20230570 Ver 1_CAMA Application_20230421 (20)

DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT

l. APPLICANT'S NAME: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

2. LOCATION OF PROJECT SITE: N/A Lowland, North Carolina 28552
Longitude: -76.47918 Latitude: 35.29638

3. INVESTIGATION TYPE: CAMA + Dredge & Fill
4. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE:
Date of Visit Applicant Present?
Purpose of Visit

5. PROCESSING PROCEDURE:
Application Received Application Complete Regional Office
3/20/2023 3/29/2023 DCM - Washington Regional Office

6. SITE DESCRIPTION:
(A) Local Land Use Plan: Pamlico County
Land Classification from LUP: Land Classification From LUPs
(B) AEC(s) Involved: Public Trust Areas, Estuarine Waters
(C) Water Dependent: Yes
(D) Intended Use: Public/Government
(E) Wastewater Treatment:
Existing:
Planned:
(F) Type of Structures:
Existing:
Planned: Artificial reef
(G) Estimated Annual Rate of Erosion:
Erosion Information Source: Annual Erosion Source

7.HABITAT DESCRIPTION:
222
DREDGED (ft) FILLED (ft) OTHER (ft)
(A) Open Water 27007
(B) CWÓs above NHW
(C) CWÓs below NHW
(D) Shallow Bottom
(E) High Ground
(F) Non-Coastal WL
(E) Total Area Disturbed: 27007 ft²
(F) Primary Nursery Area: No
(G) Water Classification: HQW: High Quality Waters; SA: Market Shellfishing, Tidal
Salt Water
Open to Shellfishing: Yes

Field Investigation Report: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
DCM Major Permit
Page | 1

8. PROJECT SUMMARY:
The applicant proposes to place 750 prefabricated reef structures to create a new artificial
estuarine reef in the Mouse Harbor area of the Pamlico Sound. Initial development of AR-
293 will be in .62 acre (27,007 Ft.²) of the total 15 acres selected area in the Mouse Habor
area of the Pamlico Sound.

9. NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION:
The NC Division of Marine Fisheries has submitted a CAMA Major Permit application to
create a new estuarine reef site in the Pamlico Sound near Pamlico Point. Site location of the
proposed AR-293 is approximately 1.5 nautical miles east of Mouse Harbor Ditch in Pamlico
County near the town of Lowland.
The proposed reef will be located waters classified as SA;HQW by the Environmental
Management Commission in the Tar-Pam River basin. It is classified as coastal waters by the
NC division of Marine Fisheries.

10. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The applicant proposes to establish an artificial reef site 15 acres in size with an average depth
of 12. The first stage of construction will impact .62 acre by placing 750 reef units (3ÓX3ÓX3Ñ)
in the south-west quadrant of the 15 acre site. The prefabricated structures will be placed in a
depth of 12Ó with a 3Ó profile, leaving 9Ó of vertical clearance for navigation. The bottom type
is primarily sandy mud located above deeper layer of firm sand. The site will be marked with
13Ñ buoys on each corner which will be maintained by NCDMF staff.

11. ANTICIPATED IMPACTS:
The proposed project will create localized turbidity during placement of the reef materials. The
physical footprint of the 750 reef structures placed in the initial .62 acre will be 27,007 square
feet. If successful, the project will increase finfish habitat in Mouse Harbor and the Pamlico
Sound.

Name: Kent Vaughan Date: 04-21-2023 Office: DCM - Washington Regional Office

Field Investigation Report: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
DCM Major Permit
Page | 2