20200443 Ver 1_NC DMF Response_20200402

Doliber, Brian C
From: Staples, Shane
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2019 9:47 AM
To: Doliber, Brian C
Cc: Winslow, Lancelot D
Subject: RE: Sloop Channel Dredging
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
I took a second look at the project now that I am in the office and could look at the plats. I can confirm based on the maps of the work area you provided and
being in the work area doing SAV surveys in the past week that SAV should not be an issue for maintenance in this area of the ferry channel.
If you need anything else please let me know or if the disposal area or methods change.
Shane
Shane Staples
Fisheries Resource Specialist
Division of Marine Fisheries
North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality
252-948-3950 office
[e-mail]
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27817
From: Staples, Shane
Sent: Thursday, June 6, 2019 7:59 AM
To: Doliber, Brian C <[e-mail]>
Cc: Winslow, Lancelot D <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Sloop Channel Dredging
Brian, I have actually been out in the area of hatteras inlet this week doing SAV surveys and will be for the rest of the week. As I recall the section of
sloop channel proposed to be dredged was pretty far out in the sound near the turn for the ferry. In that area the water depths aren't the best for SAV
1

and I do not believe there will be much concern. However when I get back to the office next week I will take a second look at the maps and get in
touch again.
Shane
From: Doliber, Brian C
Sent: Monday, June 3, 2019 1:32:23 PM
To: Staples, Shane
Cc: Winslow, Lancelot D
Subject: Sloop Channel Dredging
Good afternoon Shane,
My name is Brian Doliber and I am an Environmental Specialist with the NCDOT Ferry Division.
I understand that you were present at some of the initial scoping meetings for the upcoming Sloop channel dredging project. I wanted to reach out to you prior
to submitting any permit applications for the project so that you would be informed on updates and be able to ask any questions and/or raise concerns
regarding the project before everything really gets put into motion. DCM mentioned that you may be able to provide some guidance on whether or not SAV will
be an issue for dredging this area. I have included a brief narrative below along with several surveys.
Currently, Sloops Channel provides all means of getting residents, visitors and supplies to and from Ocracoke Island and Hatteras. After Hurricane Florence, the
beginning of Sloops Channel became shoaled in which restricted ferry service and caused the US Coast Guard to suspend search and rescue operations through
Hatteras Inlet. This caused emergency response times to increase. The NCDOT Ferry Division is looking at acquiring permits to dredge Sloops Channel so that
ferry service to and from Hatteras and Ocracoke can be maintained for the residents and visitors. Additionally, this will help with emergency situations and keep
the local economy flourishing. Due to the distance to any currently approved dredge spoil sites, a pipeline dredge alone is not feasible for this operation.
Therefore, we are looking to utilize the USACE'S hopper and sidecast dredges to help perform maintenance dredging in areas where using the pipeline dredge is
not possible. Attached is a bathymetric survey of the entire horseshoe route currently being used by the NC DOT Ferry Division, a bathymetric survey of Sloops
Channel after hurricane Florence and a bathymetric survey of Sloops Channel taken on February 21, 2019. This is a highly dynamic area and channel conditions
can change rapidly.
Thank you,
Brian Doliber
Environmental Specialist
Ferry Division
252 232 8025 mobile
252 621 6251 office
bcdoliber(@ncdot.gov

159 Lucinda Lane
Powells Point, NC 27966
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