20061250 Ver 2_Staff Comments_20070711

Memo
To: Doug Huggett
Major Permits Processing Coordinator
FYom: Patricia L. Murphey
Marine Biologist Supervisor
Thru: Mike Marshall
Central District Manager
Date: 7/ 11 /2007
Re: Bogue Watch LLC, c/o John Netherton, Carteret County
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) staffhave reviewed the pernut and have made
several site visits over the year. The applicant proposes to excavate a basin from high ground to
create a private marina with 29 boat slips and a boat ramp in Sanders Creek. They also propose
new dredging of 40 linear feet of shallow bottom habitat, coastal marsh and 404 wetlands. Sanders
Creek is designated as a Primary Nursery Area (PNA) by DMF because of its function of providing
food, cover, and bottom type to recreationally and commercially important juvenile fish and
crustaceans. The DMF is concerned about increased boat traffic and potential effects of boaters
leaving the channel and impacting shallow bottom habitat and submerged aquatic vegetation
(SAVs) within the PNA. Other concerns include runoff from the boat ramp into the basin, the
accumulation of toxic pollutants and low-level oiUgas pollution and wash down from boats using
the basin and their effects on the PNA. The DMF recommends denial because of significant
adverse impacts to the area of new dredging because of its function as habitat for juvenile fish and
crustaceans.