAY)

The CFCOG received an implementation grant from OLDDC to support and assist the participating jurisdictions and MOTSU in implementation of the JLUS recommendations.  The primary implementation activity is the ongoing coordination and collaboration between local elected officials and MOTSU leadership through recurring meetings of the MOTSU Intergovernmental Council and through annual installation tours for local elected officials and key local and State staff.  For more information contact Allen Serkin, Executive Director of the CFCOG.

The implementation process conducted through the MOTSU Intergovernmental Council, a multi-jurisdictional body comprised of elected officials from the participating local jurisdictions and the MOTSU Commander.  In addition, representatives of our local State legislative delegation, local Congressional delegation, key state agencies, and key staff from local communities are invited to participate in Council meetings.   The current Intergovernmental Council roster is:

GENERAL DOCUMENTS

• JLUS Overview (PDF)
• JLUS Executive Summary (PDF)
• JLUS Final Document (PDF)
• JLUS Data Management Plan and Technical Addendum (PDF)
• JLUS Public Participation Plan (PDF)

MEETING Presentations:

January 7, 2022 Intergovernmental Council Meeting:

• NC Division of Military Affairs Presentation (PDF)
• NC Sentinel Landscapes Partnership Presentation (PDF)
• Kure Beach Land Use Plan Presentation (PDF)

June 25-25, 2019 Public Meetings:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

May 14, 2019 Joint Policy Committee/Advisory Committee meeting:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

February 25, 2019 Advisory Committee meeting:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

December 4, 2018 Public Meetings:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

November 19, 2018 Policy Committee Meeting:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

October 16, 2018 Advisory Committee Meeting:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

August 28, 2018 Advisory Committee Meeting:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

July 30 Public Meetings:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)
• COL Mueller's presentation (PDF)

June 26, 2018 Advisory Committee Meeting:

• Consultant presentation (PDF)

April 11, 2018 Kick-off Meeting:

• Meeting Agenda (PDF)
• Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment presentation (PDF)
• Benchmark Planning (consultant) presentation (PDF)

To view the mapping portal, click HERE.

For a list of project data, please visit HERE.

For more information or to provide comments on the MOTSU JLUS project, contact project manager Allen Serkin at [email protected] or at 910-395-4553.