20071367 Ver 10_NCDMF Comment Memo_20211008

ROY COOPER
Governor
JOHN NICHOLSON
Interim Secretary
KATHY B. RAWLS
Director
TO:
Gregg Bodnar, NCDCM Assistant Major Permits Coordinator
FROM: James Harrison, NCDMF Fisheries Resource Specialist
SUBJECT: Chambers Residence, Carteret County
DATE: 8 October 2021
A North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Fisheries Resource Specialist has
reviewed the permit application for proposed actions that may impact fish and/or fish habitats.
The proposed work is located at 1302 Barnacle Lane, Morehead City, within Carteret County.
The applicant is proposing to install a 6' by 427' pier, a 15' by 22' L-head platform, and an 8' by
8' boatlift. No upland development is proposed. Water depths are approximately -2' normal low
water (NLW). This area is designated as a Primary Nursery Area (PNA) and the waters are
classified as SA/HQW and is closed to the taking of shellfish. There are also oyster beds present
within the project footprint.
Areas designated as PNA are critical in the life history cycle of the species that utilize these areas
as nursery habitat. Many of the species found in these areas have specific habitat requirements
(i.e. temperature, salinity, and water velocity) for the susceptible stages of development, and
waters designated as PNA meet those specific requirements. In addition to meeting the
environmental requirements, these areas also often provide significant refuge habitat and
foraging resources for species. Therefore, it is critical that these habitats be protected from
impacts that may occur as a result of coastal development.
Taking into consideration the PNA designation and the presence of oyster beds, DMF would
oppose to the project unless the following recommendations are incorporated into the permit.
First, the boat lift should incorporate stops at 18 inches to prevent the vessel from resting on the
bottom and to limit vessel use during low tides when bottom disturbance could occur. Also, the
platform should include design elements (i.e. railings) that prevent the structure from being used
for the docking of vessels. The issuance of the permit should also be conditioned on no
additional slips being added in the future. In order to protect the existing oyster resources, care
should be taken no to smother oysters with equipment or sediment. Where impacts would be
unavoidable (i.e. piling placement), oysters should be moved by hand to an area adjacent to the
project. Lastly, the pilings should be the maximum distance apart to minimize wetlands and
oyster resource impacts.
Thank you for consideration of our comments and concerns. Please contact Jimmy Harrison at
[phone] or at [e-mail] with any further questions or concerns.
State of North Carolina I Division of Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell Street I P.O. Box 769 I Morehead City, North Carolina 28557
252-726-7021