20170056 Ver 3_Stumpy Point Emergency Declaration Memo Signed 2024_20240802

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Roy COOPER
GOVERNOR
DATE: July 25, 2024
TO: FILE
DocuSigned by:
FROM: Lamar Sylvester, RE ( gWar *t'sf w
NCDOT Chief Engin EF11EAF2524D443...
SUBJECT: Declaration of Emergency
2024 Stumpy Point Emergency Channel Dredge Contract
J. ERIC BOYETTE
SECRETARY
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service
forecasters are predicting above -normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year during
the June 1 to November 30 season. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that the emergency channels
and basins that are utilized by the NCDOT Ferry Division are open and clear of shoaling for
response events.
In particular, the Rodanthe — Stumpy Point emergency ferry terminals and channel provides
emergency access between Hatteras Island and the mainland when storm events cause washouts
and prolonged road closures along NC HWY12.
The entire Rodanthe channel and basin are the responsibility of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
(federal). The Stumpy Point channel is partially federal and state. The state portion of the
channel includes the ferry basin area and a short approach channel that branches off the federal
channel.
Previous test runs of the state channel and basin completed in 2023 were successful and therefore
a dredge project was not scheduled. A recent test run performed on July 14, 2024, showed that
the depths required for vessels to dock under the ramp and in the tie up slips were not available.
As a result, the Stumpy Point channel is not available for use during an emergency operation.
While NCHWYI2 is not closed at the moment the ability to enter into a dredge contract now
allows the route to be operational in the event a storm occurs and renders the highway closed for
an extended period of time. In addition, the emergency route should be viewed as an alternative
route to NCHWY 12.
An emergency declaration will allow waiver of the required 3-week advertisement period. While
the NCDOT Ferry Division is working on obtaining the necessary environmental agency
approvals, the expeditious contract process will reduce project start time by an estimated 2 — 3
weeks. The Marine Maintenance Unit budget will be able to fund the project estimated at
$400,000 due to the budget expansion appropriated in FY24 — FY25 however it is not anticipated
Mailing Address: Telephone: [phone] LOCATION.
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax: [phone] SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 RALEIGH, NC 27601
1536 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH, NC 27699-1536
Website: ncdot.gov

that this unit will be able to cover the cost of the contract in future years. Future expansion
requests will need to be made to ensure funds are available for this type of project.
Due to these impacts, I declare an emergency situation exists and determined it is not feasible,
nor in the public's interest, for the Department of Transportation to comply with the statutory
bidding requirements in obtaining equipment and/or contractors for assistance with all necessary
repairs. This is being done pursuant to the authority granted by G.S. 136-28.1 (e).
Instructions have been given by the Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation to the Ferry
Division Director and by myself to the Division Engineer to immediately proceed with the
necessary activities.
cc: Joey Hopkins, PE — Secretary of Transportation
Chris Peoples, PE — Chief Operating Officer
Julie White — Deputy Secretary of Multi -Modal Transportation
Boyd Tharrington, PE — Deputy Chief Engineer
Drew Cox, PE — Eastern Deputy Chief Engineer
Emily McGraw, PE — Director of Highway Operations
Jiles Harrell, PE — State Maintenance Engineer
Shivani Jam — Director of Finance
Joni Robbins — Purchasing Procurement Director
Jonathan Mauldin — Multimodal Accountant