Meeting Package 13Jan2016
13January2016
Meeting Minutes
Chairman Barbourcalled thePort Waterway & Beach Commission (PWBC)meetingto order at
4:00and introductions were made by each;the meeting’sattendance sheetisattached.The
Decembermeeting minutes were approved and the current PWBC fund balance was noted at
~$1631.98.The Chair noted that the NC Beach Inlet and Waterway Association (NCBIWA) is
planning a spring 2016 meeting. The anticipated timeframe isApril and the location islikely
either Jeanette’s Pier or the Pine Knoll Shore’s Aquarium; more detailswill be providedas they
become available.Kure Beach Mayor Swearingen asked if anyone was attending the American
Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s annual meeting in Washington D.C.; Ms. Bulluck
notedher intention to attend.Carolina Beach Councilman Shuttleworth questioned a trip to
Washington in the February/March timeframe concurrent with Colonel Lander’s visit. Ruth
Smith, NHC Public Affairs Director, noted she would bethe contact andleadinganysuch effort.
Current Efforts:
NHC’s Wrightsville Beach (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR)Project Permitting
The NC Division of Coastal Management (NCDCM) has extended the permit application review
timeline awaiting comments from federal resource agencies. The NCDCM anticipates a permit
actionby late February 2016.
Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP)
Norfolk Dredging hasbegun mobilizationand the constructionstart is anticipated for the week of
January18.Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Tim Owens asked if the Shallow Draft Inlet
Fund was participating; Staff noted a provisional participation notification hasbeen received and
that the coordination/contractingstepsare ongoing.
Shallow Draft Inlet (SDI-5) Permitting
Permit application commentshave been received from the USACE andthe National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS). A Biological Opinion from the US Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) is anticipated by early March 2016. Review of USFWS’s proposedprudent and
reasonable measuresare anticipated in late January 2016.
Chair Barbour asked the status of Carolina Beach Inlet’smaintenancedredging. Staff noted the
USACE’s side-cast dredge Merrittis scheduled for six days of dredging in the late January
timeframe. Staff also noted the tentative scheduling of the hopper-dredge Murdenin mid-April.
Chair Barbour noted the improved cost sharing from the Shallow Draft Inlet Fund and Staff
concurred that this improvement is reflected in the draft FY2017 maintenance dredging budget
request.
CB15-year Extension
The Wilmington District has received the requestedclarifications fromHeadquarter’s
implementingstudy guidancefor a potential 15-year authorization extension,the Beach
Renourishment Evaluation Report(BRER).A stakeholder’s meeting is being scheduled to
discuss the USACE’s BRER next steps. Chair Barbour emphasized the frustration levels both
within NHC and the Wilmington District as we try and chart a path forward. Staff noted the
effort the Wilmington District has put forth in their attempts to lean forward in project execution.
Risk Reduction (non-federal BRER requirement) and Refined Modeling
The non-federal Risk Reduction Planwill supplement the USACE’s BRER as an appendix. The
refined modeling will re-enforce our design parameters in the event we build WB in FY18 and/or
CB in FY19. Both of these efforts are underway.
WB Economic Update
A status update meeting is being coordinated and scheduled with the USACE. The goal is
receipt of interim benefit cost ratio results from the USACE’s economic assessment facilitating
the USACE’s 2014certified cost estimates.Ms. Bulluck re-emphasized the insistence that the
USACE include all potential benefits allowed within the federal economic assessment process.
FY16 CB/KB CSDR Maintenance
The USACE’s contractor Marinex began maintenance placement on 11Jan2016. CarolinaBeach
Town Manager Michael Cramer noted the contractor had completed an approximate city block
since Monday, a positive start.
Public Comments:
Mr. Loving noted thesuccessofour local advocacy effortsand theusefulresultsfromthose
delegationvisits inWashington. Mr.Loving encouraged ourcontinued effortson that front.
Mayor Swearingen noted the supplemental fundingthat theUSACE’s FY16 Workplan may hold
for our localUSACE studyneeds.
Mr. Shuttleworth requested the PWBC again reach out to the NC State Ports Authority
requesting their participation within the PWBC.
Mr. Shuttleworth inquired abouttheNCDCM Request for Information regarding the “Analysis
of Removal of the Southern Component of the New Inlet Dam.”Staff shared brief excerpts from
the solicitation(attachment).
Chair Barbour invited all to the Carolina Beach Inlet Association’s chowder cook-off. The
rd
location is the High Tide Lounge, Carolina Beach on January 23starting at 12:00 noon!
The meeting was adjourned at ~5:10.
Agenda
13 January2016,4:00PM
New Hanover County(NHC), Government Center
Finance Conference Room #500
4:00 Call to Order
Welcome/Introductions
Request approval of the Decembermeeting minutes (emailed 11December2015).Port, Waterway &
Beach Commission (PWBC)fundbalanceis~$1631.98.
Current Efforts:
NHC’sWrightsville Beach (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR)Project
The NC Division of Coastal Mgt.(NCDCM)permitapplicationreview has been
extended to 27 February 2016 awaiting US Fish and Wildlife and National Marine
Fishery comments.
Mason Inlet Relocation Project(MIRP)
Norfolk Dredging should begin mobilization/construction in January.
Shallow DraftInlet(SDI-5)Permitting
The Biological Assessment isunder formal consultationbytheUS Fish and Wildlife
(135 day review periodfrom 21 October).
Draft reasonable and prudent measures/terms and conditions are anticipated in January.
Carolina Beach CSDR Project 15-year Extension
The Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER) guidance clarification between the
USACE’s WilmingtonRegion and Headquarters has been received and is being
evaluated
A stakeholders meeting has been requested to discuss the BRER’snext steps.
Risk Reduction(non-federal BRER requirement)and Refined Modeling
Both projects are underway.
WBCSDREconomic Update
A status of the Wilmington District’scurrent economic updatehas been requested.
FY 16 CB/KB CSDR Maintenance Events
Marinex to completemobilizationand start constructionshortly.
Public Comment:
Adjourn