Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-10 Minutes Access 2, 17Sept2024 HLB 18Sept2024 PostTS8, DRGFall 2023 DRG Port, Waterway, & Beach Commission Meeting December 10th, 2025 North end of Carolina Beach 12/8/25 Notes/Discussion: Vice-Chair Neal Andrew opened meeting and led introductions. 11/12/25 meeting minutes approved (David Kellum motion, Jay Healy seconded). Karen Mosteller (Southport Board of Alderman) and Noah Saldo (Southport City Manager) provided hard copies of the City of Southport Resolution #25-1202.01 in relation to Cape Fear River Harbor 403 Project. An electronic copy will be attached to the PWBC summary email. Jay Healy stated importance of looking at the project carefully, specifically the potential impacts to the aquifers. Karen Mosteller elaborated on Southport’s concerns, specifically the proposed mitigation associated with the project and lack of mitigation funding. It was asked if a US Army Corps of Engineers representative could attend a future PWBC meeting to discuss the project and answer questions. •Pre-placement survey showed a volume shortage of ~300,000cy at Carolina Beach and shortage of ~100,000cy at Kure Beach to build to full template •On 11/14 USACE officially requested an additional $500,000 non-federal funds for both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach ($1M total) to cover volume shortage as well as Kure Beach stormwater outfall modifications •NHC provided the additional nonfederal funds and will continue to work with NCDWR about the potential for the state to pick up 50% of the additional nonfederal funds provided •Total funds provided as of today: •Norfolk started beach work shortly after environmental window opened on November 16 th and began pumping the weekend of November 23rd •Currently working in the area of the Periwinkle Ln Public Access at the north end of Carolina Beach •Sand Placement Tracker: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/309bcbf9e63c40a8aa96791332e6a0ec Carolina Beach and Kure Beach FY26 Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Notes/Discussion: Additional nonfederal county funds came through the Room Occupancy Tax (ROT) which is the typical funding mechanism for the local share of CSRM projects. Looking N at Periwinkle Access on 12/4/25 Surfchex screenshot from 12/10/25 Notes/Discussion: Blue arrow indicates same beach access for reference. Feb 27 Carolina Beach Inlet Maintenance Dredging •NC Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) submitted paperwork to transfer the budgeted total funds ($1.01M) to the USACE for FY26 CB Inlet maintenance dredging •Same funding level as previous years ($262,000 local funds w/ $787,500 state funds) •USACE is planning for a Merritt event at the end of the month •Preliminary plan is December 27 –January 5 USACE Survey 10/9, 10/17 10/30 Notes/Discussion: Mason Inlet Relocation Project •Davey Resource Group is finalizing Mason Inlet 2025 Waterbird Management Area Report •Refresher – •2025 Physical Monitoring Report by GBA findings: •Spring survey results showed 333,340cy within MIRP template •Noticeable southern migration of northern channel bank (Stations 7+00 to 15+00) •Given current shape, location of inlet, and volume within template, a 2026/2027 maintenance project is predicted MIRP Spring 2025 Report by GBA Notes/Discussion: USACE FY26 AIWW Maintenance Contract (Mason Inlet and Carolina Beach Inlet AIWW Crossings) •Southwind began dredging at Browns Inlet shortly after environmental window opened on 11/16 •Awaiting After Dredge (AD) survey results to hopefully be completed by end of week •If AD results clear, then mobilization to Mason Inlet AIWW Crossing would begin •Preliminary schedule estimates roughly 2-3 weeks of dredging (Christmas Break from Dec. 22 –Dec. 29) •Given that USACE contract is using the County’s Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP) authorizations for placement on Figure 8 Island, the County authorized GBA to gather pre and post survey data (hydrographic and placement area) to ensure compatibility with County’s historic MIRP data set and ensure permit conditions are met •Once Mason Inlet AIWW Crossing is complete, next stop if Carolina Beach Inlet Crossing and Snow’s Cut 8/26/25 USACE Survey of Mason Inlet Crossing Notes/Discussion: Mason Inlet AIWW Crossing is County responsibility due to federal permit conditions tied to the Mason Inlet Relocation Project. The Carolina Beach Inlet AIWW Crossing and Snow’s Cut is federal responsibility. Shoreline Mapping Program •At the November PWBC meeting Sue Bulluck asked about the possibility for Shoreline Mapping Program to be publicly available in some form •File copies of complete County Shoreline Mapping Program are given each year to Figure 8 Island, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and USACE •A shortened, bullet proof summary of key findings and figures may be beneficial for towns to display as they see fit •Easy for public to read and interpret •May dispel rumors or misunderstood information •Drastically reduced file size •PWBC thoughts? Monitoring Period Volume Loss (cy)Percent of Fill Lost 2022-2023 -242,315 31.24% 2023-2024 -195,055 25.14% 2024-2025 -82,055 10.58% 2025-2026 N/A N/A 2022-2026 Losses =-519,425 66.96% KURE BEACH 2022 CSDR PROJECT = 775,724 cy 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 CB - North 1-5CB - Central 6-8CB - Central 9-16CB - South 17-23 Vo l u m e A b o v e -14 f t N A V D 8 8 ( c y / f t ) CAROLINA BEACH -NOURISHMENT TRIGGERS (25-Yr Level of Protection) 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 278 cy/ft 331 cy/ft 293 cy/ft 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 KB - North 1-6KB - Central 7-10KB - South 11-17KB - South 18-21 Vo l u m e A b o v e -14 f t N A V D 8 8 ( c y / f t ) KURE BEACH -NOURISHMENT TRIGGERS (25-Yr Level of Protection) 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 281 cy/ft 285 cy/ft 260 cy/ft 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Monitoring Period Volume Loss (cy)Percent of Fill Lost 2022-2023 -377,727 33.30% 2023-2024 -213,372 18.81% 2024-2025 -119,323 10.52% 2025-2026 N/A N/A 2022-2026 Losses =-710,422 62.63% CAROLINA BEACH 2022 CSDR PROJECT = 1,134,276 cy Notes/Discussion: Discussion about how a very short, brief summary of the Shoreline Mapping Report may be beneficial for the public and for the Towns to use to answer public questions. New Hanover County will continue to work with Moffatt & Nichol to come up with a draft to share with the PWBC at a future meeting. Next Meeting: January 14th Public Comment/Open Discussion Notes/Discussion: Vice-Chair Neal Andrew adjourned meeting.