Meeting Minutes April 13 2016
13 April2016
Meeting Minutes
ThePort,Waterway & Beach Commission (PWBC)meetingwas calledto order at 4:00and
introductions were made by each;the meeting’sattendance sheetisattached.The March
meeting minutes were approved.Staff noted the springNC Beach Inlet & Waterway
thst
Association (NCBIWA) meeting. The meeting is scheduled for April 20and 21at the Pine
Knoll Shores’ Aquarium on Bogue Banks.Several PWBC participants noted their intentions to
participate.
Current Efforts:
NHC’s Wrightsville Beach (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR)Project Permitting
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)has projected their Biological Opinion (BO) to be
completed in the July time frame. Federal and state permitting efforts will resume following the
BO’s release with permits anticipated in early winter.
Chairman Barbour questioned the timing of the FY18 WB CSDR maintenance event and
strategiesbeing considered. Staff noted theUS Army Corps of Engineers’(USACE)FY18
budgeting timeline and theUSACE’sscheduled Level II Economic update for WB and Kure
Beach(KB).(The USACE’seconomicstakeholders’update was postponed Friday morning; an
alternativedate is being worked.)Staff shared the dual path of a routine federal event and the
potential of alocal event. Apotential strategy wouldhave a percentage of plans and
specifications prepared this winter so that if the WB CSDRis not in the FY18 federal budget,
local plans and specifications can be completed for early advertisementduring the spring of
2017.
Staff continued the potential strategy’s schedulethrough the Carolina Beach(CB)and KB CSDR
cyclesinFY19. The tentative strategy includes local plans and specifications prepared for early
advertisementin the spring of2018preparingfor construction inthe fallof 2018.
Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP)
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The 2016 maintenance eventwas completedon March 7. The final inlet relocation volumes
were500,635 cubic yards (cy) inclusive of 59,534 cy from the USACE’s AIWW crossing.
Shallow Draft Inlet (SDI-5) Permitting
The USFWS has issued their BO for the SDI-5 projects. The USACE and the NC Division of
Coastal Management (NCDCM)haveresumedpermitting efforts. Permits arenowanticipated
in May.With the issuance of the CB Inlet maintenance dredging permit, potential modifications
incorporating an inshore dredge material disposal site (IDMDS)will be explored.
Carolina Beach CSDR Project, Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER)
NHC is initiating an alternative funding avenuefor initiating the BRERprior to the USACE’s
FY17 Workplan or FY18 budgeting. A delegation letter is being requested to support
reallocationof USACE FY17General Investigation (GI) dollars whichhave not been utilized.If
unemployedfunds arefoundand reallocated to the Wilmington District(SAW)USACE, these
GI dollars would initiate the BRER effort.
The US House of Representatives has begunWater Resource Development Act (WRDA) 2016
development.Potential WRRDA 2014 clarification language is being considered aspreviously
put forth in the Section 7001 Report. The primarytargets wouldbe to allowcontinued
maintenance funding duringthe BRER efforts and ifthe BRER supportscontinued federal
interest,the CB CSDR would have full access to the potential15-year extension.
Risk Reduction (non-federal BRER requirement) and Refined Modeling
Both of these efforts are underwayandwill re-enforce our design(optimal template)parameters
in the event we build WB in FY18 and/or Pleasure Islandin FY19. We anticipate a DRAFT
Risk ReductionPlanReport in late summer2016and the Refined Modeling Report for WB in
the late fall2016.
WB Economic Update
The status of this action was includedin response to Chairman Barbour’squestioning of the WB
CSDR efforts.As noted in the WB CSDR update, the USACE’seconomicstakeholder’s
meetingwas postponed Friday morning; an alternativedate is being worked.The USACE’s
meeting will focus onthe statusof WB’s Level II Economic Assessment and the scheduling of
KB’s.
FY16 CB/KB CSDR Maintenance
The Marinexsubcontractor Norfolk Dredging completed the CB CSDRtemplateon 12 April
2016.Marinex has completed the northern Kure Beach sectionand continues on KB’s southern
section. Approximately1800 linear feet remain to be re-nourishedin the KB southern template.
The target completion date is 30 April.
Carolina Beach Inlet
A 5-day Merrittevent is scheduled for the late Apriltime frame.
Outreach
:Management staff noted theUS House’sinitial efforts on WRDA 2016and the
currently unknown path by the Senate. Staff noted NHC’sadvocacyinRaleigh isconsidering
next year’s long session to introducestatededicated CSDR funding language.
Public Comments:
None were given.
The meeting was adjourned at ~4:50.
Agenda
13 April2016,4:00PM
New Hanover County(NHC), Government Center
Finance Conference Room #500
4:00 Call to Order
Welcome/Introductions
Request approval of the Marchmeeting minutes (emailed 11March2016).Reminder of the NC Beach
Inlet & Waterway(NCBIWA)local governments meeting is scheduledWednesday & Thursday, April
20 & 21 at theNorth Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores NC(
http://www.ncbiwa.org/events).
Current Efforts:
NHC’sWrightsville Beach (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR)Project
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)has requested formal consultation by the US Fish
and Wildlife Service(USFWS).
USFWS’s Biological Opinionis anticipated in the Julytimeframe.
Mason Inlet Relocation Project(MIRP)
The maintenance project was completed on 7 March.
500,635 cubic yards(cy)were removed fromtherelocatedinlet system including59,534
cy from the USACE’s AIWW crossing.
Shallow DraftInlet(SDI-5)Permitting
The USACE’s legal staff and the NC Division of Coastal Management (NCDCM) are
reviewingDRAFTpermit conditions.
Carolina Beach CSDR Project, Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER).
NHC is exploring the potentialfor reallocation ofunencumberedGeneral Investigation
fundsfrom theUSACE’s FY16 Workplan.
Potential options within theanticipatedWaterResources Development Act(WRDA)of
2016 are being considered.
Risk Reduction(non-federal BRER requirement)and Refined Modeling(all CSDRs)
Risk Reduction DRAFT Final Report anticipated in late summer 2016.
Refined Modeling Report for WB anticipated in late fall 2016.
WBCSDREconomic Update
USACE’scertified cost statement is anticipated by late April followed by a finalized
benefit cost ratio determination.
FY16 CB/KB CSDR Maintenance Events
Projectis underway.
Carolina Beach Inlet
The next maintenance event is tentatively scheduled for late Aprilby the Merritt.
Outreach: R. Smith
Public Comment:
Adjourn