State Position on Crosswinds Marina Floating Breakwater

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
512 North Salisbury Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary

March 24, 1993

Colonel Walter S. Tulloch
District Engineer
Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers
Post Office Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890

Dear Colonel Tulloch:

I am writing to summarize the State's position on the
breakwater at Crosswinds Marina, following a number of meetings
involving the Wilmington District, the Division of Parks and
Recreation, and the concessionaire. After reviewing all the
available information, we have concluded that the breakwater is
failing prematurely, primarily due to corrosion of the metal
moorings and to the deterioration and saturation of the
flotation material.

The State of North Carolina has not accepted operating and
management responsibilities for the breakwater. It is important
for us to reach agreement on this issue, which is critical to the
usability of the marina.

It appears that the Corps is reluctant to consider repair
and rehabilitation of the breakwater unless there is a commitment
for non-Federal operation and maintenance. On the other hand,
the State and the concessionaire are reluctant to consider an
agreement for non-Federal operation and maintenance unless the
breakwater is rehabilitated in such a way to assure that it can
be operated and maintained at a reasonable cost.

To move toward a resolution of this problem, we need for
the Corps of Engineers to prepare a design and cost estimate,
showing how the breakwater can be rebuilt and rehabilitated. The
S tate and the concessionaire can then consider this design and
d etermine if we are able to take on operation and maintenance
responsibilities.

P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 276tt-7687 *Telephone [phone] Fax [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Colonel Walter S. Tulloch
March 24, 1993
Page 2

The breakwater is still rapidly deteriorating and resolving
the issue is urgent. Please let us know if you agree with this
direction or if you have other ideas about how to resolve this
serious problem.

Sincerely yours,

John N. Morris, Director
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES

JNM/va

cc: Assistant Secretary Joan A. Weld
Dr. Philip K. McKnelly
Mr. Tom R. Wells