NC 24 causeway WRC comments

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
BRAXTON DAVIS
Director
May 4, 2022
MEMORANDUM:
NORTH CAROLINA
En fronmental Quality
FROM: Cathy Brittingham, Transportation Project Coordinator
N.C. Division of Coastal Management
[phone] phone
cathv.britting ham@.ncden r.aov
SUBJECT: CAMA Major Permit Application Review
Applicant: NC Department of Transportation
Project Location: NC 24 Causeway, Onslow County
Proposed Project: Living Shoreline & Offshore Sill
Please indicate below your agency's position or viewpoint on the proposed project and
return this form to Cathy Brittingham at the address above by June 1, 2022M If you have any
questions regarding the proposed project, contact Stephen Lane at 252-515-5408 when appropriate, in-
depth comments with supporting data is requested.
REPLY: This agency has no objection to the project as proposed.
*`Additional comments may be attached"
This agency has no comment on the proposed project.
� This agency approves of the project only if the recommended changes
are incorporated. See attached.
This agency objects to the project for reasons described in the attached
comments.
PRINTiNAME ��\�gqniti � \A�\� v.
AGENCY AJ
SIGNATURE
DATE
�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division ofCoas[al Management
Morehead City office 1400 Commerce hvenue Moorehead City, North Carolina 28557
uro.rn��miupv a 252,515.5400

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Cathy Brittingham
Division of Coastal Management
FROM: Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Division
DATE: May 26, 2022
SUBJECT: NCDOT request for a LAMA permit for the construction of an offshore sill to
protect portions of the NC 24 causeway in Onslow County.
We have reviewed the information included in the package received from the Division of Coastal
Management. Our comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.) and the Coastal
Area Management Act (G.S. 113A-100 through 113A-128).
The NCWRC is concerned that the openings intended for hydrologic connectivity and aquatic
passage will close due to the size and proximity of the interior closure sill to the exterior rock
sill. Any sediment transport from outside or within the sill alignment would likely accrete in a
manner to block flows during low to mean water events. Connectivity and passage should be
present during normal tide fluctuations. Adjustments to the height of the closure sill that would
allow a reduction of base width, reduction in the length of the 50' closure sills, greater distance
between the two sill types, or a combination of design alterations may address this concern.
The SAV Monitoring and Mitigation Plan identifies the study area in Figure 2 of the document.
NCWRC recommends monitoring outside of the sill to determine if there will be any effects
from post construction scour along the new sill. It does appear the study area extends outside of
the constructed sill; however, it is not explicitly stated or defined as to how far outside of the
constructed sill monitoring will occur. A clear description of the study area in relation to the
proposed sill should be included in the final plan.
Plantings within the interior portions of the sill are mentioned in the project description and
plantings are depicted on the project plans. However, there is no further planting description.
Mailing Address:
Habitat Conservation
1721 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: (919)
707-0220 •Fax: [phone]

NC 24
PAGE 2 MAY 26, 2022
The project plans should include a planting list of potential species as well as identify different
planting zones if the species composition needs to be adjusted due to changes in elevation.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this permit application. If you have any concerns
about our comments, please contact me at [phone].