20081615 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20090303

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Permit Class 'D g
NEW
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
and
Coastal Resources Commission
ermi t
for
Permit Number
22-09
X Major Development in an Area of Environmental Concern 1�9'1'19<,,
pursuant to NCGS 113A-118 `0�94
X Excavation and/or filling pursuant to NCGS 113-229
Issued to Town of Topsail Beach, 820 S. Anderson Boulevard, Topsail Beach, NC 28445
Authorizing development in Pender Counties at New Topsail Inlet and Ocean Beach,
within Town limits -------,as requested in the permittee's application dated 2/9/09, AEC Hazard Notice
dated 8/26/08 mitigation/monitoring plan dated received 2/9/09, and workplan drawings (7), all dated Received 2/9/09.
This permit, issued on February 27, 2009 , is subject to compliance with the application (where consistent
with the permit), all applicable regulations, special conditions and notes set forth below. Any violation of these terms may
be subject to fines, imprisonment or civil action; or may cause the permit to be null and void.
1) In order to protect threatened and endangered species and to minimize adverse impacts to offshore,
nearshore, intertidal and beach resources no excavation or beach nourishment activities shall occur
from April 1 to November 15 of any year without prior approval from the Division of Coastal
Management in consultation with the Division of Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources
Commission.
Excavation
2) All excavation activities shall take place entirely within the areas indicated on attached Figure No.
4.2 (Modified Footprint of Borrow Area X). In order to minimize impacts to aquatic resources, and in
accordance with commitments made by the permittee, no excavation shall take place within Borrow
Area X cuts 1 and 2, and the landward 100 foot portion of Borrow Area X, Cut 3.
(See attached sheets for Additional Conditions)
This permit action may be appealed by the permittee or
other qualified persons within twenty (20) days of the issuing
date. An appeal requires resolution prior to work initiation or
continuance as the case may be.
This permit must be accessible on-site to Department
personnel when the project is inspected for compliance.
Any maintenance work or project modification not covered
hereunder requires further Division approval.
All work must cease when the permit expires on
December 31, 2012
Signed by the authority of the Secretary of DENR and the
Chairman of the Coastal Resources Commission.
L
James H. dgson, Director
Division of Coastal Management
This permit and its conditions are hereby accepted.
In issuing this permit, the State of North Carolina agrees
that your project is consistent with the North Carolina Coastal
Management Program. Signature of Permittee

Town of Topsail Beach Permit #22-09
Page 2 of 5
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
3) Excavation shall not exceed —32' (NAVD 83). Overdredging is specifically prohibited.
4) Excavation shall be accomplished by cutter suction hydraulic dredge. Use of any other method of
excavation shall require modification of this permit.
Beach Nourishment
5) This permit authorizes beach nourishment activities to be carried out one (1) time along the entire reach
of the requested project area. Any request to carry out additional activities within an area where
nourishment activities have been completed under this permit shall require a modification of this permit.
6) Prior to the initiation of beach nourishment activity along each section of beach, the existing mean high
water line shall be surveyed and a copy provided to the Division of Coastal Management.
NOTE: The permittee is advised that the State of North Carolina claims title to all currently submerged
lands and any future lands that are raised above the Mean High Water level as a result of this
proj ect.
7) Prior to the initiation of any beach nourishment activity above the normal high water contour (NHW)
within the limits of the permittee's jurisdiction, easements or similar legal instruments shall be obtained
from all impacted property owners.
8) Prior to the initiation of any beach nourishment activity, the permittee shall coordinate with the Division
of Coastal Management to determine the static vegetation line that shall be used as the reference point
for measuring future oceanfront setbacks. The static vegetation line, which is defined as the vegetation
line that existed within one year prior to the onset of initial project construction, shall be established
using on -ground observation and survey or aerial imagery. This static vegetation line shall then be
marked and a survey depicting this static vegetation line shall be submitted to the Division of Coastal
Management prior to any beach nourishment activities.
9) The seaward nourishment limit shall be conducted in accordance with the approved work plat labeled
Typical Resultant Beach Profile Figure 6 dated received 2/9/09.
10) Temporary dikes shall be used to retain and direct flow of material parallel to the shoreline to minimize
surf zone turbidities. The temporary dikes shall be removed and the beach graded in accordance with
approved profiles upon completion of pumping activities in that particular section of beach.
11) Should the dredging operations encounter sand deemed non -compatible with 1.5A NCAC 0714 .0312
(Technical Standards for Beach Fill Projects), the dredge operator shall immediately cease operation and
contact the NCDCM. Dredge operations shall resume only after resolution of the issue of sand
compatibility.
12) In order to prevent leakage, dredge pipes shall be routinely inspected. If leakage is found and repairs
cannot be made immediately, pumping of material shall stop until such leaks are fixed.

Town of Topsail Beach
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Permit #22-09
Page 3 of 5
13) Once a section is complete, piping and heavy equipment shall be removed or shifted to a new section
and the area graded and dressed to final approved slopes.
14) Land-based equipment necessary for beach nourishment work shall be brought to the site through
existing accesses. Should the work result in any damage to existing accesses, the accesses shall be
restored to pre -project conditions immediately upon project completion in that specific area.
NOTE: The permittee is advised that any new access site would require a modification of this permit.
15) Where oceanfront development exists at elevations nearly equal to that of the native beach, a low
protective dune shall be pushed up along the backbench to prevent slurry from draining towards the
development.
16) Dune disturbance shall be kept to a minimum. Any alteration of existing dunes shall be coordinated
with the Division of Coastal Management as well as the appropriate property owner(s). All disturbed
areas shall be restored to original contours and configuration with reference to the surveyed normal high
water line and shall be revegetated immediately following project completion in that specific area.
Mitigation and Monitoring
17) Unless specifically altered herein, the permittee shall fully implement the attached Sea Turtle, Bird,
Macroinvertebrate/Infaunal Species, and Habitat Monitoring plans, including all reporting requirements.
18) The frequency of the required bird monitoring is as follows:
a. Every 10 days during spring migration (March 1 to April 30),
b. Approximately every 15 days during breeding season (May 1 to July 13),
c. Approximately every 10 days during fall migration (July 1.4 to November 30), and
d. Monthly from December through February.
This monitoring schedule shall be performed for one year prior to project initiation and three years
following project completion.
19) In order to ensure that individuals selected to carry out the bird monitoring plan have the qualifications
needed to carry out this work, the permittee shall coordinate any such selection with the Wildlife
Resources Commission prior to selecting individuals to conduct any aspect of the bird monitoring plan.
20) Immediately after completion of the beach nourishment project, and prior to the next three sea turtle
nesting seasons, beach compaction shall be monitored and tilling shall be conducted as deemed
necessary by the Division of Coastal Management in coordinatio i with appropriate review agencies.
21) Immediately after completion of any phase of the beach nourishment project, and prior to the next three
nesting seasons, monitoring shall be conducted to determine if escarpments are present that would affect
nesting sea turtles or public access: If such escarpments are present, the permittee shall coordinate with
the Division of Coastal Management for necessary remediation.

Town of Topsail Beach
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Permit #22-09
Page 4 of 5
22) Unless specifically modified herein, all mitigative commitments and/or biological monitoring
commitments made during the environmental review process as found in the Final Environmental
Impact Statement shall be adhered to.
Cultural Resource Protection
23) There exists the possibility that the authorized activities may unearth a beached shipwreck. Should such
a finding occur, the permittee shall immediately move to another area. The NCDCR Underwater
Archaeology Branch shall be contacted at [phone] to determine appropriate response procedures.
General
24) This permit shall not be assigned, transferred, sold, or otherwise disposed of to a third party without the
written approval of the Division of Coastal Management.
25) The permittee and/or his contractor shall schedule a pre -construction conference with the Division of
Coastal Management prior to the initiation of any dredging activities.
26) The permittee shall obtain any necessary authorizations or approvals from the US Army Corps of
Engineers prior to initiation of any permitted activity. All conditions of this Federal approval shall be
adhered to.
27) The permittee and/or his contractor shall provide for proper storage and handling of all oils, chemicals,
hydraulic fluids, etc., necessary to carry out the project.
28) The N.C. Division of Water Quality has authorized the proposed project under General Water Quality
Certification No. 3777 (DWQ Project No. 081615), which was issued on 12/30/08. Any violation of the
Water Quality Certification shall also be considered a violation of this CAMA Permit.
29) No sand shall be placed on any sand bags that have been determined by the Division of Coastal
Management to be subject to removal under 15A NCAC 07H .0308(a)(2). In order to ensure
compliance with this condition, the Division of Coastal Management shall be contacted at (910) 796-
7215 prior to project initiation so that Division staff may meet on site with the permittee and/or
contractor.
NOTE: The permittee is advised that the Division of Coastal Management shall regulate the removal of
existing sandbags and the placement of new sandbags in accordance with 15A NCAC 07H
.0308(a)(2)(F), or in accordance with any variances granted by the N.C. Coastal Resources
Commission.
NOTE: This permit does not eliminate the need to obtain any additional state, federal or local permits,
approvals or authorizations that may be required.

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6i. No Wetland Delineation is necessary.
6j. Signed AEC Hazard Notice
/ AEC HAZARD NOTICE
Project Is In An: `� Ocean Erodible Area U' High Hazard Flood Area Inlet Hazard Area
Property Owner.An easement to the Town of Topsail Beach will be in place before work begins
The northern project limit is located approximately 2000 ft north of the
Property Address:T605ail [',each/Surf City Town limits and the southern limit is located
approximately 1000 ft south of Godwin Avenue.
Date Lot Was Platted: N/A
This notice is intended to make you, the applicant, aware of the
special risks and conditions associated with development in tilts
area, which is subject its natural hazards such as stor)ns, erosion
and currents. The trues of tine Uiastatl Ri sourccs Commission
require that you receive an At"(.. Hazard Notice andacknowledge
that notice in writing before a permit for development can be
is -wed,
The C:ornmission's rules an Wilding standards, oceanfront
setbacks and dune alterations are de:sigited to minimizd, bill not
clinlinatc, property loss (roll) hazards. 13Y granting p rnlits, the
(7oastal Resources Commission does not giraru?tee Ille safety of
tine development and assumes no liability fi)r future damage to
the development. Penins issued in the Ocean Hazard Area of
Environmental Concern include the condition that structures be
relocated orulismtantled ifthey become innnnineully threatened by
changes in shoreline eontigtrration. The stnrcture(s) must be
relocated or disranatttllcd within (Wo (2) yr,us vi`i�e umuug
imininctutly thrc,ttened, and in any case upon its colial)w or
subsidence.
`file best available inforn)ation, as accepted by the Coastal
ltesotrrccs C,'ornmissiun, indicates that fine arnnud long -krill
average ocean erosion rare for tine arta where your property is
Loc ted is_� feel per year.
The rate was establislicd by careful analysis ofaerial photographs
of the coastline taken over the past St? years,
Studies also indicate that lire shurclncec^ouht mote as much as
fr35-15 fret landward to a major storm.
T sic flood waters in a major r $torrn are prtdlcled to be about
! 2 C feet deep in this arca.
Preferred oceanfront protection rile )attics are beach nounshrilent
and relocation of threatened grucl)res. Hard erosion control
so Wines such as bulkheads, seawalls, revetments, groins,jettics
and breakwaters are. prohihiled,'Icrnporary sand bags may he
autitorired umterecrtain conditions.
The applicant must acknoa lodge this nfi)rntation and reyuireutt-nts
by signing this notice in the space below. Without the proper
signartau, the application will not he complete.
It � e 8/16/2008
APPlicaut siyrralure naty
SPECIAL NOTE:'T his hazaitt notice is required tordevcloptllertt
in arcus qlbiect 141 sudden and onassive stonrrsanderosion, Permits
issued fi'tr dcirelopment in this :Hca expire on December 31 of the
third year firlhawing the year in which the pernnit was issued.
Shortly More work begins on the project site, tine Local Permit
Cifficer inust be contacted to determine Clic vegetation line, and
setback dr manor: at your site. I f the property has seen little change
since file time of ticrulif issuance, and the proposed development
can still rncet the setback requirenncnl, the. LPO will infonn you
that you nuay begin work. Substantial progress oil the prcliect
must be made within 60 days of this setback determination, or
the setback onist he remeasured. Also, the occurrence ora major
shureline change as fine result ofa storm within the 6t7 -day period
will necessitate renleasnrernent of the setback. It is important
that you check with the LP0 before the }Henna expires forotTrcial
approval to continue the work alter the pennit has expired.
C;errur;tlly, if (n}Cud}rlinn }?icings have j>c;cu placed and substssntnl
Progress is confinuing, permit renewal can be authorized. It
unhtwfot to continue work after permit expiration,
For srarein,frrnariuor, cmrtacl:
err3)ii (ItreCr 1�GYx =-� e- /d Aell .
NC DIV. OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Add CARDINAt+
WILMINGTON, NG
Locality z t
F
Phony: Mitil gar
Revised 2/07
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.

5j. Monitoring Plan
The following has been taken from the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (July 2008) and may change as final approval has not been received.
6.4 MONITORING INITIATIVES
Several monitoring initiatives are either currently in-place or have been proposed for the
Topsail Beach Interim (Emergency) Beach Fill Project. A description of existing and
proposed monitoring initiatives is included below.
6.4.1 Bird Monitoring
Purpose and Goals
In support of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Supplemental EIS) for
the Topsail Beach Interim (Emergency) Beach Fill Project, a Shorebird Monitoring Plan
has been developed to provide information on indigenous and migratory bird species
found nesting, roosting, foraging and wintering in the vicinity of the permit area,
particularly the tidal flats found in and around New Topsail Inlet (Figure 1) that may be
impacted by construction activities. This plan is in response to the concerns expressed by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), and the North Carolina Wildlife
Resource Commission (NCWRC). Both pre- and post -construction monitoring of
shorebirds will be conducted.
Sampling Methodology and Frequency
Bird monitoring will be conducted by walking the beaches and inlet areas noting
shorebird and colonial waterbird species observed, habitat utilization, behavior and
numbers of State and Federally listed species, gull -billed terns and piping plovers. In
addition to numbers and species types, any banded bird sightings are recorded.
Observations of banded birds can provide information about migration patterns, habitat
utilization and life cycles. At this time, sampling frequency has not been determined.
Report Preparation
After constriction of the proposed project, bird monitoring data will be collected on an
annual basis. A report summarizing the previous year's data will be prepared by the
Town of Topsail Beach, and submitted on or before 60 days from the last survey event.
6.4.2 Sea Turtles
Purpose and Goals
The following plan has been developed in support of the Supplemental EIS for the
Topsail Beach Interim (Emergency) Beach Fill Project. It is intended to address the need
for observational data of nesting sea turtles and nest parameters. The monitorinZD
g plan
will provide information on loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea
turtle nesting attempts, document any potential changes in sand temperature associated
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.

with the beach fill, and any potential effects of temperature on n,cess.rtT 1 la .
is in response to the concerns expressed by the USACE, USFWS",*=,'hhd t6'"
NCWRC.
Monitoring Schedule
For over ten years, the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
(KBSTRRC) has conducted its own nesting monitoring program, surveying the entire
length of Topsail Island each morning during nesting season (May through August)
identifying and documenting sea turtle tracks and nests (KBSTRRC, 2006). Monitoring
is conducted by the Topsail Island Volunteer Organization, whose activities are
coordinated by the NCWRC Sea Turtle Project. For three years post -construction and in
coordination with the NCWRC, the volunteers will place a temperature data logger into
each nest. Pre -construction monitoring will begin as soon as the final monitoring plan
has been approved.
Biological Monitoring Parameters
Standard sea turtle nesting data will continue to be collected during the pre -construction
season (2009) and for three post -construction (2010 — 2012). As the KBSTRRC has been
collecting this data over the last ten (10) years in conjunction with the NCWRC, there is
no need to duplicate this effort.
All nests, except in years where the nesting effort is greater than 15 nests, will have a
temperature datalogger placed in the middle of the nest. In years with more than 15
nests, data loggers will be placed in every other to every third nest. The nest temperature
data will be supplied in addition to the standard nesting data including date eggs were
laid, false crawl data, date eggs hatched, etc. Data collected from the nests will be used.
to determine if the fill sand might have an effect on the gender of the hatchlings and/or on
incubation duration. This data will be compared to the nesting temperatures recorded
during the pre -construction monitoring season.
In addition to monitoring the temperature within the turtle nests, temperature data loggers
will be placed along four (4) transects within the proposed fill area, along four (4)
transects to the north of the proposed fill area (Surf City) and along four (4) transects to
the south of the proposed fill area (southern point of Topsail Beach and. Lea/Hutaff
Island). At least one (1) transect to the south of the fill area will be on Lea/Hutaff Island.
and will serve as a control.
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.

The transect locations will be pre -determined by NCWRC and `theft lo'catiori confirimed
by GPS during the pre -construction monitoring season. The data provided by the sand
temperature stations will allow for a comparison of temperature changes between a
natural, never nourished beach (Lea/Hutaff Island); a beach segment that has not been
nourished recently (Surf City); and a newly nourished beach (Topsail Beach).
Escarpments can prevent sea turtles from accessing the dry beach and cause the female to
return to the water without nesting. Visual surveys of escarpments along the project area
will be made immediately after completion of project construction. An elevation
exceeding 18 inches over a distance of 100 ft may require remedial measures.
Sampling Methodology
Temperature dataloggers will be placed in turtle nests when they are excavated to
confirm the presence of eggs. The sensors are small and can be placed in the center of
the nest, surrounded by eggs without damaging any of the eggs. The dataloggers will be
retrieved when the nest is excavated to confirm hatching or nest failure. The data on the
sensors will then be downloaded by the NCWRC and compiled for analysis.
A "false nest" will be constructed by the volunteers to prevent disturbance of the
dataloggers placed for sand temperature monitoring. The sensors should be placed
approximately 18 inches down to simulate the middle of a loggerhead sea turtle nest
(average maximum depth of 24 inches). Volunteers will retrieve the dataloggers at the
end of nesting season from the nourished and control transects. The data will then be
handled as described above for the dataloggers found in the nest.
Simple statistical tests, such as the t-test, could be utilized to compare the temperature
data between the various sites.
Report Preparation
An annual report summarizing the previous year's data will be prepared and submitted on
or before January 31st of each year by the NCWRC. The data collected in the pre -
construction year and the three years post -construction will be compared in the final
report to determine the overall effect of the fill sand on temperature, specifically as it
relates to turtle nesting. In addition, the nesting effort for each year will be reported.
There is a tremendous amount of natural variability in annual nesting effort; therefore a
statistical comparison of pre- and post -construction data would not provide valuable data.
6.4.3 MACROINVERTEBRATE/INFAUNAL SPECIES
Purpose and Goals
The following monitoring and sampling plan is intended to address the need for baseline
data collection and analysis of macro invertebrate and infaunal species in the vicinity of
the Applicant's Preferred borrow site, Borrow Area X.
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.

Monitoring Schedule
Monitoring of macroinvertebrate and infaunal species would begin as soon as the final
monitoring plan is approved in order to collect sufficient pre -construction data.
Monitoring will continue for three years post -construction. Sampling will be conducted
on a seasonal basis.
Biological Monitoring Parameters
The monitoring and sampling plan will provide information on indigenous species in
Borrow Area X as well as a control transect that will not be impacted directly by the
borrow activities. The sample areas are located seaward of the ebb tide delta associated
with the New Topsail Inlet system. Benthic sampling will occur along transects located
perpendicular to the shoreline within and. outside the proposed Borrow Area X footprint.
Each of the sample sites will be located by a GPS unit to insure that the appropriate
locations are visited during each sampling event. The intent of the sampling efforts is to
assess and. document the potential effects of the borrow activities on infaunal species near
the seaward edge of the ebb tide delta. Sediment grain size and water quality parameters
will also be collected during each sampling event.
Sampling Methodology
A grab sampler will be used to collect samples due to the depth of water at the study site
(-8 feet NAVD to -34 feet NAVD) and proposed shallow cut depths of approximately 7.8
feet. Transects will be oriented northwest to southeast, perpendicular to the mouth of
New Topsail Inlet and crossing proposed Borrow Area X. Transects which have been
placed along the same orientation, but outside of the path of direct impacts from the
borrow activities, adjacent to the ebb channel of New Topsail Inlet will serve as a control.
Each transect will consist of equally spaced sampling stations. Three (3) replicate
samples will be collected at each sampling station.
Following sampling, the samples will be sieved through a mesh sieve and fixed in a 10%
buffer formalin solution, sealed, labeled and transported to the laboratory for analysis.
The samples will be fixed in the solution for at least 48 to 72 hours before sorting
amphipods and polychaetes. Species will be identified to the lowest possible taxonomic
level by a trained marine biologist. After analysis, the samples will be transferred to a
50% isopropynol preservative for long-term storage.
Data Analysis and Report Preparation
Infaunal data for each sampling station will be reported as the number of individuals from
each taxon, the number of species and the total number of organisms per square meter.
Diversity indices will be used during the study. Data analysis and observations obtained
from each station will also include the sediment depth of the sample taken, the depth of
the water the sample was taken in, and any other biologically relevant information.
Annual monitoring reports documenting the findings will be prepared and submitted to
the USACE, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Town on or before 90
days from the last monitoring event.
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.

3wJ•
6.4.4 HABITAT MAPPING
07
Purpose and Goals
This monitoring plan is intended for the identification of submerged aquatic vegetation
(SAV), shellfish habitat, salt marsh and fringing terrestrial communities before and after
project construction utilizing aerial photographs, ground -truth investigations, topographic
and bathymetric surveys.
Two (2) study areas were identified in order to delineate and differentiate between areas
anticipated to receive primary and secondary effects (Permit AreaJProject Impact Zone)
from work occurring seaward of New Topsail Inlet and areas anticipated to receive
cumulative effects (Project/Survey Area) (Figure 2). These areas assist in defining the
level of detail assigned to the mapping efforts described herein. This plan was developed
in response to the concerns expressed by the USAGE, USFWS, NMFS, and the
NCDENR.
Monitoring Schedule
Two (2) sets of pre -project aerial photographs are available. Black and white
photographs from June 2003 are available from Pender County and color photographs
taken in April 2006 are available from the USAGE. Pre -construction groundtruthing
investigations for the identification of SAV, shellfish, salt marsh and fringing and
terrestrial communities will be completed prior to construction. The baseline habitat map
will be updated and incorporated into the Final Monitoring Plan. Aerial surveys, ground -
truth investigations and identification of biotic communities will be conducted for the
inlet complex (Permit Area/Project Impact Zone) at six (6) months and 22 months post -
construction (Figure 2). Aerial surveys, ground -truth investigations and identification of
biotic communities will be conducted for the entire Pen -nit Area at 36 months post -
construction. All surveys will be compared to the pre -construction conditions (April
2006).
Pre -construction topographic and bathymetric surveys of the terrestrial and aquatic
enviromnents were conducted in October 2006. Surveys of Borrow Area X were
completed in December 2007. The following frequency for post -construction
bathymetric surveys of Borrow Area X and surrounding areas includes: one survey
immediately after construction of the project (between April and May 2010), and one
survey annually to be conducted prior to the peak of hurricane season between May and
June at 12 and. 24 months following construction. Subsequent surveys should be
contingent on the results of the 12 and 24 month surveys. The Town of Topsail Beach
will continue to have beach profile surveys completed annually to monitor the condition
of the fill areas.
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.

Monitoring Parameters
Aerial Photography
Aerial photographs include the acquisition of ortho-rectified color digital imagery of the
entire 7.0 -square mile Permit Area. Resolution of the acquired imagery will be sufficient
to accurately delineate and map habitats and features of environmental significance
within the survey area. Aerial targets will be placed at known depths to determine depth
resolution of the aerials. An emphasis will be placed on those marine and estuarine
habitats located in or near Borrow Area X. The aerial platform from which the imagery
is acquired will have an onboard GPS that will provide an accurate basis for product
correction.
In compliance with State and. Federal agency requests, digital image acquisition will be
timed, to the greatest extent possible; to coincide with good weather conditions and an
ebb tide that may provide for increased habitat mapping potential. Considering the
weather dependent nature of this activity, every effort will be made to accomplish this
task under optimum conditions.
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
No SAV communities have been visually confirmed within the Permit Area based on
visual interpretation of the digital aerial photography (April 2006) or based on
information provided by Anne Deaton of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
(NCDMF). One small SAV community is probable within the Permit Area at the
confluence of Old Topsail Creek and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The extent of mapped SAV within the Permit Area will be confirmed using visual
observations in shallow water and ponar grab sampling in waters where the vegetation
and/or bottom are not visible due to decreased water clarity. A GPS unit will be used to
ascertain the general limits of the SAV occurrences.
SAV community boundaries within the project area were mapped in 2006 through visual
interpretation of the digital aerial photography. A minimum of ten percent of the SAV
communities within the survey area will be field investigated using random sampling
techniques.
Salt Marsh and Terrestrial Fringing Communities
Salt marsh and fringing terrestrial (MFT) community boundaries within the permit area
were mapped in 2007 through visual interpretation of April 2006 digital aerial
photography. Fringing terrestrial communities are classified as dry beach, dune,
residential and upland hammock. The nature and extent of characterization of each
habitat type will vary depending upon whether the habitat falls within the survey area or
the permit area.
Reporting
The final product to be delivered under this phase of the project is a rectified
(georeferenced) color seamless and tonally balanced mosaic image. Based. on the results
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.

of the post -construction field investigations, a habitat map will be developed and revised
as necessary. Results of the mapping efforts will be incorporated into the Global
Information System (GIS) database developed for this project. Acreages of each habitat
type present within the survey area will be provided in a report to be submitted no more
than 90 days from when aerial imagery is provided. Preliminary pre -construction habitat
mapping results are provided in the Final Supplemental EIS, Section 4.
Coastal Planning & Engineering of North Carolina, Inc.