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HomeMy WebLinkAbout129-16 Moratorium 2017 Dare County Inlet Dredgingr Slagel, Matthew From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Ken, Slagel, Matthewj Tuesday, August 01, 2017 4:25 PM 'Willson, Kenneth' Trowell, Steve;josh.pelletier@usace.army.mil; Dunn, Maria T.; Staples, Shane; Ken Riley - NOAA Federal; Rosov, Brad;'pace.wilber@noaa.gov'; Howell, Jonathan; Huggett, Doug RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel DCM staff have reviewed Dare County's request for relief to dredge the Hatteras Inlet "Connector Channel" during the moratorium period. As you know, the permitted dredge window opens on October 1". We also sought input on this request from other state and federal resource agencies. While concerns remain about dredging in Hatteras Inlet during peak recruitment for blue crab and shrimp and potential impacts on red drum and flounder, DCM is cognizant of reports of rapid shoaling in the Connector Channel. DCM is also aware of the scheduling issues with the Sidecast Dredge Merritt being removed from service for repairs in early October. Therefore, DCM is granting relief to Dare County to dredge the Connector Channel during the moratorium period for this dredging event only. The relief is limited to 10 days of dredging, and the 10-day dredging period begins on the day that dredging first occurs. In the future, DCM expects that dredging events associated with this project will abide by the permitted dredge window of October 1— March 31. Sincerely, Matt Slagel Beach & Inlet Management Project Coordinator NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Coastal Management 400 Commerce Avenue Morehead City, NC 28557 Phone: 252-808-2808 x 204 E-mail: matthew.slaoel(&ncdenr.gov UK Nvkhmg Compares 1 E=mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. From: Willson, Kenneth [mailto:Kenneth.Willson@aptim.com] Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 11:21 AM To: Trowell, Steve <steve.trowell@ncdenr.gov>; Slagel, Matthew <Matthew.Slagel@ncdenr.gov>; josh. pelletier@usace.army.miI Cc: Huggett, Doug <doug.huggett@ncdenr.gov>; Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@aptim.com> Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel mm I was in the field most of last week and wanted to follow up with you on the Connector Channel project now that I'm .back in the office. Based on discussions with Matt Slagel last week, it sounds like DCM is getting close to being able to make a decision on the County's request for relief from the window to conduct a late August maintenance event with the Sidecast Dredge Merritt. At the end of last week I was contacted by Jim Medlock of the USACE Shallow Draft Navigation Program. Jim stated that due to some recent damage to the Sidecast Dredge Merritt, it is possible that the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel project may actually be conducted in early to mid -September as opposed to late August. Although the schedule is not firmly established, I did want to provide that additional information to you all as you are considering whether to grant the relief. I also wanted to reiterate that we are working with our marine archeologist sub -contractor and the Underwater Archeology Branch at Ft. Fisher to clear additional portions of the Connector Channel corridor for cultural resources. I will continue to provide you with any updated information on schedule as it becomes available. I will also be in touch with you soon about setting up another pre -con meeting as required by permit. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Kind Regards, APTIM Ken Willson Client Program Manager Tel: + 1910 7919494 Cell: + 1910 443 4471 Kenneth.Willson@APTIM.com PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS APTIM 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 From: Willson, Kenneth[maiIto: Kenneth.WiIIson@aptim.coml Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 9:47 AM To: Huggett, Doug<doue.hugaett@ncdenr.gov>; josh.pelletier2usace.armv.mil; Trowell, Steve <steve.trowell@ncdenr.gov>; Slagel, Matthewj <Matthew.Slagel@ncdenr.eov> Cc: Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@aptim.com> Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel All, Attached is the latest survey from the USACE of the connector channel. As you can see, the west side has closed in a bit. They had achieved controlling depths on the west side of --8 ft. MLLW during the May event. At present it's closer to -5 MLLW. Also, as you can see there is a cut to the south of the previously dredged channel that is deeper. If we are limited to the inside of the previously dredged channel, the west side depths are closer to -2 ft. MLLW. We are working on getting approval on the Cultural Resource side to be able to dredge to deep water. Please let us know if you need any additional information at this point. Kind Regards, APT] M Ken Willson Client Program Manager Tel: + 1910 7919494 Cell: + 1910 443 4471 Kenneth.Willson@APTIM.com PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS APTIM 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 From: Willson, Kenneth Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2017 10:44 PM To:'Huggett, Doug'<doug.huggett@ncdenr.gov>;'josh.pelletier@usace.army.mil'<losh.pelIetier@usace.army.miI>; 'Trowell, Steve' <steve.troweII@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@aptim.com> Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel All, I'm following up on the email from last month (see below). The USACE recently conducted a survey of the Connector Channel and we are awaiting the results of that survey. Locals have reported that the channel has shoaled since the maintenance was completed, but we are hoping to quantify to what degree with the surveys. Due to the Merritt availability and some of the delays that forced the project into May the maintenance only achieved controlling depth of about 7 ft. MLLW. Assuming the current controlling depths are less than 7 ft. MLLW and based on the fact that the Sidecast Dredge Merritt is scheduled to go in for substantial maintenance work starting October 111, and the expectatior is that the dredge will be out of service for approximately 6 months, the County is requesting relief from the dredge window established in the permit as October 1 to March 31. By the time the window opens in October, it is anticipated that the channel would be too shallow for maintenance to be performed using the special use hopper dredges Murden and Currituck, which typically require 5 to 6 feet of water to operate. Based on the post construction surveys, the channel that was dredged in May has meandered outside of the previously dredged channel corridor. Dare County has hired a marine archeologist to survey a portion of the larger corridor included in the permit in order to open up a larger area for dredging and allow the sidecast dredge to follow deep water during the next cycle. The hope is that controlling depths closer to -12 ft. MLLW can be achieved. Later this year the entire Connector Channel Corridor included in the permit will be surveyed for cultural resources but due to the fact that there is only limited time before the sidecast dredge is available, the contractor will survey a sub set of that area. The attached map shows both the original Connector Channel Corridor (Black dotted line) and the proposed cultural resource survey area (Yellow solid line). The marine archeologist anticipates completing both the survey and coordination with the underwater archeology branch by early August. The USACE Wilmington District has stated that currently the only window they have to conduct this work is the 3rd and 4th week in August. Please consider this as a request for relief from the dredge window included in the permit. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about the proposed plan for August. Kind Regards, , ,APTIM Ken Willson Client Program Manager Tel: + 1910 7919494 Cell: + 1910 443 4471 Kenneth.Willson@APTIM.com PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS APTIM 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 From: Willson, Kenneth Sent: Friday, June 16, 2017 9:11 AM To:'Huggett, Doug'<doug.huggett@ncdenr.gov>;'josh.pelletier@usace.army.mil' <josh.pelletierC@usace.armv.mil>; 'Trowell, Steve' <steve.trowell@ncdenr.gov>; 'Howell, Jonathan'<]onathan.howell@ncdenr.gov>;'Bodnar, Gregg' <gregg.bodnar@ncdenr.gov>;'Dunn, Maria T.' <maria.dunn@ncwildlife.org>; Ken Riley (ken.rilev@noaa.gov) <ken.rilev@noaa.gov>;'Scarbraugh, Anthony' <anthonv.scarbraugh@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Rosov, Brad <Brad. Rosov@cbi.com>; 'outten@darenc.com'<outten@darenc.com> Subject: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel ON Based on the attached AS -BUILT survey, the maintenance dredging of the Connector Channel, conducted by the Sidecaster Merritt in late May, was able to establish controlling depths of -7 to -9 ft. MLW. This is a welcomed improvement from the pre -construction conditions and has opened up the channel to navigation once again. I thank you all for your assistance working through some of the timing issues with the MOA and USACE dredge plant schedule. As you may be aware, the Sidecast Dredge Merritt is scheduled to go in for substantial maintenance work starting October 1". The expectation is that the dredge will be out of service for approximately 6 months. During those six (6) months, communities will have to rely on the special use hopper dredges Murden and Currituck to maintain shallow draft channels. Whereas the sidecaster can get into very shallow and heavily shoaled areas, the special use hoppers typically need 5 to 6 feet of water to operate. That means that if a channel shoals to a depth that is shallower than the special use hopper's operational depth, the channel may remain shoaled in until the sidecast dredge is back in service. This is a big cause of concern for a number of communities. In speaking to the USACE about scheduling, they believe that it would be advisable to try to conduct one more.sidecast dredge event of the channel prior to the Merritt going offline to ensure that the special use hopper dredges have enough water to maintain the channel in the Merritt's absence. Their schedule for September is booked up for maintenance work at New River for which they have had to coordinate closely with DoD at Camp Lejeune to allow for specific training exercises. They have advised CPE-NC and the County that if they were going to be able to do one last maintenance event with the sidecaster, that event should occur in late August. As you know, the dredge window for this permit doesn't open back up until Oct. V. At present, the plan is to monitor depths in the channel and the position of the channel over the coming 4 to 6 weeks and make a determination as to the necessity of another sidecaster event in late August. The County is also planning to authorize a marine archeologist to conduct a submerged cultural resource survey of the areas around the recently dredged channel so that when the next maintenance event occurs the USACE can follow deep water, which will considerably decrease the time required to establish navigable depths through the channel. At this time, my intent is only to provide you information on the anticipated path forward in the spirit of close coordination. We will continue to provide you all updates and are available to answer questions: Kind Regards, LJ L Ken Willson Client Program Manager 1 Coastal & Maritime Services Environmental & Sustainability Tel: + 1 910 791 9494 Cell: + 1 910 443 4471 Fax: + 1 910 791 4129 Kenneth.Willson@CBI.com CB&I 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 USA www.CBI.com . i a Z1usgNL ♦n 4=4 Huggett, Doug From: Ken Riley - NOAA Federal <ken.riley@noaa.gov> Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 2:42 PM To: Huggett, Doug Cc: Staples, Shane; Slagel, Matthewj; Pelletier, Josh R SAW, Pace Wilber - NOAA Federal Subject: Re: FW: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel Hi Doug - Thanks for your email. I spoke with Jim Medlock this afternoon regarding dredging the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel in September. He is working on developing a revised purpose and need statement given that the Sidecast Dredge Merritt is going offline well into FYI for repairs. It is also abundantly clear that severe shoaling is occurring in the Connector Channel and perhaps this shoaling is occurring at rate that exceeds the frequency of maintenance described in the permit application. Further, the shoaling may prevent access for dredges during the winter months. The NMFS remains concerned about dredging during peak recruitment for blue crab and shrimp within Hatteras Inlet. We understand that this maintenance event was unplanned and will address persistent shoaling in the Connector Channel. Jim assures me that in the future the Wilmington District and Dare County will work to abide by the environmental window when using the Sidecast Dredge Merritt. Reluctantly, the NMFS will not object to the project as it is important to navigation and seems to be approaching an emergency situation. -Ken Kenneth Riley, Ph.D. Habitat Conservation Division National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Region for Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516 Office: 252-728-87so I Cell: 2s2-864-6r93 I Email: kenxileyRnoaa.gov On Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 8:39 AM, Huggett, Doug <doug.hug ett ,ncdenr.gov> wrote: Shane/Ken /See attached. What would IS"l�dall a, �Ste+wr�les yourtthoughts be on conducting tQhework mid -September instead of hate August? ba', 111w*— PQJ G"� 4'n V'U & a-i 9_w� &-j- Ps (Zaav ram( J" a,.d 1.. Pact wAa _ I n Q � �er4a.G.:Gnr�- c�-ac� � Q�.� �etj 'ilro'.� _.,,.y-� Doug Huggett Hi Doug, At present, the NMFS is not going to offer relief on the window given the time of year and the recent maintenance activities authorized within the construction moratorium. We are concerned about cumulative impacts and resources present within the. inlet complex. We are also concerned that the maintenance of the Connector Channel may have been underestimated in the permit application. I have spoken with Josh Pelletier regarding these concerns and I am awaiting a call from Jim Medlock. I will send more detailed correspondence after that call. As always, please let us know if this is elevated or deemed an emergency situation for inlet navigation. This region is certainly getting a lot of attention with the ongoing crisis in Hatteras and Ocracoke. -Ken Kenneth Riley, Ph.D. Habitat Conservation Division National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Region 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516 Office: 252-728-8750 I Cell: 252-864-6193 1 Email: ken.riley@noaa.gov On Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 8:39 AM, Huggett, Doug <doug.huggett@ncdenr.gov> wrote: Shane/Ken See attached. What would your thoughts be on conducting the work mid -September instead of late August? Matt: Welcome back. Hope your move and work transition is going well. I traveled to Ocracoke last Wednesday 26 July and rode the ferry back and forth to Ocracoke across Hatteras Inlet. You could see from the deck of the ferry, the shoaling in the "connector channel' on the west side. I watched the Hatteras charter fleet return through the inlet on that afternoon around 4:00 pm. Most of the fleet that I observed, ten boats total, used a channel on the Dare County side of the inlet (east side). Two boats came up the connector channel, one slowed to trolling speed when it got to the west end and one stayed on plane all the way through. Low tide was at 4:37 pm. Having made that observation indicates to me that thankfully there are other options besides the "connector channel'. Why the two boats used the "connector channel' and not the channel on the east side of the inlet is unknown to me unless that channel on the east side is less familiar or more tricky to navigate. I did not see the deeper "cut' to the south of the area dredged in May that Ken made reference to. The continued attempts to keep this channel open by the side cast dredge will require multiple maintenance dredge events during the moratorium months. A side cast dredge cannot adequately move enough sand to buy any time between dredge events. DOT Ferry Division attempted to use this channel by maintaining it with their hydraulic pipeline dredge and abandoned it after repeated rapid shoaling. I have attached some aerials that I took of the east and west end of the connector channel on the 15 May. The side cast dredge had been working for four days on the west end when I took these photos. Both ends of the channel narrow and have a significant shoal plugging the ends. The photos labeled "Aitnchan" shows an alternative channel that historically required less maintenance than the "connector channel'. It would be more prudent if Dare County were to include this area in the current cultural resource survey. This area has a channel that has been marked with orange poly balls for last the couple months, I am certain the charter fleet has done this and uses it when needed and water depth allow. Hope this helps. I am available to discuss further. Hopefully the flight contract will be renewed soon and you can get up and look at the inlet from the plane, It is very helpful. Steve J. Trowell Coastal Management Representative NC Division of Coastal Management Slagel, Matthew j From: Willson, Kenneth <Kenneth.Willson@aptim.com> Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 11:21 AM To: Trowell, Steve, Slagel, Matthew j;josh.pelletier@usace.army.miI Cc: Huggett, Doug; Rosov, Brad Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel 0 I was in the field most of last week and wanted to follow up with you on the Connector Channel project now that I'm back in the office. Based on discussions with Matt Slagel last week, it sounds like DCM is getting close to being able to make a decision on the County's request for relief from the window to conduct a late August maintenance event with the Sidecast Dredge Merritt. At the end of last week I was contacted by Jim Medlock of the USACE Shallow Draft Navigation Program. Jim stated that due to some recent damage to the Sidecast Dredge Merritt, it is possible that the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel project may actually be conducted in early to mid -September as opposed to late August. Although the schedule is not firmly established, I did want to provide that additional information to you all as you are considering whether to grant the relief. I also wanted to reiterate that we are working with our marine archeologist sub -contractor and the Underwater Archeology Branch at Ft. Fisher to clear additional portions of the Connector Channel corridor for cultural resources. I will continue to provide you with any updated information on schedule as it becomes available. I will also be in touch with you soon about setting up another pre -con meeting as required by permit. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Kind Regards, Ken Willson Client Program Manager Tel: + 1910 7919494 Cell: + 1910 443 4471 Kenneth. Willson @APTIM.com PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS APTIM 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 From: Willson, Kenneth Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 3:50 PM To:'Trowell, Steve' <steve.trowell@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Huggett, Doug <doug.huggett@ncdenr.gov>; josh.pelletier@usace.army.mil; Slagel, Matthewj <Matthew.Slagel@ncdenr.gov>; Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@aptim.com> Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel Steve, The initial goal of the project was to have a large corridor approved to be able to maintain the deep water channel (wherever it may be) through occasional dredging. Once we get the full corridor cleared for cultural resources, we will be able to follow that deep water channel, wherever it exists within the larger corridor. The channel you highlighted on the map would be inside of that corridor. All that said, my understanding is that for the past couple of years, the deep water channel has been in the vicinity of the channel that was dredged by the USACE in May under the permit in question. The channel you highlighted is deep along the shoulder of Ocracoke but shoals in to impassible depths before it gets into the inlet gorge. Nevertheless, we will continue to move forward to get as much flexibility as possible, which will minimize the amount of maintenance required. That will make both the resource agencies and the bean counters happy. Please let us know if you need any additional information to support a decision on allowing for the proposed late August dredge event. Kind Regards, ,>,APTIM Ken Willson Client Program Manager Tel: + 1910 7919494 Cell: + 1910 443 4471 Kenneth. W i I [son @APTI M.com PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS APTI M 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC28409 From: Trowell, Steve Imailto:steve.trowell@ncdenr.gov1 Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 12:07 PM To: Willson, Kenneth <Kenneth.Willson@aptim.com> Cc: Huggett, Doug <doug.huggett@ncdenr.gov>; iosh.pelletier@usace.armv.mil: Trowell, Steve <steve.trowell@ncdenr.gov>; Slagel, Matthewj <Matthew.Slagel@ncdenr.gov>; Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@aptim.com> Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel Ken: The slough we now call the "Connector Channel" is behaving as it always has and was abandoned by NC DOT Ferry Division due to the rapid shoaling that would occur making difficult to maintain years ago before Rollison Channel was abandoned by the Corp for the same reason. There was an event where the Ferry Division's pipeline dredge worked through the plug on the west side and was trapped and had to dredge its way back out. Historically, the channel that I have marked on the attached google earth image has required less maintenance by the Ferry Division. It meanders with the accretion and erosion of the north end of Ocracoke Island but was more tenable and maintained by the Ferry Division. I know that this information is tardy in this process but I feel compelled to put it out there as I watch this exercise in futility in another attempt to use the "Connector Channel" as a navigation channel. 1t r Nevertheless, a slight shift to the south following the natural migration of the "Connector Channel" on it's west end would certainly help and this area has likely been disturbed in the past by the aforementioned Ferry Division pipeline dredge. Steve J. Trowell Coastal Management Representative NC Division of Coastal Management Washington Regional Office (252)948-3854 Steve.Trowell@ncdenr.gov �NathingCompares_ E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. Please visit www.nccoastalmanaaement.net to subscribe to Coastal Management's quarterly newsletter, the CAMAgram. From: Willson, Kennethfmailto:Kenneth.Willson@aptim.coml Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 9:47 AM To: Huggett, Doug<doue.hueeettC@ncdenr.aov>; iosh.pelletier@usace.army.mil: Trowell, Steve <steve.trowell@ncdenr.aov>; Slagel, Matthewj <Matthew.Slaeel@ncdenr.sov> Cc: Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@aptim.com> Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel om Attached is the latest survey from the USACE of the connector channel. As you can see, the west side has closed in a bit. They had achieved controlling depths on the west side of --8 ft. MLLW during the May event. At present it's closer to -5 MLLW. Also, as you can see there is a cut to the south of the previously dredged channel that is deeper. If we are limited to the inside of the previously dredged channel, the west side depths are closer to -2 ft. MLLW. We are working on getting approval on the Cultural Resource side to be able to dredge to deep water. Please let us know if you need any additional information at this point. Kind Regards, ',APTIM Ken Willson Client Program Manager Tel: + 1910 7919494 Cell: + 1910 443 4471 Kenneth. W illson(a)APTI M.com PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS APTIM 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 From: Willson, Kenneth Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2017 10:44 PM To:'Huggett, Doug'<doug.huggett@ ncdenr.gov>; 'josh.pelletier@usace.army.mil'<iosh.pelletier@usace.army.mil>, 'Trowell, Steve' <steve.troweII@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@aptim.com> Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel ma I'm following up on the email from last month (see below). The USACE recently conducted a survey of the Connector Channel and we are awaiting the results of that survey. Locals have reported that the channel has shoaled since the maintenance was completed, but we are hoping to quantify to what degree with the surveys. Due to the Merritt availability and some of the delays that forced the project into May the maintenance only achieved controlling depth of about 7 ft. MLLW. Assuming the current controlling depths are less than 7 ft. MLLW and based on the fact that the Sidecast Dredge Merritt is scheduled to go in for substantial maintenance work starting October 1", and the expectatior is that the dredge will be out of service for approximately 6 months, the County is requesting relief from the dredge window established in the permit as October 1 to March 31. By the time the window opens in October, it is anticipated that the channel would be too shallow for maintenance to be performed using the special use hopper dredges Murden and Currituck, which typically require 5 to 6 feet of water to operate. Based on the post construction surveys, the channel that was dredged in May has meandered outside of the previously dredged channel corridor. Dare County has hired a marine archeologist to survey a portion of the larger corridor included in the permit in order to open up a larger area for dredging and allow the sidecast dredge to follow deep water during the next cycle. The hope is that controlling depths closer to -12 ft. MLLW can be achieved. Later this year the entire Connector Channel Corridor included in the permit will be surveyed for cultural resources but due to the fact that there is only limited time before the sidecast dredge is available, the contractor will survey a sub set of that area. The attached map shows both the original Connector Channel Corridor (Black dotted line) and the proposed cultural resource survey area (Yellow solid line). The marine archeologist anticipates completing both the survey and coordination with the underwater archeology branch by early August. The USACE Wilmington District has stated that currently the only window they have to conduct this work is the 3rd and 41^ week in August. Please consider this as a request for relief from the dredge window included in the permit. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about the proposed plan for August. Kind Regards, Ken Willson Client Program Manager Tel: + 1910 7919494 Ce I I: + 1910 443 4471 Kenneth.Willson@APTIM.com PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS APTIM 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 From: Willson, Kenneth Sent: Friday, June 16, 2017 9:11 AM To:'Huggett, Doug'<doug.huggett@ncdenr.gov>;'josh.pelletier@usace.army.mil' <iosh.pelletierC@usace.army.mil>; Trowell, Steve'<steve.trowell @ncdenr.gov>; 'Howell, Jonathan'<ionathan.howell@ncdenr.gov>;'Bodnar, Gregg' <gregg.bodnar@ncdenr.gov>;'Dunn, Maria T.' <maria.dunn@ncwildlife.org>; Ken Riley (ken.riley@noaa.gov) <ken.rilev@noaa.gov>;'Scarbraugh, Anthony' <anthony.scarbraugh@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Rosov, Brad <Brad.Rosov@cbi.com>;'outten@darenc.com' <outten@darenc.com> Subject: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel 01 Based on the attached AS -BUILT survey, the maintenance dredging of the Connector Channel, conducted by the Sidecaster Merritt in late May, was able to establish controlling depths of -7 to -9 ft. MLW. This is a welcomed improvement from the pre -construction conditions and has opened up the channel to navigation once again. I thank you all for your assistance working through some of the timing issues with the MOA and USACE dredge plant schedule. As you may be aware, the Sidecast Dredge Merritt is scheduled to go in for substantial maintenance work starting October 1". The expectation is that the dredge will be out of service for approximately 6 months. During those six (6) months, communities will have to rely on the special use hopper dredges Murden and Currituck to maintain shallow draft channels. Whereas the sidecaster can get into very shallow and heavily shoaled areas, the special use hoppers typically need 5 to 6 feet of water to operate. That means that if a channel shoals to a depth that is shallower than the special use hopper's operational depth, the channel may remain shoaled in until the sidecast dredge is back in service. This is a big cause of concern for a number of communities. In speaking to the USACE about scheduling, they believe that it would be advisable to try to conduct one more sidecast dredge event of the channel prior to the Merritt going offline to ensure that the special use hopper dredges have enough water to maintain the channel in the Merritt's absence. Their schedule for September is booked up for maintenance work at New River for which they have had to coordinate closely with DoD at Camp Lejeune to allow for specific training exercises. They have advised CPE-NC and the County that if they were going to be able to do one last maintenance event with the sidecaster, that event should occur in late August. As you know, the dredge window for this permit doesn't open back up until Oct. 11t. At present, the plan is to monitor depths in the channel and the position of the channel over the coming 4 to 6 weeks and make a determination as to the necessity of another sidecaster event in late August. The County is also planning to authorize a marine archeologist to conduct a submerged cultural resource survey of the areas around the recently dredged channel so that when the next maintenance event occurs the USACE can follow deep water, which will considerably decrease the time required to establish navigable depths through the channel. At this time, my intent is only to provide you information on the anticipated path forward in the spirit of close coordination. We will continue to provide you all updates and are available to answer questions. Kind Regards, Ken Willson Client Program Manager 1 Coastal & Maritime Services Environmental & Sustainability Tel: + 1 910 791 9494 Cell: + 1 910 443 4471 Fax: + 1 910 7914129 Kenneth.m(illson@CBI.com CB&I 4038 Masonboro Loop Road Wilmington, NC 28409 USA www.CBI.com e C Ocracoke Island North Ferry Termin Ocracoke Island 1.3 M ,ewes •••• non •t� US Army Corps of Engineer: minninpton Dbtrun I 4 L m C A C ne y I DinM In F-1 �� I FeE L'm �4 SMllarvxw„w an rW— •Ger OWteawn S-Sa sNn°-'wUtz-to n .14-12 y � 16 14 A i nnmaw 'ooraru �13 �t D11pF = ....nd..�a...,.....,....�..,® .•.,..,. _....s OMN.Hen/CHAT Pee a t ee Notes: 1. Coordinates are in feet based on the North Carolina State Plane Coordinate System. North American Datum of 1983 (HAD 83). 2. 2016 background imagery is from the USDA's National Agricultural Imagery Program. 3. June 2017 bathymeby provided by USACE. Depths are referenced to MILK Legend: C�4 Connector Channel Condor Depth In Feet (MLW) and Shallovier Q Proposetl Guttural Resource Investigation Area ■4 64 Revised Proposed Cultural � 7-6 S-7 Investigati 10-8 72.10 14-12 15-14 15 and Deeper Q Connector Channel on Area o t,000 2,000 Feet NETWP i Cultural Resource Investigation Hatteras Inlet Dare County, North Carolina COASTAL PLANNING S ENGINEERING OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. 1019 MRBONBOMO LOOV ROAD 41 �m Coolanates r! � t!tt hasea on tnt Nom Carus `late PL" Comww Symem KamNVrranDatunal9t3cINAD83) 2vl! bwkVa ,-d m9m n Pr74wd try NCPOOT awaavi MIA baai7" an agdy"M the LSC4 Nah9nf AQCI . w f� aglryy �K I Apt m y oaiR"@trf VQaA C CPO �IJWIE ceV" s 1 1 1 1 1 / 1 / 1 1 j `% .. 4 f- s` 7 W -% 11 ti ` Lee /q "ev cr wre, pleODl'CVAWM iM1 � Yt7 4:tlh ar `� 'eantwe Rtt7bta�Atta Gd .nengCiEle Rutz P.1�IC{ElectrcalCzwCals. W_; 7fi &7 anal,aE•nsngCawePatetCaU.eaCade'•eranef Inc) ;a81C �Ayotrlt!i!r f aae tsLy� 14 t? ISto llsyvoeew Maintenance Dredge Permittini Hatteras Inlet Dare County, North Carolina COa%1At Pt A"NW, a• t o 1A1R t p N b OF NORTN C.ARol1WINC. C-.rr.•:�, .: air+ 14.7R 797y7 win. .sal �ill'C sae n� •a• �.r e dotted black line in the map above outlines the wide area in which the engineering firm charged with getting permits for dredging 0 Innecting Channel, also known as the West Channel, hopes that the state and federal agencies will approve for the plan, so future edging will be possible if and when the channel moves.