20191032 Ver 1_More Info Received_20191003

Strickland, Bev
From: Bodnar, Gregg
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2019 11:12 AM
To: Hair, Sarah E CIV CESAW CESAD (US); Dunn, Maria T.; Weychert, Curtis R; Mairs, Robb
Cc: Davenport, Ryan
Subject: FW: [External] Wainwright Slough Revisions
Attachments: 10153-WW-Permit_Narrative-100119-REVISED.pdf, 10153-WW-Permit_Drawings-
REVISED-100119.pdf, 10153-WW-MP_2-REVISED-091919.pdf
Morning all,
Please see above for updated plans and narrative for Wainwright Slough. Below is a summary of the changes that have
occurred after consultation with WRC to improve the effectiveness of the spoil island for bird habitat.
Thanks and please give me a call if you need anything,
G regg
D. EDivision
MajorGreggBodnar
Assistant Permits Coordinator
of Coastal
••a � � s
252
808 2808 ext 215 (Office)
Gress,6odnarigUmcdent.rov
Email correspondence to andfrom address is subjectto the
From: Neal, Robert <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2019 10:20 AM
To: Bodnar, Gregg <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rudi Rudolph <[e-mail]>; Dunn, Maria T. <[e-mail]>; Lindsay Addison
<[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] Wainwright Slough Revisions
External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
[e-mail]
Gregg — Hope your week is going well!
Please find attached the revised narrative and permit drawings for Wainwright Slough. The revised documents are being
provided in response to comments received from WRC regarding the material placement height for Wainwright Island
and the datum conversion between MLLW and MHW. For reference the material placement will help build the islands

elevation to between +5 and +6 MLLW, which translates to between +4.62 and +5.62 MHW. These clarifications have
been made in both the narrative and permit drawings.
I am also sending a paper copy of the revisions to your attention. Please let me know if you need an new full electronic
copy of the submittal, I can bring a USB drive by tomorrow as well!
Thanks again for your assistance!
Best Regards,
Robert Neal, P.E.
Moffatt & Nichol
272 N. Front Street I Suite 204 1 Wilmington, NC 28401
P 910.218.7100 1 F 919.781.4869 1 C 910.524.3285
Creative People, Practical Solutions. °
Connect with us: Website I Facebook I Linkedln I Twitter

Form DCM MP -2
EXCAVATION and FILL
(Except for bridges and culverts)
Attach this form to Joint Application for CAMA Major Permit, Form DCM MP -1. Be sure to complete all other sections of the Joint
Application that relate to this proposed project. Please include all supplemental information.
Describe below the purpose of proposed excavation and/or fill activities. All values should be given in feet.
1.
Access
E] This section not applicable
a.
Amount of material to be excavated from below NHW or NWL in
b. Type of material to be excavated.
Other
Sand
Channel
Canal
Boat Basin
Boat Ramp
Rock Groin
Rock
(excluding
(CW), submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), shell bottom (SB),
(NLW or
or other wetlands (WL)? If any boxes are checked, provide the
Breakwater
shoreline
NWL)
OWL ®None
stabilization
Length
2,600
DISPOSAL OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL
[I This section not applicable
a.
Location of disposal area.
b. Dimensions of disposal area.
780
Width
75
C.
(i) Do you claim title to disposal area?
d. (i) Will a disposal area be available for future maintenance?
❑Yes ®No ❑NA
570
Avg. Existing
-4 MLLW
(ii) If yes, where?
NA
NA
-3 MLLW
Depth
Final Project
-7 MLLW
NA
NA
+5.5 MLLW
Depth
1.
EXCAVATION
E] This section not applicable
a.
Amount of material to be excavated from below NHW or NWL in
b. Type of material to be excavated.
cubic yards.
Sand
45,000
c.
(i) Does the area to be excavated include coastal wetlands/marsh
d. High -ground excavation in cubic yards.
(CW), submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), shell bottom (SB),
0 CY
or other wetlands (WL)? If any boxes are checked, provide the
number of square feet affected.
❑CW ❑SAV ❑SB
OWL ®None
(ii) Describe the purpose of the excavation in these areas:
2.
DISPOSAL OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL
[I This section not applicable
a.
Location of disposal area.
b. Dimensions of disposal area.
Wainwright Island - Pamlico Sound
10 acres
C.
(i) Do you claim title to disposal area?
d. (i) Will a disposal area be available for future maintenance?
❑Yes ®No ❑NA
®Yes ❑No ❑NA
(ii) If no, attach a letter granting permission from the owner.
(ii) If yes, where?
Wainwright Island
(i) Does the disposal area include any coastal wetlands/marsh
(CW), submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), shell bottom (SB),
or other wetlands (WL)? If any boxes are checked, provide the
number of square feet affected.
❑CW ❑SAV ❑SB
OWL ®None
(ii) Describe the purpose of disposal in these areas:
f. (i) Does the disposal include any area in the water?
®Yes [-]No ❑NA
(ii) If yes, how much water area is affected?
10 acres

Form DCM MP -2 (Excavation and Fill, Page 2 of 2)
3. SHORELINE STABILIZATION ®This section not applicable
(If development is a wood groin, use MP -4 — Structures)
a. Type of shoreline stabilization:
❑Bulkhead ❑Riprap ❑Breakwater/Sill ❑Other:
c. Average distance waterward of NHW or NWL:
e. Type of stabilization material:
g. Number of square feet of fill to be placed below water level.
Bulkhead backfill Riprap
Breakwater/Sill Other
i. Source of fill material.
b. Length:
Width:
d. Maximum distance waterward of NHW or NWL:
f. (i) Has there been shoreline erosion during preceding 12
months?
❑Yes ❑No ❑NA
(ii) If yes, state amount of erosion and source of erosion amount
information.
h. Type of fill material.
4. OTHER FILL ACTIVITIES El This section not applicable
(Excluding Shoreline Stabilization)
a. (i) Will fill material be brought to the site? ®Yes ❑No ❑NA b
If yes,
(ii) Amount of material to be placed in the water 45,000 CY
(iii) Dimensions of fill area 10 acres
(iv) Purpose of fill
Material desposition from channel maintenance.
(i) Will fill material be placed in coastal wetlands/marsh (CW),
submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), shell bottom (SB), or
other wetlands (WL)? If any boxes are checked, provide the
number of square feet affected.
❑CW ❑SAV ❑SB
❑WL ®None
(ii) Describe the purpose of the fill in these areas:
5. GENERAL
a. How will excavated or fill material be kept on site and erosion b. What type of construction equipment will be used (e.g., dragline,
controlled? backhoe, or hydraulic dredge)?
Sand dikes during construction -Length of dikes TBD by contractor. hydraulic dredge, heavy equipment, support vessels.
C. (i) Will navigational aids be required as a result of the project?
®Yes ❑No ❑NA
(ii) If yes, explain what type and how they will be implemented.
USCG will mark deep water route dredged for Wainwright
Slough.
Date
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Project Name
d. (i) Will wetlands be crossed in transporting equipment to project
site? ❑Yes ®No ❑NA
(ii) If yes, explain steps that will be taken to avoid or minimize
environmental impacts.
Carteret County c/o Gregory Rudolph
Applicant Name
Applicant Signature
252-808-2808 :: 1-888-4RCOAST :: www.nccoastaimanagement.net revised: 12/26/06

WAINWRIGHT SLOUGH
DEEP WATER ROUTE MAINTENANCE EVENT
CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
CARTERET COUNTY
302 COURTHOUSE SQUARE
BEAUFORT, NC 28516
Pamlico Sound
V
Core
iJeus°M",—. Sound
nertowe
wlli;iari'•'
1Ak
M—h-d UK9esulort
Atlantic 9 -h .kie ns.leknd
© GOOGLE
VICINITY MAP
NO SCALE
SITE MAP
NO SCALE
FIGURE 1

IF
-A•
CORE SOUND1
X,
=ii
lic\IV
4 �
1
�
-_,
(/ c\((375 \\\
✓L� �\,
1�
\/ ^t
\
/ ---
� f
I .
„1 —_
I
-
-
III
,
� • �
_ iI � `I� I� � 1 /( \)
�G''
• /� l
-
•
I If)1 1
� �_�\ �;I 1f'f lt � ��
r
tl
c/
- •I♦ �`Ci�// //' /
Ste\ (�� e
\5
_
on

10
� 0
i
H -
w
z
0
� -10
w
w
CHANNEL7-tx
-20 70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
DISTANCE (FEET)
DREDGE AREA NOTES:
1. CHANNEL ALIGNMENT SHALL BE IDENTIFIED AND APPROVED BY
DCM PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION. THE ALIGNMENT SHALL REMAIN
WITHIN THE DREDGE CORRIDOR AS SHOWN ON FIGURE 2.
2. UPDATED BATHYMETRY AND SAV HABITAT COVERAGE SHALL BE
PROVIDED TO DCM PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION TO HELP FACILITATE
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED CHANNEL ALIGNMENT.
3. THE CHANNEL ALIGNMENT SHALL MAINTAIN A 75 -FT WIDTH WITH
3:1 SIDE SLOPES AND SHALL NOT ENCROACH INTO ANY
POTENTIAL SAV HABITAT.
4. THE CHANNEL ALIGNMENT WILL FOLLOW THE MOST EFFICIENT
DEEP WATER PATH TO MINIMIZE THE DREDGE VOLUMES AND
POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS.
5. A MAXIMUM OF APPROXIMATELY 45,000 CY SHALL BE
HYDRAULICALLY DREDGED AND PLACED IN THE MATERIAL
PLACEMENT AREA TO COMPLETE THE MAINTENANCE EVENT.
FIGURE 3
5' 0' 5' 10'
VERTICAL SCALE: 1"=10'
DREDGE CORRIDOR - TYPICAL SECTION 2
HORIZONTAL SCALE: 1"-20'
EXIST. GROUND
�
�
I
DREDGE AREA
DESIGN DREDGE
EL -7.00• =
M H W
EL 0.
8
1
-
MLW
L 0.
37.50'
I
37.50'
OVERDREDGE
EL -9.00

TOP OF FILL(+5 MLLW - +6 MLLW)
15:1 MAX
FINISHED
SLOPE, TYP
FI LL
EL 0.38
LAI-) 1.
GROUND
MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITE - TYPICAL SECTION
NOT TO SCALE
EL 0.01
7'7i, -
MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITE NOTES:
1. DREDGE MATERIAL WILL BE HYDRAULICALLY PLACED TO CREATE A NATURAL SLOPE
TO THE EXISTING GRADE. THE FILL PLACEMENT AREA WILL BE FREE OF
DEPRESSIONS, RUTS / TRENCHES AND SHALL NOT ALLOW THE PONDING OF WATER.
2. MATERIAL PLACEMENT SHALL BE DIRECTED AWAY FROM WAINWRIGHT SLOUGH TO
PREVENT THE DREDGE EFFLUENT FROM RETURNING TO THE DREDGE AREA.
3. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PREVENT OR DISCOURAGE THE DREDGE
EFFLUENT FROM LEAVING THE MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITE THROUGH THE USE OF
SANDBAGS, OR OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CONTRACTOR MAY DIRECT
THE DREDGE EFFLUENT FLOW THROUGH THE USE OF SAND BERMS / DIKES. THE
EFFLUENT SHALL BE DIRECTED IN A STRAIGHT LINE PATH AWAY FROM THE
MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITE.
4. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH
THE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS STIPULATED BY THE STATE FEDERAL PERMITS
FOR THIS PROJECT.
5. IF NECESSARY TO DISCOURAGE OR PROHIBIT WATER PONDING AND ENCOURAGE
SHOREBIRD USAGE, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL SMOOTH GRADE THE MATERIAL
PLACEMENT SITE ABOVE MLLW TO A MAXIMUM (STEEPEST) ANGLE OF REPOSE OF
1V:15H (FEET) PRIOR TO THE DEMOBILIZATION OF EQUIPMENT.
6. MATERIAL PLACED ON WAINWRIGHT ISLAND MAY BE SHAPED TO CREATE WIND
BREAKS AND BIRD REFUGE AREAS TO PROMOTE BIRD ACTIVITY. HOWEVER, THE
MATERIAL SHAPING SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN SUCH A MANNER TO DISCOURAGE
WATER PONDING. ANY AND ALL MATERIAL SHAPING SHALL BE CONDUCTED PRIOR
TO COMPLETION OF DEMOBILIZATION AND IN COORDINATION WITH AUDUBON NORTH
CAROLINA (THE UNDERLYING PROPERTY OWNER OF WAINWRIGHT ISLAND).
7. CONTRACTOR SHALL CONDUCT OPERATIONS TO PLACE FILL UP TO A MINIMUM
ELEVATION OF +5 MLLW (+4.62 MHW) PRIOR TO ENCOURAGING MATERIAL
SPREADING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL MAINTAIN THE TOP (HIGHEST) ELEVATION OF
FILL PLACEMENT BETWEEN +5 MLLW (+4.62 MHW) AND +6 MLLW (+5.62 MHW) TO
ENHANCE BIRD NESTING AND FORAGING POTENTIAL ON WAINWRIGHT ISLAND. AT
THE END OF CONSTRUCTION, FILL PLACED ABOVE +6 MLLW (+5.62 MHW) MAY BE
REGRADED OR REPOSITIONED BY THE CONTRACTOR AS REQUESTED BY THE
ENGINEER TO ELEVATIONS BELOW +6 MLLW (+5.62 MHW). ESTABLISHING THE BASE
ELEVATION OF +5 MLLW (+4.62 MHW) WILL MINIMIZE POTENTIAL WAVE UPRUSH
AND WASHOVER IMPACTS TO NESTING AND FORAGING BIRDS.
FIGURE 4

DREDGE CORRIDOR
WORK POINTS
POINT No.
NORTHING
EASTING
WP101
464594.44
2836862.44
WP102
464445.82
2837851.34
WP103
462302.25
2837529.18
WP104
461468.77
2836905.23
WP105
460566.80
2835345.29
WP106
461590.70
2835747.34
WP107
462702.41
2836571.71
MATERIAL PLACEMENT SITE
WORK POINTS
POINT No.
NORTHING
EASTING
WP201
463177.34
2834946.17
WP202
463245.68
2835340.28
WP203
463244.07
2835590.28
WP204
463099.35
2835794.14
WP205
462943.53
2835822.78
WP206
462739.67
2835678.06
WP207
462655.69
2835442.59
WP208
462588.24
2835048.32
WORK POINT TABLES
FIGURE 5

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019)
Project Purpose, Need & Scope
Carteret County (County) is requesting federal and state authorization to conduct maintenance dredging
along a deep -water route adjacent to the federally authorized channel of Wainwright Slough, Ranges 2, 2A,
and 3. Wainwright Slough, authorized under the River and Harbor Act of 1899 (amended 1935), was
originally dredged in 1935. The channel lies near Cedar Island near the Cape Lookout National Seashore.
Wainwright Slough connects Core Sound with Pamlico Sound and serves as an important passage for
commercial and recreational anglers. Figure 1 shows the project location in northern Carteret County.
Wainwright Slough represents the only viable navigational thoroughfare for the Down East fishing industry
utilizing Core Sound as a homeport.
Figure 1. Wainwright Slough Vicinity Map
Wainwright Slough has been dredged more than 22 times since the initial authorization (not counting
undocumented "as needed" maintenance events). Table 1 provides records of fifteen (15) maintenance
events conducted along various reaches of Wainwright Slough by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) since the 1935 original dredging event. The USACE suspended maintenance dredging efforts for
Wainwright Slough from 1997 until the mid -2000s. The dredging operations resumed when extensive
channel shoaling and erosion of Wainwright Island occurred in the wake of hurricanes Isabel (2003) and

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019)
Page 2 of 8
Ophelia (2005). The most recent dredging event by the USACE occurred in 2013 via another supplemental
federal appropriation (Hurricane Sandy).
Table 1: Wainwright Slough Historical Actions (courtesy of Carteret County)
August 31, 1935 = Project authorized in the River and Harbor Act.
1935-1968= Fifteen maintenance events (no details regarding disposal).
1968 —1976 = "As needed" maintenance, but no documentation.
1976 = EIS prepared, codifies Wainwright Island as disposal area.
1976-1986 = No documentation.
1986= Maintenance event.
1991= Maintenance event.
1994= Maintenance using the U.S. Corps hopper, the Currituck (disposal?).
1995 = New EA/FONSI regarding Wainwright Island (emphasis on creating upland bird habitat).
1997 = Maintenance event.
2006 = Maintenance event funded by hurricane supplemental bill (145,000 cubic yards).
2013 = Maintenance event funded by hurricane supplemental bill (submersible pump).
Wainwright Island is the current disposal location for sediments dredged from Wainwright Slough. An
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) entitled, "Maintenance of the Waterway Connecting Pamlico Sound
and Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina," codified the disposal location along the east channel side
approximate to Wainwright Island. However, this disposal location tended to result in dredged material
returning to the channel in a relatively short amount of time. Therefore, a 1995 Environmental
Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) covered the action to place dredge material on
the non -channel side of the island above mean high water. Sand dikes help to control the dredging slurry
and create non -vegetated sandy habitat during each maintenance event.
In 2017, Carteret County assumed maintenance responsibility of Wainwright Slough due to budget
shortfalls in the USACE navigation work plan. Figure 2 shows the channel had become nearly impassable
for vessel navigation with depths measured as shallow as -4 MLLW (4.38 MHW) or less during a June
2016 USACE survey. As a result, the County obtained permits and conducted maintenance dredging
involving removal of approximately 40,000 cubic yards (CY) to restore navigation depths to the federally
authorized channel. The County considers the 2017 project as an important success for maintaining
recreational and commercial fishing access through Wainwright Slough. In addition, conversations with
Audubon North Carolina indicate the project provided a short-term enhancement of bird nesting and
foraging habitat.
One item to note from the 2017 maintenance event entails the permit restriction requiring the County to
follow the federal channels documented limits. This resulted in dredging a significant shoal compared to
an adjacent deep -water path. Based on USACE calculations, the shoaled area required removal of
approximately 11,500 more CY compared to the adjacent deep -water path. Although the USACE possesses
authorization to move the channel or dredging footprint within reason if the District Engineer finds the new
path to be in the best interest of the federal government, the County does not receive the same latitude.
Therefore, for future maintenance events the County is requesting state and federal authorization to
identify the most efficient dredge alignment prior to each event similar to the federal authorization.
This approach allows the County to continue to meet the project purpose (providing safe passage for the

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019)
Page 3 of 8
commercial fishing industry, recreational use, and overall safety for the user public) while also being good
stewards of tax dollars.
Figure 2: USACE June 2016 Hydrographic Survey of Wainwright Slough
The County's request for authorization to move the channel to deeper water where appropriate will result
in minimized dredging volumes and costs in addition to reduced environmental effects. The managed width
and depth of the channel will continue to be the same as the federal authorization and routed through a
"corridor." The channel will be dredged to -9-ft (7+2) MLLW (-9.38 MHW) for up to a maximum of 45,000
CY for each event (Appendix E — Permit Drawings).
Following historical practice, the dredge sediment will be used to help enhance nesting and foraging bird
habitat by material placement on the adjacent Audubon Society -owned Wainwright Island (Appendix F —
Audubon North Carolina Letter of Support). Sediment placement will occur over a maximum footprint of
10 acres. The slopes and grades of the material placement site will be constructed to encourage nesting and
foraging bird activities to the extent reasonable. In addition, the top or surface of the site will be smooth
graded to discourage water ponding or entrapment.
Construction Methodology and Sediment Placement
Prior to construction, DCM will be notified of the specific channel alignment for approval with updated
bathymetry and SAV habitat coverage. The channel alignment will stay within the dredge corridor as shown
in the permit drawings (Appendix E), but the alignment will ultimately follow the most efficient deep -water
path to minimize dredge volumes and potential construction impacts. The channel will remain 75 feet in
width with 3:1 side slopes.

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019)
Page 4 of 8
A hydraulic dredge and pipeline system will conduct the work. Hydraulic dredging will reduce siltation and
turbidity that is often associated with other dredging methods such as clamshell dredging. A maximum of
45,000 CY will be dredged from Wainwright Slough and placed on the Wainwright Island material
placement site (Figure 3). Dredge material will be hydraulically placed up to an elevation between +5
MLLW and +6 MLLW (+4.62 MHW to +5.62 MHW) and allowed to form a natural down slope to the
existing grade. The material may also be shaped to help enhance nesting opportunities through creation of
windbreaks or sediment shelfs. However, grading operations shall not encourage water ponding from wave,
rain, or other sources. The material placement site will also be constructed to discourage sediment from
flowing back into the navigation channel. The contractor may be required to erect temporary sand dikes
along the flow way of the placement site to help direct the dredge slurry away from the navigation channel
and to encourage sediment settling. In this event, dikes constructed from the initial dredge material will
help to reduce disturbance of the placement area. At the completion of the dredging activities, the temporary
dikes will be smooth graded consistent with the remainder of the placed material. If necessary to discourage
or prohibit water ponding and encourage shorebird usage, the contractor will smooth grade the material
placement site as needed (above MLLW) to a maximum (steepest) angle of repose of 15H: IV (feet) prior
to demobilization.
Figure 3. Wainwright Island Project Map
Maintenance operations will only be conducted between November 16th and March 31st to help further
minimize the potential for adverse impacts. These cooler winter months generally remain less active for
juvenile fish species and invertebrates common to the area. Therefore, limiting construction activities to the
cooler months will minimize the potential for migrating species to become entrained or captured by the

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019)
Page 5 of 8
construction activities. Limiting the construction activities to the later months of the year will also allow
time for agency review of the SAV and bathymetric data submitted as part of a maintenance request.
Material placement operations will create a shorebird habitat between elevations +5 -ft MLLW (+4.62
MHW) and +6 -ft MLLW (+5.62 MHW) to allow protection against wave uprush and overtopping.
Placement operations on Wainwright Island will not advance until the sediment elevation reaches a
minimum of +5 -ft MLLW (+4.62 MHW). Once the top elevation exceeds +5 -ft MLLW (+4.62 MHW)
sediment placement may advance to maintain the crest elevation below +6 -ft MLLW (+5.62 MHW). Side
slopes along the placement island will be allowed to form without mechanical intervention unless the slope
appears steeper than 15H:1 V due to escarpments, wave attacks, or other causes. In this event, and through
coordination with Audubon North Carolina, the Contractor may be required to smooth grade the slopes
above MLLW to a maximum (steepest) grade of 15H: IV.
Environmental Concerns
Carteret County has completed several studies in support of the Wainwright Slough maintenance dredging
operations. These studies and assessments include SAV surveys in addition to evaluations of potential
impacts to listed or endangered species. In addition to the work completed by Carteret County, the USACE
completed a study in 1995 to document how beneficial reuse of dredge material would 1) provide for
satisfactory disposal of maintenance dredging material; 2) stabilize the existing upland limits of Wainwright
Island; 3) enhance habitat for colonial water bird species such as royal terns and sandwich terns, snowy
egrets, tri -colored herons, and glossy ibis; and 4) preserve and expand existing habitat for breeding brown
pelicans, herring gulls and great black -backed gulls, and wading birds such as black -crowned night herons,
great egrets, and little blue herons. For reference, Appendix G provides the 1995 federal environmental
assessment documentation.
SAV Surveys
As part of the permitting process for the 2017 maintenance event, Carteret County completed a submerged
aquatic vegetation (SAV) survey, as shown in Appendix H. The 2017 SAV survey was conducted in
September 2016 and identified no SAV populations within the vicinity of the Wainwright Island placement
site. The September survey found only sparse or relic stalks of shoal grass (K wrightii) present at five
locations at less than 1% coverage. The 2017 maintenance operation avoided the five (5) locations identified
as potential SAV habitat in order to minimize the potential for adverse impacts. As a result, the maintenance
event did not create any known SAV impacts.
An additional SAV survey was conducted in August 2018 (Appendix I). The purpose of this additional
survey was to collect data near the area of interest for the potential navigation corridor. Transects were
established in an east/west direction every 45-55 meters to cover the 35.5 -hectare (87.7 -acre) area of
interest, for a total of 29 transects. Figure 4 shows the survey results, including areas of identified SAV
presence or favorable SAV habitat, which will be avoided during dredging activities.
As part of this permit request, Carteret County will update the SAV habitat during the summer growing
season, prior to any planned maintenance event. Plan sheet drawings will be provided showing the updated
SAV habitat with the proposed dredge alignment. Updated bathymetry will also be included on the
drawings to show the most relevant contour elevations. The updated information will help facilitate agency
review and approval of the proposed dredge alignment prior to conducting the work.

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019)
Figure 4. SAV Habitat Area Adjacent to Wainwright Slough
Essential Fish Habitat
Page 6 of 8
Carteret County also completed an Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) assessment in support of the 2017
maintenance event. The 2017 EFH concentrates on Wainwright Sloughs documented channel limits as well
as the Wainwright Island material placement site. Appendix J shows the 2017 EFH assessment and
Appendix K provides a more recent assessment conducted by Carteret County. The recent assessment finds
dredging and disposal activities would likely result in short-term, localized, and temporary adverse effects
to EFH and managed species, but project design, implementation, and construction measures proposed
would minimize these impacts and reduce the potential of any permanent, long-term effects. Short-term
impacts would include increased turbidity, siltation, and noise from construction activities, but managed
species found in this area are highly mobile and would be able to escape construction disturbance and
eventually return to the area post -construction. Aquatic substrate impacted by siltation should recover after
construction, and turbidity would be limited to the immediate construction area.
Protected Species Assessment
A review of federally protected species has been conducted. Appendix L provides the results of the
assessment, which indicate the proposed project will have no effect on threatened or endangered species.
WatlnnAQ
Wetlands approximate to the project site include the historic Wainwright Island. Figure 5 shows the
remnants of Wainwright Island as identified in 2016, prior to the most recent maintenance event. As shown
in the figure, the island has supported Spartina grass nearly 500 ft2 in area. The work will not traverse into
this area, as the dredge material will be placed to the east of the 2016 island location. In addition, no
pipelines or equipment will be allowed to traverse over emergent grasses or impact known SAV
populations.

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019)
2a
Page 7 of 8
Figure 5: September 2016 Conditions of Wainwright Island
Cultural and Historic Resources
An archaeological assessment has not been completed for the proposed dredging; however, Wainwright
Slough is a federally authorized navigation channel and has been dredged since the 1930's. In addition, the
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviewed the 2017 project and indicated they are unaware of any
historic resources, which could be affected by the project. Appendix M provides the November 30, 2016
letter from SHPO.
North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
The project involves expenditure of public funds and is compliant with the North Carolina Environmental
Policy Act (SEPA).
SEPA applies for any project that meets all three of the following criteria and stipulates an environmental
document must be prepared:
An expenditure of $10 million in funds provided by the state of North Carolina for a single project
or action or related group of projects or action
.In
Land -disturbing activity of equal to or greater than 10 acres of public lands resulting in substantial,
permanent changes in the natural cover or topography of those lands (or waters)
2. An action by a state agency, and
3. Has a potential detrimental environmental effect upon natural resources, public health and safety,
natural beauty, or historical or cultural elements, of the state's common inheritance.
Since the project is less than $10 million and disturbs less than 10 acres of public land, further
environmental documentation under SEPA is not required.

Carteret County Navigation Project
Wainwright Slough Deep Water Route Maintenance Event
Permit Narrative
(Revised October 2019) Page 8 of 8
Summary
Carteret County intends to continue maintenance dredging operations for Wainwright Slough similar to the
County's 2017 initiative. As part of the 2017 maintenance operations, beneficial reuse material placement
occurred on Wainwright Island from shoaled sediment in the navigation channel. The major change for the
current initiative includes efforts to identify the most efficient dredge alignment at the time of each
maintenance event. This action should provide a significant cost savings by reducing the volumetric
dredging need and extend the project life. Evaluating the 2017 maintenance operations suggest the project
could have been reduced by approximately 11,500 CY through selection of a more efficient channel
corridor as compared to the documented alignment. As shown in Figure 2, the deep -water corridor adjacent
to Wainwright Slough would have required approximately 11,500 CY less than the documented channel
limits. The USACE routinely assess the surrounding bathymetry of navigation channels, including
Wainwright Slough, to determine the most effective route for maintenance operations. Carteret County is
requesting a similar authorization through state and federal permits.
As part of each independent maintenance event, Carteret County will provide updated bathymetry,
estimates of dredge volumes, and updated SAV survey results. The bathymetry and volume estimates will
help justify the need for selecting an alternate navigation corridor from the documented position of
Wainwright Slough. In addition, an updated SAV survey will help minimize potential impacts by helping
to ensure the project avoids all SAV habitat. The updated bathymetry and SAV survey results will be
collected between May and August prior to the maintenance operation. This effort will help to provide the
most realistic results expected at the time of construction. The SAV survey results and bathymetric data
will be submitted to DCM for agency review and approval prior to October when requesting a maintenance
event.
Planview drawings showing the proposed work will also be provided with the SAV and bathymetric data.
The drawings will incorporate the updated SAV results in addition to the bathymetric information to show
the most relevant status of the project features. The drawings will also incorporate the Wainwright Island
material placement site and other project features necessary for agency review.
The maintenance operations will maintain a 75 -ft channel dredged to a depth of -9 ft (7+2) MLLW (-9.38
MHW) with removal of a 45,000 CY maximum volume. These channel dimensions maintain consistency
with the federally authorized channel and the authorized alignment from the County's 2017 maintenance
event. The 45,000 CY threshold stems from the maximum volume expected to shoal into the documented
alignment of Wainwright Slough included in the County's 2017 maintenance event. Surveys obtained prior
to the 2017 event showed approximately 40,000 CY had shoaled into the navigation channel. Although
some capacity still existed within the channel footprint, the conditions could be considered a reasonable
worst-case scenario. Therefore, conditions outside of the documented channel should not be expected to
shoal considerably worse and still provide a more economical deep -water route. The dredging operations
will also be limited to occur between November 16' and March 31st to further reduce the potential for
environmental impacts. Material placement on Wainwright Island will maintain a crest elevation between
+5 -ft MLLW (+4.62 MHW) and +6 -ft MLLW (+5.62 MHW). The side slopes of Wainwright Island will
also be maintained at a steepest slope of 15H: IV to encourage slope stability and shorebird foraging.