Not Given_Harrison, Cary & Kate_19941006

?4 v

Lamy and Kate Harrison
106 Rogue Court
]Emerald Isle, ETC 28594
Voice/]Fax (919) 354_5439
October 6, 1994
To Mr. James Mercer
CAMA
3441 Arendell
Morehead City, NC 28557-0769
Dear Mr. Mercer,
rOCT 6 1994
We are writing to officially voice our opposition to what we believe to be
dangerously inappropriate development on the inlet at the south west end of
Bogue Island. We refer to lots 10, 11, 12 , and 13 of block 53 at the Point.
The Town of Emerald Isle, as an apparently clear objection to this
development, has proposed an amendment to its current Inlet Hazard Area Land
Use Plan that would prohibit any development on the inlet -side of a dune ridge
system which protects the end of the island in an area known as the Point. The
residents didn't have to convince the Town of Emerald Isle that this was
inappropriate development. The Town Council Members live here. They can
clearly see what is going on. Please understand that the residents and the Town
are not against development in general at the Point. There are currently two
houses being built on Bogue Court at the end of the island. Both these homes are
within the dune system which has protected the Point area for over 25 years.
The lots we protest developing, 10, 11, 12, and 13, are presently being taxed
as unbuildable property and should remain so because they are immediately
adjacent to a migrating inlet. Houses have already been removed from the area
by choice or by force, and 800 feet of road next to this property was severely
damaged by a single storm event. A number of years ago, the owners erected
snow fences to improve the elevation of the area. However, the inlet which has
been migrating east toward these lots for 10+ years has already eroded a major
portion of their artificially -created frontal dune ridge. It is obvious the inlet is
now migrating in the direction of these lots. Although the average inlet migration
is estimated at 5' per year, there have been recent studies that show migration of
300' in just 6 months.

There are other problems to consider when houses are threatened by water.
When the ocean threatens these houses, their septic systems will be under water.
This puts human effluent into the ocean and an unwarranted burden on the
taxpayers for clean up. The result will be disastrous. It will be a repeat of what
has happened at Topsail Beach/Surf City. It will likely cause a reduction in tax
values, a reduction in tourist revenues, and a reduction of our otherwise favorable
flood rating. There will be collateral damage to our property, decreased tax base,
and increased cost to taxpayers for government assistance in clean up. Let's just
avoid the future expense and endangerment and stop the development now.
The Town has stated that they will not provide services that would require
breaching the dune or the Hatteras ramp. These people will have to negotiate for
these services. They will have to negotiate where to put their trash and recycling
for pick up because the trucks cannot cross the protective dune.
Our reasons for protesting building on these lots are varied and many.
These lots are inlet -side of the protective dune. This inlet is migrating towards
these lots. We want to protect the property that is developed behind the
protective dune. The town doesn't want these lots developed. With some stretch
of the imagination, developing these lots may meet the letter of the CAMA
regulations. It is by no means consistent with its theme of appropriate
development. Development on these lots will soon become an unreasonable
burden on taxpayers, will cause collateral damage to property, and very possibly
harm people of the area. Therefore it is inappropriate to develop these lots.
Accept this letter as our official protest against development of the lots 10,
11 12, and 13. We feel very strongly about the opinions we have expressed here.
I, Cary L. Harrison, have a graduate degree in Marine Science from the
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington and have taken many marine
geology courses such as Marine Geomorphology from Dr. Orrin Pilky. I continue
an open and active dialogue with many of the professors of Marine Science at
UNC-W, including Dr. Paul Hosier who co -wrote the study of Bogue Inlet enclosed.
This is the "Year Of The Coast." We must unite to make solid decisions and
to protect life, property, our ocean, and the original beauty of our island. We must set
precedents to prevent at Emerald Isle what has happened at Topsail Beach, Surf City,
Wrightsville Beach, Sunset Beach, and Carolina Beach. We hope that you at CAMA
feel the same responsibility.
Sincerely,
Kate G. Harrison

WHITE OAK RIVER MANAGEMENT PROJECT
FINAL REPORT
PREPARED BY:
David A. Adams
Department of Forestry.
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
Larty--K.-Benninger
Department of Geology
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC
Paul E. Hosier
Department of Biology
University of North Carolina at'Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Margery F. Overton,
Department of Civil Engineering
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
James P. Reed
Department of Zoology
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
FOR:
Office of Water Resources
N. C. Department of Natural Resources and Community
Development
Raleigh, NC
December 15, 1982
Post -it" Fax Note 7671
Date # of
pages
To t C?n%
From
CoJDept.
Co.V t1/
Phone # -b C 2
7
Phone #
Fax #
Fax # 2 Soo p 6 :

09/121/94
12:36 '&919 3504066 BIO SCIENCE
Z002 .
WHITE OAK RIVER MANAGEMENT PROJECT
FINAL.REPORT
SUMMARY
From January 1, 1982 to June 1, 1982, hydrodynamic and
ecological conditions in the White Oak River Estuary were
investigated to 1) evaluate sedimentation rates and sources
and the condition of the fishery in the estuary, and 2)
analyze the physical and ecological impacts of potential
channel modifications defined by the White* Oak River
Advisory Council and the Office of Water Resources. Physical
and -ecological field data were obtained, historical maps and
aerial—photos—studied-,and—a-hydrodynamic—modelof the
estuary utilized.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Sedimentation is occurring in the estuary above the
causeway. Two samples indicated that the sedimentation
rate in the upper estuary was in equilibrium with the
rate of submergence (about 0.3 em/yr),• the third showed a
sedimentation rate of about 5 cm/yr -- more than ten
times the rate of submergence (Appendix 1.).
2. Sandy sediments_ being deposited in the lower estuary
originate in the.Bogue Inlet environment, and do not come
from the White Oak River. Attempts to. improve circulation
within the lower area by dredging new channels may extend
the deposition zone farther upstream unless steps are
taken to eliminate the sediment source.in the Bogue Inlet
area (Appendix 2.).
3. The total amount of ocean water entering the lower river
during the flood cycle will not be changed by.improvement
of existing channels or creation of new ones. Additional
channels will reduce the velocities in existing •ones
(Appendix 3.)
4. Channels and shoaling patterns south of the causeway have
changed considerably over the past 100. years, with Bogue
Inlet proper migrating over an area about 1.5 miles wide.
This behavior is• expected to continue into the
foreseeable future (Appendix 2.).
5. No evidence of a declining fishery was found. The White

09/12/94 12:38 V919 3504066 BIO SCIENCh f 003
Oak River'Estuary supports populations of fish and clams
comparable to other North Carolina estuaries; its
production of marketable oysters has 'been meager since
the late 1800s; and commercial fisheries landings of most
species have been highest duringthe past five years.
(Appendix. 4.) .
6. None of the. channel modification alternatives considered
produced any. measureable change in habitat quality - £or
oysters, clams, spot, croaker, or brown shrimp. Baseline
croaker habitat quality was about 16, percent poorer and.
clam habitat quality was about 67 percent better under
..the higher salinity characteristic of summer conditions
than under lower salinity, winter conditions. Oysters,
spot, and brown shrimp were insensitive to these salinity
diffe_rences�Appendix 5.) .

INTRODUCTION
Background
Concern over the condition of the White Oak River estuary
led to creation of a White Oak River Advisory.Council in mid
1980. -In January, 1981, the Office of Coastal Management
funded. preparation of a "Plan.of Action for the White Oak
River", by the firm of Henry von Oesen and Associates, which
recommended a .hydrodynamic model of the White Oak River
Estuary and led to this project. The 1981 General Assembly
appropriated funds to implement -recommendations of the von
Oesen report, making the project possible.
During the fall of 1981, the Department of Natural
Resources and -Community -Development -requested -that_ the Water
Resources Research Institute' of The University of North
Carolina assemble a group of scientists to investigate
conditions in the estuary in more depth. The team listed
above was then constituted and began work in.December, 1981.
In conducting the project, they received assistance from
numerous persons, among which were graduate students Jeffrey
P._Chanton, Dennis L. Stewart, and Jing Song Wei; research
assistant Susan Smith; Loie J. Priddy, Richard J. Carraway,
and Stephen D. Benton of the Office of Coastal Management;
John N. Morris and Bobby L. Pellegrini of the :Office of
Water Resources; Larry W. Akers of the. Geodetic Survey
Section; David L. Taylor of the Division of Marine
Fisheries; James M. Stewart of the Water Resources Research
-Institute; B. J. Copeland of the UNC 'Sea Grant Program; and
members of the White Oak River Advisory -Council.
During the early stages of the project, T. C.
Gopalkrishnan.of. the NCSU Department of 'Marine, Earth, and
Atmospheric Sciences organized the hydrodynamic modelling
effort.
The work described here represents the best efforts of
the research team to address the complex issues facing the
White Oak River Advisory Council and the Department of
Natural Resources and. Community Development within the
constraints of limited time and money. It was not possible
to perform the exhaustive field and laboratory work required
to address all the concerns which have been -expressed over
.,the possible deterioration of the White Oak River estuary.
We channeled our resources into work which was necessary and
possible, -but we do not claim to have performed an
exhaustive study. Where information. was lacking, we
substituted our professional judgment.

09/12/94 12:39 $919 3504066 BIO SCIENCE •005
PAGE 2
Description of Project
Objectives- of this project were to 1) define water
_circulation and sedimentation patterns within the White Oak
Estuary, 2) determine their impact upon water quality,
navigation, and fisheries, and 3) analyze the effects of
proposed estuarine alterations. upon 1) and 2).
Specifically, the project was to:
1. Obtain baseline physical., data -- tidal
elevations, current velocity, salinity, and
oche r data as i nput--to the hyd rodynam i c and
ecological models.
2. Obtain baseline ecological data - sediment
type/macrobenthos distribution,` other
ecological data.
3. Determine the sedimentation rate - obtain
cores from three locations in the lower river
and determine the rate of sedimentation using
techniques based on the rates of decay of
radioactive elements.
4. Analyze historic. shoreline changes within the
_lower estuary - describe the pattern of
erosion and shoaling south of the causeway
through a comparative analysis of historic
aerial photographs.
5. Develop a physical model. of the White Oak
Estuary - based on existing hydrodynamic
models and data obtained in 1, above, develop a
numerical model relating water *level, current
velocity, and salinity, and capable of
predicting - changesin these: parameters
resulting from potential alterations in basin
geometry.
6. Develop, biophysical models describing habitat
suitability for selected estuarine species -
based on literature and data obtained in 2.
above, develop mathematical functions
describing habitat suitability for clams,
oysters, and other estuarine organisms.
T. Predict existing habitat quality distribution
for selected estuarine organisms - using the
models developed, create a series of maps
depicting existing habitat for clams, oysters,
and other estuarine organisms.

PAGE 3
8. Predict.the physical and ecological impacts of
potential channel modifications. - using 'the
models developedand descriptions of possible
alterations furnished by the Office of Water
Resources, predict likely changes' in estuarine
circulation, sedimentation patterns, and
habitat for estuarine species.
The project began on January 1, 1982 and produced a
preliminary report for the General Assembly in early June.
This paper constitutes the final project.report.
PROCEDURES
Hydrology and Sedimentation
A numerical model based on the Finite Element Method was
used to. predict current velocities and directions, water
elevations, and salinity patterns throughout the White Oak
River Estuary above the Swansboro - Cedar Point causeway.
The area was divided into two dimensional triangular
elements for which discrete values were ascribed to the
parameters at the nodes. Boundary conditions were applied at
specific nodes as known values of water velocity or,
elevation and salinity concentrations as a function of time.
A complete space time history of the nodal parameters was
then produced and inferences concerning erosion and shoaling
developed. Boundary salinities characteristic of winter -
spring (relatively low) and, summer (relatively high) were
used to develop two different salinity 'regimes. Resultant
salinity distributions provided inputs• to the ecological
models by which baseline and postproject conditions were
described.
Historic maps and photographs were used in determining
changes in the Bogue Inlet - Lower White Oak River -Estuary
below the Swansboro Cedar Point causeway Three maps
(18731' 1910, and 1933) and eight sets of aerial photos
(1938,.1949, 1956, 1959, 1964, 1971., 1976, and 1980) were
used to reconstruct the shoaling and erosion history of the
area. A set of 1976 color aerial photographs was used as the
base map, other maps and photographs were compared to the
base by projecting their images using a Bausch and Lomb Zoom
Transfer Scope,, and overlays of changing conditions drawn.
Interpretations of causative factors and implications for
future conditions were then developed based on a general
knowledge of coastal processes and the geography of the
area.

09/12/94 12:41 V919 3504066 BIO SCIENCE .007
PAGE 4
three sediment core samples were obtained from the
estuar above the causeway and analyzed for 210Pb and
239,24 pu,.The quantity of 210Pb adsorbed on fine sediments
provides an index to the age of the sediments over the past
70-90 years, whereas the presence of 239,240pu indicates
that sedimentation has occurredsince the beginning of
atmospheric nuclear tests (approximately 30 years).
Fisheries Resources
Chesapeake —Bay —style —pa tent tongs -were —used -to obtain
samples of oysters and clams, using a random sampling system
in areas of varying substrate type, depth, and salinity.
Each sample represented 0.9 square meters of bottom. All
oyster' samples were taken from well defined rocks. Clams
were sampled by lowering the tongs to the bottom,,- closing
them, and lifting them to the surface -while rinsing most of
the mud and sand from the basket. This rinsing action.may
have allowed seed clams to fall through the 24 mm openings,
thereby causing an underestimate of_' the seed clam
population. All oysters and clams were counted and measured.
Oysters .were classified as follows: "seed" -- less than 51
-mm long, "precommercial" -- 52-76 mm, "commercial."
greater than 76 mm. Clams were classified as: "seed - less
than 38 mm thick, "little necks" -- 39-60 mm, "cherrystones"
-- 61780 mm, and "chowders" -- greater than 81 mm.'
Juvenile fish were.sampled with an 11 foot wide, 1/4.inch
bar mesh otter trawl. Duplicate trawl 'samples,were taken at
a speed of' approximately 2.5 knots for 1 min at each of five
locations between' Hunter's Creek and Pettiford Creek on May -
15, 1982, organisms collected were identified and measured
from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail.
Historical seafood landings data were obtained from the
Division of Marine Fisheries.
Impacts of the proposed projects upon clams, oysters,.
spot,, croaker,, and brown shrimp were analyzed through
habitat models. Habitat requirements' for each species, were
obtained from literature or field data and expressed as
simple mathematical equations. Data on each environmental
factor were mapped, and each species -habitat function solved
for.each 200 x 250 ft cell throughout the estuary. Results
were.portrayed graphically as,habitat quality maps and as an
index of the total habitat quality in the entire estuary
(obtained by summing the habitat quality' values over all
cells) Comparing baseline (no project)• indices with. those

PAGE 5
resulting. from each project or other alteration provided a
means of comparing the relative impact of each alternative
upon each of the species considered.
RESULTS
Existing Conditions
Hydrology and Sedimentation
North of the Swansboro Cedar Point causeway, the White,
Oak River Estuary is a mixture 'of riverine and marine
influences: -The—r-iver-i-ntroduces--fresh water and fine
sediments. The sediments flocculate and deposit in the upper
estuary; the fresh water mixes with saline ocean water from
Bogue Inlet. In addition to saline water, the tide sweeps
sand -sized and finer sediments .through the inlet to
deposition sites as far inland as the Eastern Channel north
of the causeway. Sedimentation in this area varies from
about 0.3 cm/yr (two samples) to about 5 cm/yr (one.sample)
The former approximate the annual -rate of submergence along
the Atlantic Coast, and indicate that this portion of the
estuary is in general equilibrium with submergence., The
latter indicates that the area sampled (-about'064 miles
north of Jones Island). is • in disequilibrium with
submergence,', perhaps resulting from natural estuarine
channel meandering,, incomplete restoration since the last
major storm., or human activities.
South of, the causeway, the estuary is. influenced.
primarily by Bogue Inlet. In this .:lood tide dominant
system, the most active sediment transport takes ra-Mr
through the. inlet throat during strong onshore winds and
storms, distributing sand well inside the inlet. Major
shoreline changes have also occurred along Bogue Bank and
Bear Islandthe shoreli - if both
i al ands have reced A more than 30 0 fpcLf-- _ IIn addition, the
spits off both. islands have changed configuration as the
position of the inlet has changed. __B=ue—Inlet .was at its
terly position in 1938, and has migrated over a zone
1.5 mile wide over.t'e past 200 years or so.
The main ebb channel has been oriented to the south or
south-southeast during most years, resulting in a greater
net longshore .drift in the east -to -west direction (toward
Bear Island). This channel position is generally Iin line
with the Main Channel dredged periodically by the -Corps of
Engineers. If the Main Channel continues to be maintained
through dredging, the inlet will remain relatively stable,

09/12/94 12:43 V919 3504066 BIO SCIENCE Q 009
PAGE 6
or will move slightly west of its present position; i--
hurricane or other severe storm strikes the area, rapid
inlet movement is possible._
The 100 year trend is for the West Channel to become less
and` less imo�artanto 1.probably continue to
'n��nr i n thi a c�hannni _ .
Dudley's island and the associated marshes surrounding it
have developed on sand carried inside the I inlet on flood
tide. The island/marsh complex developed on the flood delta
and has -been accreting seaward. An equilibrium has now
apparently been reached, and both erosion and accretion are
occurring.
The marsh -filled lagoon east of the inlet (behind Bogue,
Bank) also appears to be filling. Recent photography shows
more marsh than comparable 1873 and 1910 maps.
Tidal marsh along both the West. and Main Channels has
underg.one significant erosion. Boat wakes and dredging in
the Main Channel are likely responsible for some of the
observed changes.
Construction of the Intracoastal Waterway in 1930-32 and.
the NC Route 24 causeway and bridge in 1933 altered the
east -west flow from a channel adjacent to Huggins Inland to
one adjacent .to the mainland near NC 24. Spoil deposition
in a continuous string directly west of* Huggins Island may
also be responsible for decreased tidal flow in the West
Channel of the inlet.
e major source of sediment ''s
o.fshore; only a small 'amount is reworked dredged material
-fro m a In acoas a a erway. is material is:continually
being swept from the inlet environment into the estuary, and
deposited there in a flood tide delta. Channel modifications
resulting from highway and Intracoastal Waterway
construction have facilitated landward sediment movement,
and sand deposition -is now occurring on -shoals north of the
causeway.
Fisheries Resources
Juvenile spot and croaker populationsin low salinity
areas within the•White.Oak River Estuary were•comparable to
or higher than those in the most productive nursery areas in
Western Pamlico Sound and the Cape Fear River. Spot were the
most abundant fish, attaining. a density of 1.6 individuals
per square meter in waters of 8 ppt•salinity in Hunter's
Creek. At all other locations, spot averaged 0.25
individuals per square meter. The modal length for spot was

PAGE 7
27'mm. The maximum croaker density was one- individual per
square -meter just south of Hunter's Creek; -the lowest
density was-0.13 per square meter in 18 ppt salinity west -of
Cales Creek., The modal length of `croakers was , 24 mm in the
former, and 21 mm in the latter,- location. No croakers*wera
found in the 26 ppt salinity of Pettiford Creek. The
diversity of fish species was high and did. not- indicate a
stressed condition.
Clam populations averaged 0.75 individuals per. square
meter in muddy sand and 1.9 per square meter in shelly
bottom, comparable to or slightly lower than those of other
North Carolina estuaries. Th
contains between 6 and 18 io
re see r ed 31.5
n are ittlenecks 27._2_petcent--are-cherr sto es --an - -
1 percent are chowders.
-------------
productivity, on the otherhand,•is-Quite low and
has been since at least the late 1880s. Stunted and crowded
oysters in the lower estuary serve as a source of seed for
transplanting to less saline areas, where they..become
marketable. Live oyster reefs contained an average of 156
oysters per square meter. The entire estuary probably
contains between 120 and 410. million o s, of which 55.4
percent are seed, cen are precommercial'size, and 6.6
percent are comma . In the vicinity of Jones
. ead shells extend up to 24 meters from the live
reef, and similar conditions exist along the line of reefs
south of Hancock Point.
No species for which landings.data are available appears
to 'show any long term population decline, although,
considerable short term variations are evident. The highest
recorded catches of crabs, clams, shrimp,.. and oysters have
occurred within the last five years, and blue -crab landings
for 1978 were nearly triple those of any: other year.
Finfish landings for the period 1978-1981 were an order of
magnitude higher than - those of 1966, the only previous year
for which data were,available.
Impact of the Proposed Projects
Project Description
The White Oak Advisory Council and .the. office of Water.•.
Resources defined two alternative channel modifications for
evaluation of their possible effects on circulation,
navigation, and sedimentation in the estuary above the
causeway (figure 1):

• I-
a
•• by
/ +• v
Island 6W .
•T
Swansboro
!? �. o
oUghts d/�ayDeato
II 10 i
1.9
s t
0 Is
Vre
19
13M :: • � + 6
Atli
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:Caple
FIGURE 1
Location of Proposed Alteniatives for White Oak River Modifications

09/12/94 12:47 V919 3504066 BIO SCIENCE .012
PAGE 9
w
I. Improvements in the Eastern Channel.
Maintaining the Eastern Channel through the
causeway 100 feet wide and 10 feet deep at MLW
and extending the channel 5000-feet upstream of
the causeway to.a point west of Jones Island,
where it would intersect the existing Western
Channel.
2. Creating a New Eastern Channel. Excavating a
new channel through the eastern end of the
causeway 600 feet wide -and 10 feet deep at MLW
and extending and narrowing the new channel
7250 feet upstream of the causeway =to-a—po-int-----
west of —Jones Island, where it would intersect
the existing Western Channel.
Hydrology and Sedimentation
The following results are based on input from March 5,
1982 field data: tidal range from. high to low of 1.77 feet
in 7.25 hours and low to high of 1.16 feet in 5.25 hours at
the causeway.
Improvements in the Eastern Channel would decrease tidal
velocities in the Western Channel slightly, but not enough
to significantly change existing conditions. in the
improved Eastern -Channel, tidal velocities within 2000 ft of
the causeway during the ebb cycle would be sufficient .to
transport medium sand, but would not be sufficient to cause
erosion. During- the flood cycle, tidal velocities would
remain in the deposition regime up to about 1000 feet north
of the causeway. Thus sand.carried inland from the inlet
would be deposited in this area during flood tides, ebb
tides would not be capable of removing it and carrying it
back downstream, and net sedimentation.would occur.
Creation of a new Eastern Channel would decrease tidal
velocities in the Western Channel 10 to 30 percent and shift
the flow direction eastward. Velocities through most of the
Western Channel would remain sufficient to prevent
deposition. Velocities in the existing Eastern Channel
would be' reduced up to 42 percent, sufficient to cause
deposition through an area extending from the causeway about
1600 feet upstream (about 400 feet farther than now).
Within the New Eastern Channel, tidal velocities would be
sufficient to transport sediment throughout the lower .2800
feet; from this point upstream to its junction with the
Western Channel, deposition would occur:

PAGE ld
In no case would salinities within the estuary vary more
than a few parts per thousand from those now existing.
Fisheries Resources
None of the channel modification alternatives evaluated
had any measureable impact upon habitat.quality for oysters,
clams, spot, croaker, or brown shrimp. Changes in the
salinity regime were simply too small to. affect these
species.
Differences between the high salinity (summer) and low
salinity (winter) regimes were more. apparent. Baseline
croaker habitat quality was about 16 percent poorer, and
clam habitat quality was about 67 percent better, under the
higher salinity characteristic of summer conditions than
under low salinity, winter, conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Sedimentation is occurring in the estuary above the
causeway. Two samples indicated that the sedimentation
rate in. the upper estuary was in equilibrium with the
rate of submergence (about 0.3 cm/yr); the third showed a
sedimentation rate of about 5 cm/yr -- more than ten
times the rate of submergence (Appendix 1.).
2. Sandy sediments being deposited in the lower .'estuary
originate in the Bogue Inlet environment, and do not come.
from the White Oak River. Attempts to improve circulation
within the lower area by dredging new channels may extend
the. deposition zone farther upstream unless steps are
taken to eliminate the sediment source in the Bogue Inlet
area (Appendix 2.)
3. The total amount of ocean water entering the lower river
during the flood cycle wil'1 not. be changed 'by improvement
of,existing channels or creation of new ones. Additional
channels will reduce the velocities in existing ones
(Appendix 3.) .
4. Channels and shoaling patterns south of the causeway have,
changed considerably over the past 100 years, with Bogue

09/12/94 12:50
0919 3504066
PAGE 11
[Inlet proper ,nigrating over an area about 1.5 miles wide.his behavior is expected to continue into theoreseeable future (Appendix 2.).
5. No evidence of a declining fishery was found. The White
Oak River Estuary supports populations of fish and clams
comparable to other North Carolina estuaries; its
production of marketable oysters has been meager since
the late 1800s; and commercial fisheries landings of most
species have been highest during the past five -years,
(Appendix 4.) .
6. None of the channel modification alternatives considered
produced any measureable change in habitat quality for
oysters, clams, spot, croaker, or brown shrimp. Basel.ine__—
croake_r_hahitat-quality-was--about—l6--percent poorer and
clam habitat quality was about 67 percent better .under
the higher salinity characteristic of summer conditions
than under lower salinity, winter conditions. Oysters,
spot, and brown shrimp were insensitive to these salinity
differences (Appendix 5.).
APPENDICES
1. Modern Sediment Accumulation in the White Oak River
Estuary.
2. Historic Changes in the Bogue Inlet — Lower White Oak
.River Estuary (1873-1980).
3. Hydrodynamic Modelling of the White Oak River Estuary.
4. Biota ,of the White Oak River Estuary: An evaluation of
biological resources: Clams, oysters, and nursery areas.
5. Biota in the White oak River Estuary: The effects of two
channelization scenarios on clams, oysters, shrimp, spot
and croaker as evaluated with habitat models.

SIX
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