20201336 Ver 1_Meeting Request Review_20200929

ID#* 20201336 Version* 1
Regional Office* Wilmington Regional Office - [phone]
Reviewer List* Holley Snider
Pre -Filing Meeting Request submitted 9/29/2020
Contact Name *
Contact Email Address*
Project Name*
Project Owner*
Project County*
Owner Address:
Jordan Byrum
[e-mail]
Cedar Island Oyster Sanctuary
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
Carteret
Street Address
3441 Arendell St
Address Line 2
aty
Morehead City
Rbstal / Zip Code
28557
Is this a transportation project?* r Yes r No
Type(s) of approval sought from the DWR:
r- 401 Water Quality Certification - F- 401 Water Quality Certification -
Regular Express
r- Individual Permit r- Modification
r- Shoreline Stabilization
Does this project have an existing project ID#?*
r Yes r No
State / Frovince / Region
NC
Country
USA
Do you know the name of the staff member you would like to request a meeting with?
Please give a brief project description below. *

The project will be to construct an oyster sanctuary in lower Pamlico
Sound. The sanctuary will be constructed using clean aggregate materials
such as limestone marl or concrete deployed from a barge. Construction
will occur over a three year period, likely during the spring and early
summer months. A scoping meeting was held at which DWR was present.
The date of the scoping meeting was September 29, 2020 and this project
was discussed. This meeting met the requirement for requesting a pre -filing
meeting under 40 CFR Part 121 for 401 Certifications in accordance with
the federal Clean Water Act.
Please give a couple of dates you are available for a meeting.
9/29/2020
Please attach the documentation you would like to have the meeting about.
Cedar Island Project Narrative_CAMA.PDF 2.31VIB
Map_Cedar Island Sanctuary_Permit.pdf 235.29KB
PlannedDeploymentMap.pdf 1023.81 KB
pdf only
By digitally signing below, I certify that I have read and understood that per the Federal Clean Water Act Section
401 Certification Rule the following statements:
• This form completes the requirement of the Pre -Filing Meeting Request in the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification
Rule.
• I understand by signing this form that I cannot submit my application until 30 calendar days after this pre -filing
meeting request.
• I also understand that DWR is not required to respond or grant the meeting request.
Your project's thirty -day clock started upon receipt of this application. You will receive notification regarding meeting location
and time if a meeting is necessary. You will receive notification when the thirty -day clock has expired, and you can submit an
application.
Signature
Submittal Date 9/29/2020
Reviewer Meeting Request Decision
Has a meeting been scheduled?* r Yes r No

NCDMF Artificial Reefs
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) Artificial Reef Program has
been formally operating since the 1970’s and manages 68 artificial reefs and oyster sanctuaries.
Twenty-five (25) of these sites are located in estuarine waters, and the remaining 43 are in ocean
waters. In 2016, the NCDMF released an artificial reef guide which outlines each of the artificial
reefs and oyster sanctuaries. This document provides material information, latitude longitude
information, and a figure of the material on the reef site. A pdf version of the hardcopy reef
guide can be found at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=24160156-
4b96-49e6-9126-4fa488b49cbb&groupId=38337. The NCDMF Artificial Reef Program has also
developed an interactive reef guide, set up in an ArcGIS format is available here:
https://ncdenr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3b27e8594cb6444c88b5525b
f763aa55. The interactive guide is complete with material shapefiles, latitude/longitude
information, and side-scan sonar imagery. This is available for review by the public, state, and
federal agencies.

Location Siting
General Protocol
The NCDMF Oyster Sanctuary Program is charged with creating oyster reefs in Pamlico
Sound as part of the Senator Jean Preston Oyster Sanctuary Network. These reefs are protected
from shellfish harvest and are strategically sited in consideration of physical and biological
requirements for oyster propagation, interactions with existing oyster sanctuaries, as well as
logistical, economic, and social factors.
With attention to connectivity and bio-physical requirements, NCDMF works with North
Carolina State University to implement a habitat suitability index (HSI) model for oyster
restoration. This model uses a variety of inputs, including habitat connectivity potential based on
published larval transport data for the Pamlico Sound. Essentially, this model is a tool to estimate
the connective value of prospective sanctuary sites in terms of larval subsidies to other
sanctuaries, cultch planted reefs, and natural reefs.
In further consideration of bio-physical requirements, the site selection protocol
incorporates best management practices for selecting sites based on bottom sediment type and
existing natural resources, such as shell or seagrass. During site investigations, staff use side scan
sonar, backscatter analysis, and benthic grab (ponar) to evaluate local conditions. Data from
these site investigations are used to determine proposed reef boundaries.
The proposed sanctuary will be permitted through the Division of Coastal Management and the
US Army Corps of Engineers. This permitting process allows other agency comments as well as
a public comment period that will identify potential user conflicts with the location of the
sanctuary.

Cedar Island Site
After thorough investigation, the NCDMF has identified a 75-acre site near Cedar Island
as the preferred location for upcoming reef development under the NCDMF-Coastal Federation
partnership. Cedar Island is located in the mouth of West Bay, 1.5 nautical miles to the north of
Cedar Island’s most western point (Figure 1). The average depth of the site is ~15 feet with a
range from 11 to 17 feet (Figure 2). The bottom type within the proposed boundaries of the site
is relatively uniform throughout depth ranges and consists primarily of muddy sand (Figure 3,
Figure 4). Since oyster reefs can be susceptible to die offs caused by hypoxic events (<4 mg/L
O2; North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources, Division of
Water Quality, standard) and predatory pests (boring sponge, oyster drills, etc.), the Division also
includes these in consideration for selecting a suitable site. Nearby, recent water quality
monitoring for the area measured dissolved oxygen levels ranging from 5 to 12 mg/L O2, and
salinities from 7 to 24 ppt, indicating this site is suitable for supporting oyster populations (UNC
IMS, Paerl Lab, Station 8: 2018-2020). Additionally, the proposed new oyster sanctuary is in
relatively close proximity to Raccoon Island, Swan Island, and West Bay. Each of these
sanctuaries are considered to be successful (≥20 oysters/m2) based on 2019 and 2020 NCDMF
oyster sanctuary monitoring assessments.
After analysis of the bathymetric survey, it was concluded that there is no existing shell
resource. Additionally, the 75-acre site is expected to have a minimal impact on commercial
trawling, though concerns will be addressed in the public comment period of the permitting
process. However, by strategically building a sanctuary on the edge of a shallow shoreline
which poses a navigational clearance hazard, deep drafting fishing vessels are less apt to visit the
area (Figure 1).
Within the 75-acre boundary, NCDMF intends to establish a 100-foot buffer of no
development, leaving 60 acres available for reef construction. The purpose of this buffer is to
protect against deployment error and possible material movement over time.
In summary, the proposed Cedar Island site has been selected due to its favorable depth strata,
water quality characteristics, and ability to provide additional connectivity to other successful,
nearby sanctuaries, while also remaining outside of any major vessel thoroughfare.

Materials
General Specifications
NCDMF intends to use only biologically suitable materials which have previously been
approved by permitting agencies. Further, the NCDMF applies experiential knowledge and best
management practices to avoid propagating reef species which are invasive or detrimental to
local estuarine ecosystems. Reef construction materials used by NCDMF are described in detail
within the Guidelines and Specifications for Acceptable Artificial Reef Materials, 2016 2nd
Edition (Attachment 1).

Cedar Island Materials
To complete 60 acres of reef habitat, the NCDMF may elect to use a variety of previously
permitted and approved materials including but not limited to: precast concrete, reinforced
concrete pipe, crushed concrete and concrete rubble, reef balls, granite rock, basalt rock, and
additional limestone rock. NCDMF is seeking permit approval for up to 60 acres of developed
bottom, using any of the aforementioned, previously approved reef construction materials in
various quantities to complete the reef.

In selecting a suitable material type for this sanctuary, the Division has taken into account
the material performance at nearby sanctuaries and the influence annual water quality may have
on the proliferation of potential sanctuary pests (boring sponge, oyster drills, etc.). In terms of
settlement and survival, granite, marl, and crushed concrete have each produced oyster densities
> 20 oyster/m2 in areas with similar water quality characteristics over the last few years. By
applying similar sanctuary performance and characteristics information, currently available
stockpiled material (3400 tons limestone marl, class B rip rap), and actual material deployment
costs, a rough annual material deployment plan has been laid out below.

Year Acreage Material Type Material Tonnage
2021 ~8 Limestone class B rip rap | Crushed
Concrete
3,400 | 15,000
2022 ~8 Crushed Concrete/Other 20,000
2023 ~8 Crushed Concrete/Other 20,000

General Practices
NCDMF coordinates all reef deployments, using either marine contractors or State-
maintained vessels and staff. In either instance, NCDMF staff remain on site during all
deployments to ensure enhancements remain (1) within permitted boundaries and (2) compliant
with navigational clearance requirements.

Cedar Island Deployments
Since the Division currently has ~3400 tons of limestone class B rip rap currently
stockpiled at the staging site, it will be deployed in conjunction with a similar sized crushed
concrete during year one to develop approximately 8 acres of restored oyster habitat. In
subsequent years, any of the previously approved materials (Attachment 1) may be used to
complete the site, for a total of up to 60 acres of developed bottom and 75 total acres of
permitted sanctuary area. This 8-acre annual goal will of course be dependent on appropriated
budget and material costs adjustments.
NCDMF will work with the Coastal Federation and contractors to employ the most
effective and controlled deployment strategies. In general, this reef will be designed as an array
of ridges. Each ridge will have a profile of no less than two feet and no more than six feet. This
approach will allow more flexibility for both NCDMF and the contractor to construct greater
acreage without requiring high precision to maintain permit compliance.
All deployments of material will be conducted by a capable marine contractor chosen by
the Coastal Federation and NCDMF. Detailed schematics and design plans will be included in
the contractor’s scope of work and strictly adhered to. To guide contractors during deployments,
NCDMF staff will mark each ridge with high-flyer buoys, placed incrementally along a straight
line (Figure 5). As deployments occur, NCDMF staff will periodically halt deployments in order
to check the vertical profile of deployed materials throughout the project. GIS, GPS, sounding
poles, and high frequency sonar will be used to monitor reef development for permit compliance.
Deployment lines will each be around 200 feet in length and deployed in parallel ridges to ensure
deployment accuracy and reduce vertical clearance concerns. Marking buoys will be placed at
each end of deployment lines to aid contractors with accuracy. NCDMF vessels will be present at
all times and aid the contractor vessel to ensure positioning and deployment occurs at the proper
coordinates

Figure 1. Density data for vessels equipped with AIS transponders during the year 2011 in the
Pamlico Sound and surrounding waterways. Based on this information, there is no direct impact
on vessel passage due to the construction of this proposed new oyster sanctuary.
Figure Date: 8/27/20

Figure 2. Bathymetry scan of the proposed site for Cedar Island Oyster Sanctuary indicating a
minimum depth of 11 feet and a maximum depth of 16.5 feet.

Figure Date: 8/27/20

Figure 3. Map containing bottom type measured via backscatter and the sampling locations for
benthic grab sites 1 – 6.
Figure Date: 8/27/20

Figure 4. Benthic sediment grabs collected from each of the six locations sampled within and
around the proposed boundary area. All sediment samples contain substrate composed of
primarily sand mixed with silty mud, which is considered a suitable bottom type for sanctuary
construction.

Figure Date: 8/27/20

Figure 5. GIS drawing of the deployment strategy. Parallel “ridges” of material will be
developed to streamline deployment efforts as well as increase developed acreage of oyster
habitat. Year one deployments cover ~ 8 acres of footprint
Figure Date: 8/27/20

Figure 6. Conceptual drawing of a ridge of deployed material with reference buoys to guide
deployments.

Figure Date: 8/27/20

Figure 7. Boundaries for each reef site were defined in a boundary packet which detailed the
coordinates of each reef, material locations, reef boundaries, and acreages of reefs and materials.
This packet was accepted by Division of Coastal Management on July 10, 2017 and USACE on
October 25, 2017. This is the prospective page which will be added after this reef is permitted.

Attachment 1. Guidelines and Specifications for Acceptable Artificial Reef Materials (2016, 2nd
Edition)

MarineCadastre.gov, NOAA Office for Coastal Management
OS-16 C edar Island
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0 1,500 3,000750 Feet
NW 35° 3.471' N 76° 22.922' WNE35° 3.463' N 76° 22.560' WSE35° 3.165' N 76° 22.570' WSW35° 3.173' N 76° 22.932' WSiteMaterial
Boundary Information
0 acres75.00 acres
Site Depth 15 ft.Min. Vertical Clearance 6 ft.Clearance Verification N/A
1.3 nautical miles N W of Cedar Island
Proposed Oyster Sanctuary
Figure Prepared 9/10/2020
Sanctuary Boundary
Cedar Island Oyster Sanctuary
AN 0 250 500 1,000 Feet
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Q Permit Corners ----- Deployment Lines
Permit Boundary Area Material Footprint
® 100ft buffer
Proposed Construction Design:
Material will be deployed in ridges similar to another recent sanctuary
construction project (Swan Island). Each ridge will be around 200 feet long
and 40 feet wide. So far, this design has proven to successfully provide
adequate rugosity and complexity to promote successful oyster larvae
settlement, growth, and survival.
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