20170508 Ver 3_US ACE_Request for IP w SUP INFO Dec 21_20211216

STATE OF NORTH CAROLiNA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RoY COOPER
GOVERNOR
December 14, 2021
Kyle Barnes
Regulatory Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District
Washington Field Office
Mr. Barnes,
J. ERIC BoYETTE
SECRETARY
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Ferry Division is requesting a
modification to Individual Permit SAW-2017-00407 for expanding the dredging limits of the
Southdock basin/entrance channel and adding additional dredging methodology. The basin/entrance
channel extends from the southeastern section of the bulkhead, underneath the ferry ramps, to its
intersection with Sloop Channel just north of the point.
The Southdock Ferry Terminal is used by the NCDOT Ferry Division to transport the public and
supplies to and from Ocracoke Island. The Hatteras-Southdock ferry route is the busiest overall
(yearly) route within the NC ferry system. It provides transport for 500,000 to 800,000 passengers
per year on average, and as many as six ferries run simultaneously during the summer months.
Shoaling along the western side of the basin and channel has continued to be a consistent issue that
affects how the Captains navigate in and out of the basin. The current width of the channel creates
unnecessary risks during the summer when all of the ferries are running, and the likelihood of
sudden weather events increases. Stabilization of the spoil site shoreline has allowed for improved
protection during major storms but the dynamic nature of the area, combined with the increasing
frequency of significant storm events, has resulted in the need to continually assess and improve
upon our management plan at Southdock. This modification to Individual Permit SAW-2017-00407
would be for the NCDOT Ferry Division to expand a portion of the entrance channel and basin by
150' and perform maintenance dredging inside the expanded channel and basin.
Our current permit allows for maintenance dredging up to 12' deep MLLW within the 225' limits
of the existing channel. With the proposed expansion, the entrance channel would increase to 375'
between points S01 and NO1 on the drawing, or where it intersects with Sloop Channel. It would
remain at 375' until it reaches points S02-NO2 where it starts to turn south towards the ramps.
Between these points is where it would begin to taper off and gradually return to the 225' width at
points S03-NO3. It would remain at 225' from that point until its termination at the ramps, or points
SO4-N04. The dredging depth would remain at 12' MLLW. The widening of the channel would
Mailing Address_ TELEPHONE: [phone]
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NCDOT FERRY DIVISION CUSTOMER SERVICE, 1-877-368-4965
159LuCINDA LANE
POWELL5 POINT, NC 27966 WERSITE: NCDOT.GOV

create 2.38 acres of new channel bottom. if the entirety of the expanded channel were dredged, we
estimate, based on past events, that no single dredging event would remove more than 100,000
cubic yards of material. The channel would always be excavated while maintaining a 3:1 slope on
all sides. There is no SAV present in the project area due to the dynamic environment and water
depth. This was confirmed via mapping and coordination with NC DMF.
The purpose of this modification would be to promote safer travel in and out of the basin and
reduce the frequency of maintenance dredging events. The expanded channel would be large
enough to incur considerable shoaling along its western boundary before navigation was impacted.
Dredge work would be performed by the NCDOT Ferry Division Marine Maintenance Unit if
possible. They would utilize the state-owned Dredge Manteo which is a 12" pipeline dredge that
has dredged this channel/basin in the past. Dredging operations would be kept at least 10' off the
bulkhead.
NCDOT Ferry is requesting authorization to utilize privately contracted dredge plants in the basin if
excavation of the channel is needed and the Manteo is unable to perform the work. If a privately
contracted cutterhead pipeline dredge were to be used it would be of similar size to the state-owned
dredge and would operate the same way. The HDPE pipe used to pump the excavated material
would be located within the permitted channel for the duration of the event.
If bucket and barge dredging methodology were utilized all of the equipment would still remain
within the permitted channel. The contractor would utilize a crane with a bucket to excavate the
material to the approved depth. The excavation crane would be situated on a 120'x55'x8' spud
barge that would remain in the channel. The material would be loaded into two 195'x35'xl 1'
hopper barges until they contained approximately 800-1000 cubic yards of material. The total
amount would stay within that range to keep the barge drafts within acceptable limits. Once a
hopper barge was loaded it would be transported by one of the tugboats to the south side of the
Southdock Ferry Basin. From there, a separate crane located on a 120'x50'x8' spud barge would
remove the material from the hopper barge and place it on the spud barge where it would be
pumped through HDPE pipe to the Southdock spoil site. Two hopper barges may be utilized so that
one could be loaded while the other was being transported and unloaded. One 2400hp tugboat and
two 600hp tugboats would be used to maneuver the barges to their proper positions.
Dredging would be limited to outside the moratorium period of April 1 to October 31 unless a
major storm created consequential shoaling that required moratorium relief requests from the
appropriate agencies_ Depending on the severity of shoaling in the channel, dredging projects would
last between three to eight weeks. All dredge material would be placed within the Southdock spoil
site.
Current NPS SUP #5700-028 authorizes the NC DOT to place dredged material via pipeline into
the spoil site to maintain a 12' deep ferry channel. The permit also authorizes that this spoil site can
be expanded an additional .76 acres to accommodate additional dredge material if needed. In
accordance with this permit, the spoil site will be inspected by the NPS resource management staff
for any threatened and state species of concern prior to any material being placed on the site. The
proposed work, including any future maintenance dredging or nourishment events, shall not begin
until the NC DOT has been issued a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service, if one is
required.
Prior to submittal of this application the NC DOT sent a project narrative with drawings to US
FWS, NMFS, NC DMF, NC WRC and NC SHPO in order to receive input regarding the proposed
project_ No concerns were raised by any of the agencies contacted and the e-mail correspondence

for each has been included as part of this application. As instructed by the US FWS, the Guidelines
for Avoiding Impacts to the West Indian Mantatee will be implemented during all dredging events.
The equipment used for the project if a pipeline dredge performed the work would include the 12"
cutter head pipeline dredge, tug, barge, excavator, bulldozer, 12" HDPE pipe and any other
equipment needed for maintaining the spoil site.
The equipment used for the project if a bucket and barge performed the work would include the
cranes, crane barges, tugboats, generators, water pumps, welding machines, air compressors and
any other equipment needed for maintaining the spoil site.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Brian Doliber
Environmental Program Supervisor
Ferry Division
252 232 8025 mobile
252 621 6251 office
[e-mail]
159 Lucinda Lane
Powells Point, NC 27966