The state Senate overwhelmingly approved a proposal that would allow jetties to be built along the coast.

The bill passed, without debate, on a 37-10 vote, Lynn Bonner reports.

Some coastal communities want to loosen the state ban on jetties to protect property and beaches from erosion. The bill's supporters refer to these structures as "terminal groins."

Sen. Julia Boseman, a New Hanover Democrat and the bill's sponsor, said communities want another way to control erosion on beaches, "the economic engine" of the region.

Scientists from around the country, the state environmental agency, and environmental groups oppose the bill. Building walls to hold sand on one side causes erosion on the other side, they said, and tampers with the ecology of the seashore.

A Senate committee swiftly approved a bill backed by Senate leader Marc Basnight to loosen the state ban on sea walls.

Senate Bill 832, approved on a voice vote this morning, would allow the Coastal Resources Commission to approve seawalls to protect beaches and coastal property, Lynn Bonner reports.

Some communities are pushing for the structures to protect beaches and homes. But scientists warn that building walls to pile up sand on one side of a wall will cause erosion on the other side. The state environment agency, dozens of scientists, and environmental groups oppose the bill.

The Senate approved a similar measure two years ago, but the House did not vote on it.

State senators who represent coastal counties are trying again to loosen the ban on sea walls.

Senate Bill 832, which a slew of scientists, environmental groups, and the state environmental agency oppose, would allow seawalls along the shoreline, with the Coastal Resources Commission's okay, Lynn Bonner reports.

Some towns and homeowners want the walls, called terminal groins, near inlets to prevent erosion.

The Senate tried two years ago to pass a similar law, but the House did not discuss the issue.

Sen. Julia Boseman, a Democrat from New Hanover, said the bill had support from Democratic and Republican senators, including Senate leader Marc Basnight, a Democrat from Manteo.

The Senate committee on the environment discussed the measure, but did not vote.

More after the jump.

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