WQC0004206 Ver 1_FINAL_EmeraldIsleRegulatoryPermitApp_20230807small_20230809

From: 401PreFile
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Project Name:
Maintenance Dredging US Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle
Project History:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Environmental Assessment (EA), Maintenance
Dredging for US Coast Guard Station at Emerald Isle. September 2008. The 2008 EA
evaluated maintenance dredging of the USCG navigation channel on an as -needed
basis to ensure access to the USACE federally maintained navigation channel.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Permit SAW-2007-03344, Issued to the U.S.
Coast Guard on December 31, 2008. This permit authorized the USCG to conduct the
activities evaluated in the 2008 EA but included an environmental window of November
16 to March 31 for all dredging and placement methods. The authorization allowed for
sidecast dredging outside the window only in emergency situations after the necessary
coordination with resource agencies. The permit expired on December 31, 2018.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Permit Extension SAW-2007-03344, Issued
to the U.S. Coast Guard on December 9, 2019. This permit extension reauthorized the
same dredging and placement methods as the 2008 permit above. This permit
extension expires on December 9, 2024.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Environmental Assessment (EA), Maintenance
Dredging for US Coast Guard Station at Emerald Isle. August 2022. The 2022 EA
evaluated maintaining the north route from the USCG channel that was addressed in
the 2007 EA and added a new southwest route to provide two options for exiting the
USCG station. The southwest route provides a 300 linear -foot "shortcut" channel to the
southwest. Maintenance dredging would occur on an as -needed basis to ensure
access to the USACE federally maintained navigation channel. The final EA was
circulated for public review and all comments have been resolved. Preparation of the
final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is ongoing and the FONSI is
expected to be signed in the next 30 days. A Federal Consistency Concurrence for the
project was issued on July 26, 2023 (Attachment #1). For convenience, we have also
attached a contact list of landowners whose property is adjacent to the project area
(Attachment #2)
Project Purpose:
The purpose of the project is to provide a safe, reliable navigation channel for the
USCG to access the open ocean through Bogue Inlet for at least the next 10 years. The
proposed route would increase maintenance dredging flexibility for the USCG Station
Emerald Isle navigation channel near Bogue Inlet, on the western end of Emerald Isle,
Carteret County, North Carolina (Attachment #3).
The USCG Station Emerald Isle has many missions, including the safeguarding of
navigational interests (government, commercial, and private), protecting North
Carolina's coastline from pollution and marine accidents, and enforcement of federal
laws and responsibilities under the Homeland Security Act. The Station's area of
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responsibility covers approximately 50 nautical miles of the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway (AIWW) (from Bogue Inlet to Surf City) and to 30 nautical miles offshore.
The USCG Emerald Isle's ability to access the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW)
and Bogue Inlet federal channels safely and efficiently is critical to their success in
accomplishing the missions described above. Because the federal channel follows
natural deep water, the location may vary widely. Currently, the federal channel is in the
naturally deep water along the western edge of the area. The USCG channel also
follows natural deep water and currently connects to the federal channel by exiting the
station to the north. This limits the USCG to only one option for connecting to the federal
channel. This project would provide the USCG with a second option, which is a route to
the southwest. Adding a second option for the USCG to navigate to the federal channel,
would give the USCG two routes to exit the Station and connect to the federal channel,
providing more flexibility in accessing the federal channel and providing a direct route to
Bogue Inlet, following natural deep water (Attachment #3).
All sediments in the vicinity of the north and southwest routes have been sampled and
tested and all material to be dredged has less than 10% fines (>_90% sand) and
therefore is not likely to produce significant turbidity. Beneficial use of dredged material
will help to keep these valuable sediments within the system and potentially decrease
rates of erosion and habitat loss. Placement of beach quality material in the nearshore
and on beaches may reduce risks from the effects of storm surge and high tides to
existing shorelines and upland habitat areas.
Activity Location:
The project area is located within waters of the United States, associated with Bogue
Sound, waterward of 11101 Station St, Emerald Isle, North Carolina (Latitude:
34.647560; Longitude:-77.096100).
A boat is required to access the site. The direction to the USCG Emerald Isle station:
From the town of Emerald Isle. Head west on Emerald Drive toward Burlington Street
(5.9 mi). At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on Emerald Drive (0.4 mi). Turn
left onto Coast Guard Road (2.2 mi). Turn left to stay on Coast Guard Road (0.2mi).
Turn right onto Station Street (0.1 mi). Slight right onto Terrell Horne III Way (358 ft).
Must go through security gate into parking lot. The site is a short boat ride from the
station.
Proposed Project:
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Station Emerald Isle's facilities include a basin
and a navigation channel (i.e., northern route; -6 feet MLLW, +2 feet overdepth, by 90
feet wide) that connects to the existing federal navigation channel between Bogue Inlet
and the AIWW. Due to the dynamic nature of the area, the USCG navigation channel
follows naturally occurring deep water and currently extends approximately 4,000 to
5,000 feet north of the basin. Recent dredging volumes for the currently approved
northern route are 2,600 CY to -6 feet (project depth) and 6,200 CY to overdepth.
Dredging would typically take place over a 7-14-day period. The USCG is seeking
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authorization to dredge and maintain (period >_ 10 yrs.) a second route to the southwest
to access the USACE federally maintained navigation channel at Bogue Inlet. This
proposed southwest route (8,148 CY to -6 feet [project depth] and 17,178 CY to
overdepth at 90 feet wide; Attachment #4) has been previously dredged as a part of the
USACE federally maintained navigation channel. This southwest alternative would also
include a new approximately 300 linear foot "shortcut" channel to connect the southwest
route to the current northern route. Based on current bathymetry, dredged material
generated from this new shortcut is estimated to produce material quantities of 0 CY to -
6 feet MLLW (project depth) and 469 CY to overdepth at 90 feet wide (Attachment #5).
The southwest route could be maintained at the same time as the current USGC
channel that runs north to the federally maintained channel. It's expected that
maintaining both the northern and southwest routes would require dredging one of the
routes each year.
The work currently authorized in the above referenced permit (SAW-2007-03344)
includes an environmental window of November 16 to March 31 for all dredging and
placement methods. This window is proposed to remain as part of the preferred plan.
All efforts will be made to accomplish maintenance dredging within the window,
however, should dredging outside the window be required, the USCG would coordinate
with agencies prior to dredging.
Various dredge types may be used to maintain the USCG channels, depending on
dredge availability and channel conditions like shoaling locations and controlling water
depths. Dredge type (hydraulic pipeline dredge, government -owned sidecast dredge,
government -owned special purpose (hopper) dredge, or mechanical [clamshell] dredge)
and placement options (sidecasting, nearshore, beach, or upland site placement) are
described immediately below and would be applicable to any of the three alternatives.
Pipeline Dredge
Material placed on a beach or in a confined upland facility would be dredged by either
hydraulic pipeline dredge or mechanical dredge. A hydraulic pipeline dredge would
pump the material via dredge pipe. Dredging of the USCG basin and access channel,
and the resultant beach placement, would occur only when deemed necessary for the
maintenance of safe navigation. There is a beach placement area on the western end
of Emerald Isle, used by the USACE during maintenance dredging of the Bogue Inlet
and AIWW for the placement of beach quality sand (i.e., material containing less than
10% fine-grained material). This placement area begins 1,500 feet east of the
centerline of Bogue Inlet and extends approximately one mile east. The distance from
the Inlet was established, among other reasons, to prevent placed material from rapidly
returning to the Inlet's navigation channel.
Sidecast Dredge
Due to its shallow draft capability, the sidecast dredge is often the only method of
dredging available for shoal removal. When maintenance dredging is required and
other dredge types are not available, USCG proposes to sidecast dredge. The sidecast
dredge casts material approximately 80-100 feet from the centerline of the vessel into
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adjacent open waters where the predominant currents carry the sediments away from
the channel. The sidecaster operates only during daylight hours (12 hours/day).
Sidecast placement would be used only when the shoal(s) to be dredged is/are
composed of beach quality sand, to minimize the duration of suspended sediments and
other environmental impacts resulting from fine-grained sediments discharged into
estuarine waters. Additionally, a sidecast dredge would only be used in areas where
submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is not present within the dredging or placement
area. Dredged material would not be discharged into vegetated marsh.
Special Purpose Hopper Dredge
The project area is too shallow to be dredged by a conventional hopper dredge;
However, material dredged by a government -owned special purpose dredge could
operate in this area. The "Currituck" is capable of dredging approximately 300 cubic
yards of material in thirty minutes and requires a minimum depth of 5 feet to maneuver.
The "Murden" is capable of dredging approximately 500 cubic yards of material in thirty
minutes and requires a minimum depth of 5 feet to maneuver. The larger the load of
material in the hopper, the more depth required.
Mechanical (clamshell) Dredge
Material placed on a beach or in a confined upland facility would be dredged by either
hydraulic pipeline dredge or mechanical dredge. A mechanical (clamshell) dredge
would place material on a barge or scow. When full, the vessel could be moved to the
beach, placement facility, or nearshore where material would be removed and placed
using a front-end loader, back -hoe, or bucket operation. Subsequent relocation of the
material would be necessary to conform to the generally accepted beach placement
practices described below.
For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, any required new or maintenance dredging would be to the
previously authorized depth of -6.0 feet MLLW, with allowable overdepth dredging to -
8.0 feet MLLW at 90 feet wide. All dredged material would be placed on previously
identified beach placement locations, sidecast, nearshore, or upland placement sites.
Avoidance and Minimization:
All dredging would be conducted from November 16 to March 31, which will minimize
impacts to fisheries resources. In addition, the dredge boat would abide by all measures
to protect federally listed threatened and endangered species during work, as noted
below.
Each dredged material placement option would avoid and minimize impacts to the
maximum extent practicable as noted below.
Beach placement
Placement of dredged material on beaches would be conducted from November 16
through March 31 to avoid impacts to nesting shorebirds and sea turtles. Existing
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material may be built into berms and moved around by bulldozers to ensure material
stays on the beach and impacts to surrounding waters are minimized. The final location
within the beach placement area for material dredged from the USCG Station Emerald
Isle may be determined upon consultation with the Town of Emerald Isle and the
Carteret County Shore Protection Office. Consultation with resource agencies and
adherence to existing wildlife management plans is encouraged when considering
placement areas. If a need for protection of structures within the existing placement
area is identified by local or state officials, material could be placed there. For material
to be placed on a portion of beach outside the previously used area (whether by private
property owner, local government, or state or federal environmental resource agency),
the requesting party would have to obtain the necessary authorizations and conduct
coordination with others desiring the sand.
Confined upland facility
Should any instance of sediment sampling reveal material composed of greater than
10% fine-grained sediment, it would have to be placed in a confined upland placement
site. The most likely location for placement of fine-grained material would be on
placement islands at the confluence of Bogue Inlet and the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway. The USACE Placement Areas (PA) 60 and 61 are located approximately
1.5 miles from the USCG basins and are approximately 19 acres and 12 acres,
respectively. If a confined upland facility is utilized, water quality will be monitored two
times per day, at a minimum, at the spillway(s) during dredging activities. If turbidity
exceeds 25 nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs), measures, such as using stop -logs at
the spillway or moderating dredging operations to allow settlement of suspended
sediment over time, would be implemented.
Temporary high ground placement
There is limited area for a placement site within USCG Station Emerald Isle property.
While a small amount of material could be placed temporarily within the Station, it is
more likely that an alternate site would be found. All work would be completed outside
the April 1 — August 31 waterbird breeding season unless coordinated with the
appropriate resource agencies in advance. If dredged material is to be placed in a
temporary upland placement area, and subsequently removed to an offsite facility,
appropriate Beast Management Practices (BMPs) would be utilized to prevent effluent
runoff into adjacent waterways. Specific BMPs may include silt fences, hay bales, or
similar structural solutions. The dredged material would then be removed after
dewatering to an approved upland facility.
Open water placement
Off the western end of Emerald Isle in approximately 6-10 feet of water, there is a
nearshore placement area available for the placement of beach quality sand.
Placement of dredged material within open water areas, such as nearshore placement,
would occur during the environmental window of November 16 to March 31, which will
minimize impacts to fisheries resources.
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For FY24, the project proposes to only dredge those areas that are in need. Dredging
and placement activities would occur during the environmental window from November
16 to March 31.
Mitigation:
There will be no loss of waters of the U.S., including wetlands or other special aquatic
sites, either physically or in functions and values, for any type of dredging or dredged
material placement option; therefore, compensatory mitigation would not be required.
Alternatives Analysis:
The following sections present and briefly discuss feasible alternatives for USCG
maintenance of the Station Emerald Isle entrance channel and boat basin. The analysis
of alternatives is based on meeting the purpose and need for the action, in addition to
minimizing adverse environmental consequences. The three alternatives considered
are discussed below.
No Action
The "No Action" alternative involves maintaining the status quo. The USCG would not
have the additional flexibility to take a more direct route to Bogue Inlet. The shoaled
conditions that presently exist within the project area would remain, and these shoals
would be expected to expand, creating increasingly more difficult navigation and longer
delays in response time for USCG vessels and teams. The "No Action" alternative does
not meet the purpose and need of maintenance of Station Emerald Isle in a condition
that enables optimal performance of the USCG missions.
Alternative 2
Proposed Action — Maintaining the North Route and Adding a New Southwest Route
(with dredging window): This alternative includes maintenance dredging a navigation
route to the southwest to access the USACE federally maintained navigation channel at
Bogue Inlet. This southwest route has been previously dredged as a part of the USACE
federally maintained navigation channel. This alternative would also include a new
approximately 300 linear foot "shortcut" channel to connect the southwest route to the
current USCG channel. The southwest route could be maintained at the same time as
the current USGC channel that runs north to the federally maintained channel.
However, only one route may be maintained at times due to funding limitations. The
proposed southwest route and "shortcut" channel are currently at the authorized project
depths.
There are several methods of dredging available for accomplishing the work. These
methods are: pipeline dredge, mechanical (clamshell) dredge, government -owned
sidecast dredge, and government -owned special purpose (hopper) dredge. The result of
dredging would be the removal of shoaled sediments lying above the plane of -6 feet
MLLW, plus 2 feet allowable overdepth in the Station's access channel in naturally
occurring deep water.
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Placement of dredged material would be dependent upon the method of dredging used
and the quality of the material to be dredged. Only beach quality sand would be
sidecast, placed on the beach or in the nearshore placement area. All dredging and
placement work would be completed between November 16 and March 31.
USCG anticipates scheduling necessary dredging to coincide with contracts, overseen
by the Wilmington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), for maintenance
dredging in nearby federally maintained channels. This would allow the USCG to avoid
the expense of initial dredge plant mobilization and demobilization, often exceeding
$500,000. However, USCG would incur the expense associated with relocating the
dredge to its basin and installing the pipeline for placement.
Alternative 3
Maintaining the North Route and Adding a New Southwest Route (no dredging window):
This alternative would be the same as alternative 2, but dredging and placement would
be accomplished at any time of the year, considering the risk assessments that would
be required under the 2020 South Atlantic Regional Biological Opinion (SARBO).
Eliminating the environmental windows for the project provides the maximum flexibility
relative to dredge availability. This option would allow dredging of the route in a
proactive manner by monitoring shoals through routine survey efforts and planning for
scheduled maintenance events.
Cumulative/secondary impacts:
The area to be dredged is either abutting or within an established channel and is subject
to frequent navigation; therefore, adverse impacts to EFH, HPAC, or EFH species from
dredging would be minimal and short-lived. Similarly, adverse impacts to EFH, HPAC,
or EFH species resulting from the placement options would also be minimal and short-
lived on an individual and cumulative effects basis. As a result of these minimal
impacts, mitigation to offset impacts would not be required. This assessment was
provided to the NMFS Southeast Region as part of the EA review; however, NMFS
provided no comments (NMFS is only reviewing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
projects, due to workload and staffing issues).
Dredging will take place in a new area approximately 300 linear feet in length, that
connects to a southwestern route to Bogue Inlet that has been previously dredged. The
dredged material may be sidecast into adjacent waters, placed in the nearshore areas
by hopper dredge, placed on adjacent beaches, or on an approved upland confined site.
Most of the material to be dredged is continually being redistributed by normal tidal
processes and storm events. If the current and new routes require dredging the same
year it would take 10-18 days. Once the new navigation alignment has been
established, periodic maintenance dredging would remove future shoaled sediments
and impacts would be like those occurring during routine maintenance dredging of the
existing federal channel. Accordingly, the long-term noise and sediment disturbance
would be similar to the existing conditions.
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA):
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All dredging and placement activities for the preferred alternative would be conducted in
accordance with the PDCs of the 2020 SARBO and the terms and conditions of the
USFWS Statewide Programmatic BO, thereby meeting USACE responsibilities under
Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA. Adherence to those conditions will minimize but still may
affect sea turtles, sturgeon, sawfish, manatees and whales, piping plover, red knot, and
seabeach amaranth, confirmed through notification from the USFWS (Attachment #6).
The proposed action will result in additional dredging and placement activities in the
area of new dredging and the additional maintenance dredging of the southwest route.
Dredging is not expected to impact any terrestrial vegetation or wildlife.
Impacts would result in additional dredging and sidecasting of material in a new
location. Regardless of time of year or type of dredge plant used, activities will adhere
to all the relevant PDCs of the 2020 SARBO for all dredging and placement activities.
Incidental takes are not anticipated, lethal or non -lethal, as risk of entrainment, ship
strikes, etc. with pipeline and government plant dredges is very low. Dredging during
winter months when the North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) is migrating is not
anticipated to negatively impact the NARW physically or behaviorally.
Consequently, the Corps is relying upon the findings of the 2020 SARBO and the terms
and conditions of the USFWS Statewide Programmatic BO, to meet its responsibilities
under Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA. Following with the PDCs of the 2020 SARBO and the
terms and conditions of the USFWS Statewide Programmatic BO, project activities will
minimize but still may affect sea turtles, sturgeon, sawfish, manatees and whales, piping
plover, red knot, and seabeach amaranth.
Magnuson -Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson
Stevens Act), Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and Habitat Areas of Particular
Concern (HAPC):
An EFH assessment was conducted and available data (EFH Mapper fnoaa.govl)
indicates the area may contain EFH for the following: Atlantic sharpnose shark (juvenile
and adult), big -nose shark (juvenile and adult ), dusky shark (juvenile and adult),
sandbar shark (juvenile and adult), blacktip shark (juvenile and adult), longfin mako
shark (juvenile and adult), night shark (juvenile and adult), scalloped hammerhead
shark (juvenile and adult), tiger shark (juvenile and adult), spiny dogfish (juvenile and
adult), silky shark (juvenile and adult), Thresher shark (juvenile and adult), whitetip
shark (juvenile and adult), black sea bass (larvae, juvenile, adult), cobia (eggs, larvae,
juvenile, adult), summer flounder (larvae, juvenile, adult), bluefish (eggs, larvae,
juvenile, adult), gag grouper (juvenile), gray snapper (juvenile), red drum (eggs, larvae,
juvenile, adult), king mackerel (juvenile and adult), Spanish mackerel (juvenile and
adult), brown shrimp (eggs, larvae, juvenile, adult), pink shrimp (eggs, larvae, juvenile,
adult), white shrimp (eggs, larvae, juvenile, adult). The project area is not located within
waters designated by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries as Primary or
Secondary Nursery Areas.
The Fishery Management Amendments of the South Atlantic Fishery Management
Council identify several categories of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and Habitat Areas of
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description Page 8 of 11

Particular Concern (HAPC). Some of these habitat types are present in Bogue Sound
and may occur within the vicinity of the project area. However, neither dredging nor
sidecasting of material would affect these habitats nor result in more than minimal
impacts to Bogue Sound. The area to be dredged is either abutting or within an
established channel and is subject to frequent navigation; therefore, adverse impacts to
EFH, HPAC, or EFH species from dredging would be minimal and short-lived. Similarly,
adverse impacts to EFH, HPAC, or EFH species resulting from the placement options
would also be minimal and short-lived on an individual and cumulative effects basis. As
a result of these minimal impacts, mitigation to offset impacts would not be required.
The nearshore placement site is in the Atlantic Ocean; therefore, no impacts to
emergent wetlands or SAV would occur. Prior to any sidecast operation, close
coordination with NC Division of Marine Fisheries and the National Marine Fisheries
Service would be conducted to ensure that no more than a minimal level of impact to
SAV would occur. Dredged material would be sandy material and would be expected to
settle out quickly. Prior to each dredging event, SAVs will be identified using the latest
aerial photography and GIS imagery (Attachment #4). A minimum of 100-foot buffer will
be placed around any SAVs identified to protecting them from effects of turbidity and
sedimentation. No dredging or placement, including sidecasting of dredged material,
will occur within 100 feet of identified SAVs, and a 300-foot buffer would be followed to
the greatest extent practicable. Impacts to fisheries and fish habitat (like those above)
during these coordinated events are anticipated to be minor, as they would be short-
term and localized, but could be quantified via comparisons of pre- and post -dredging
imagery.
Dredging may impact the estuarine water columns in the immediate vicinity of the
project. The government sidecast dredge would only work during daylight hours so
there would be no dredging or sidecasting at night. Therefore, sand and sediments
would settle out completely every night. These impacts could include minor and short-
term suspended sediment plumes and related turbidity, as well as the release of soluble
trace constituents from the sediment. Outside the immediate dredging area, turbidity
increases would be less than 25 NTU. Overall water quality impacts resulting from the
dredging alternatives would be short-term and minor. Living estuarine and marine
resources dependent upon good water quality would not experience more than minimal,
temporary adverse impacts due to water quality changes. Dredging and sidecasting are
not expected to significantly impact wetlands, SAV, or estuarine water column EFHs.
No significant impacts to estuarine water columns would occur as a result of placement
operations in a diked placement facility. Material placed in the nearshore placement
site, within the existing beach placement area on Emerald Isle, in Bogue Inlet Shoal, or
from sidecasting, would be sandy material and would be expected to settle quickly.
Adverse impacts to the estuarine water column would be within the immediate vicinity of
the placement operation and would be minimal and short-lived.
Neither dredging nor dredged material placement within the project area are expected
to significantly impact wetlands, SAV, or estuarine water column EFHs.
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Intertidal Flat, Oyster Reef, and Shell Bank habitat types are present in Bogue Sound
and may occur within the vicinity of the project area. However, neither dredging nor
sidecasting of material would affect these habitats.
While smaller clumps of Sargassum may float into waters adjacent to the existing beach
placement site on Emerald Isle and the nearshore placement area, it typically occurs
much farther offshore. Sargassum would not be affected by the proposed dredging or
placement options.
Reef -forming corals are not present in the proposed dredging or sidecast areas so there
would be no impacts to them.
The NC Division of Marine Fisheries oversees 3 artificial reefs within 10 miles of the
project area. The artificial reef site nearest to the project area is AR 381, located 1.4
miles north of the of the project area. None of the alternatives considered would impact
NCARP reefs.
Dredging would not affect any hardbottoms. None of the alternatives considered would
affect hardbottoms.
Neither the proposed dredging nor the placement of dredged material options would
result in more than minimal impacts to Bogue Sound.
The project area and the vicinity in which sidecast placement would occur are not
located in the marine environment; therefore, they would not impact the marine water
column.
For FY24, dredging of the channels would occur depending on need and available
funding, and the proposed action will dredge no deeper or wider than the existing
authorized channel limits (-6 feet with 2 feet allowable overdepth and 90 feet wide). The
sidecast or placement of dredged material within the nearshore area would settle
through the water column quickly due to the sandy nature of the material. Any turbidity
would be short-lived, temporary, and confined to the immediate discharge area. An
environmental window to conduct all dredging activities from November 16 to March 31
will protect fisheries resources. Therefore, the proposed project would not have a
substantial adverse effect on EFH.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA):
The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office's (SHPO) Historic Resources data
HPOWEB 2.0 (arcgis.com) Map Service was queried to identify known cultural
resources in and near the project area (North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
2022). This service provides information for sites listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, sites designated as Local Landmarks, and other data useful in
considering potential impacts to cultural resources but typically does not include
submerged resources. According to HPOWEB, the only extant terrestrial historic
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description Page 10 of 11

property in the project vicinity is the Bogue Inlet Coast Guard Station (Site ID CR1407),
which is not listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The
original location of the Bogue Inlet Life Saving Station (Site ID CR0557) is also in the
project area; however, the station is no longer standing. Executive Order 11593 states
that the Federal Government shall provide leadership in preserving, restoring, and
maintaining the historic and cultural environment of the Nation. No alternatives
considered would adversely affect cultural resources. All alternatives will be in full
compliance with Executive Order 11593 following completion of the NEPA process.
For FY24, dredging and associated dredged material placement should have no effect
on historic properties (Attachment #7). Due to past dredging and survey history in the
project area it is unlikely, but possible, that during the project, sunken vessel remains or
associated artifacts would be encountered. Therefore, plans and specifications
associated with the project will state that in the event cultural resources including, but
not limited to, sunken vessel remains, or associated artifacts are discovered during
dredging activities, the USACE shall be immediately notified and the resource(s) in
question shall be protected from further disturbance until instructed otherwise. Should
cultural resources be discovered, the USACE would consult with the North Carolina
Office of State Archaeology and the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office to
determine appropriate action. Dredging work in the project area would only continue
following consultation pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act.
Conclusion:
The conclusion is that the proposed new and maintenance dredging of the Bogue Inlet
navigation channels for the USCG Station Emerald Isle, utilizing various dredge types
and placement options, would not substantially adversely affect EFH, and would
minimally affect endangered species, so long as all mitigative measures are followed. In
addition, the proposed project should not affect historic resources. No mitigation would
be required for the proposed dredging, as there would be no loss to waters of the United
States, including wetlands or other special aquatic sites.
Based on this determination, the proposed project should qualify for another 10-year
individual regulatory permit.
Attachments:
#1 — Federal Consistency Determination
#2 — Adjacent landowner addresses
#3 — Project overview map with prior dredging locations
#4 — Project overview map with estimate of dredge material and showing state -mapped
SAV in vicinity
#5 — 2023 new channel "shortcut" area depth map and estimate of dredged material
#6 — USFWS coordination and comments email
#7 — State Historic Preservation Office concurrence letter
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description Page 11 of 11

Attachment #1 — Federal Consistency Determination
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description

Attachment #2 — Adjacent landowner addresses
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description

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Attachment #3 — Project overview map with prior dredging locations
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description

Attachment #4 — Project overview map with estimate of dredge material and
showing state -mapped SAV in vicinity
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description

Attachment #5 — 2023 new channel "shortcut" area depth map and estimate of
dredged material
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description

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Attachment #6 — USFWS coordination and comments email
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description

From:
Matthews. Kathryn H
To:
Overstreet. Jeremy R CIV USARMY CESAW (USA)
Cc:
Ellis. John
Subject:
[Non-DoD Source] Re: [EXTERNAL] Draft Environmental Assessment Availability - US Coast Guard Emerald Isle
Station
Date:
Friday, August 19, 2022 7:11:40 PM
Attachments:
USCG Public Notice.odf
USFWS USCG EA Transmittal Letter 17AUG2022.odf
Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for the opportunity to review the Final Draft FA for this project. Since beach
placement is proposed to follow the requirements of the 2017 SPBO, and the Corps also
proposes to follow the 2017 Manatee Guidelines, I don't have objections or significant
comments on the project. I agree that sand placement from the project may be covered
under the USFWS 2017 Statewide Programmatic Biological Opinion for North Carolina Coastal
Beach Sand Placement.
However, I do recommend a revision to language in the FA to accurately reflect the species
determinations that should be made.
On Page 34, the FA states: "All conditions and conservation recommendations of the USFWS
2017 North Carolina Coastal Beach Sand Placement, Statewide Programmatic Biological
Opinion will be abided by, therefore no impacts to T&F species including Seabeach Amaranth
are anticipated. The roseate tern, eastern black rail and sensitive joint -vetch are not likely to
occur within the project area. The West Indian manatee may be present, however, by
following the 2017 USFWS Guidelines for Avoiding Impacts to the West Indian Manatee, no
impacts are anticipated."
Then, Page 36 states: "All dredging and placement activities for the No Action alternative
would be conducted in accordance with the PDCs of the 2020 SARBO and the terms and
conditions of the USFWS Statewide Programmatic BO, thereby leading to a may affect, not
likely to adversely affect determination for sea turtles, sturgeon, sawfish, manatee and
whales, piping plover, red knot, and seabeach amaranth." Page 37 has similar language for
Alternatives 2 and 3.
It is important to note that the 2017 USFWS SPBO provides coverage to the Corps for potential
adverse impacts to listed species from the project, so it is not appropriate to indicate that
there will be no effect or no adverse effects. There may be adverse affects, but the Corps is
covered if the project complies with the SPBO. This only applies for the species covered by
the SPBO (sea turtles, red knot, piping plover, seabeach amaranth, and the various critical
habitats found on Bogue Banks). The same is true for the SARBO. It provides legal coverage
for potential adverse impacts to listed species under the purview of NMFS, so a NF or
MAN LAA determination should not be made for those species.

For West Indian manatee, it is fine to make a MANLAA determination if the 2017 Manatee
Guidelines are followed (but I would not recommend "no effect"), because the Guidelines are
intended to minimize the potential for adverse impacts to the manatee.
So, I would separate manatee from the other species and state that the adherence to the
2017 Manatee Guidelines will avoid and minimize the potential for adverse impacts to West
Indian manatee, and therefore the three alternatives are not likely to adversely affect that
species.
For the species covered by the USFWS SPBO and NMFS SARBO, I would revise the language to
make a determination of "May Affect, but the Corps is relying upon the findings of the USFWS
2017 North Carolina Coastal Beach Sand Placement, Statewide Programmatic Biological
Opinion and the 2020 SARBO to meet its responsibilities under Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA."
I hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have questions.
Please note that i om teleworking Wednesday through Friday, every week. Emoil is the best
way to reach me. Thanks,
Kathy Matthews
NC Renewable Energy Coordinator &
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
551-F Pylon Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
919-856-4520, x. 27
From: Overstreet, Jeremy R CIV USARMY CESAW (USA) <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 4:51 PM
To: Benjamin, Pete <pete_benja min @fws.gov>
Cc: Matthews, Kathryn H <[e-mail]>; Ellis, John <[e-mail]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Draft Environmental Assessment Availability - US Coast Guard Emerald Isle
Station
This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on
links, opening attachments, or responding.
Mr. Benjamin,

Please find the attached letter and public notice for the US Coast Guard Emerald Isle Station
channel dredging and maintenance Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). An electronic
version of the Draft EA is available on the USACE, Wilmington District website.
Your comments are appreciated.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Jeremy Overstreet
Biologist, Environmental Resources Section
Wilmington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
69 Darlington Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28402
Office: 910-251-4700

Attachment #7 — State Historic Preservation Office concurrence letter
USCG Emerald Isle Dredging project description

,4 STArZ a
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
State Historic Preservation Office
Ramona M. Bartos, Administrator
Governor Roy Cooper
Secretary D. Reid Wilson
June 26, 2023
Justin Bashaw
Environmental Resources Section
US Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District
69 Darlington Ave
Wilmington, NC 28403
Office of Archives and History
Deputy Secretary, Darin J. Waters, Ph.D.
Justin. P. B ashaw&usace. army.mil
Re: Maintenance Dredging, USCG Facility, Emerald Isle, Carteret County, ER 07-2129
Dear Mr. Bashaw:
Thank you for your correspondence of May 19, 2023, received May 25, 2023, regarding the above -referenced
undertaking. We would like to take the opportunity to offer the following comments.
After reviewing the information provided from An Archaeological Remote Sensing Survey of the U.S. Coast Guard
Access Channel, Emerald Isle, North Carolina, (May 27, 2008) conducted by Mid -Atlantic Technology and
Environmental Research, Inc., it is our opinion that the proposed new "shortcut" USCG navigational route has been
adequately assessed for the presence of unknown submerged cultural resources.
Despite Bogue Inlet being an area of high potential for cultural resources associated with historic maritime activity,
the 2008 survey indicates a low probability of encountering unknown resources within the Area of Potential Effect
that may be potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. We, therefore, concur with the
Corps' determination that the proposed dredging of the additional USCG navigation route described in the August
2022 Environmental Assessment should have no effect on historic properties. If unknown cultural resources (Le.,
shipwreck remains, etc.) are encountered, dredging operations should cease immediately in that area and professional
staff at our office be contacted to make an assessment before work continues in that location.
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 comment, contact
Renee Gledhill -Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919-814-6579 or environmental.review ,ncdcr.aov. In
all future communication concerning this project, please cite the above referenced tracking number.
Sincerely,
R_1� ):�Lk �A_
Ramona Bartos, Deputy
State Historic Preservation Officer
Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: [phone]-6898