20211276 Ver 1_More Info Received_20211118

Strickland, Bev
From: [e-mail]
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2021 3:39 PM
To: Cohn, Colleen M; 'Sutherland'; [e-mail]; Greg Stewart; 'Matt Spritz'
Subject: [External] RE: Sunset Lake Village Shoreline Stabilization Project - SOX
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Colleen,
I hope there is an opportunity for us to talk through all of your below question. Below are a few answers, but I certainly
think it would be very beneficial for us to hop onto a zoom call where I can walk you through everything. If you have an
hour that could work please let me know and I will do my best to fit it into my schedule. Additionally, I have Mat Spritz
copied here as he handles all of SOX's government affairs.
1. Where has this system been used? How long has it been installed within those systems?
1. We have installations that date back 21 years with projects installed in roughly 35 states around the country. I will
add a link at the bottom with some a project portfolio. In 2021, year to date, we have had SOX installed in over 100
locations.
2. What happens if the SOX gets cut? If a portion is compromised, does the whole structure need remediation?
2. Since our system is a knitted material, it is essentially a rip stop technology. Unlike all woven materials our patented
knitted technical mesh can be cut into, sewn together, and is completely modular. Therefore the maintenance on our
system is relatively easy. We actually just had a situation in a community in Georgia where there were tons of alligators
fighting and there were small holes punctured into a 50 ft section of the project. So, the installation company sent one
of there guys out to sew all of the holes up.
3. Twine, plastic mesh, and similar designed webbing is problematic due to the potential entrapment of wildlife.
Additionally, plastic does not break down completely and remains in the system. Would the SOX breakdown into
pieces and stay in the system, be ingested, etc.? If part of the system becomes loose, could the SOX turn into a
loose "bag" that is anchored to the shore, potentially trapping wildlife.
3. Unlike many of the systems that you may have been exposed to in the past, SOX is Bioengineered to integrate into
the existing embankment to stabilize earth and create root structure. Our material is not biodegradable and therefore
material will not slowly breakdown and be left to disintegrate into the earth. There will be no microplastics. The
material is completely waterproof and most importantly INERT Additionally, we work extremely close with many
state agencies to preserve water quality.
Matt S. Please jump in to help Collen understand some of the state agencies we work with.
4. The DredgeSOX plans provided states that the finished surface is "ready for seeding, sodding, or planting" and
that plants can "grow through the SOX without compromising the SOX". How does this work? If roots can grow
through the SOX without compromising the SOX, wouldn't dredged material placed within the SOX also be able
to move through the material?
4. Yes our material will allow for root structure to grow through, have seed grow up, or cut into and plant into. Our
material is designed to allow water to flow into and out of the system while containing particulate matter greater than
150 micron behind.
5. This seems like it would create a hardened shoreline rather than a living shoreline. How does the proposed SOX
system compare to other common shoreline stabilization practices in terms of equal or better protection of
surface waters and wildlife resources?
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5. Our system is considered soft armor and in many cases outperform hardened structures. Our system was invented at
the University of Minnesota to combat ice sheathing. Our system is designed to handle the freeze thaw cycles with
expansion and contratio as the earth moves.
6. Does the system alter nutrient adsorption?
6. Yes, as mentioned it will allow nutrient uptake because water can pas through it. It can act as a filtration system in
many cases.
7. How does the system withstand large storm events with flow, fetch, and high-water rise?
7. We have live though many hurricane in Florida and are now being speced into the larges projects around the country
by lots of geotechnical engineering firms.
Please provide additional information with adequate documentation such as research studies or examples of successful
similar projects with long-term application of this system to ensure that it has no negative impacts to surface waters,
wildlife, or their habitats, and that the system's structural integrity upholds. Please address the concerns listed above
and provide a planting plan for the proposed project.
Links for you to do additional research: But, as mentioned I think it would be beneficial for you and anyone else on your
team to allow us an opportunity to educate you as you will likely be sing our system more often as we expand our
presence into the Carolina markets.
If anything changes with your schedule and you can meet while I am in town please let me know. I look forward to
speaking with you soon.
1. SOX Erosion Projects
2. ENGEO White Paper
3. Engineering Toolbox
4. Bio Engineered Living Shoreline Presentation
Sincerely,
Casey Cittadino
National Sales Director
SOX Erosion Solutions"'
950 Peninsula Corporate Circle
Suite 2021
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
www.soxerosion.com
From: Cohn, Colleen M <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2021 12:40 PM
To: Sutherland <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; Greg Stewart
<[e-mail]>
Subject: Sunset Lake Village Shoreline Stabilization Project - SOX
Good afternoon,
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I have spoken with others in the NC Division of Water Resources concerning the SOXFence and DredgeSOX products that
are proposed for the Sunset Lake Village Shoreline Stabilization Project. We've also received some concerns from the
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Per Condition 7 of the General Conditions of Water Quality General
Certification 4134 for Bank Stabilization, "Erosion control matting that incorporates plastic mesh and/or plastic twine
shall not be used along streambanks or with wetlands." Both the SOXFence and DredgeSOX products contain plastic.
Some of the questions and concerns raised :
1. Where has this system been used? How long has it been installed within those systems?
2. What happens if the SOX gets cut? If a portion is compromised, does the whole structure need remediation?
3. Twine, plastic mesh, and similar designed webbing is problematic due to the potential entrapment of wildlife.
Additionally, plastic does not break down completely and remains in the system. Would the SOX breakdown into
pieces and stay in the system, be ingested, etc.? If part of the system becomes loose, could the SOX turn into a
loose "bag" that is anchored to the shore, potentially trapping wildlife.
4. The DredgeSOX plans provided states that the finished surface is "ready for seeding, sodding, or planting" and
that plants can "grow through the SOX without compromising the SOX". How does this work? If roots can grow
through the SOX without compromising the SOX, wouldn't dredged material placed within the SOX also be able
to move through the material?
5. This seems like it would create a hardened shoreline rather than a living shoreline. How does the proposed SOX
system compare to other common shoreline stabilization practices in terms of equal or better protection of
surface waters and wildlife resources?
6. Does the system alter nutrient adsorption?
7. How does the system withstand large storm events with flow, fetch, and high-water rise?
Please provide additional information with adequate documentation such as research studies or examples of successful
similar projects with long-term application of this system to ensure that it has no negative impacts to surface waters,
wildlife, or their habitats, and that the system's structural integrity upholds. Please address the concerns listed above
and provide a planting plan for the proposed project.
Greg and Casey, I did receive your emails and voicemail, but I am unable to meet today or Friday.
Thank you,
Colleen Cohn
Environmental Specialist II
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office
380o Barrett Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
Office: 919-791-4258
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
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