129-16 Project Update 04/12/2018

APTIM
April 12, 2018
David Bemhart
NMFS — Protected Resources Division
26313th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
oLe
Subject: Hatteras Inlet Project Report (USACE Action ID. SAW-2016-02140)
Kenneth Willsoi
Program Manage
Aptim Coastal Planning & Engineering ojNorl,
Carolina, Inc
4038 Masonbom Loop Roa,
Wilmington, North Carolin
Tel: [phone]%
Kenneth. [e-mail]
This letter serves as the project report required by special condition #24 of the above referenced permit, which allowed
Dare County to conduct maintenance dredging within the Connector Channel Corridor located between Ocracoke
Island and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. Special condition #24 requires that a project report Summarizing the results
of the dredging and the sea turtle take (if any) be submitted to NMFS within 30 working days of completion and that
the reports shall contain information on project location, start-up and completion dates, cubic yards of material dredged,
incidental takings (include photographs, if available) and sightings of protected species, mitigating actions taken,
screening type (inflow, overflow) utilized, daily water temperatures, name of dredge, names of endangered species
observers, percent observer coverage, and any other information the contractor deems relevant.
Project Description:
On March 20, 2018, the USACE operated Special Purpose Dredge Cxr itmA arrived in the vicinity of Hatteras Inlet;
however, inclement weather kept the dredge from starting maintenance operations until March 22 The Dn* Cwntnai:
conducted operations in the Connector Channel located between Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island near the
boundary between Dare and Hyde County, North Carolina. Maintenance dredging on the Connector Channel occurred
from March 22 through March 31. Two (2) twelve hour shifts per day were conducted by the dredge crew when weather
and vessel operability allowed.
The Wilmington District of the USACE provided hydrographic survey charts showing die pre -construction (March 17,
2018) and post -construction (April 1, 2018) depths in the channel. These maps are included as an attachment to this
letter as Attachment I — Connector Channel Maps. A comparison of the pre -construction survey conducted on March
17, 2018 and post -construction surveys conducted on April 1, 2018, indicated that approximately 17,000 cubic yards of
material was removed from the channel and associated side slopes. The removal of the material resulted in controlling
depths of approximately -8 ft. mean lower low water (MLLW) through the South channel dredged by the USACE. The
resulting channel is approximately 150 feet wide.
Mitigation Actions and Observations:
In accordance with the permits, the applicant notified both the NC Division of Coastal Management (DClv� and the
USACE Regulatory Division prior to dredging activities that dredging may occur between April 1 and September 30.
This was primarily due to a number of nor'easters that occurred in the month of March that effected the dredge plant
schedule. Based on guidance from the USACE Wilmington District Navigation Branch staff, Dare County requested

2 weeks of relief (April 1 — April 14) from the dredge window established in the permit as October I to March 31. The
goal of the March 2018 maintenance was to establish a more direct channel orientation to the inlet gorge cutting across
a linear shoal and establishing an approximately 8 ft. deep channel with bottom width of approximately 150 ft.
APTIM staff coordinated closely with both NC DCM and USACE regulatory staff on the progress of the project.
Agencies were prepared to make a decision on granting the relief in the event that it was in fact required. Fortunately,
the Dredge Currituck finished up operations on March 31, just prior to the begining of the moratorium. In accordance
with the permit, construction activities complied with the "Guidelines for Avoiding Impacts to the West Indian
Manatee". Furthermore, the project did not place any material above the MLW to avoid impacts to federally listed
Seabeach Amaranth, Piping Plover,, -Red Knot, Green sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle, Kemp's ndley sea turtle,
Leatherback sea turtle, Loggerhead Sea turtle, and their habitat.
To the knowledge of the contractor, no protected federally listed species was killed, injured, captured, harassed, or
otherwise harmed by the conduct of the maintenance activities (Le. no incidental takings). No protected species were
observed during the conduct of the work, however, protected species observers were not required as a condition of the
permit. Furthermore, in accordance with the permit, material excavated by the Special Purpose Dmdge Cwnbrek was
placed in the designated nearshored disposal site as shown on the attached drawings.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any additional questions regarding this project.
Very truly yours,
COASTAL PANNING & ENGINEERING OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
Ken Willson
Project Manager
CC: Josh Pelletier — USACE
Fritz Rhode — NMFS-HCD
Steve Trowell — NC DCM
Gregg Bodnar — NC DCM
Bobby Outten — Dare County

Bodnar, Gregg
From: Willson, Kenneth <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2018 9:15 AM
To: Bodnar, Gregg
Subject: [External]. RE: Hatteras Connector
Yes. All work associated with the Hatteras Connector Channel project was completed on Friday March 301h. We will
pass along additional information once we have the survey data.
Kind Regards,
APTI'M
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager
Tel: + 1910 7919494
Cell: + 1910 443 4471
Kenneth.W illsonCeDAPTI M.com
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTIM
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
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From: Bodnar, Gregg [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2018 9:13 AM
To: Willson, Kenneth <[e-mail]>
Subject: Hatteras Connector
Morning Ken,
Last we spoke everything was on track for completion before the moratorium. Just wanted to check that all is
well and everything is complete.
Thanks for everything,
Gregg
Gregg Bodnar
Assistant Major Permits Coordinator
Division of Coastal Management
Department of Environmental Quality
252 808 2808 ext 215 office
Gregg. Bodnar(a')ncdenr.gov

400 Commerce Ave
Morehead City, NC 28557
J Nothing Compares...-.,,..
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Bodnar, Gregg
From: Staples, Shane
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 3:28 PM
To: Bodnar, Gregg
Subject: FW: [External] Hatteras Inlet
After consultation and recognizing the scheduling and survey needs for the Hatteras Inlet dredging project DCM fisheries
is willing to grant 15 days of relief from the in -water work moratorium to allow dredging to continue until April 15, 2018.
Thanks
Shane
Shane F. Staples
Fisheries Resource Specialist
Division of Coastal Management
Department of Environmental Quality
252 948 3950 office
shane.staoles(a ncdenr.00v
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27817
.y
P^ -!-"Nothing Compares.--.,.
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
From: Willson, Kenneth [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2018 1:33 PM
To: Trowell, Steve <[e-mail]>; Howell, Jonathan <[e-mail]>; Bobby Outten - Dare
County ([e-mail]) <[e-mail]>; Pelletier, Josh R CIV CESAW CESAD (US)
<[e-mail]>; Bodnar, Gregg <[e-mail]>; Fritz. [e-mail]; Scarbraugh,
Anthony<[e-mail]>; Staples, Shane <shane.stapies @ncdenr.gov>; Huggett, Doug
<d o ug. h uggett @ n cd e n r.gov>
Cc: Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>; Devisse, Julien <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] Hatteras Inlet
All,
At present, the Dredge Currituck is transiting north and expects to arrive in Dare County late this evening or
tomorrow. The passing of several nor'easters though the month of March have precluded the USACE from conducting
surveys of the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel project area since January 25th. The expectation is that channel
conditions may have changed since January 251h. The USACE is evaluating weather forecasts and believes that today
may be the first chance for a survey to be conducted of the Connector Channel and the offshore disposal area. In order

to make the most efficient use of the dredge, the USACE has advised that they would prefer to have the latest survey
data processed and analyzed before starting the maintenance work at Hatteras Inlet. Given the need to adequately
assess channel conditions at Hatteras Inlet, the USACE, the county and the county's consultant APTIM have agreed that
the dredge should transit to Oregon Inlet for critical maintenance dredging in this inlet beginning this weekend and
continuing through early next week.
The USACE anticipates that the survey of the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel and Hatteras Inlet will be available early
next week. The USACE will then make a recommendation to Dare County as to the preferred start date and estimated
number of days needed to dredge the Connector Channel. This decision will be based on an assessment of the latest
surveys and the latest weather forecasts. All parties agree that this will lead to the most efficient usage of the dredge to
conduct effective dredging in the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel (aka South Ferry Channel).
Based on the ongoing weather delays, the USACE believes that a portion of the dredging of the Hatteras Inlet Connector
Channel will be required to be conducted thru as late as mid -April. According to both the CAMA and DOA permits,
dredging between April 1 and September 30 is not allowed without prior approval from the Division of Coastal
Management and USACE in consultation with appropriate resource agencies. In light of the anticipation by the USACE
that weather is likely to require a portion of the upcoming operation to occur after March 31, we request on behalf of
Dare County that both the NC DCM and USACE provide up to 15 days of relief through April 15, 2018 to allow for the
maintenance of the Connector Channel.
Please note that if the USACE is restricted to conducting maintenance work prior to March 31, the effectiveness of the
maintenance is anticipated to be minimal. This increases the potential for additional maintenance dredging to be
conducted later in the spring or even into summer. We want to stress that the primary reason for needing to obtain
relief through April 15 is so the maintenance work conducted by the USACE is effective at clearing the channel thus
decreasing the likelihood that Dare County may require maintenance work in the summertime.
I will follow up with Gregg Bodnar and Josh Pelletier with a call this afternoon. Please feel free to reach out to me with
questions.
Sincere Regards,
APTIM
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager
Tel: + 1910 7919494
Cell: + 1910 443 4471
[e-mail]
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTIM
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409

Coastal Management
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
File Note:
ROY COOPER
Gmenur
WILLIAM G. ROSS JR.
Secretary
BRAXTON DAVIS
D dor
FROM: Gregg Bodnar, DCM Assistant Major Permit Coordinator
SUBJECT: March 2018 Moratorium Relief for Dare Co. Hatteras Connector Channel #129-16(9b
DATE: 3/20/18
Ken Willson with APTIM requested moratorium relief on 3/16/18. The requested action pertains to a two -
week relief from the conditioned dredging moratorium (April 1—September 30), to end on April 15, 2018.
Staff coordinated with Shane Staples, the Division's Fisheries Resource Specialist for the area.
Shane approved the request through 4/15/18 noting that the 200ft wide channel should reduce the
frequency of disturbance.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Coastal Management
400 Commerce Avenue I Morehead City, NC 28557
252-808-2808 1252-247-3330 (fax)

Bodnar, Gregg
From: Willson, Kenneth <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2018 1:33 PM
To: Trowell, Steve; Howell, Jonathan; Bobby Outten - Dare County ([e-mail]);
Pelletier, Josh R CIV CESAW CESAD (US); Bodnar, Gregg; [e-mail];
Scarbraugh, Anthony; Staples, Shane; Huggett, Doug
Cc: Rosov, Brad; Devisse, Julien
Subject: [External] Hatteras Inlet
' i' External e ``` ' '. 'a s an attachment to '
arn, ."
All,
At present, the Dredge Currituck is transiting north and expects to arrive in Dare County late this evening or
tomorrow. The passing of several nor'easters though the month of March have precluded the USACE from conducting
surveys of the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel project area since January 25th. The expectation is that channel
conditions may have changed since January 25th. The USACE is evaluating weather forecasts and believes that today
may be the first chance for a survey to be conducted of the Connector Channel and the offshore disposal area. In order
to make the most efficient use of the dredge, the USACE has advised that they would prefer to have the latest survey
data processed and analyzed before starting the maintenance work at Hatteras Inlet. Given the need to adequately
assess channel conditions at Hatteras Inlet, the USACE, the county and the county's consultant APTIM have agreed that
the dredge should transit to Oregon Inlet for critical maintenance dredging in this inlet beginning this weekend and
continuing through early next week.
The USACE anticipates that the survey of the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel and Hatteras Inlet will be available early
next week. The USACE will then make a recommendation to Dare County as to the preferred start date and estimated
number of days needed to dredge the Connector Channel. This decision will be based on an assessment of the latest
surveys and the latest weather forecasts. All parties agree that this will lead to the most efficient usage of the dredge to
conduct effective dredging in the Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel (aka South Ferry Channel).
Based on the ongoing weather delays, the USACE believes that a portion of the dredging of the Hatteras Inlet Connector
Channel will be required to be conducted thru as late as mid -April. According to both the CAMA and DOA permits,
dredging between April 1 and September 30 is not allowed without prior approval from the Division of Coastal
Management and USACE in consultation with appropriate resource agencies. In light of the anticipation by the USACE
that weather is likely to require a portion of the upcoming operation to occur after March 31, we request on behalf of
Dare County that both the NC DCM and USACE provide up to 15 days of relief through April 15, 2018 to allow for the
maintenance of the Connector Channel.
Please note that if the USACE is restricted to conducting maintenance work prior to March 31, the effectiveness of the
maintenance is anticipated to be minimal. This increases the potential for additional maintenance dredging to be
conducted later in the spring or even into summer. We want to stress that the primary reason for needing to obtain
relief through April 15 is so the maintenance work conducted by the USACE is effective at clearing the channel thus
decreasing the likelihood that Dare County may require maintenance work in the summertime.
I will follow up with Gregg Bodnar and Josh Pelletier with a call this afternoon. Please feel free to reach out to me with
questions.
Sincere Regards,

®APTIM
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager
Tel: + 1910 7919494
Cell: + 1910 443 4471
Kenneth. W [e-mail]
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTIM
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
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