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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-09 Minutes Access 2, 17Sept2024 HLB 18Sept2024 PostTS8, DRGFall 2023 DRG Port, Waterway, & Beach Commission Meeting July 9, 2025 Merritt working in CB Inlet 6/17/25 Notes/Discussion: Chairman Barbour led introductions. June minutes approved. NC State Ports Authority –Wilmington Updates •North Gate Relocation and Access Optimization •Relocation of current north gate on Burnett Blvd to Greenfield St. / Front St. •Construction of three buildings for badging, guardhouse, and cargo control. •+/-900 vehicles/day that use this gate •$28.4M project -$10.9M is funded through Port Infrastructure and Development (PID) Grant. NCSPA will provide remaining $17.5M •Work to start in 2026, 24-30 months to complete Notes/Discussion: NCSPA – Port of Wilmington updates provided by Todd Walton. NC State Ports Authority –Wilmington Updates •Intermodal Yard Improvements •Construct/expand area for loading and discharging containers on and off the rail at the Port •Four dedicated rail sidings, each approximately 1,250 feet in length •Includes a secured area near the US Customs and Border Protection required radiation portals •Will help to divert nearly 250,000 container boxes from trucks to rail over the next decade •Increase capacity from 14,000 to 50,000 intermodal rail movements annually •$22.5M project -$18M is funded through a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant (RAISE), NCSPA provides the remaining $4.5M •Currently under construction, completion late 2025 -early 2026 Notes/Discussion: NC State Ports Authority –Wilmington Updates •USACE 403 Wilmington Harbor Improvement Project •USACE currently working on Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) •September 2025 -Draft EIS expected for public and agency review •USACE to hold public engagement session tentatively scheduled for September 2025 at CFCC •USACE will make public notification once date/time/details finalized •October 2026 -Final EIS with signed Record of Decision https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Dredging/Wilmington-Harbor- 403-Letter-Report-and-EIS/and https://wilmington-harbor-usace- saw.hub.arcgis.com/ Notes/Discussion: Websites provided in slide to USACE website for more information regarding proposed plan. NC State Ports Authority –Wilmington Updates •USACE awarded Wilmington Harbor Anchorage Basin and Mid-River Maintenance Dredging contract to Norfolk Dredging Co. •Contract for $17,116,750 •~1.8 million cubic yards •Placed in offshore disposal site Notes/Discussion: Thanks to Todd Walton for the updates. Feb 27 Carolina Beach Inlet Maintenance Dredging •Merritt began work within CB Inlet on June 17th with a target depth of -8’ •Initial plan was to work 14 days, however USACE/New Hanover County agreed to extend 4-5 additional days •Merritt to finish work today (July 9th) Before Dredge Survey from 6/9/25 Notes/Discussion: Approximately 20,000cy within dredge box to -8’ dredge depth. Merritt has been hard at work since arriving. Feb 27 Carolina Beach Inlet Maintenance Dredging Merritt progress survey from 6/30 Notes/Discussion: Reached out to US Coast Guard to connect and have discussion regarding buoy locations. Important note made how the channel is now well south of #1/#2 buoys. A rough estimate of the event’s cost is about ~$600,000. USACE has money on hand to streamline process. USACE aims to conduct After Dredge survey by end of the week. •Norfolk received Notice to Proceed last month •XYZ data from this year’s Shoreline Mapping surveys for Carolina and Kure Beach sent to USACE Carolina Beach and Kure Beach FY26 Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Looking N from Kure Beach pier Notes/Discussion: WB’s XYZ data will be provided to USACE once available. Once Norfolk Dredging Company provides USACE with a schedule, it will be passed along to project partners. Moffatt & Nichol is processing survey data for Shoreline Mapping Program and Report. Mason Creek AIWW Crossing •Plan is to still include work as an option in upcoming USACE FY26 AIWW Maintenance contract with placement on the southern end of Figure 8 Island •USACE finalizing necessary Right of Entry agreement and placement footprint before solicitation •Project cost will be cost shared with the State •Initial project estimate $1.7 million, local share is ~$425,000 USACE 7/1/25 AIWW survey Notes/Discussion: Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP) •Davey Resource Group continues Waterbird Management Area monitoring •Coyote tracks have been spotted within the management area •Davey has begun to see a decrease in least tern nests •GBA in process of putting together annual monitoring/engineering report Davey Resource Drone Photo from 6/4/25 Notes/Discussion: NHC has previously worked with the USDA for coyote monitoring/removal. Discussion on what “removal” technically entails. Next Meeting: August 13th Notes/Discussion: Chairman Barbour said the USACE has plans to replace the retired Dredge Currituck, but it will depend on funding and will be a multi-year process. Jay Healy re-iterated appreciation of USACE for the extended Merritt stay to help within CB Inlet. Sue Bulluck stated that the HOA’s on the north end of WB are ready to begin Mason Inlet Relocation Permit renewal discussions. Public Comment: Chairman Barbour adjourned the meeting. Next meeting is August 13th.