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HomeMy WebLinkAbout35-20 Application Binder with Plans,,,, 272 N. Street, Suite 204 Wilmington, NC 28041 moffatt & nichol (910)218-7100 Fax(919)7814869 www.mo8a8nichol.mm August 26, 2019 Mr. Ryan Davenport N.C. Division of Coastal Management (NCDCM) 400 Commerce Avenue Morehead City, NC 28557 Re: CAMA Major Permit Application East Taylor's Creek Maintenance Dredging Dear Mr. Davenport, On behalf of Carteret County, please find enclosed a DRAFT CAMA Major Permit application for East Taylor's Creek Maintenance Dredging. The proposed project will restore the historical alignment of the creek entrance and should help reduce the need for maintenance events. Since 2013, the entrance alignment has experienced a northern migration and increased maintenance needs. In efforts to reduce the maintenance requirements and provide longevity to the navigation corridor, Carteret County has taken a proactive stance to restore the navigation pathway from East Taylor's Creek to Beaufort Inlet. In addition to restoring the historical alignment of East Taylor's Creek, the project will provide a consistent navigation depth through the creek entrance matching the interior of Taylor's Creek at -12 MLW. These actions should provide a sustainable entrance alignment for recreational boaters traversing the waters of Taylor's Creek from North River Channel. We appreciate the Division's assistance and guidance in preparing the enclosed application and look forward to a favorable review. As the authorized agent for Carteret County, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, MOFFATT & NICHOL Robert Neal, P.E. Senior Coastal Engineer Enclosures A110 OHW-Nl00 cc: Gregory Rudolph, Carteret County (w/o attachment) 6101 S 0 d3S Eugene Foxworth, Carteret County (w/o attachment) Dawn York, Moffatt & Nichol (w/o attachment) 03AI3038 Page 1 Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Maintenance Dredging CAMA Major Permit Application Table of Contents Tab Description A. Form MP-1 B. Form MP-2 C. Agent Authorization D. Project Narrative E. Permit Drawings F. 1935 USACE Authorization for Taylor's Creek G. Taylor's Creek Hydrographic Survey (USACE — Feb 2019) H. Letter of Agreement (Atlantic Veneer) I. Manatee Avoidance Guidelines J. NMFS Sea Turtle & Smalltooth Sawfish Recommendations K. Riparian Property Owners Notification List RECEIVED SEP 03 2019 DCM-MHD CITY DION MP-1 APPLICATION for Major Development Permit (last revised 12/27106) North Carolina DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT 1. Primary Applicant Landowner Information Business Name Project Name (if applicable) Carteret County East Taylor's Creek Maintenance Dredging Applicant 1: First Name MI Last Name Tommy Burns Applicant 2: First Name MI Last Name Rudi Rudolph If additional applicants, please attach an additional page(s) with names listed. Mailing Address PO Box City State 302 Courthouse Square Beaufort NC ZIP Country Phone No. FAX No. 28516 us 252-222-5835 ext. 252-222-5826 Street Address (if different from above) City State ZIP Email grudolph@carteretcountync.gov 2. AgentContractor Information Business Name Moffatt 8 Nichol Agentl Contractor 1: First Name MI Last Name Robert Neal Agent/ Contractor 2: First Name MI Last Name Mailing Address PO Box City State 272 N. Front Street, Suite 204 Wilmington NC ZIP Phone No. 1 Phone No. 2 28401 910 - 218 - 7100 ext. ext. FAX No. Contractor 0 919 781 4869 Street Address (d different from above) City State ZIP Email meai@moffaftnichol.com <Form continues on back> RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 252.808-2808 .. 1-888-4RCOAST .. www.nccoastalmanaeea WM�* CITY Form DCM MP-1 (Page 2 of 4) APPLICATION for Major Development Permit 3. Project Location County (can be multiple) Street Address State Rd. # Carteret Carrot Island Subdivision Name City State Zip Beaufort Phone No. Lot No.(s) (if many, attach additional page with list) 252 - 222 - 5835 ext. , a. In which NC river basin is the project located? b. Name of body of water nearest to proposed project White Oak Taylors Creek c. Is the water body identified in (b) above, natural or manmade? d. Name the closest major water body to the proposed project site. NNatural []Manmade []Unknown Beaufort Inlet e. Is proposed work within city limits or planning jurisdiction? f. If applicable, list the planning jurisdiction or city limit the proposed NYes ❑No work falls within. Carteret County 4. Site Description a. Total length of shoreline on the tract (ft.) b. Size of entire tract (sq.ft.) 2,800 6.2 Acres (Navigation Channel) c. Size of individual lot(s) d. Approximate elevation of tract above NHW (normal high water) or NWL (normal water level) (If many lot sizes, please attach additional page with a list) 0 ❑NHW or NNWL e. Vegetation on tract None f. Man-made features and uses now on tract Recreational navigation. g. Identify and describe the existing land uses adjacent to the proposed project site. Commercial, recreational, I and residential. East Taylor's Creek lies adjacent to the Rachel Carson Reserve as well as residential and commercial units on Lennoxville Rd in Beaufort, NC. h. How does local government zone the tract? I. Is the proposed project consistent with the applicable zoning? Not zoned (Attach zoning compliance certificate, if applicable) ❑Yes []No NNA j. Is the proposed activity part of an urban waterfront redevelopment proposal? []Yes NNo k. Hasa professional archaeological assessment been done for the tract? If yes, attach a copy. ❑Yes NNo ❑NA If yes, by whom? I. Is the proposed project located in a National Registered Historic District or does it involve a ❑Yes NNo ❑NA National Register listed or eligible property? <Form continues on next page> 252-808-2808 :: 1-888.4111COAST :: www.nccoastaimanagement.net Form DCM MP-1 (Page 3 of 4) APPLICATION for Major Development Permit m. (i) Are there wetlands on the site? ®Yes []No (ii) Are there coastal wetlands on the site? ®Yes []No (III) If yes to either (i) or (ii) above, has a delineation been conducted? ❑Yes ®No (Attach documentation, if available) n. Describe existing wastewater treatment facilities. N/A o. Describe existing drinking water supply source. N/A p. Describe existing stone water management or treatment systems. N/A 5. Activities and Impacts a. Wit the project be for commercial, public, or private use? ❑Commercial ®PubliclGovemment ❑PrivatelCommunity b. Give a brief description of purpose, use, and daily operations of the project when complete. Provide navigation access through East Taylor's Creek and improve tidal flushing conditions to enhance stability of the channel while decreasing the need for maintenance events. c. Describe the proposed construction methodology, types of construction equipment to be used during construction, the number of each type of equipment and where it is to be stored. A clamshell dredge or excavator will remove sediment from the channel footprint and place it on a barge or other floating containment equipment. The excavated material will be transported to an offloading site and placed in a dumptruck or other hauling device. Dumptrucks will then transport the material to the placement area for storage. Excavators will be used to transfer the material from the floating equipment to the dumptrucks and from the dumptrucks to the placement area. The offloading site and placement area are on private property owned by Atlantic Veneer Corporation. d. List all development activities you propose. Dredge or excavate material from East Taylor's Creek to improve navigation access and enhance tidal flushing potential. e. Are the proposed activities maintenance of an existing project, new work, or both? Both Maintenance work to -7 MLLW and new work to -12 MLLW. f. What is the approximate total disturbed land area resulting from the proposed project? 6.2 ❑Sq.Ft or ®Acres g. Wit the proposed project encroach on any public easement, public accessway or other area []Yes ®No ❑NA that the public has established use of? h. Describe location and type of existing and proposed discharges to waters of the state. Small quantities of dredge effluent will return to the waters of the state as the excavated material is placed on the floating barges for transport. I. Will wastewater or stomiwater be discharged into a wetland? ❑Yes ❑No ®NA If yes, will this discharged water be of the same salinity as the receiving water? ❑Yes []No ®NA j. Is there any mitigation proposed? []Yes []NO ®NA If yes, attach a mitigation proposal. RECEIVEU <Form continues on back> 252.808.2808 :: 1.888-4RCOAST :: www.nccoastal management. net DCM-MHD CITY Form DCM MP-1 (Page 4 of 4) APPLICATION for Major Development Permit 6. Additional Information In addition to this completed application tone, (MP-1) the following items below, if applicable, must be submitted in order for the application package to be complete. Items (a) — (Q are always applicable to any major development application. Please consult the application instruction booklet on how to proper prepare the required items below. a. A project narrative. b. An accurate, dated work plat (including plan view and cross -sectional drawings) drawn to scale. Please give the present status of the proposed project. Is any portion already complete? If previously authorized work, clearly Indicate on maps, plats, drawings to distinguish between work completed and proposed. c. A site or location map that is sufficiently detailed to guide agency personnel unfamiliar with the area to the site. d. A copy of the deed (with state application only) or other instrument under which the applicant claims title to the affected properties. e. The appropriate application fee. Check or money order made payable to DENR. f. A list of the names and complete addresses of the adjacent waterfront (riparian) landowners and signed return receipts as proof that such owners have received a copy of the application and plats by certified mail. Such landowners must be advised that they have 30 days in which to submit comments on the proposed project to the Division of Coastal Management. Name - Phone No. I Address REFERENCE APPENDIX I Name Phone No. Address Name Phone No. Address g. A list of previous state or federal permits issued for work on the project tract. Include permit numbers, pernillee, and issuing dates. The USACE has conducted previous maintenace events under a federal authorization provided in 1935. h. Signed consultant or agent authorization form, if applicable. I. Wetland delineation, if necessary. j. A signed AEC hazard notice for projects in oceanfront and inlet areas. (Must be signed by property owner) k. A statement of compliance with the N.C. Environmental Policy Act (N.C.G.S. 113A 1-10), if necessary. If the project involves expenditure of public funds or use of public lands, attach a statement documenting compliance with the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act. 1 7. Certification and Permission to Enter on Land I understand that any permit issued in response to this application will allow only the development described in the application. The project will be subject to the conditions and restrictions contained in the permit. I certify that I am authorized to grant, and do in fact grant permission to representatives of state and federal review agencies to enter on the aforementioned lands in connection with evaluating information related to this permit application and follow-up monitoring of the project. I further certify that the information provided in this application is truthful to the best of my knowledge. Date August 5, 2019 Print Name Greg'Rudi' Rudolph Signature Please indicate application attachments pertaining to your proposed project. ®DCM MP-2 Excavation and Fill Information ❑DCM MP-5 Bridges and Culverts ❑DCM MP-3 Upland Development ❑DCM MP-4 Structures Information 252.808.2808 :: 1-888-4RCOAST :: www.nccoastaimanagement.net Form DCM MP-2 EXCAVATION and FILL (Except for bridges and culverts) Attach this form to Joint Application for CAMA Major Permit, Form DCM MP-1. Be sure to complete all other sections of the Joint Application that relate to this proposed project. Please include all supplemental information. Describe below the purpose of proposed excavation and/or fill activities. All values should be given in feet. Access Other Channel Canal Boat Basin Boat Ramp Rock Groin Rock (excluding (NLW or Breakwater shoreline NWL) stabilization Length 2,800 Width 75 Avg. Existing $ g MLLW NA NA Depth Final Project -12 MLLW NA NA Depth 1. EXCAVATION ❑This section not applicable a. Amount of material to be excavated from below NHW or NWL in b. Type of material to be excavated. cubic yards. Sand 36,000 c. (i) Does the area to be excavated include coastal wedands/marsh d. High -ground excavation in cubic yards. (CW), submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), shell bottom (SB), 0 CY or other wetlands (WL)? If any boxes are checked, provide the number of square feet affected. ❑CW ❑SAV ❑SB _ ❑WL ®None (n) Describe the purpose of the excavation in these areas: 2. DISPOSAL OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL ❑This section not applicable a. Location of disposal area. b. Dimensions of disposal area. Upland placement at 2525 Lennoxville Rd (Atlantic Veneer) 2.2 acres c. (i) Do you claim title to disposal area? d. (i) Will a disposal area be available for future maintenance? ❑Yes ONO ❑NA ❑Yes ONO ❑NA (ii) If no, attach a letter granting permission from the owner. (ii) If yes, where? Reference Appendix H for Use Agreement e. (i) Does the disposal area include any coastal wetlands/marsh f. (i) Does the disposal indude any area in the water? (CW), submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), shell bottom (SB), ❑Yes ONO ❑NA or other wetlands (WL)? If any boxes are checked, provide the number of square feel affected. (ii) If yes, how much water area is affected? []CW ❑SAV ❑SB ❑WL ®None (ii) Describe the purpose of disposal in these areas: RECEivED SEP 0 3 2019 252-808-2808 :: 1-888-4RCOAST :: www.nccoastalmanaaement.net ')CM- revised: 12126/06 Form ®CM MP-2 (Excavation and Fill, Page 2 of 2) 3. SHORELINE STABILIZATION ®This section not applicable (if development is a wood groin, use MP-4 — Structures) ) a. Type of shoreline stabilization: b. Length: []Bulkhead ❑Riprap ❑Breakwater/Sill ❑Other:_ Width: _ c. Average distance waterward of NHW or NWL: d. Maximum distance waterward of NHW or NWL: e. Type of stabilization material: g. Number of square feet of fill to be placed below water level. Bulkhead backfill _ Riprap Breakwater/Sill Other _ i. Source of fill material. f. (1) Has there been shoreline erosion during preceding 12 months? []Yes []No ❑NA (ii) If yes, state amount of erosion and source of erosion amount information. h. Type of fill material. 4. OTHER FILL ACTIVITIES ®This section not applicable (Excluding Shoreline Stabilization) a. (i) Will fill material be brought to the site? ❑Yes ❑No ❑NA b. (i) Will fill material be placed in coastal wetlands/marsh (CW), If yes, (ii) Amount of material to be placed in the water (iii) Dimensions of fill area (iv) Purpose of fill submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), shell bottom (SB), or other wetlands (WL)? If any boxes are checked, provide the number of square feet affected. ❑CW ❑SAV ❑SB OWL ❑None (ii) Describe the purpose of the fill in these areas: 5. GENERAL a. How will excavated or fill matedal be kept on site and erosion b. What type of construction equipment will be used (e.g., dragline, controlled? backhoe, or hydraulic dredge)? Silt fencing or other BMP measure for managing runoff. Multiple excavators, dump trucks, and barges. c. (i) Will navigational aids be required as a result of the project? ®Yes ❑No ❑NA (ii) If yes, explain what type and how they will be implemented. Applicant will file a Notice to Mariners prior to construction and work with USCG to mark. d. (i) Will wetlands be crossed in transporting equipment to project site? []Yes ®No []NA (ii) If yes, explain steps that will be taken to avoid or minimize environmental Impacts. 'August 5, 2019 , Greg' Rudi' Rlitlolph Date East Taylor's Creek Maintenance Dredging Project Name 1 Applicant Name Applicant Signature 252-808-2808 u 1-888-4RCOAST :: www.nccoastalmanagement.net revised: 12/26/06 July 12, 2019 NC Division of Coastal Management 400 Commerce Drive Morehead City, NC 28557 RE: East Taylors Creek, Carteret County — Agent Authorization To Whom It May Concern: Please be advised, Moffatt & Nichol has been authorized by the Carteret County Board of Commissioners as an Authorized Agent. The authorization entails (and is limited too) efforts necessary to acquire state and federal permits for the maintenance dredging of East Taylors Creek. Sin'ly, /v'� Greg "Rudi" Rudolph Shore Protection Manager Carteret County Shore Protection Office RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Maintenance Dredging Project Narrative Carteret County intends to maintenance dredge the entrance to East Taylor's Creek for improved channel stability and navigation access. Historically, the USACE has maintained the channel entrance to a depth of -7 MLL W and an approximate 75-ft width. However, budget shortfalls associated with the federal strategy have increased the County's financial risk associated with maintaining East Taylor's Creek. Carteret County currently shares the project cost with the USACE for all maintenance events. In an effort to alleviate the maintenance frequency and prolong the channel performance, Carteret County intends to increase the channel template to approximately 100-ft wide at -12 MLL W to match the interior dimensions of Taylor's Creek. Carteret County will also realign the channel entrance from the current northwest direction to a more southwest direction. The realignment will match the channel's historic location identified from 2003 to approximately 2011 and should provide an improved flushing potential from Beaufort Inlet. Figure 1 shows the proposed realigned position of East Taylor's Creek as well as sediment sampling locations identified to help classify the dredge sediment characteristics. Figure 1. Proposed Realignment Corridor & Sediment Sampling Locations for East Taylor's Creek RECEIVED SEP 0 3 Z019 DCM-MHD CITY Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Background Page 2 of 10 The Wilmington District Corps of Engineers (USACE) maintains East Taylor's Creek for navigational purposes in accordance with a 1935 federal authorization, as provided in Appendix F. Recent records indicate routine maintenance events have occurred since approximately 2003. The federal authorization for East Taylor's Creek allows maintenance operations to follow the most economical dredge alignment as identified by the district engineer. The controlling depth and dredging limits for the entrance to East Taylor's Creek has remained approximately -7-ft MLLW; however, the USACE maintains the interior of Taylor's Creek to a depth of -12-ft MLLW. Appendix G provides a plan view of the most recent (February 2019) surveys conducted by the USACE for all of Taylor's Creek. The plan view drawings also show typical dredge sections maintained by the USACE ranging from -15-ft MLLW along the creek interior, to -7-ft MLLW within the creek entrance. Table 1 provides a summary by channel range for the current depths maintained for navigation by the USACE in Taylor's Creek and Figure 2 shows a planview of the same information. Table 1. USACE Maintained Navigation Depths for Taylor's Creek Range Creek Section Maintained Maintained Depth (ft) Width (ft) Range 6 East Taylor's Creek 75-ft -7-ft MLLW Range 5 East Taylor's Creek 75-ft -7-ft MLLW Range 4 Taylor's Creek 100-ft -12-ft MLLW — -15-ft MLLW Range 3 Taylor's Creek 100-ft -15-ft MLLW Figure 2. USACE Defined Ranges 3 through 6 for Taylor's Creek Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Page 3 of 10 Since the federal authorization allows the USACE to `follow deep water' for maintenance dredging, the East Taylor's Creek maintained alignment has shifted with the migrating channel entrance. Records indicate the USACE has maintained three (3) primary alignments for East Taylor's Creek since 2003. Figure 3 shows a general depiction of the alternate alignments as identified from review of survey information. As shown in the figure, the alignments vary from a southwest orientation to a northeast direction exiting from Taylor's Creek. RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY Figure 3. East Taylor's Creek Historical Alignments Maintained by the USACE During inception of the maintenance activities in 2003 until approximately 2013, the USACE maintained a southwest facing alignment directed generally from Taylor's Creek to Beaufort Inlet. However, for reasons not explored, the channel entrance initiated a northern migration in 2013. The USACE appears to have adjusted to the referenced migration pattern by maintaining a southeast alignment for an approximate 2-year period from 2013 to 2015. The USACE seemingly implemented an additional northern adjustment in approximately 2015 to shift the alignment to a northeast orientation. Figure 3 indicates this northeast alignment remains the present day preferred alignment for USACE sponsored maintenance events. As noted in Figure 3, dredging records maintained by the USACE indicate the southern facing alignments required less material removal annually compared to the current northern alignment. Although interpretation of the records remains somewhat indeterminate, the dredging volumes recorded for the Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Page 4 of 10 southwest alignment during 2013 fall well below any other alignments identified annual record. The reduced dredging volume reasonably attributes to the increased scour potential of a southerly facing entrance channel. Beaufort Inlet lies immediately south of East Taylor's Creek and would provide a direct tidal conduit for a southerly facing alignment. Figure 4 shows the vicinity of Beaufort Inlet in relation to East Taylor's Creek. Figure 4. Vicinity Map of Beaufort Inlet and East Taylor's Creek From visual analysis, tidal currents exiting East Taylor's Creek through a northeast alignment would conflict with ebb flows traversing towards Beaufort Inlet. However, the southwest facing alignment visually matches the flow patterns and directions anticipated during tidal exchanges. Although the southeast alignment should not obstruct flow from Beaufort Inlet, the southeast alignment also would not promote tidal exchange stemming from the inlet. Therefore, the visual interpretation of the tidal flows combined with the deciphered USACE dredging records suggest a southwest facing alignment should provide a tractable channel alignment. Sediment Volume & Ouality The proposed maintenance event will remove an estimated 35,600 CY of beach compatible material, as defined by the North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC) 15A 07H.0312. Preliminary analysis of the sediment samples closest to the re -aligned corridor suggest the dredge material contains approximately 97% sand and 1% fines. The remaining approximate 2% of the dredge material components stem from granular and gravel size particles. The sediment samples grouped in the initial characterization include ETC-2, ETC- 3, ETC-4, ETC-5, ETC-15, ETC-16, and ETC-19 as shown in Figure 1. Table 2 shows the sediment classifications for each sample in accordance with NCAC 15A 07H.0312. The analysis neglected the results for samples ETC-17 and ETC-24 due to the existing depth at both samples exceeding the proposed dredge depth. Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Table 2. Sediment Analysis Results for East Taylor's Creek Page 5 of 10 Sample Mean 4V (mm) Gravel (%by Weight) Granular (%by Weight) Sand (%by Weight) Fines (%byw"eight) Carbonate (%by Weight) ETC-2 0.22 0.13 0.51 98.17 1.19 7.14 ETC-3 0.26 0.15 0.88 98.45 0.52 10.44 ETC4 0.18 0.18 0.12 97.85 1.85 1.99 ETC-5 0.23 0.20 0.32 98.56 0.91 10.91 ETD-15 0.33 0.07 0.42 98.08 1.44 14.65 ETC-16 0.46 1.45 3.90 94.51 0.14 46.64 ETC-19 037 0.35 1.72 97.90 0.04 21.36 Average 0.36 0.36 1.12 97.65 0.87 16.16 Construction Process A clamshell dredge or excavator, positioned on a barge or other floating work platform, will conduct the maintenance dredging operations. The excavator will dredge material from the work area and load the spoil onto a barge platform for transport. The material will be barged to the off-loading site at 2452 Lennoxville Road. Figure 5 shows the off-loading site in reference to the project areas and entrance to East Taylor's Creek. The floating barges will merge up to an existing bulkhead for offloading by additional excavators and heavy equipment. An excavator, or other type of heavy equipment, will transfer the dredge material from the floating transports to a land -based facility. The contractor may stockpile material within the vacant lot at 2452 Lennoxville Road or may immediately transported it to a dewatering and storage area. Dump trucks, or other hauling equipment, will transport the dredge material to a dewatering / storage facility located at 2525 Lennoxville Road, immediately adjacent to the initial off-loading site. The material will not be transferred stored, or stockpiled within 30-fit of any wetlands and BMP's will be used to control sedimentation runoff. Figure 5 shows the proposed material storage area(s) and the travel corridor reserved for the transport equipment. Expectations suggest two placement areas totaling approximately 2-acres total will be necessary to contain the estimated 35,600 cubic yards of dredge material. Appendix H provides a letter of agreement from the property owner at 2452 (and 2525) Lennoxville Road for acceptance of the dredge material. Atlantic Veneer Corporation owns both the off-loading site and material storage area. The material transport schedule from the offloading site to the placement area remains negotiable. The property owner at 2452 Lennoxville Road may stipulate a schedule sometime prior to construction. Options for adjusting the schedule include the following: Allowing material transport from the offloading site to the material placement area only on certain days and times. (This option would create a high volume of truck traffic but the disturbance would be limited to the specified days and times.) • Not allowing any stockpiling of material at the offloading site and requiring immediate transport of the material to the placement area. (This option would reduce the number of trucks operating at any one period, but would require a continuous flow of trucks estimated at 1 truck every 30 mins.) RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Figure 5 — Atlantic Veneer Offloading & Material Placement Sites Page 6 of 10 The offloading site, traffic corridor, and placement areas will be photo documented prior to commencement of the dredging operations. Carteret County will archive the pre -construction documentation for comparison with post project conditions. Restoration of any areas damaged from the construction process, including the bulkhead, vacant lot, traffic corridors, and the placement area will occur prior to project completion. The contractor will restore the site to pre -construction conditions as recorded in the project photographs. Environmental Concerns In efforts to reduce the potential for adverse impacts, Carteret County has invested in methods and actions to benefit project construction. These items include the following: • Pre -project verification of any SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) in the area; • Limiting work to daytime hours between November 16 and March 311; and, • Following best management practices (BMP's) for avoiding protected or listed species. SAV Survey Carteret County sponsored an SAV survey to help identify the most suitable alignment footprint and avoid any established or potential SAV habitat. Carteret County conducted the survey in August 2018, but the work did not identify any SAV habitat proximate to East Taylor's Creek. The County's survey results match well with records identified by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) near East Taylor's Creek. Therefore, the survey results support the preferred alignment should not create any significant impacts for SAV habitat. Figure 6 shows Carteret County's August 2018 SAV survey limits and the preferred maintenance alignment for East Taylor's Creek. Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Page 7 1 o Figure 6 — NCDEQ SAV Mapping Results Approximate to East Taylor's Creek Work Times Construction activities for the dredging operations and material transport will be limited to daylight hours to minimize sound intrusions and the potential for accidents. The dredging operations will occur in navigable waters with the potential for nighttime boaters. In addition, the work area falls approximate to multiple residential housing units. Therefore, to reduce the potential for confusion on the waterways and possible vessel accidents, the dredging activities will be limited to daylight hours. This action will also limit the potential for noise intrusion during evening or nighttime hours from the water -based equipment. Although expectations suggest no significant noise pollution should occur from the dredging activities, limiting the operating hours helps to manage unforeseen circumstances for both the contractor and adjacent residential properties. Construction times will also be limited to the cooler winter months between November 161 and March 31" to avoid potential impacts to migrating juvenile fish and manatee. The cooler months remain generally less active in terms of migrating species, compared to warmer spring and summer months. Restricting the work to the cooler months reduces the potential migrating species will be in the area or initiate contact with the construction equipment. Working during the cooler temperatures also reduces the risk of injuring manatee or other listed / protected species such as sea turtles or smalltooth sawfish. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reports the West Indian Manatee traverse North Carolina waters generally between June and October. In addition, sea turtle occurrences become more frequent between May and October. Therefore, prohibiting construction during this time alleviates the potential to harm or harass the animals during their densest population. RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Page 8 of 10 Construction Practices Minimize or Avoid Potential Impacts Adherence to other construction recommendations provided by FWS, and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will also occur to limit potential impacts. These recommendations include operating water - based vessels at idle speed in shallow water and ceasing vessel movement upon discovery of a species within 50-feet. Education of possible dangers for the marine species also entails a significant part of the strategies to limit or avoid the potential impacts. For reference, Appendix 1 contains the recommended construction measures provided by FWS for avoiding impacts to West Indian manatee and Appendix J contains the NMFS recommendations for observing sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish. Erosion Concerns on Carrot Island The project's potential to increase erosion patterns on the eastern tip of Carrot Island also registers as a significant concern to Carteret County and multiple stakeholders. Figure 7 shows the area of concern adjacent to East Taylor's Creek along the tip of Carrot Island. During coordination efforts, comments received from the Rachel Carson Reserve and DCM staff indicated erosion patterns on Carrot Island have fluctuated over time. Carteret County has not identified or investigated if the entrance alignment contributes significantly to the erosion magnitude. However, repositioning the channel entrance has not eliminated the potential for erosion impacts along the island shoreline. The site remains exposed to increased wave energy and incurred significant impacts during Hurricane Florence in fall 2018. During the hurricane, the channel alignment faced in a northwest direction and avoided traversing near the island tip. Although the impacts resulted from a major storm event and do not reflect typical sediment transport patterns, they show the importance and vulnerability of the island shoreline and upland habitat. Figure 8 shows the impacts resulting from Hurricane Florence. Figure 7. Carrot Island Shoreline Area of Concern for Potential Erosion Impacts Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Page 9 of 10 Figure 8(a). Southwest View of Fallen Trees Observed After Hurricane Florence (Carrot Island) Figure 8(b). Northwest View of Fallen Trees Observed After Hurricane Florence (Carrot Island) To help address the erosion concern, the preferred alignment extends in a generally due east orientation exiting East Taylor's Creek for approximately 1,200 feet. The eastward extension surpasses the historical extents of the alignments maintained by the USACE from 2003 to 2015 and closely mimics the initial 1,200-ft of the current alignment. The preferred alignment then bends south to capture the tidal velocities traversing through Beaufort Inlet. The approximate 1,200-ft extension encapsulates an existing shoal with a governing depth above (higher) -2-ft MLLW. The shoal material should continue to provide the same level of protection as currently offered against the tidal velocities traveling through East Taylor's Creek The protection provided will not prevent erosion along Carrot Island, but should not facilitate additional erosion actions beyond the historical trend. Studies conducted by the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) indicate the erosion patterns observed between 1993 and 2014 averaged approximately -2.5 feet per year along the east end of Carrot Island. The maximum shoreline recession measured from the DCM study registers approximately -5.5 feet per year over the 21-year period'. RECEIVED ' Richardson, K., 2016. Bird Shoal & Rachel Carson Shoreline Change. North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. Power Point Presentation. 17-May-2016. SEP 0 3 Z019 DCM-MHD CITY Carteret County Shallow Draft Navigation Waterways East Taylor's Creek Project Narrative Summary Page 10 of 10 Carteret County intends to maintenance dredge East Taylor's Creek in efforts to re-establish a southwest facing entrance alignment and help facilitate tidal flushing for increased channel longevity. The proposed alignment will maintain a consistent depth as the interior of Taylor's Creek, but represents a greater (deeper) depth than previously maintained for the entrance of East Taylor's Creek. The USACE has historically maintained the interior of Taylor's Creek at -12-ft MLLW, while maintaining the channel entrance at East Taylor's Creek at -7-ft MLLW. Records provided by the USACE indicate three (3) separate channel alignments have formed for the channel entrance since 2003. The most stable alignment seems to exit East Taylor's Creek in a southwest direction, which aligns well with Beaufort Inlet. Records indicate the USACE maintained this southwest alignment from 2003 until approximately 2013. Since 2013, the channel alignment has shifted through a southeast alignment and currently resides in a northeast configuration. Carteret County's proposed project will restore the southwest alignment for East Taylor's Creek and equalize the maintained depth from the interior of Taylor's Creek. The maintenance event will remove approximately 35,600 CY of material from the channel footprint. A clamshell dredge or excavator will remove the material for placement in a nearby upland property. Water based barges will transport the material to an off-loading site at 2452 Lennoxville Road. Dump trucks, or other hauling equipment, will transport the material to an approximate 2-acre stockpile site at 2525 Lennoxville Road. The timing and / or volume of truck traffic intended to help with transporting the material remains optional based on conditions observed at the time of construction. In efforts to reduce the potential for environmental impacts, Carteret County sponsored an SAV survey and did not identify any submerged vegetation. Carteret County also limited the construction activities to daytime hours between November 16' and March 3Is'. Limiting the construction timeframe to the cooler winter months will reduce the injury risk to migrating species such as West Indian manatee, and juvenile fish species. Scheduling the work in the winter months will also reduce the risk of injuring or harassing sea turtles, which generally show a greater presence density in the summer months. Carteret County also selected a preferred alignment positioned away from Carrot Island to minimize the potential of increased erosion forces. The preferred alignment extends east of Carrot Island approximately 1,200 feet and nearly matches the eastward extension of the current alignment. The preferred alignment bends to the southwest after achieving the approximate 1,200-ft eastward extension and circumvents a subtidal shoal with a controlling depth of -2-ft MLLW. The chosen path should not stop or prevent erosion along the eastern tip of Carrot Island; however, visual observation suggest the alignment should not create additional or increased erosion either. RENDER BRUNSWICK BAY V CAPE FEAR LENOIR Qp�OJ?Q Z PAMLICO JONES CRAVEN ONSLOW OP CARTERET O.t. 4: BEAUFORT BOGLE INLET CAPE INLET LOOKOUT NEW RIVER PROJECT AREA INLET J 0p O� 00 P� P VICINITY MAP PROJECT T✓TLE. EAST TAYLOR'S CREEK MAINTENANCE DREDGING DATUM: MLW PREPARED BY MOFFATT & NICHOL 0 10 20 m 5 15 25 SCALE IN MILES PREPARED FOR: CARTERET COUNTY NAVIGATION PROJECT DATE' AUGUST 2019 LOCATION MAP SHEET TITLE. TITLE PAGE 0 1 2 0.5 1.5 SCALE IN MILES RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY SHEET 1 OF 4 PRo✓ECT nRE. EAST TAYLOR'S CREEK MAINTENANCE DREDGING DATUM.' MLW PREPARED BY MOFFATT & NICHOL PREPARED FOR: CARTERET COUNTY NAVIGATION PROJECT DATE.AUGUST 2019 SITE MAP NOTES: 1. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL MAINTAIN THE OFFLOADING SITE, TRAFFIC CORRIDORS, AND MATERIAL STORAGE AREA AND KEEP FREE OF TRASH, DEBRIS, RUBBLE AND ALL OTHER MISCELLANEOUS OBSTRUCTIONS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PHOTO DOCUMENT THE PRE -CONSTRUCTION CONDITION OF THE PROJECT AREA AND SHALL FURNISH A COPY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE ENGINEER PRIOR TO INITIATING DREDGING ACTIVITIES. UPON COMPLETION OF THE MATERIAL TRANSPORT, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL RESTORE THE SITE TO THE PRE -CONSTRUCTION CONDITION AS DETERMINED BY THE ENGINEER. 2. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PREVENT RUTS, DITCHES, GULLIES, OR DEPRESSIONS FROM FORMING WITHIN THE OFFLOADING SITE, MATERIAL STORAGE SITE, OR TRAVEL CORRIDORS. UPON NOTIFICATION OF A RUT/DEPRESSED AREA, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO SMOOTH GRADE THE AREA IN QUESTION. DREDGE MATERIAL SHALL NOT BE USED TO FILL DEPRESSIONS CREATED AS PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. 3. DREDGING AND MATERIAL TRANSPORT OPERATIONS SHALL BE PROHIBITED DURING NIGHT TIME OPERATIONS. 4. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGE OBSERVED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, INCLUDING FOR THE RETAINING WALL AND FENDER PILE SYSTEM LOCATED ALONG THE OFFLOADING SITE SHORELINE. SHEET DTLE- SITE PLAN 500' o' 500' 1000' SCALE: 1 "=500' RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY SHEET 2 OF- 4 - l �IE49T TAYLOR'S I \ il% `'/-., I __ ;`/ .. �-ems\ it ♦ ,v !�`� :®_� •r rtJ .[` �`�",�._: \\\ \\` I,' '! i, � II / 10 + \\ 1 '-NORTH RIVER CHANNEL1 1 kk f l \ f I APPROX. EXIST. CHANNEL, p; GRADE,CHANNEL TYP DESIGN DREDGE -12.0 VARU TYP SECTION A -A NTS low,- ; MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITES 0 -PROPOSED TRAFFIC CORRIDOR MATERIAL A SITE PROJECT T/TLE EAST TAYLORS CREEK MAINTENANCE DREDGING DATUM: MLW PREPARED BY.' MOFFATT 8 NICHOL PREPARED FOR.- CARTERET COUNTY NAVIGATION PROJECT DATEAUGUST2019 MATERIAL PLACEMENT FACILITY NOTES: 1. THE UPLAND MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITE MUST BE INSPECTED AND APPROVED ON -SITE BY A DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT (DCM) REPRESENTATIVE PRIOR TO INITIATING MECHANICAL DREDGING ACTIVITIES. 2. ALL TRANSFER EQUIPMENT (TRUCKS) SHALL BE MAINTAINED TO PREVENT SPILLAGE DURING MATERIAL TRANSPORT. EQUIPMENT FOUND TO REPEATEDLY ALLOW LEAKAGE DURING TRANSPORT SHALL BE REMOVED FROM THE PROJECT UNTIL SUCH MODIFICATIONS ARE MADE TO ALLOW SPILL FREE TRANSPORT OF THE DREDGE MATERIAL. 3. WATER QUALITY CONTROL DEVICES (TURBIDITY CURTAINS) SHALL BE EFFECTIVELY MAINTAINED SURROUNDING THE MATERIAL OFFLOADING SITE. 4. ALL MEASURES SHALL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE EFFLUENT WATERS DO NOT RE-ENTER THE ADJACENT WATERBODY DURING MATERIAL TRANSPORT OR STORAGE. 5. MATERIAL SPILLAGE OCCURRING DURING MATERIAL TRANSPORT SHALL BE CLEANED IMMEDIATELY UPON DISCOVERY. ALL TRAVEL CORRIDORS AND ROADWAYS SHALL BE INSPECTED AFTER EACH USE TO HELP KEEP THE TRAVEL LANES CLEAN AND MATERIAL FREE. 6. AN ATTENDANT (CONTRACTOR) SHALL BE PRESENT AT THE MATERIAL OFFLOADING SITE AT ALL TIMES DURING MECHANICAL DREDGING ACTIVITIES. THE ATTENDANT SHALL MONITOR THE WORK PROGRESS AND SHALL DIRECT INCOMING/OUTGOING TRUCKS TO MATERIAL OFFLOADING OR STORAGE LOCATIONS. 7. PEDESTRIAN ACCESS SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM THE MATERIAL OFFLOADING AND STORAGE SITES BY A FENCE OR OTHER BARRIER, DURING CONSTRUCTION. THE ON -SITE ATTENDANT SHALL MONITOR THE BARRIER AND SHALL STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY IF THE BARRIER FAILS OR APPEARS TO BE FAILING. 8. MATERIAL STORAGE SHALL NOT ENCROACH WITHIN 30-FT OF THE MEAN HIGH WATERLINE (MHWL) OF ANY ADJACENT WATERS. THE MATERIAL SHALL BE STACKED FOR STORAGE TO PREVENT MATERIAL SLOUGHING OUTSIDE OF THE STORAGE AREA. THE STORAGE AREA SHALL BE MARKED WITH SILT SCREENS OR OTHER FENCING TO CLEARLY DESIGNATE THE STORAGE LIMITS. 9. THE CONTRACTOR'S WORK AREA (INCLUDING THE MATERIAL OFFLOADING SITE, TRAFFIC CORRIDORS, AND MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITES). SHALL BE MARKED PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION BY THE CONTRACTOR AND APPROVED BY THE ENGINEER. DURING CONSTRUCTION, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS WITHIN THESE DESIGNATED WORK LIMITS. SHEET 777LE, MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITE PLAN 500' 0' Sao' 1000' SCALE: 1 "=500' RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY SHEET 4 OF 4 721) CONGRESS HOUSE OF 104AIRESR.NTATIVES DOCUMENT $d Seaaion I No. 485 CHANNEL FRONT PAMLICO SOUND TO BEAUFORT, N. C., AND CHANNEL FROM CORE SOUND TO OCRACOKE INLET, N. C. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR TSANSMITTINO REPORT FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF "CHANNEL FROM , PAMLIO0 SOUND NEAP, THE MOUTH OF NEUSE RIVER TO BEAUFORT, N. C., BY WAY OF SWAN POINT, CEDAR ISLAND BAY, THOROUGH- FARE OUT, THOROUGHFARE BAY, CORE SOUND, TODUHING AT ATLANTIC WHARVES, AND TO RUN THROUGH MILL POINT SHOAL BY SEALEVEL, ACROSS TO PINEY POINT, AND TOUGHING THE WHARVES OF THE VARIOUS COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE STRAITS AND TAYLORS CREEK OUT, WITH A VIEW TO SECURING A DEPTH OF 7 FEET WITH SUITABLE WIDTH," AND OF "OHAN- NEL FROM CORE SOUND TO OCRACOKE INLET, N. 0., BY WAY OF WAINWRIGHT CHANNEL, OR OTHER INSIDE PASSAGE" llm:mmium G, 1032.--Reforrod to the Committoo on Rivers and harbors and ordered to ho printed, with 11lu8tration. WAR DFPARTIIINNT, bVilshinpton, December G, 19,112. The S11FAKEAt OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I am transmitting herewith a report dated October 10, 1032, from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, on prolinlinary examination and survey of channel from Pamlico Sound to Beaufort, N. C., and channel froni Coro Sound to Ocracoke Inlet, N. C., authorized by the river and harbor act of Jul, 3, 1030; togethor with accompanying papers and illustration. Sincerely yours, PATRICK J. HURLEY, RECEIVED Secretary of Nrar. lHI908—II. Doc, 186, M-2-1 SEP Q 3 Z019 DCM-MHD CITY 2 CIiANNP:I, FROM PAMLICO SOUND :n'O BRAUFORT) N. Cy PTC. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE, OF THE CHIEF OF ENOINEEIRS, Washington, Oelober 10, 10329. Subject: Prelinainnry examination nand survey of channel from Pamlico Sound to Beaufort, N. C., and channel from Coro Sound to Ocracoke Inlet, N. C. To: The Secretary of Will,. 1. I submit for transmission to Congress, my report with accent- panying papers and illustration, on preliminary examination and survey, authorized byy the river and harbor act of July 3, 1030, of "Channel from Print Sound near the mouth of Nouse River to Beaufort, N. C., by way of Swan Point, Cedar Island Bay, Thorough- fare Out, Thoroughfare Bay,. Coro Sound, touching at Atlantic Wharves, and to run through Mill Point Shoal by Sealevel, across to Piney Point, and touching the wharves of the various communities through the straits and Taylors Creek Cut, with it view to securing a depth of 7 feet with suitable width," and of "Channel from Coro Sound to Ocracoke Inlet, N. C., by way of Wainwright Channel, or other inside passage." 2. Pamlico Sound is an extensive body of shoal water on the eastern coast of North Carolina separated from the ocean by a narrow bar- rier beach. Coro Sound extends from the southerly end of Pamlico Sound about 30 miles in IL southwesterly direction, between a con- tinuation of the barrier beach and the mainland, and connects through various protected channels with Beaufort I3arbor and Beaufort Inlet. Except for a few shoals, the available depth through Core Sound is 7 feet, but the entrance from Pamlico Sound is ob- structed by shifting shoals. A deep tidal gut, known as Wainwright Channel or Slue, extends into the entrance, but is separated from the channel in Coro Sound by a wido bar. Under an existing project, a channel 50 foot wide and 5 foot doop is afforded from Pamlico Sound to the upper part of Core Sound through Cedar Island Bay, an arm of Pantlnco Sound; Thoroughfarc Cut, it narrow passilfro botneon low lying islands; and Thoroughfare Bayan arm of Coro Sound. The cost of this channel for now work has been $0,000. Little main- tonanco is required. Swan Point separates Cedar Island Bay from tho mouth of Neuse Rivor. Connection between Beau fort I3arbor and the channels loading into Coro Sound from the south is provided by the project dosignated as the waterway connecting Coro Sound and Beaufort I3arbor. Under this project it channel 7 foot deep and 75 feet wide is afforded from the end of the Beaufort harbor Channel through a narrow tidal estuary known as Taylors Creek to North River, whenco it natural channel, nnmed Tie Straits, extends to Core Sound. The cost of this channel for new work has been $47,000. The cost of maintenance has averaged somewhat more than :62,000 a year. A number of small communities on Core Sound, including Atlantic and Sealevel, are separated from the deeper water of the sound by shoal water. The authorization for the examination and survey contemplates a channel alignment that will best servo those localities. 3. Ocracoke Inlet is the southerly inlet from the ocean into Pamlico Sound through the barrier beach, and is about 12 miles from the entrance to Coro Sound. A depth of front 5 to 7 feet is usually avail- ablo in one or more of the shifting channels through the fan shaped CHANNEL FROM PAMLICO BOUND TO BEAUFORT, N. 0.1 ETC. 3 shoal in Pamlico Sound inside the entrance. Tho present navigation difficulties in the water route between Ocracoke Inlet and Core Sound appear to be at the entrance to the latter, where shiftingg bars have shoaled the channel formerly in use. The survey of the of from Core Sound to Ocracoke Inlet is therefore considered in connection with the survey of the channel between Pamlico Sound to Beaufort by way of Coro Sound. 4. The improvement desired by local interests under the two items of survey is a channel 7 feet deep and 100 feet wide with side channels of the same size to the wharves at Atlantic, Sealovel, and Davis Shore. They prefer a channel by way of Wainwright Slue rather than via Thoroughfare Cut and this routo is also satisfactory to the interests at Ocracoke Inlet. 5. Commerce through Coro Sound is and will be limited to local traffic, since through traffic, including all that from Points on Pamlico sound north and west of the mouth of the Nouse River, is already better accommodated by the shorter and well protected channel of the Imart of the Inland Waterway from Norfolk to Beaufort which extends rom the Nouse River to Beaufort harbor, and is 12 feet doe p and not less than 00 feet wide. The commerce on an improved channel through Core Sound will be that of the small communities on the Sound, 'and on Ocracoke Inlet, together with that from the local timber resources and fishing industry. The settlements on Core Sound are reported to have an aggregate population of about 4,600. The population of the settlements at Ocracoke Inlet is reported at about 780. The commerce on- Core Sound in 1031 (excluding com- merce on Taylors Crook which already has a 7-foot channel) is re- ported at about 14,500 tons of which less than 2,000 tons passed through Wainwright Slue ana somewhat over 3,000 tons through the Thorou hfare Channel, The commerce consists principally of marine son food, fertilizer, oyster shells, and coal. The district ongineer states that with an improved channel, an additional eonunorco of about 10,000 tons of lumber, 2 000 tons of farm products, and 2,000 tons of sea -food products is to V)o Rnticilrated. 6. The district onginoor presents estimates of alternato plans of improvomont and recommends a channel 75 foot wide and 7 foot doop frond the end of the existing project in Taylors Crook through Core Sound to Pamlico Sound, via Wainwright Slue, at an estimated cost of $41,400 with $6,000.annually for maintenance. The annual sav- ings in transportation cost through the improvement proposed are estimated by the district engineer at somewhat more than $20,000 per annuur. The estimated cost of branch channels of the same dimensions to the towns of Davis, Sealovel, and Atlantic, is $13 100, with maintenance at the rate of $1,500 per annum. The division engineer concurs with the district engineer in recommending the through channel, via Wainwright Shie, the branch channels loading to the'villages and communities to be provided by local interests as the needs therefor arise. 7. These reports have boon referred in accordance with law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors. Attention is invited to its report herewith, agreeing with the division engineer. 8. After due consideration of these reports, I concur with the views of the board. The improvement recommended is considered neces- sary for the safe and convenient navigation of the commerce at the RECEIVED SEP 0 3 200 DCM-MHD CITY 4 CHANNEL FROM PAMLICO SOUND TO DEAUFORT, N. 0.9 ETC. locality, and the benefits justify the cost. As far as the through channel recommended is concerned, these benefits are considered essentially general in character. Branch channels to reach the villages and communities in the waterway are essentially for local benofit and should be provided by local interests as required to meet their needs. For simplification of administration, it is desirable that the project for improvement include and supersede the existing project designated as the waterway connecting Core Sound and Beaufort Harbor. I therefore report that the project for a channel from Pamlico Sound through Core Sound and to Beaufort Harbor, N. C., is advisable to provide a depth of 7 feet and a width of 76 feet via Wainlv)zght Channol, at an estimated cost of $41,400, with :$6,000 annually for maintenance in addition to that required for the existing project for waterwav connecting Core Sound and Beaufort Harbor. The adop- tion of t])o project as recommended should not be construed as an abandonment of the oxisting project for channel connecting Thorough- fare Bay with Cedar Bay, N. C. LY'rLIL BROWN, Major General, Chief of Engineers. REPORT OF THE 130ARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS SYLLABUS The Bonrd of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors concurs with the divisfou engineer in reconinkonchng extension of the waterway connecting Core Sound and Beaufort Harbor, N. C., through Coro Sound and wainwright Channel to Pnutiico Sound, 7 feet deep and 75 feet wide, at an estimated cost of $41,400, with .:0,000 a nunlly for maintenance. [Second Indorsementl- BOARD OF ENGINEEMS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, lVaskiuffton, D. C., September 7, .1932. To The Cuir:F OF ENGINIIERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: 1. '1'lio following is in review of the reports on preliminary exannna- tion and survey authorized by the river and harbor act of July 3, 1030, of "Channel from Pamlico Sound near the mouth of Nouso ].fiver to Beaufort, N. C., by way of Swan Point, Cedar Island Bay, Thoroughfare Cut, 'Thoroughfare Bay, Coro Sound, touching at Atlantic wharves, and to run through h'fill Point Shoal by,Sonlevol, across to P11Iey Point, and touchinj; the wharves of the various com- munities through the Straits and Taylors Crook Cut, with a view to securing a depth of 7 feet with suitable width," and of "Channel froin Coro Sound to Ocracoke Inlet, N. C., by way of Wainwright Channel, Or other inside paSSagO." 2. All existing project provides for a waterway 7 feet deep, 76 feet wide, and about 2%' miles long, extending from Beaufort Harbor to Coro Sound by way of Taylors Creek. Another project provides for it channel 60 feet wide, 6 foot deep, and about 1 y., miles long, connecting Thoroughfare Bay, an arm of Coro Sound, with Cedar Bay, an arm of Pamlico Sound, by way of Thoroughfare Cut. These Improve- ments have been completed at a total cost to June 30, 1931, of about $57,000 for now work ana $42,000 for maintenance. Other than indicated above, there is no project for a waterway between Core CIiANNRL FROM I'AMLICO SOUND TO BEAUCORT, N. 0., ETC. Sound and Pamlico Sound, nor for a channel from Core Sound to Ocracoke Inlet. Core Sound extends from Pamlico Sound to Back Sound near Cape Lookout, and about 8 miles east of Beaufort, N. C. It is about 30 miles long, and averages about 2 miles in width. The controlling depths through the sound are 7 feet northeast of Thor- oughfare Bay, and 4.5 feet southwest of that point. There are two connecting channels between Core Sound and Pamlico Sound, one by way of Wainwright Channel or Slue, with a controlling depth of 2.3 feet, and the other through Harbor Island Bar Channel, with a controlling depth of 4.6 feet. Ocracoke Inlet connects the Atlantic Ocean with Pamlico Sound at a point about 11 miles by direct line east of the northerly end of Core Sound. 3. Local interests desire a channel 7 feet deep and 100 feet wide from Pamlico Sound to Beaufort, with side channels of the same dimensions extending to the wharves at Atlantic, Sealevel, and Davis Shore. They prefer that the channel follow the route between Core Sound and Pamlico Sound by way of Wainwright Slue rather than by way of Thoroughfare Cut. Those interested in the waterway from Core Sound to Ocracoke Inlet state that a channel via Wain- wright Slue will be satisfactory to them. 4. The reports of the district and division engineers herewith con- tain more detailed information concerning existing conditions, present navigation facilities, and the advisability of improvement. The reporting officers recommend that the existing waterway connecting Beaufort Harbor and Coro Sound be extended with the same dimen- sions (7 feet deep and 75 feet wide) through Core Sound and via Wainwright Slue to Pamlico Sound, at an estimated cost of $41,400, with $6,000 annually for maintenance. They concur in the opinion that channels loading to the various villages and communities along tile waterway should be provided by local interests as the needs therefor arise. They do not recommend the abandonment of the existing channel by way of Thoroughfare Cut, since this channel affords a shorter and more direct route from Core Somub to Points on Nousn River and oil the Inland Watorway north of Nouse River. 5. With respect to the proposed waterway from Core Sound to Ocracoke Inlet, the division engineer issued'a public notice stating that his report was unfavorable to the improvement of this channel, as it leads to no ports and connects with no deop chnnnols, and tliat the im )roven)ent of a channel through Wainwright Slue would be covered in a separate report. Interested parties were advised of their privilege of appeal to the board, but no communications have been received. 6. Fishing and agriculture are the principal industries of the area tributary to Coro Sound, and there is a considerable supply of tinlbor adjacent to the waterway. In 1931 the commerce moving between Beaufort and Pamlico Sound amounted to about 14,000 tons includ- ing that through Thoroughfare Cut, and that through Wainwright Slue. The principal commodities were fish, Oysters, fertilizer, and vegetables. The district engineer states that the proposed improve- ment will result in the development of additional commerce, to the extent of about 14)000 tons, including timber, sea food, and farm products. He estimates the prospective saving on the existing and additional commerce to be about $21,000 per annun. His estimates of cost indicate that a channel through Wainwright Slue will be less RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY 6 CHANNEL FROM PAMLICO SOUND TO BEAUFORT, N, C., I:TC. difficult and less costly to maintain than one through Harbor Island Bar; and lie states that the former will provide a more direct route to Portsmouth and Ocracoke, both of which are located in the vicinity of Ocracoke Inlet. 7. While the district engineer's estimate of prospective savings appears to be somewhat optimistic, the board is of to opinion that the general benefits resulting from the improved navigation facilities afforded by the proposed work will be commensurate with the cost. It therefore concurs with the division engineer and recommends ex- tension of the existing waterway connecting Core Sound and Beau- fort Harbor, N. C., by the provision of a channel 7 feet deep and 75 feet wide, through Core Sound and Wainwright Channel to Pamlico Sound, at an estimated cost of $41,400, with $6,000 annually for maintenance. 8. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of torminal facilities, water power, or other subjects so related to the project proposed that they may be coordinated there- with to lessen the cost and compensate the Government for expendi- tures made in the interests of navigation. For the board: W. J. BARDEN, Colonel, Corps of Tngiveers, Senior Member. REPORT OF THE DIVISION ENGINEER WAn DMIAnTAILNT, OPFICL OIL` THE I)1VISION ENGINLIal, SOUTH ATLANTIC DivisioN, A'o?folk, Va., June 8, 1J31. Subject: Preliminary examination of channel from Pamlico Sound to Beaufort, N. C., via 'Phorouglifare Cut, Core Sound and Taylors Crock CntA To: The Chief of Engineers, United Sto.tes Army. 1. The following is a report on preliminary examination authorized by the river and harbor act approved July 3? 1030, of "Channel from Pamlico Sound near the mouth of Nouse haver to Beaufort, N. C., by way of Swau Point, Cedar Island Bay, Thoroughfare Cut, Thor- ouglifnre Bay, Core Sound, touching at Atlantic wharves and to run through Miil Point Shoal by Sealevel, across to Piney Point and touching the wharves of the various communities througll the Straits and Taylors Crock Cut, with a view to securing a depth of 7 foot with suitnblo width." 2. Core Sound is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow beach barrier and extends from the southern part of Pannlico Sound to Back Sound, near Cape Lookout, and about 8 miles east of Beau- fort, N. C. Cedar Island Bay lies about 0 miles to the northwest of the upper end of Core Sound and is connected with Core Sound about 7 miles southwest of its upper end by 'Thoroughfare Cut and Thoroughfare Bay. Ceder Island Bay averages about 5 miles in width and has a navigable channel about 10 feet deep through the greater part of its length, the controlling depth being 7 feet. 'There is a channel 50 feet wide and 5 feet deep through Thoroughfare Cut. CIIANNEL FROM PAMLICO SOUND TO BEAUFORT, N. C., ETC. 7 The depth in Thoroughfare Bay varies from 5 foot to 9 feet, and the width from 1,000 feet to about 8,000 feet. Coro Sound averages about 2 miles in width, and is about 30 miles long. It has a channel of about 7-foot controlling depth from Thoroughfare Bay to Pamlico Sound, except at the northern end, where the controlling depth is 5 feet through Wainwright Channel. Harbor Island liar Channel was formerly used at this place, but the channel has now shosled to 3 feet. Thorn is a tortous channel in Core Sound south of Thorough- fare Bay having a controlling depth of 5 feet. The suggested route loaves Coro Sound near its southerly end and passes through the Straits and Taylors Creek Cut to Beaufort. The controlling depth from Core Sound to Beaufort is 6.3 feet. Thera are no lunar tides in Cedar Island Bay, Thoroughfare Bay or the northern portion of Core Sound. The mean tidal range at Beaufort is 2% feet, and this grad- ually diminishes to zero toward the upper end of Core Sound. Or- dinarily, storms in Core Sound cause a variation of 1 foot above or below mean stages and this is increased to as much as 3 feet during severe storms. T{tere are no bridges crossing any portion of the suggested route. A bridge having a draw span of 40 feet horizontal clearance, across the route between Harkers Island and Lenoxville has been authorized by the department. There are no substantial terminal facilities along the suggested waterway, but at several com- munities along Core Sound there are privately owned small timber wharves. 3. A liard-surface highway connecting Beaufort with the State highway system extends along the northern side of Coro Sound as far as Atlantic, touching practically all the smaller communities. Beaufort is the terminus of the Norfolk Southern Railroad and the nearest rail point. It is also the torminus of the Norfolk, Baltimore & Carolina Boat Lino, operating triweekly service to Norfolk by the Inland Waterway. This waterway, with depth of 12 foot, passes from Pamlico Sound into Nouso River about 18 miles to the northwest of the head of Coro Sound and, after continuing up Nouso River for about 15 miles, turns south to Beaufort through Adanma Crook, a land cut, and Newport River. 4. A total of $50,000 was expended from 1836 to 1838 under a project for a channel from Beaufort hIarbor to Pamlico Sound and for improving New River. Thorn is an existing project for a channel 75.foot wide and 7 foot deop from Beaufort to Coro Sound, via Taylors Crook, and a project for a channel 5 foot deep and 50 feet wide through Thoroughfare Cut. No other Marts of the suggested waterway are undor improvement by the United States, and no favorable reports have been made. S. Local interests stated at the public hoaring hold at Beaufort, N. C., on September 10, 1930, that a depth of 7 feet and a width of 100 foot were desired throughout the proposed waterway, with side channels of the same dimensions connecting the wharves at Atlantic, Sonlevol, and Davis. At a subsequent conference, these local interests stated that a 7-foot channel through Wainwright Slue, at the northern end of Core Sound, in lieu of the channel through Thorough- fare Cut, would be satisfactory. No offer of local cooperation was made. 0. There are a number of settlements along Core Sound. The populations of the more important ones are: Atlantic, 900; Davis, 800; RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY 8 CHANNEL FROM PAMLICO BOUND TO BEAUFORT, N. O., ETC. Sealevel, 500; Stacy, 500; Marshallberg and Straits combined, 1,500; Harkels Island, 1,200. Ninety per cent of the male population are fishermen. Fishing is 'the principal industry, though some agricul- tural products are produced and there is a considerable supply of timber adjacent to the waterway. The commerce for 1930 through Core Sound and Thoroughfare Cut amounted to 14,486 tons and consisted mainly of sea foods, with small amounts of agricultural products, fertilizer, and timber. 7. The district engineer states that the principal savings that might result from the suggested improvement would be due to the use of larger and more economical boats. He states that the suggested im- provement would provide an inside route for. all sea -food products caught in the vicinity of :Ocracoke and Portsmouth to the various factories along .Taylors Creek and to the markets at Beaufort and Morehead City, and would permit oyster "buy" boats to enter Core Sound. He believes that if the improvement was made, there would be an increase of from 10 to 20 per cent in the item of sea foods and that the increase in timberwould be- considerable. He states that the ealr,_Wishment of a boat line Should secure about 60 to 70 per cent of the sweetpotato and fertilizer shipments. He estimates an in- creased commerce of 36,000 tons of timber, 3,600 tons of sweetpotatoes, 540 tons of Irish. potatoes, and 240 tons of fertilizer, a total of 40,380 tone. He statee that there would be a saving of 26 cents per ton on the timber and $1 per ton on sWeetpotatoes, Irish potatoes, and ferti- lizer, and that the total saving, including a saving of $1 per ton on the existing commerce, would amount to about $27,000. The district engineer believes that in the event of the ilprovement, local interests should be required to' pay the coat 'of the side channels to Davis, Sealevol, and Atlantic, and 'to provide suitable terminal fncilities. He believes that the cost of the suggested improvement would not be unreasonably earge and that the savings to be expeetad would be sufficient to justify the coat. He recommends a survey. 8. The diwelon engineer concurs, in general, with the views and conclusions of the district engineer and recommends a survey from Beaufort to Pamlico Sound via Thoroughfare Cut. 9. There are no questions of terminal facilities, water power, or other related subjects which could be coordinated with the suggested improvement in such manner as to lessen the cost for the United States. 10. The report of the district engineer, dated May lb, 1031, is inclosed. H. B. FERGUSON, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer. [second indorsement] BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVER$ AND HARBOR$, Washington, D, C., July 21, 1981. The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: 1. While not convinced of the -value of the improvement from a Federal standpoint, the board concurs with the division engineer in recommending a survey to determine the advisability and cost of improvement. A more detailed statement of prospective commerce CHANNEL FROM PAMLICO SOUND TO BEAUFORT) N. C., ETC. 9 and savings should be included. Careful consideration should be given to the amount and extent of local cooperation to be required. For the board: HERBERT DEAKYNE, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Senior Member. REPORT OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER eYLLABUG The district engineer believes that the present and prospective. commerce are sufficient to justify the coat of construction of the desired improvements. He therefore recommends that a survey be authorised. WAR DEPARTMENT, UNITED .STATES ENGINEER OFFIOE, Wilmington, N. C., May 15, 19J1. Subject: Preliminary examination report on "Channel from Pamlico Sound to Beaufort, N. C., via Thoroughfare Cut, Core Sound, and Taylors Creek Cut." To: The Division Engineer, South Atlantic Division, Norfolk, Va. 1. Authority. —This report is submitted in compliance with depart- ment letter dated July 15, 1930; and pursuant to provision in the riven and harbor act approved Jul q 3, 1930, which directs an examination of a "Channel from Pamlico Sound near the mouth of Neuse River to Beaufort, N. C., by way of Swan Point, Cedar Island Bay, Thorough- fare Cut, Thoroughfare Bay, Core Sound, touching at Atlantic wharves and to run through Mill Point Shoal by Sealevel, across to Piney Point and touching the wharves of the various communities through the Straits and Taylors Creek Cut with a view of securing a depth of 7 feet with suitable width." 2. Location and description. —Cedar Island Bay is on the south side of Pamlico Sound about 6 miles west of the peninsula at the junction of Pamlico and Clore Sounds and Thoroughfare Bay is on the west side of Core Sound about 6 miles southwest of the same peninsula. The heads of these two bays are connected by Thoroughfare Cut. Core Sound extends in a southwesterlyy direction from the south side of Pamlico Sound to Back ,,Sound. It is about 30 miles long and about 2% miles wide,.and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by Core Banks, a narrow strip of sandy beach. The at-raits leave Core Sound near its south end and passes between Harkers Island and the main land. Taylors Creek Out extends from a point near the western end of the straitsto Beaufort Harbor. (See U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey Chart No. 1233.) _ The approximate distances are as follows: Pamlico Sound through The Island Bay, to Thoroughfare Cut, 8.5 miles; through thoroughfare Cut, 1.6 miles; from Thorough- fare Cut, through Thoroughfare Bay, to Core Sound 4.1 mules; from this point in Core Sound to the straits 18.5 miles; through the straits and to the eastern end of Taylors 'reek Cut, 6.2 miles; through Taylors Cut to Beaufort 2.7 miles; making the total length approxi- mately 41.5 miles. The controlling mean low water depths are as follows: Cedar Island Bay, 7 feet; Thoroughfare Cut, Thoroughfare Bay, Core Sound and the Straits 6 feet and Taylors Creek Cut, 6.3 RECEIVED SEP 0 3 2019 DCM-MHD CITY 10 CHANNEL FROM PAMLTCO SOUND TO BEAUFORT, N. C., ETC. feet.. There is no lunar tide in Cedar Island Bay, Thoroughfare Bay, or the northern portion of Core Sound, -variations in the level of the water surface being due entirely to the action of the winds. Ordinary storms cause a variation of 1 foot, above or below mean stages, while severe storms may cause a variation of as much as 3 feet. The average rise and fall at Beaufort, due to lunar tides, is about 2% feet, which gradually diminishes in Core Sound as the distance from Beaufort increases. On the mainland along Core Sound and the Straits there are a number of small communities• with aggregate population of about 4,499 divided as follows: Atlantic, 685; Sealevel, 466; Stacy, 610- Davis, 525;Williston, 275; , Srinyrna, 447; Marshallberg, 533; anc Straits, 929. Haikers Island at the western end of the sound has a population of 854. A hard -surfaced highway, 'connecting at Beaufort with the State system of roads, extends along the north side of Core Sound as far as Atlantic, touching practically all the smaller communities. Beaufort is the terminus of the. Norfolk Southern Railroad and the nearest rail point. It is also the terminus of the Norfolk Baltimore & Caro- lina Boat Line, operating triweekly service to Norfolk, with direct connections for points beyond. 3. Previous reports. —.There has been no previous report made on the improvement proposed as a whole. The i7Channel connecting Thoroughfare Bay with Cedar Bay, N. C.," locally known as Thoroughfare Cut, has been under improve - went by the Federal Government since 1919. The existing project provides fore channel 50 feet wide a:nd 5 feet deep at mean low water. (See Annual Report of Chief of Engineers for 1930, p. 630, and 1-I. Doc. No. 1125, 63d Cong., 2d seas.) An examination of Core Sound was made in 1837, There are no Houso documents or annual reports on file in this office containing a report on this examination. Volume 1 of Index to the Reports of the Chief of Engineers, United Staten Army, page 483 (under New River, N. C.) shows that a total of $50 000 was appropriated in 1836, 1837, and 1838, for opening a passage from Beaufort Harbor to Pam- lico Sound and for improving New River. A preliminary examination of Core Sound was also made in 1895; and the report was unfavorable. (See H. Doc. No. 333, 53d Cong., 3d seas.) The "Waterway connecting Core Sound and Beaufort Harbor, N. C.," locally known as Taylors Creek, has been under improvement by the Federal Government since 101,3. The present project provides for a channel 75 feet wide and 7 feet deep at mean low water. (See Annual Report of Chief of Engineers for 1930, p. 635, and H. Doc: No. 88, 67th Cong., 1st sess.) The river and harbor act of July 3, 1930, provides for a reexamination of this waterway. 4. Existing project. —There is no existingg pro yet providing for the improvement of a channel from. Pamlico Soun to Beaufort, N. C., by way of Core Sound as a whole. :Existing projects covering portions of this route are given under previous projects. 5. Bridges. —There are no bridges crossing any portion of the proposed route. A permit has been issued for the construction of a bridge between Harkers Island and Lennoxville having a center bear- ing draw span with 40 feet clear opening on either side.