PWBC Meeting Minutes 10 Dec 201410December2014
Meeting Minutes
In the absence of and by the request of Chairman Barbour, Vice-Chairman Andrewcalled the
meeting to order at 4:00and welcomed all.Introductions were made by each;the meeting’s
attendance sheetisattached.TheNew Hanover County (NHC)Port,Waterway&Beach
Commission (PWBC)approvedtheNovembermeeting minutes (emailed 13November2014).
The current PWBC fund balance was noted at ~$4,381.98.Staffnoted the next balance
reduction(~ $750.00)would take place in support ofthe North Carolina Beach Inlet and
Waterway Association’s(NCBIWA)2015 Local Governments’ Meeting tentatively scheduled at
theNC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores on Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17.
Current Business
NHC’s Kure Beach (KB) CSDR Project Authorization
The Federal permitting efforts are still in progress.US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) permit conditions continue to be negotiated.
NHC’s Wrightsville Beach (WB) CSDR Project Authorization
A scope of workand contract modification isbeing processed through the NHCsystem.
Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP)
The requested USACE permit modification and USFWS reconsultation effortscontinue.Once
permit conditions are finalized,an updated management plan will be developed for the project.
A more robust bird management areahas beendelineated/constructed and will be incorporated
within the revised management plan.
Shallow Draft Inlet (SDI) Permitting
The NC Division of Water Resource’s contractor held a pre-application submittal conference call
on 21 November. The contractor continues developing the Biological Assessment, Essential
Fish Habitat Assessment and confirming therequiredbeneficial use easements and USACE
consent agreement language for inclusion in the NCDivision of Coastal Management (NCDCM)
permit application.
Carolina Beach Reauthorization
The Wilmington District (SAW) has requested Head Quarters (HQ) guidance regarding the
necessary study elements to justify a 15-year extension of the CB CSDR by 31 December 2014.
The SAW suggested study path must be approved by theSouth Atlantic District (SAD) first.
The status of the SAD review has been requested.
The local alternative a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is undergoing internal review. The
RFQ release will likely be after 1 January. The RFQ is structured toward firms/teams competent
in economic and environmental evaluations through an assessment/presentation structure
emulating the USACE process.
CB Councilman Shuttleworthand Kure Beach Mayor Lambethasked the proposed path forward
if the CB CSDR authorization is lost. Staff suggested the municipalities sit with the NHC
Manager and develop a set of talking pointsor target goalsfor use with the NHC Commissioners
and the local NC delegation.
Mr. Loving suggested a PWBC resolution be presented to the NHC Commissioners. Staff
supported the idea of a resolution but reiterated the suggestion of working through the NHC
Manager as the starting point.
Carolina Beach Inlet
The District U room occupancy tax guidelineswere approved by theNHC Commissionerson 17
November.
The NHC Commissioners also approved a supplemental maintenance dredging event for CB
Inlet in late winter/early spring of 2015(attachment). A goal would be the hopper dredge
Currituck and sidecast Merritt (if needed) to provide full project dimensions in an effort to
evaluate template retentionbarring storm events.
CB Councilman Shuttleworthasked if the material would be placed on Freeman Park. Staff
reminded the PWBC that the USACE has two hopper dredges and one sidecast. The USACE
AIWWcrossingmaintenance events dobeneficiallyplace small volumes of sand on Freeman
Park but those events are by private sector cutterhead dredges designed to work inside the
colregs lines (attached figure).
The USACE hopper dredge Murdenworked in CB Inlet for 24 hours in late November. As a
result of the May and November efforts by the Murden, staff has requested the USACE provide
pre-dredge surveys, estimated quantities and the next available dredge plant prior tofuture
mobilizations oftheMurden intoCB Inlet.
Vice-chair Andrew concurred with the approach taken regarding future use of the Murden in CB
Inlet.
Public Comment
Mr. Kellam of Figure Eight noted a recent bulldozing permit Figure Eight was just issued for
restoring eroded dunes from in-situ beach sand.
The meeting was adjourned at ~4:45.
Agenda
10December2014,4:00–5:00PM
New Hanover County, Government Center
Finance Conference Room #500
4:00Call to Order
Welcome/Introductions
Approval of the NovemberMeeting Minutes (emailed 13November2014)
PWBCFund Balance ~$4,381.98
Current Efforts
NHC’s Kure Beach (KB) CSDR Project Authorization
Federal permitting process still underway
NHC’s WrightsvilleBeach (WB) CSDR Project Authorization
Scope of work being processed
Mason Inlet Relocation Project
Biological Opinion and USACE permit modification requestscontinue through
the federal process
Semi-permanent bird management area completed
Shallow DraftInlet(SDI)Permitting
Pre-application submittal review held on21 Nov
Easements
o
Supplemental documentation
o
Carolina Beach Reauthorization
SAW has requested HQ guidance by 31 December 2014
Local alternative progressing
Request for Qualifications undergoing internalreview
o
Carolina Beach Inlet
District U ROT
Guidelinesapproved bythe Board on 17 November
o
Supplemental maintenance event approved on 17 November
o
Hopper dredge Murden
o
Public Comment
Adjourn