2013-1279 Ver 5_ER-20-0716_20220330

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
State Historic Preservation Office
Ramona M. Bartos, Administrator
Governor Roy Cooper Office of Archives and History
Secretary D. Reid Wilson Deputy Secretary, Darin" Waters, Ph.D.
March 30, 2022
Ken Willson
Senior Program Manager
Coastal Protection Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.
4038 Masonboro Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
[e-mail]
Re: Request for authorization to proceed with dredging outside of the authorized channel within
Hatteras Inlet, Hyde and Dare Counties ER 20-0716
Dear Mr. Willson:
We have reviewed the above -referenced request to open a new emergency channel, outside of the
previously authorized channel within Hatteras Inlet. The purpose of this request is to bypass shoaled
sections of the authorized channel that are impeding the passage of larger vessels from Hatteras Island to
the Atlantic Ocean. The new channel will follow an ephemerally deep channel through the flood tidal delta
to link with Sloop Channel, the previously authorized western leg of the Hatteras to Ocracoke navigational
channel.
Approximately 2200 feet of this ephemeral channel was archaeologically surveyed in 2018 by Tidewater
Atlantic Research, Inc. (TAR) and determined to have no significant historical resources that may be
impacted by dredging. Approximately 4040 feet of the ephemeral channel passes through an area that has
never been surveyed to determine if the resources are present.
A bathymetric survey performed on March 18, 2022, determined that for the most part this 4040-foot
unassessed channel is deep enough for boat traffic to pass. One section within this channel will need to be
deepened to accomplish the goal of allowing the passage of boat traffic. Coastal Protection and Engineering
of NC, Inc. has requested approval for dredging a section of bottom 500 feet long by 150 feet wide, and 8
feet in depth over this shallow area where no archaeological survey has been performed.
Due to significant economic and public safety concerns we recommend that this temporary navigational
channel be opened to allow the passage of the Hatteras Island charter fishing fleet and US Coast Guard 47'
Motor Lifeboat. If shipwreck material is encountered during the dredging operation, the contractor should
stop work, move to another area, and contact the state underwater archaeologist as soon as possible at:
[e-mail].
Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: [phone]-6898

ER 20-0716, March 30, Page 2 of 2
We also recommend that an archaeological survey be conducted over the unassessed portion of the channel
as soon as possible to allow for maintenance dredging of the inevitable shoaling that will occur.
In addition, while not in the path of this proposed emergency channel, the maps provided with this request
do not indicate a shipwreck site that was identified during the 2018 TAR survey. In an effort to ensure all
parties involved are aware of the no -dredge buffer over this archaeological site, we recommend that it be
clearly marked on all charts and construction plans submitted for permits and especially those plans that
guide the contractor during the dredging process.
For your convenience the coordinates for this rectangular buffer are:
Northwest Corner:
Northeast Corner:
Southeast Corner:
Southwest Corner
35.197315° Lat.;
35.197247° Lat.;
35.195873° Lat.;
35.195941° Lat.;
- 75.763361° Long.
- 75.760847° Long.
- 75.760906° Long.
- 75.763411° Long.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36
CFR Part 800.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comments,
please contact Renee Gledhill -Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919-814-6579 or
[e-mail]. In all future communication concerning this project, please cite the
above -referenced tracking number.
Sincerely,
Ramona Bartos, Deputy
State Historic Preservation Officer
cc: Brian Doliber, NCDOT Ferry Division
Matt Wilkerson, NCDOT, Archaeology
Jonathon Howell, DCM
Cathy Brittingham, DCM Transportation
Josh Pelletier, CIV USARMY CESAW
Emily Hughes, CIV USARMY CESAW
Gordon P. Watts, Jr., PH.D., RPA
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: [phone]-6898