HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120628TybeeIslandBeachTaskForce.pdf20120628BeachTaskForceMinutes Page 1 of 2
Tybee 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
o City does quarterly inspections and reports those finding to the US Corp of
Engineers (COE)
o In July a beach profile is done on how the beach is performing, i.e., erosion
o Beach compaction test done just prior to turtle season
o Enforcement of the lighting ordinance for compliance with turtle season
o 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.
20120628BeachTaskForceMinutes Page 2 of 2
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
o 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.