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20110818 Beach Task Force Minutes
Those in attendance: Amy Lanier, Arnie Seyden, Berta Adams, Cecil DeLorme,
Chuck Powell, Freda Rutherford, Harry Spirides, Harvey
Ferrelle, Helen Downing, Jimmy Burke, Joe Richardson, John
Wylly, Lou Off, Wick Searcy, William Sprague, Paul Wolff, Bill
Garbett, Brad Gane, DNR; Sonny Emmert, DNR; Diane
Schleicher and Mayor Jason Buelterman
Amy Lanier called the meeting to order at 11:30am.
Frieda Rutherford made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Harvey Ferrelle
seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Ms. Lanier thanked Brad Gane, Karl Burgess and Sonny Emmert from the Georgia DNR
for attending the meeting today.
DNR Question and Answer
Ms. Lanier asked the members of the Beach Task Force to email questions and
concerns to her so she could present to the representatives from GaDNR today.
Church Powell: Taking sand out of the Tybee River, Back River as we call it,
does affect the Little Tybee complex, does it not? Brad Gane: Yes it will in
some way.
Dr. Richardson: Knowing that funding for future beach re-nourishment is
going to be a problem (at best), knowing that former beach sand (placed by
former re-nourishments) is sitting in at least two reservoirs on and alongside
Tybee, and knowing that periodically moving sand locally is far more
environmentally friendly and sound than construction of a large south end jetty;
What CAN the City of Tybee Island do (i.e. what are we allowed to do) to take
advantage of these reservoirs of formerly re-nourished beach sand and
periodically move it from one part of the island (where it is causing problems) to
other parts of the island that need it? Brad Gane stated that this is not a new
question that has come before GaDNR. He feels that we, Tybee Island, needs to
have a plan to identify where the surplus sand reservoirs are located and also
where the deficit areas and then meet with the Coastal Engineer for the City to
determine if there is value in doing this.
Amy Lanier: In speaking of the reservoirs that are under water, which
becomes a sand bar, how far out does GaDNR have jurisdiction? Brad Gane:
The jurisdiction extends out the limit of state waters, i.e., three (3) miles. He
would ask us to approach the COE for their input.
Lou Off: Mr. Off asked Mr. Gane if he was familiar with the “CBRA” line. Mr.
Gane stated he knew of it but not where it was. Mr. Off explained the location
and we were told by the COE that we could not borrow sand south of that line.
20110818Minutes Page 2 of 4
Mr. Gane stated the CBRA, Coastal Barriers Resource Act, mean you cannot have
federal subsidies within those areas. If you do a non-federally funded project,
CBRA would not apply. Karl Burgess explained the five (5) panel committee
which is a permitting issue committee. With this committee you need to have a
qualified applicant in order to get a permit. The GaDNR needs to have a point of
contact with the City during the permitting process. Mr. Gane stated that he
doesn’t feel we have a limit on how many times we can take sand from our
borrow site just quantity. He also feels Tybee Island needs to move away from
dependency on the federal government for re-nourishment and have a plan B.
Ms. Adams asked Mr. Burgess; to what extent will GaDNR allow us to use
different methods to retain sand. In the past we have used hardware on the
beach with jetties and other different kinds of mechanism such as snow fencing.
Mr. Burgess feels we need to work with the Coastal Engineer to develop a plan
with different components which would include sand placement and fencing
which could be done with one permit. In the case of a cross-over could be done
in-house at staff level. New structures and moving of sand will require a permit.
Mr. Gane stated they are willing to cooperate and want things to work for Tybee
Island’s benefit. Going through the permitting process can be laborious for
everyone. The Permitting Committee has the ability to ask anything which may
extend the process. Ms. Adams if GaDNR can streamline the process so we
know what is required which will shorten the permitting process. Mr. Gane said
he is willing to do what he can to assist. Guideline s are set and applicants do
not follow those guidelines. Ms. Rutherford stated that our federal contract ends
in 2023 and the BTF has been working very hard to determine if it is in Tybee
Island’s best interest to begin to work on the contract renewal. They are also
looking at the enforcement of HB 727. At what point do we come to a decision
point on whether we go forward with the renewal. Generally we feel that
GaDNR is our advocate particularly with the CZM. Her main question is what the
BTF can look to GaDNR as we go forward with beach re-nourishment. Mr. Gane
stated the following:
o Tybee Island may have a chance to receive funding for the next re-
nourishment from the federal government
o Tybee Island needs to have their own plan for managing beaches, i.e., for
beach nourishment
o HB 727 is not the cure for all Tybee Island’s problems
o Tybee Island has a chance to be effective with influencing all the projects
that the federal government does that involve dredge material
o Tybee Island needs to determine what our needs are and what the costs
are
o Recommends Tybee Island find funding alternatives – not wait on the
federal government to maintain beaches
Mayor Buelterman thanked the representatives from GaDNR for attending the meeting
and supporting Tybee Island. He would like to give his update to the committee:
20110818Minutes Page 3 of 4
He met with the new Georgia Attorney General in regards to HB727.
Derelict structures – sent multiple letters to the COE stating that if someone
gets hurt, Tybee Island is not responsible. The COE, locally, does not have
the funding to remove the structures
Consultant – he met with the firm on his recent trip to Washington, D.C.
and will invite them to attend a future meeting. They are former COE
members. Their name is Worthington and Associates – Amy will contact.
John Wylly asked Mayor Buelterman if he was aware of the T-groin that
Dufuskee used to solve their south end problem – this might work at 2nd
Street to take care of the derelict problem as the sand would build.
Ms. Lanier stated that the Shore Protection Act expires in 2023 and we have a 2015 re-
nourishment authorized and we have a final 2023 re-nourishment. She then asked Mr.
Gane how does that effect DNR as the Shore Committee is part of the state or part of
the Shore Protection Act? Mr. Gane stated that the Shore Committee is named in the
state’s law as the Short Protection Act. He also feels Tybee Island needs to have a
planned beach that is not a federal beach. This way it is considered a covered beach
and is eligible to receive post storm funding in the event of a disaster which will come
through FEMA.
Subcommittee Reports
State Funding Committee. Ms. Adams - Agrees we need to recognize the federal
money may not be available. We need our own plan. The Ad Hoc Committee
has been meeting and Ron Stephens is proceeding with his idea (which she can’t
reveal). Tybee Island needs to find a mechanism where the state can contribute
over a period of time and have those funds dedicated to Tybee Island. Mayor
Buelterman accompanied her to St Simons to meet with a gentleman who is a
member of the chamber to link with Jekyll Island as well at S t Simons to have a
Georgia Coastal Fund of some description as they also need help in the future.
She is waiting from the three state representatives on how they want her
committee to proceed.
Lou Off made a motion to recommend the City of Tybee Island set aside no less than
$1,000,000 each year in addition to any SPLOST funds for beach re-nourishment.
Jimmy Burke seconded. Vote was 9-3. Motion carried. Discussion: Ms. Adams
stated that she feels the city needs to be committed to setting aside an a mple amount
of money and that it might be done on a percentage with the county and state. Ms.
Rutherford suggests we need to show a revenue stream and that language needs to be
part of the motion. Mr. Ferrelle agrees with the motion and would like city c ouncil to
address the issue with the BTF. Mr. Wolff would like the SMN to give coverage
regarding funding for the next beach re-nourishment.
Sub Committee Reports:
20110818Minutes Page 4 of 4
2015 Re-nourishment Oversight Committee - Lou Off discussed his email
concerning the LLR (attached).
County Funding Committee – Harvey Ferrelle reported – they are still waiting for
the funding.
Channel Impact Study, Phase II Oversight – on hold
Ft Screven Shoreline Hazard Committee – Dr. Richardson stated nothing new.
Public Relations Progress – Ms. Lanier reported that Helen Downing made a suggestion
that we invite someone from the media to attend the BTF. Ms. Adams suggested that
the city council appoint someone from the media to attend the meetings. Ms. Lanier
will follow-up with Mayor Buelterman.
Ms. Lanier adjourned the meeting at 2:30PM.