20230616 Ver 1_DMF Comments_20230614

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
BRAXTON DAVIS
Director
May 1, 2023
MEMORANDUM:
�fQ
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
FROM: Cameron Luck, Assistant Major Permits Coordinator
NCDEQ - Division of Coastal Management
400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, NC 28557
Fax: [phone] (Courier 11-12-09)
cameron.luck(a)NCDENR.gov
SUBJECT: CAMA / D&F
Applicant: Meyerhoffer Associates, LLC
Project Location: 1475 Kings Landing Rd., adj. to AIWW and Topsail Sound, Hampstead, Pender
County.
Proposed Project: The applicant proposes to expand an existing private docking facility (by adding a
new platform, boatlift and floating dock) and replace an existing bulkhead,
creating a total of three (3) boat slips.
Please indicate below your agency's position or viewpoint on the proposed project and
return this form to Cameron Luck at the address above by May 25, 2023. If you have any questions
regarding the proposed project, contact Jason Dail at [phone] 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.
XThis 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.
PRINT NAME Kimberlee Harding
AGENCY NCDMF
SIGNATURE
DATE 6/14/23
D EQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Coastal Management
Wilmington Office 1 127 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
NORTH CAROLINA -
Wpae em of en,imn W Quail /`� 910.796.7215

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISE2
Secretary
KATHY B. PAWLS
Director
U UI..\1 U
TO: Cameron Luck, Assistant Major Permits Coordinator
FROM: Kimberlee Harding, NCDMF Fisheries Resource Specialist
SUBJECT: Meyerhoffer Associates, LLC
DATE: June 14, 2023
A North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Fisheries Resource Specialist has
reviewed the CAMA Permit application for proposed actions that impact fish and fish
habitats. The applicant proposes to expand an existing private docking facility (by adding a
new platform, boatlift, and floating dock) and replace an existing bulkhead, creating a total
of three boat slips. The waters of Topsail Sound (adjacent to the project site) are classified
as SA by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources. They are not designated as a
Primary Nursery Area (PNA) by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, and they
are open to the harvest of shellfish.
The applicant is proposing to install a new vinyl bulkhead waterward of the existing failing
concrete bulkhead. The new bulkhead is proposed to step out a maximum of 6' from the
current bulkhead that would fill 200' of coastal wetlands. The applicant does not provide a
purpose or need for the new bulkhead alignment that requires coastal wetland fill.
Therefore, the Division recommends minimization of coastal wetland impacts by installing
the new bulkhead 2' waterward of the existing bulkhead.
A DMF staff member conducted a site visit on June 14, 2023. Staff did not observe any
submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) within the proposed footprint of the expanded
docking facility. However, very healthy SAV beds were observed a short distance from the
docking facility. SAV is a vital component to the estuarine system and is prime nursery area
for many fisheries species, such as gag grouper, flounder, red drum, black sea bass,
weakfish and Atlantic croaker. SAV supports high diversity of foraging fish and
invertebrates and provides valuable ecosystem services as a primary producer and
enhancer of water quality. SAV filters water, stabilizes sediment and provides refuge for
juvenile finfish, crabs and shrimp. SAV reproduces by rhizomes and will spread within
suitable SAV habitat.
Therefore, to minimize impacts to potential SAV habitat, the Division recommends the base
of the gazebo be constructed with materials that allows sufficient light penetration for SAV
growth, such as ventilated planks or use of gap of 1" between deckboards . The Division
State of North Carolina I Division of Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell Street I P.O. Box 769 I Morehead City, North Carolina 28557
252-726-7021

further recommends the floating dock include physical stops constructed 18" above the
bottom substrate to prevent the structure from resting on the sediment.
Contact Kimberlee Harding at 910-796-7286 or [e-mail] with
further questions or concerns.
State of North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell Street I P.O. Box 769 Morehead City, North Carolina 28557
252-726-7021