19970394 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_19920101

February 27, 1998
MEMORANDUM
TO: Michelle Suverkrubbe
THROUGH: John Dorn
FROM: Eric FleeCt-
SUBJECT: Wanchese Marsh Creation-Scoping Comments (DENR# 98-0499, DWQ# 11964)
Based on a review of the available information contained within the scoping letter, the Wetlands/401 Unit
would like to see the following information items specifically addressed in the EA:
1) A survey of the abundance and diversity of the benthic fauna (infauna and epifauna) located at the
project site.
2) Detailed maps locating the existence of any wetlands (404 and or coastal), SAVs, PNAs, and Natural
Shellfish Beds (and their distances from the project site), so that any potential impacts from turbidity
and/or suspended sediment can be addressed.
3) A detailed plan or strategy on how Phragmites will be controlled and/or prevented from colonizing and
overtaking native plants in the study site. This plan should address both initial Phragmites colonization
threats and what efforts will be taken to maintain the native vegetation and prevent Phragmites
dominance as the site matures.
If there are any questions regarding these comments please call at [phone].
Environmental Review TraLV
DWQ -Water Quality Section
Date: 7/ ZD -f g a',
L
MEMORANDUM
TQ-: Env. Sciences Branch (WO Lab)
O Trish MacPherson (end. sps)
O Kathy Herring (forest/ORW/HQW)
O Larry Ausley (ecosystems)
O Matt Mathews (toxicology)
O Jay Sauber (intensive survey)
Non-Discharge Branch (Archdale 9th)
O Kim Colson (Permitting)
Wetlands (WQ Lab)
O John Dorney (Corps, 401)
O Cyndi Bell (DOT)
O Eric Galamb
0 Eric Fleek
'32
3
VETGi?a'DS iy r , T
DENR # qs ^o?lq
DWQ # // 94el 1/
Reg./ Prg Mgmt Coordination Branch
O Ed Buchen (Archdale 9th)
O Brent McDonald (Archdale 12th)
Regional Water Quality Supervisors
O Asheville O Mooresville O Washington
O Fayetteville O Raleigh O Wilmington
O Winston -Salem
Plannine Branch (Archdale 6th)
O Alan Clark (basinwide planning)
O Boyd DeVane (classifications & standards)
O Beth McGee (management planning)
O Steve Zoufaly (reclassifications)
O Ruth Swanek (modeling) (Archdale 9th)
Point Source Branch (Archdale 9th)
O Dave Goodrich (NPDES) O
O Bradley Bennett (Stormwater) O
O Tom Poe (Pretreatment) (Archdale 7th) O
FROM: Michelle Suverkrubbe, Regional / Program Management Coordination Branch
PROJECT: t) C??? f v 1 ( AE-441 w... -
Attached is a copy of the above document. Subject to the requirements of the North Carolina Environmental
Policy Act, you are being asked to review the document for potential significant impacts to the environment,
especially pertinent to your jurisdiction, level of expertise or permit authority. Please check the appropriate
box below and return this form to me along with your written comments, if any, by the date indicated.
RESPONSE DEADLINE:
NO COMMENT F-] COMMENTS ATTACHED
Name:
Date:
Thank you for your assistance. Suggestions for streamlining this process are greatly appreciated!
Notes:
I can be reached at:
phone: [phone], ext. 567
fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]
m(s:\circmemo - mac version

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890
IN REPLY REFER TO February 13, 1998
Environmental Resources Section
Dear Madam or Sir:
9,9-OY77
V"
We are conducting studies for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment
(EA) for the proposed construction of the Wanchese Marsh Creation and Protection
Project.
The Wanchese Marsh project was recommended as a pilot site for wetland
restoration by the Beneficial Use of Dredged Material Work Group (an interagency
committee of State and Federal resource agencies) at a December 5, 1996, meeting
hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The State of North Carolina
has expressed its strong support for this proposal and their intent to sponsor the
project.
The Wanchese Marsh would be constructed in Roanoke Sound at Wanchese
Harbor adjacent to the channel from Oregon Inlet, Dare County, North Carolina. The
project site is north of the entrance of Wanchese Harbor, located on the southeastern
corner of Roanoke Island, North Carolina (figure 1). A concept plan, as described
below, has been developed in coordination with the Beneficial Use of Dredged Material
Work Group. The proposed plan involves the creation of 6 acres of marsh habitat
using dredged material from maintenance of the Wanchese Harbor Channel, a portion
of the Manteo (Shallowbag) Bay project. The marsh will be protected from wave action
by a sand and stone dike along its exposed southern and eastern sides (figure 2). A
gap will be left between the northern end of the dike to allow for water circulation and
tidal exchange with Roanoke Sound. A typical cross-section of the marsh habitat and
protective dike is shown in figure 3.
Upon completion of the sand dike, the containment area will be filled with
approximately 50,000 cubic yards of material to establish the base elevations of the
new marsh. This fill material will be placed hydraulically during the annual
maintenance dredging activity of the adjacent channel.
? t .
d
-2-
The 6 acres of new marsh will be established by sprigging with native marsh
grasses potentially including smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), black needlerush
(Juncus roemerianus), and saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens). Plant materials will be
collected from a nearby donor marsh or will be nursery grown. The source of plant
materials will be determined during the final design. The site design will allow natural
tidal inundation. Limited periodic maintenance may be required to maintain continued
tidal flushing and assure integrity of wave protection.
Significant resources which may occur in the project vicinity and will be
considered during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process include:
cultural, recreational, and esthetic resources; fish and wildlife resources (including
threatened and endangered species); and water quality. It is anticipated that an
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) will be
sufficient to fully address any public and agency concerns regarding environmental
impacts.
We are requesting comments from agencies, interest groups, and the public to
identify significant resources, issues of concern, and recommendations for any studies
considered necessary. Comments received as a result of this scoping letter will be
considered and addressed as needed in the EA. No formal scoping meetings are
planned at this time. However, meetings may be held with specific agencies or
individuals as needed.
We request that you provide any written comments regarding this project within
30 days from the date of this letter. Comments should be addressed to Mr. Charles
Wilson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Post Office Box 1890,
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890. If you have any questions, please contact
Mr. Wilson at [phone].
Sincerely,
W. Coleman Long
Chief, Planning and
Environmental Branch
Enclosures
? • a
r
A
i
ORPS OF ENGINEERS
moat!. CL so
VERT. CL. 43'ILL.w.
VERT. CL. 40'Kw. `? r {? ,1
?
5,,1 { `& IS?I
a 1A°, a
1210.

* n

N
io
N

I r O 9? ` ow (r?

I t ° ip

7NNN/N ` Z.
II IS ACRES
{ml
;I
" ANCHESE
I
I I (
d
M {. 7L4
tiff
a: ?4 8 EIS.
T
SE
a
? LIGM
Q
Q Q ?
' e
•
ROANOKE
{{?? COAST GUARD
STA.
MARSHES
S sm °?
?
Q 0. ro
f00' I/Of 2

O
204 PROJECT LOCATION 7
?
1 -7
140
1 AUT1.
JETTIES
.4 .
<
Et
rL orl; .
IN
.
?'•
R£60A
.0
O t% , '?•M FXM !nom ~ •,? TERwNAL
S 0uN ?,`' /i Offs Ali ?, ERI
O
' C i FIXED RwT. aal«E
VVERT. CL $5.0 ' H.W.

VERT. CL. 46.0' mm.L.w:
'o

4
® ladket•. Wfi" -1 It W*Ct 4140% '
ALBEMARLE SOUND
it ISO
it NAGS
HEAD
ta4
gryr°°
................... :. L? . "?..... _..._• Lam'
N SlN?°•'
• sadtaNS ? ''••. ..
64 2,
?\ 8 O
8 4ILLa
MAN 14 ML
O NomuL so OOIM
FIXED Hwy.. "lose
{ Aw CL
?d
'M.L.W. MANTEO (SHALLOW BAG) BAY,
variYlNG NORTH CAROLINA
I VARYING I SCALE OF MILES
0 2 4 6
TYPICAL SECTION
MI14o9e In the Oregon in14t-Mental Channel IS dteasund from o point between CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILMINGTON, N.C.
Sedle I. Lighthouse all ON9" Inlet Coost Guard Stotlen.OlMr 1011449" ON
measured from )unctions with this channel. MAP REVISED SEPT. 1985
^ ~
FIGURE 1

N
W
(7
rs
W m
Z +'
N Oc
v
N L
v

O
go
<?
a w
J Z c
O L d
N W
_
+ ,ter
„ ? N
i w _
LL- J
4
n
O
U W

w > U
Y F- Z
N Z U
0 OW •
m z
'-' ?-
co
+ t--- O O
w w
°2 Ulm
Y zZ Wax

° Q"
a

N (/)
Q
l
-
Q 2
° Z JZ
Z

N o

v
;• Qaw

?/'?
U V/
--I- W
?Q=
?I-U
?--Z
co Q
Q 3

a to

m J a
= a O

_ c
O
c co
Q
0
z

W
Z w
7 U ~
N
O
W X
cr W
°
J
I
M
W
U
LL
a?
wlqf -(> ?.Ixe I?fG;(? k
MQ?o {?U/IcIt (om/;IM) )12
Po? SJ ?
ti
?nr 5% ?s ??b y
Nq?rS?ll?i? i ? s

jcu
f?-
f
? y.
???