Beaufort County residents and others could have a new public access to area waterways in the somewhat near future.

On Monday, the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to conduct a public hearing regarding a grant application seeking money to build a boating-access area adjacent to Wright’s Creek in the Pamlico Beach area. The hearing is set for 7 p.m. The boating-access area would be off Wilkins Road.

The grant money, if approved, would be used to buy land for the project, according to a document from the Mid-East Commission, which is handling the grant process for the county. The county is seeking $345,100 from the N.C. Division of Coastal Management through its Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program. The county’s contribution would be $60,900, for a total of $406,000 to use for acquiring the land needed for the project.

“Boating is a major part of both the culture and economy of Beaufort County. The addition of the Wilkins Road public access facility would give the local economy a much needed boost,” reads a document that’s part of the application. “The influx of visitors into the area to use the facility would benefit area restaurants, hotels, and the merchant business.”

The document also states, “Once development of the property begins, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has proposed construction of a public access boat ramp large enough to facilitate larger watercraft than the current on-site ramp.”

The property being sought is owned by Louis and Belinda Hopkins. It’s assessed value, according to Beaufort County records, is $406,000.

In other scheduled business, John Pack, Beaufort County’s emergency-services director, will present an update on how the closing of Vidant Pungo Hospital in Belhaven could affect emergency medical services provided by the county in Belhaven and surrounding areas.

The Board of Commissioners meets at 5 p.m. in the Beaufort County Administrative Building, 121 W. Third St., Washington. To review the entire agenda for the meeting, visit www.co.beaufort.nc.us. At the right side of the page, click on “Agenda” under the heading “Next regular Board of Commissioners meeting.”