HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140455 Ver 1_More Info Received_20140523Steenhuis, Joanne
From: Baker, Jessi E
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2014 4:11 PM
To: Steenhuis, Joanne; Smith, Ronnie D SAW; Dunn, Maria T.; Fritz; Huggett, Doug; Govoni,
Daniel; Styron, Heather M.
Cc: Fodrie, Joel; Rodriguez, Antonio B; Intra Lab Communication
Subject: UNC -CH IMS
Attachments: I MS_reefs_V2. pdf
Hello all,
Based on the outcome of yesterday's discussions and site visit, additional information was provided by UNC -CH IMS to
update /revise the current application under review. The changes are as follows.
1) The specific location of the reefs has been changed to avoid SAV and to include locations with two different
depths. The height of the sills has also been adjusted due to moving the locations more shallow water. Fritz
Rohde (NOAA Fisheries) and myself have told the applicants that we are not opposed to this new design (see
attached map and cross - section). Note that SAV is underestimated in the maps provided.
2) This is a research project that will measure vertical oyster growth by collecting precise elevation data. Extensive
biological monitoring was planned as a part of this work that was not described in the original application. The
paragraph and figure below are pasted from an email from Dr. Joel Fodrie sent on 5/22/14. The applicant
proposes to report their findings back to the DCM.
Annually, we will collect biological data on (a) seagrass shoot density, (b) seagrass shoot height, (c) oyster density, (d)
oyster size structure, (e) salt marsh shoot density, and (f) salt marsh shoot height. We will collect these data along 7
transects running perpendicular to shore (below in orange). Four of the transects will pass through the constructed
oyster reefs (with landward planted salt marsh), while the remaining three will pass through the planted saltmarsh that
is not protected by offshore reefs. Along each transect, we will randomly place replicate 0.25 m ^2 quadrats in salt
marsh, oyster reef, and seagrass habitat (provided they exist) to quantify the metrics identified above.
We will also use aerial imagery (using an IMS -owned drone or other flyover data) to quantify the horizontal
expansion /retreat of saltmarsh and seagrass habitat ear summer.
feet SO 100
3) Regarding concerns about reef failure or potential requirements for removal, the relocation of the reefs will
result in lower profile reefs made out of less material in very shallow water which would result in less impact if
the material does move. Because this is a research project with a large monitoring effort, we may learn more
about the possibilities for successful loose shell reefs.
Also, Joel commented that..
In Bogue Sound, oyster settlement begins in June. If we place this shell after that settlement peak, it might be a year
before spat would settle. And certainly in that time the shell could be displaced /buried by storms /waves etc.
Please try to respond to Daniel as soon as you can so they can start placing shell in the next few weeks.
Joel and Tony, if anything described above is not your understanding of where we are now, please clarify.
Thanks everyone,
Jessi
Jessi Baker, Fisheries Resource Specialist
NC Division of Coastal Management
400 Commerce Avenue
Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 808 -2808 ext. 213
iessi.bakerCa ncdenr.gov
E -mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the
North Carolina Public Records taw and may be disclosed to third parties.
ON
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NC Division of NG Wildlite
Marine Fisheries University of North Carolina Resources
0
Salt marsh
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Distance (ft)
A'
MHW 3.8 ft
MW2.26 ft
MLW 0.0 ft
46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74
Distance (ft)
MW 2.26 ft
MLW 0.0 ft