Bio Report - 10-25-2024 14_04

DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Fnviranmenra! FIELD INVESTIGATION REPORT
QG<)Ilty
1. APPLICANT'S NAME: Jeffrey Vreugdenhil
2. LOCATION OF PROJECT SITE: 240 North Shore Road Beaufort, NC 28516
Longitude:-76.62263 Latitude: 34.72775
3. INVESTIGATION TYPE:
4. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE:
Date of Visit
Purpose of Visit
Applicant Present?
10/17/2024
ni�or ermit site visit
No
5. PROCESSING PROCEDURE -
Application Received
Application Complete
I Regional Office
10/14/2024
10/21/2024
1 DCM - Morehead City Regional Office
6. SITE DESCRIPTION:
(A) Local Land Use Plan: Town of Beaufort, CARTERET
Land Classification from LUP: Land Classification From LUPs
(B) AEC(s) Involved: Estuarine and Ocean System, Coastal Shoreline, Estuarine
Shoreline, Public Trust Areas, Estuarine Waters
(C) Water Dependent: Yes
(D) Intended Use: Private/Community
(E) Wastewater Treatment:
Existing:
Planned: N/A
(F) Type of Structures:
Existing: Boat Ramp, Boat ramp, Excavation, Access channel(canal),
Excavation(maintenance), Basin, Marina
Planned: Excavation, Access channel(canal), Disposal area,
Excavation(maintenance), Basin
(G) Estimated Annual Rate of Erosion:
Erosion Information Source: Annual Erosion Source
7. HABITAT DESCRIPTION:
DREDGED ft2
FILLED ft2
OTHER ft2
A Open Water
CW's above NHW
C CW's below NHW
Shallow Bottom
68750
High Ground
Non -Coastal WL
(E) Total Area Disturbed: 68750 W
(F) Primary Nursery Area: No
(G) Water Classification: HQW: High Quality Waters; SA: Market Shellfishing, Tidal
Salt Water
Field Investigation Report: Jeffrey Vreugdenhil
DCM Major Permit
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Open to Shellfishing: Yes and No
Field Investigation Report: Jeffrey Vreugdenhil
DCM Major Permit
Page 12

8. PROJECT SUMMARY:
The applicant is proposing a major modification to existing major permit 161-07 (set to expire
on 12/31/24) to perform maintenance excavation of 68,750 sf (10,185 cubic yards) of bottom
substrate of the existing canal and marina basin, which includes expansion into North River,
but remaining within the previously authorized dredge footprint, to a final depth of -6'
MLW/NLW.
9. NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION:
The Howland Rock POA project was permitted previously through major permit 161-07 for
maintenance excavation, marina basin expansion and docking facility additions within an
existing developed subdivision that house individual single-family homes with private docking
facilities, a 9-slip residential marina within an upland basin, parking area, boat ramp, covered
high ground platform, subdivision pier and platform and an existing canal entrance groin.
These areas have been routinely maintained by excavation of 1,000cy or less of the shallow
areas through the CAMA General Permit process throughout the years but also were issued a
renewal with the maintenance 5 clause to permit 161-07 on 2/19/2020 that is set to expire on
12/31/2024. The water depths along this shoreline currently range from -2' nlw to -6' nlw. The
Division of Water Quality classifies this area as SA/HQW Waters. This part of North River is
not a designated Primary Nursery Area and is conditionally closed to the taking of shellfish.
The bottom is a muddy sandy substrate. The Town of Beaufort's Land Use Plan classifies this
area as Residential with Conservation within the AEC. No shellfish resources were noted
within the marina basin or within the entrance canal and channel. The shoreline for the
proposed maintenance excavation area (includes SFR shorelines along the canal) is
approximately 2,000'. There are single-family homes to the east and the west of the project
site.
10. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The proposal would include the dredge footprint of the existing basin and canal area into the
waters of North River to the natural -6' contour, not extending beyond the previously
authorized dredge footprint into North River. According to the applicant the purpose and intent
of increasing the dredge footprint and depth is to receive authorization under a Major Permit
Modification to the existing major permit 161-07 to help avoid individual property owners
requiring general permits individually and to help streamline the permitting process for
property owners, the Division, and all other reviewing agencies. The dredge footprint would
end approximately 70' waterward from the corner of the bulkhead containing the community
pier and would not exceed the previously authorized dredge footprint. The applicant also states
that a bathymetric survey and an in -water assessment was completed on 6/28/2024 at 6;45 pm
during a normal low tide and no SAV was found within the proposed dredge footprint and that
besides the opportunistic growth of oysters on pilings and bulkhead walls, no significant
presence of shellfish resources was observed. Approximately 10,185 cubic yards of bottom
substrate material would be removed from all proposed dredge areas with a total length of 550'
and depending on location, from a 40' to 125' width (at the widest point) for the excavation
dimensions. The proposed final excavation depth would be - 6' nlw and would require the
removal of approximately 10,185 cubic yards of muddy sand. Current water depths within the
canal and basin range from -2 to -3' nlw depending on location and connecting water depths
Field Investigation Report: Jeffrey Vreugdenhil
DCM Major Permit
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are -6' nlw. The excavation method proposed is bucket to barge, and spoils would be removed
to an approved inland location outside of the project area once a contractor is selected. No
additional formalized slips are being proposed with this maintenance excavation expansion and
the facility would not have a change of use from the originally permitted facility.
11. ANTICIPATED IMPACTS:
The proposed excavation would produce temporary turbidity in the water column and cause
68,750 square feet of disturbance to shallow bottom habitat. A total of 10,185 cubic yards of
material would be removed to a final depth of -6' nlw. No coastal wetlands would be impacted
during this project and there would be no impact to SAV or shellfish resources. Spoils would be
removed to an approved inland location outside of the project area once a contractor is selected
and would not involve the fill of noncoastal wetlands or allow runoff into the adjacent waterbody.
Name: Heather Styron Date: 10-25-2024 Office: DCM - Morehead City Regional Office
Field Investigation Report: Jeffrey Vreugdenhil
DCM Major Permit
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