Hatteras Inlet 2017 Moratorium Relief Request

Slagel, Matthew j
From: Slagel, Matthewj
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2017 4:25 PM
To: 'Willson, Kenneth'
Cc: Trowell, Steve; [e-mail]; Dunn, Maria T.; Staples, Shane; Ken Riley -
NOAA Federal; Rosov, Brad; '[e-mail]; Howell, Jonathan; Huggett, Doug
Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel
Ken,
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
INC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Coastal Management
400 Commerce Avenue
Morehead City, INC 28557
Phone: [phone] x 204
E-mail: matthew.slageI(d)ncdenr.gov
0 ' ,..�,. Nothing Corupares
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:[e-mail]
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 11:21 AM
To: Trowell, Steve <[e-mail]>; Slagel, Matthew j <[e-mail]>;
[e-mail]
Cc: Huggett, Doug <[e-mail]>; Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel
21

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,
A APT1 M
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager
Tel: + 1910 7919494
Cell: + 1910 443 4471
[e-mail]
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTI M
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
From: Willson, Kenneth[mailto:[e-mail]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 9:47 AM
To: Huggett, Doug <doug.huggett@ncdenrgov>; [e-mail]; Trowell, Steve
<[e-mail]>; Slagel, Matthewj <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>
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,

A APTI M
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager
Tel: + 1910 7919494
Cell: + 1910 443 4471
Kenneth.W [e-mail]
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTI M
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
From: Willson, Kenneth
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 201710:44 PM
To:'Huggett, Doug' <[e-mail]>;'[e-mail]'<[e-mail]>;
'Trowell, Steve' <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rosov, Brad <Brad,[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel
Im
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. M LLW and based on the fact that the
Sidecast Dredge Merritt is scheduled to go in for substantial maintenance work starting October 111, and the expectation
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 S 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 V 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. W illson @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'<[e-mail]>;'[e-mail]'<[e-mail]>;
'Trowell, Steve'<[e-mail]>;'Howell, Jonathan'<ionathan.howell@ ncdenr.gov>; 'Bodnar, Gregg'
<[e-mail]>;'Dunn, Maria T.' <[e-mail]>; Ken Riley ([e-mail])
<[e-mail]>;'Scarbtaugh, Anthony' <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>;'[e-mail]' <[e-mail]>
Subject: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel
All,
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 111. 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. 111
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,
M
Ken Willson -
Client Program Manager 1
Coastal & Maritime Services
Environmental & Sustainability
Tel: + 1 910 7919494
Cell: + 1 910 443 4471
Fax: + 1 910 7914129
[e-mail]
CB&I
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
USA
www.CBI.00m

Huggett Doug
From: Ken Riley - NOAA Federal <[e-mail]>
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 FY 18 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 fixture 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
lox Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516
Office: 2R2-728-8750 1 Cell: 2r,2-864-6193 I Email: ken rilapnoaa.gov
On Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 8:39 AM, Huggett, Doug <doua huegettna ncdenr.gov> wrote:
Shane/Ken
See attached. What would your thoughts be on conducting the work mid -September instead of late August?
I
S1 54,gl:5 G3 ad RosdV
Oyu w:l l e c _ l 0
li � llo� � -
wtih
Doug Huggett

,1 r
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 1 Cell: 252-864-6193 1 Email: [e-mail]
On Tue, Aug 1, 2017 at 8:39 AM, Huggett, Doug <[e-mail]> 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 "Altnchan" 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. Trowel[
Coastal Management Representative
NC Division of Coastal Management

Slagel, Matthew j
From:
Willson, Kenneth <[e-mail]>
Sent:
Monday, July 31, 2017 11:21 AM
To:
Trowell, Steve; Slagel, Matthewj;[e-mail]
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,
AAPTIM
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager
Tel: + 1910 7919494
Cell: + 1910 443 4471
[e-mail]
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTI M
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
From Willson, Kenneth
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 3:50 PM
To:'Trowell, Steve' <[e-mail]>
Cc: Huggett, Doug <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; Slagel, Matthew j
<[e-mail]>; Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>
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 [e-mail]
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTI M
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
From: Trowell, Steve [mailto•steve trowel]@ncdenr.govl
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 201712:07 PM
To: Willson, Kenneth <[e-mail]_>
Cc: Huggett, Doug <doug.huggett@nccl nt .gov>; losh.pelletier usace.armv.mil; Trowell, Steve
<[e-mail]_>; Slagel, Matthewj <[e-mail]>; Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>
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.

t
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
[phone]
[e-mail]
0.1-
"Nothing Compares
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.nccoastaimanaaement.net to subscribe to
Coastal Management's quarterly newsletter, the CAMAgram.
From Willson Kennethfmailto:[e-mail]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 9:47 AM
To: Huggett, Doug <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; Trowell, Steve
<[e-mail]>; Slagel, Matthewj <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>
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

R. v
APTIM
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
From: Willson, Kenneth
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2017 10:44 PM
To: 'Huggett, Doug'<[e-mail]>;'[e-mail]' <iosh Pelletier usace.army.mil>;
'Trowell, Steve' <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>
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 1s`, and the expectation
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 allowthe 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 3,d 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,
,>1 APTIM
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager
Tel: + 1910 7919494
Ce I I: + 1910 443 4471
[e-mail]
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
APTIM
4038 Masonboro Loop Road

s
Wilmington, NC 28409
From: Willson, Kenneth
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2017 9:11 AM
To:'Huggett, Doug'<[e-mail]>;'[e-mail]'<[e-mail]>;
'Trowel), Steve' <[e-mail]>;'Howell, Jonathan'<[e-mail]>;'Bodnar, Gregg'
<[e-mail]>;'Dunn, Maria T.' <[e-mail]>; Ken Riley ([e-mail])
<[e-mail]>;'Scarbraugh, Anthony' <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rosov, Brad <[e-mail]>; '[e-mail]' <[e-mail]>
Subject: Hatteras Inlet Connector Channel
0
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. 1".
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,
E
Ken Willson
Client Program Manager 1
Coastal & Maritime Services
Environmental & Sustainability
Tel: + 1 910 791 9494
Cell: + 1 910 443 4471

Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
CB&I
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
USA
www.CBI.com

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