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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120628TybeeIslandBeachTaskForceTybee Island Beach Task Force Minutes June 28, 2012 Members Present: Harvey Ferrelle, Arnie Seyden, Berta Adams, Freda Rutherford, Amy Lanier, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, John Wylly and William Sprague Visitors/Ex-Officios Present: Michael Foran, Paul Wolff, Tom Groover, Diane Schleicher, Jason Buelterman and Karl Burgess, DNR. Call to Order: Harvey Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 1:15PM. Approval of Minutes: Freda Rutherford made a motion to approve the minutes from April 19, 2012. Arnie Seyden seconded. Vote was unanimous. New Business: Diane Schleicher, Beach Operations and Maintenance City does quarterly inspections and reports those finding to the US Corp of Engineers (COE) In July a beach profile is done on how the beach is performing, i.e., erosion Beach compaction test done just prior to turtle season Enforcement of the lighting ordinance for compliance with turtle season She has finished a Plan of Action regarding the removal/relocation of wrack and sargassum Karl Burgess, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GaDNR) stated that the wrack and sargassum are not specific to Tybee Island this year as other beaches in our area are having the same issues. Mr. Burgess also explained that the GaDNR is working and will continue to work with the City developing guidance of what would be the regulatory threshold of requirements as well as the environmental considerations to take. He also stated that the wrack and sea grass do provide a food source to shore birds, crabs and other species on the beach and it is a good foundation for future vegetation growth such as sea oats. In 2007 there was an instance where beach wrack was relocated as a onetime authorization. Mr. Burgess stated that he mainly deals with the regulatory requirements of the Shore Protection Act and gives the City good guidance of what can be done under two scenarios: (1) what would trigger a permit and (2) what would not. They have come up with a policy that if the City immediately addresses the issues of wrack and sea grass, there would not be an objection to removal and this would not trigger a permit. Once the wrack and sea grass becomes part of the sand and creating mounds of sand, it now triggers the Shoreline Engineering Activity and the Shore Protection Act speaks to this, which would require a permit to move the sand. Mr. Ferrelle asked how long it would take to obtain a permit. Mr. Burgess replied generally four (4) months as there are many variables in the permitting process. He reminded that everyone that notification to the GaDNR must be done immediately or within a few hours and can be done with a telephone call or email. In this way GaDNR will be happy to give technical advice and the removal of wrack and sea grass will not require a permit. Mr. Burgess did state that a Letter of Permission (LOP) would be issued for the immediate removal of wrack and was done in 2007. Mr. Ferrelle thanked Mr. Burgess for speaking to the Beach Task Force. Mr. Ferrelle read an article from Lumina News which discussed a ten year extension of the Carolina Beach Project. Mayor Buelterman stated that he has discussed this with Congressman Jack Kingston as well. Mayor’s Update Mayor Buelterman stated that on August 15, 2012 the Tybee Tourism will sponsor an event to bring awareness of funding for the upcoming beach re-nourishment. This will include our local legislative delegation, Ga. Ports Authority, COE, Tybee Island City Council and Beach Task Force just to name a few. He also suggested that the BTF invite the COE to attend future BTF meetings. Ms. Adams stated that she will call the governor’s office and try to set up a meeting with Tripp Addison to discuss state funding for the re-nourishment. She would also like to have a “Plan B” if federal funding is not in the budget. Mr. Groover had a discussion on rejecting the sand from the harbor deepening. Mayor Buelterman said that city council rejected the mud and the non-beach quality sand. Mr. Ferrelle suggested that we contact the COE to open discussions again with members from council. Mr. Burke and Ms. Adams agreed. Mayor Buelterman stated that he will contact Col. Hall and try and set up a meeting to discussion the future re-nourishment. Sub Committee Reports State Funding Committee. Ms. Adams will contact the state representatives to discuss state funding. County Funding. Mr. Ferrelle stated we needed someone to chair this committee and asked for a volunteer. 2015 Re-nourishment Oversight Committee. Mr. Seyden stated he spoke with Mr. Sirard and they are working on the 2015 re-nourishment. Fort Screven Shoreline Hazard Committee. Mr. Richardson stated he had nothing to report. Beach Management Plan. Ms. Rutherford stated the Plan was sent to the members of the BTF for their final recommendations and comments. Old Business USCOE Attending BTF. Mayor Buelterman to contact the COE BTF Membership. Mr. Ferrelle stated we might contact neighboring municipalities to send a representative to our meetings as they have a vested interest in our beach. Meeting adjourned at 2:30PM.