Meeting Package 10 Feb 2016
10February2016
Meeting Minutes
ThePort,Waterway & Beach Commission (PWBC)meetingwas calledto order at 4:00and
introductions were made by each;the meeting’sattendance sheetisattached.The January
meeting minutes were approved and the current PWBC fund balance was noted at ~$1631.98.
A secondary welcome was made to Kure Beach Councilman Whitley and Wilmington
Councilman Lawler and NC State Ports Authority staff Laura Blair. Congratulations weregiven
to Kathleen Rileyas the new Director of the NC Beach Inlet and Waterway Association
(NCBIWA).
Mr. Tom Fetzer, New Hanover County’s advocate in Raleigh, provided a summary of his scope
and objectives in the upcoming sessions of the NC Legislature. Mr. Fetzerbrieflydescribed our
coastal storm damage reduction projects’ historical fundingand how North Carolina may be
asked to take an increasedfiscalinterest should federal supportcontinuetowane.Mr. Fetzer
shared preliminary successes from initial contacts with multiple coastal State Representatives as
well as with staff within the NC Department of Environmental Quality. Mr. Fetzer quoted from
the 2008Beach Inlet Management Plan (BIMP) estimates of volumes and costs provided from
that time period for inlet maintenance and coastal storm damage reduction (CSDR).Mr. Fetzer
emphasized the benefit of an updated BIMP that is anticipated in December 2016.
Mr. Fetzerstronglyemphasized the importance of a concerted effort by all coastal counties to
understand and support the need for a holistic and regional approachand the necessity of a single
messagetaken to andheard in Raleigh. Mr. Fetzer offered his phone number to all.
Current Efforts:
NHC’s Wrightsville Beach (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR)Project Permitting
The NC Division of Coastal Management (NCDCM) has placed the application on hold until
such time the US Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS)provides their Biological Opinion(BO)to
the US Army Corps of Engineers(USACE).
Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP)
Norfolk Dredging has completed approximately 25% of the project to date.
Shallow Draft Inlet (SDI-5) Permitting
Final comments on USFWS’sBOare being prepared by the Division of Water Resource’s
contractor. The BO is anticipated in early March.
Carolina Beach CSDR Project, Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER)
The USACE held a stakeholders meeting on 25 Jan 2016 and discussed a DRAFT cost sharing
agreement and potentialBRERfunding sources and timelines.ThePresident’s FY17 budget and
the USACE’s FY16 workplanwerereleased on 9 Feb 2016; neither included BRER funding.
The next availablefundingsource would be the USACE’s FY17 workplan.
Risk Reduction (non-federal BRER requirement) and Refined Modeling
Both of these efforts are underwayandwill re-enforce our design(optimaltemplate)parameters
in the event we build WB in FY18 and/or Pleasure Islandin FY19. Both of these efforts are
underway.
WB Economic Update
The USACEcontinuestheassessment efforts.
FY16 CB/KB CSDR Maintenance
The USACE’s contractor Marinex is within the southern section(Seaway Lane)of Kure Beach’s
northern template.
Carolina Beach Inlet
thth
Maintenance dredging by theside-cast dredgeMerritthas been pushed to February8-13in an
effort to take better advantage of the tide cyclesand weather conditions.Staff also noted the
tentative scheduling of ahopper-dredge eventin late April.
Public Comments:
KureBeachCouncilman Bloszinskyasked Wilmington Councilman Lawler if North Carolina
has fiscally supported the river walk. The response was no.
Ruth Smith, NHC’sChief Communication Officer, introduced Keith Smith ofthePrimePolicy
Group now representing NHC in DC.
Commissioner White concluded the meeting with astatement ofintention to improve
communication,participationand involvementbetween NHCstaffand the beach communities.
The meeting was adjourned at ~5:10.
Agenda
10February2016,4:00PM
New Hanover County(NHC), Government Center
Finance Conference Room #500
4:00 Call to Order
Welcome/Introductions
Request approval of the Januarymeeting minutes (emailed 20January2016).Port, Waterway & Beach
Commission (PWBC)fundbalanceis~$1631.98.
Guest Speaker: Tom Fetzer, Fetzer Strategic Partners
Current Efforts:
NHC’sWrightsville Beach (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR)Project
The US Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS)is reviewing the Biological Assessment.
USFWS’sBiological Opinionis anticipated in the April/May timeframe.
Mason Inlet Relocation Project(MIRP)
The maintenance event is underway with an estimated project completion of 20%.
Shallow DraftInlet(SDI-5)Permitting
The Biological Assessment isunder formal consultationbytheUSFWSwith a Biological
Opinionanticipatedin the March/April timeframe.
Draft reasonable and prudent measures/terms and conditions have been evaluated by the
SDI-5contractor.
Carolina Beach CSDR Project, Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER).
th
A stakeholders meeting was held on January25.
The USACE awaitsBRER funding fromeither the President’sFY17 Budget orthe
USACE’sFY16 workplan.
Risk Reduction(non-federal BRER requirement)and Refined Modeling
Both projects are underway.
WBCSDREconomic Update
The Wilmington District continues efforts on theeconomic assessment.
FY16 CB/KB CSDR Maintenance Events
Projectis underway.
Carolina Beach Inlet
Maintenance dredgingby the Merrittto begin 6 February 2016.
Public Comment:
Adjourn