20231381 Ver 1_CMDF_Weber and Doughtie_NCWRC_20231026

� North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Division of Coastal Management
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
�TI
FROM: Maria T. Dunn, Coastal Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Division
DATE: October 25, 2023
SUBJECT: CAMA Dredge/Fill Permit Application for Eric Weber and Nita Doughtie, Dare
County, North Carolina.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed the permit
application with regard to impacts on fish and wildlife resources. The project site is located at 183 and 185
Bayview Drive in Stumpy Point, NC adjacent Stumpy Point Bay. Our comments are provided in accordance
with provisions of the Coastal Area Management Act (G.S. 113A-100 through 113A-128), as amended,
Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, as amended, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16
U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the Magnuson -Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (FCMA), as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), & the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712 et seq.).
The applicant proposes to fill 482 ft2 of Section 404 wetlands when installing a 94' long bulkhead between
two properties that connect two existing bulkheads. The alignment of the structure is landward the normal
water line and within wetlands. Stumpy Point Bay at this location is classified SA HQW by the
Environmental Management Commission and is open to shellfish harvesting.
The NCWRC has reviewed the permit application and noticed that the alignment of the bulkhead may be
able to be moved completely landward Section 404 wetlands to avoid wetland fill. Riparian wetlands,
especially adjacent to SA HQW classified waters, provide important habitat opportunities and improve
water quality conditions. These functions are reasons why avoidance and minimization of wetland fill is
important. Moving the alignment completely landward Section 404 wetlands removes wetland fill and may
still allow connectivity to the existing bulkhead structure. Additional measures to allow shoreline
stabilization with allowance for wetland migration and coastal resiliency include using a riprap
sill/revetment rather than a vertical structure or installing a retaining wall further landward to allow wetland
migration.
We appreciate the opportunity to review and comment on this permit application. If you need further
assistance or additional information, please contact me at maria.dunn(cr�,ncwildlife.org or [phone].
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]