2018-06-13 Minutes
13June2018
Meeting Minutes
Chairman Barbour called the Port, Waterway & Beach Commission (PWBC) meeting to order at
~4:00. Participant introductions were made; the meeting’s attendance sheet is attached. The
May 2018 meeting minutes were approved.
Current Efforts
Wrightsville Beach’s (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR) Project, Post
Authorization Change Report (PACR):
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has proposed a June 2019 DRAFT PACR
release date. The USACE’s FY18 CSDR maintenance event’s final accounting of costs
and volumes will be shared when received.
Carolina Beach (CB) CSDR Project, Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER):
The USACE has proposed a DRAFT BRER release date in May 2019.
CB and Kure Beach (KB) FY19 CSDR Maintenance Projects:
In May the County Commissioners approved and on 1June2018 the USACE received, the
total non-federal cost share ($6,580,000.00) for both projects. The USACE proposes to
release the project solicitation in August. A potential USACE CSDR contract option to
include an inlet maintenance event is being considered. As a contract option, the County
will be allowed to review the USACE bid tab before a non-federal fund transfer. Staff
provided background information on the Carolina Beach Inlet (CBI) District U fund
balance. Staff also described a traditional ROT alternative that supports the CSDR/inlet
option while prolonging the CBI District U funds through 2020.
The PWBC approved the following motion “Staff is to continue exploring a CB Inlet
maintenance event as a contract option within the USACE’s CB/KB CSDR solicitation;
including potential access of traditional ROT funds in that the inlet’s dredge material
would be beneficially placed within the CSDR template.”
Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP):
The project’s 2018 surveying is complete; the engineering analysis is underway.
Preliminary 2018 graphics have been shared with Mason Inlet Preservation Group north
(Figure 8). Indications are the 2016 relocation event continues to meet project goals in
terms of location within the engineering corridor. Barring unforeseen events, an FY19
relocation project may be postponed. However, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
(AIWW) crossing at Mason Creek has again become shoaled. The USACE is preparing a
federal solicitation for multiple AIWW features and has offered inclusion of the Mason
Creek crossing within the federal solicitation at full non-federal costs. Staff is working to
secure a Mason Creek crossing bid option in the federal solicitation. As a contract
option, the County will be allowed to review the USACE bid tab before a non-federal
fund transfer. As a bundled element in the USACE’s solicitation, Staff cautiously
anticipates a potential cost reduction from previous events. Staff provided background
information on the Mason Inlet District U fund balance and the proposed use in the
upcoming MIRP assessments.
Carolina Beach Inlet (CBI):
Early July is the next scheduled CBI maintenance dredging event. The USACE’s special
purpose dredge Murdenis scheduled for a 7-day event. Staff is working with the
agencies requesting use of the inshore dredge material management site outside the
environmental window (15Nov – 31Mar). Otherwise, the USACE will make less
efficient use of the nearshore ocean disposal site.
Shoreline Mapping Program:
The 2018 shoreline field transects are complete; the engineering analysis is underway.
Refined Coastal Modeling (RCM):
CB and KB analyses are complete; the reports are in progress.
Legislative Updates:
Ruth Smith updated County lobbying efforts in Raleigh and Washington. In the FY19
budget, the State cost-shared in the KB CSDR project and placed $5M in the Coastal
Storm Damage Mitigation fund. In DC, both the House and Senate included Water
Resource Development Act (WRDA) language agreeing that following a WRDA
authorized BRER; the 15-year extension would begin during initial construction. Also,
an additional 3-year period was granted allowing the CB CSDR to compete for funds
through 2023 ensuring BRER completion. Staff anticipates report language from the
Senate continuing to emphasize an expedited completion of WB’s PACR. A delegation
letter, initiated in the House, has asked Assistant Secretary of the Army James to support
the continued WB and CB inlet borrow location exemptions as provided for in the
Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA).
Public Comment:
Meeting Adjourned!
Agenda
13 June 2018, 4:00PM
New Hanover County, Government Center
Finance Conference Room, 500
4:00 Call to Order
Welcome/Introductions
Request approval of the May meeting minutes (emailed 11May2018).
Current Efforts:
Wrightsville Beach (WB) Coastal Storm Damage Reduction (CSDR) Project, Post Authorization Change
Report (PACR)
A USACE draft document release date is tentatively June 2019.
CB Beach Renourishment Evaluation Report (BRER)
A USACE draft document release date is tentatively May 2019.
Carolina Beach (CB) and Kure Beach (KB) FY19 CSDR Project
The non-federal stakeholder share ($6,580,000.00) was transferred on 1June2018.
Efforts to merge an inlet maintenance event with the FY19 CSDR maintenance continues; Does the
PWBC concur with the use of the traditional ROT funds if needed?
Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP)
The MIRP’s 2018 engineering report is in development.
Mason Creek crossing, at non-federal expense, may potentially be included in the FY19 USACE
AIWW scope of work.
Carolina Beach Inlet (CBI)
TheMurden is scheduled for an early July, seven-day (12-hrs/day) event.
Shoreline Mapping Program
The 2018 field surveys are complete; the engineering analysis is underway.
Refined Coastal Modeling (RCM)
The CB and KB refined coastal modeling reports are in development.
Legislative Update:
FY19 KB CSDR in NC budget
CSDR mitigation fund initiated in NC budget
15-year start date language (House, T&I and Senate, E&PW)
Additional 3-year BRER authorization extension (House, T&I)
CBRA zones Delegation Letter in play
Public Comment:
Adjourn