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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20140900Tybee Island Beach Management plan.pdf Tybee Island Beach Management Plan [Type text] Page 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION 2 HISTORY AND BACKGROUND 2 Barrier Island Dynamics 2 History and Development of Tybee Island 2 Demographics 3 POLICIES AND LAWS 4 Federal 4 State 4 Local 5 HISTORY OF BEACH RESTORATION AND NOURISHMENT 6 PUBLIC BEACH USES 10 Beach Safety and Lifeguards 10 Equipment and Needs 11 Tourism 12 Traditional Tourism 12 Ecotourism 13 Roads and Parking 14 Beach Access 14 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS 15 MOVING SAND FROM LOCAL AREAS OF ACCRETION TO LOCAL AREAS OF EROSION 16 PUBLIC/PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF ACCRETING AREAS OF BEACH 18 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 18 Wildlife 18 Shorebirds 18 Sea Turtles 18 Construction 19 Sediment Grain Size 19 Sediment Composition 19 Sediment Color 19 Compaction 19 Beach Profile 19 Sand Fence Construction 20 Beach Lighting 20 Plants 21 Scrub-Shrub Trimming Guidelines 21 Sea Oats 21 Tree Canopy 21 Green Space 21 [Type text] Page 2 Beach Water Quality Beach Water Quality Monitoring 22 Storm Water Management 23 Water Quantity/Conservation 24 Dogs on the Beach 24 Beach Cleaning and Maintenance 25 BEACH COMMUNITIES 26 Savannah River Beach 29 North Beach 30 Front Beach 30 Beach Business District 33 South Tip 36 Back River 39 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 43 Planning and Zoning 44 Beach Restoration and Nourishment 44 Federal 45 State 45 Local 47 BEACH MONITORING REQUIREMENTS 48 Federal 48 Cost Shared Five Year Beach Monitoring 48 QA Under the Corps’ Inspection of Completed Works Program 49 State 49 Local 49 Non-Federal Monitoring Requirements 49 Quarterly Surveillance Report 49 Citizens and Tourists 49 BEACH CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS 50 State 50 Local Population 50 THE WAY FORWARD 51 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 53 LITERATURE CITED AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 54 [Type text] Page 3 APPENDICIES Appendix A: Corps of Engineers Operation and Maintenance Manual A1 Appendix B: Beach Monitoring Responsibilities B1 Appendix C: Tybee Beach Sand Management Players & Projects C1 Appendix D: DNR Standard Conditions for Dune Crossovers D1 Appendix E: DNR Scrub-Shrub Trimming Guidelines E1 Appendix F: DNR Guidance on Establishing Dune Paths F1 Appendix G: DNR Beach Cleaning Letter G1 Appendix H: Wintering Piping Plover Critical Habitat H1 Appendix I: Georgia DNR Sand Fence Guidelines I1 Appendix J: Summary of Recommendations J1 Appendix K: Recommendation Matrix K1 Appendix L: Beach Access Points and Parking Locations on Tybee L1 [Type text] Page 4 [Type text] Page 1 Signature Page The City of Tybee Island and the Tybee Island Beach Task Force has partnered to create this Tybee Island Beach Management Plan. The City of Tybee Island has asked its citizens to define th eir beach management interests and priorities and has given fair consideration to the inclusion of those interests and priorities in this Beach Management Plan. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has provided technical assistance to the community to conduct and complete this mutually beneficial work. The project has enabled the City of Tybee Island to define its beach management interests and goals and will further enable the City to conduct its planning, budgeting, and public works functions as they relate to management of Tybee Island beaches. Signed this day of , 2014 By: Honorable Jason Buelterman, Mayor Mayor City of Tybee Island [Type text] Page 2 INTRODUCTION In order to understand Tybee Island and its unique place on our coast, we must place it into the larger perspective of the Georgia barrier islands. The northernmost of our barrier islands, Tybee has been impacted by human development for centuries. From Yuchi Indians to modern day people looking for a beachside community, Tybee has been an important component of our landscape, both culturally and ecologically for centuries. An article from the Savannah Morning News from the late 1800’s gives us the following quote: “The beach is crowded with the old and the young, the rich and the poor. There is no caste here. There is no stilted style. The beach is long enough and broad enough and free for all. It’s impossible for the selfish to monopolize the pure air of Tybee! There is enough and to spare. It is as free as the waves which beat upon the beach.” In order to properl y discuss beach management, which is the purpose of this document, we must balance all perspectives, from beach stabilization and re-nourishment to the abundant natural and cultural resources. For an excellent technical overview of shoreline stabilization on Tybee Island see the Tybee Island, Georgia, Long Range Beach Management Plan prepared for T ybee Island in June of 2001 by Olsen Associates, Inc. The purpose of this plan is to provide a useable planning document to the Tybee Island government and community that will serve several functions: serve as standard operating procedures for beach management b y outlining responsibilities for management and maintenance of the beach; recommend specific duties to stakeholders and government officials and provide pertinent information to residents and interested parties. This document will serve as official policy of the Cit y of T ybee Island. It will provide long–term direction and guidance for cit y policy makers and the Tybee Island Beach Task Force (BTF) as well as best management practices to city personnel for beach re-nourishment and maintenance. HISTORY AND BACKGROUND Barrier Island Dynamics Barrier islands are shaped by both forces of nature and design! Natural forces include water currents such as long shore currents, wave refraction, and storms, and cause barrier islands to be impermanent geological entities. This section will briefl y discuss the fact that the shapes and sizes of barrier islands change constantl y under the influence of winds, waves, and tidal currents. Inlets, on the north and south ends of the barrier islands, are especially d ynamic with southern ends tending to grow through accretion and northern ends showing irregular growth and erosion. And so Tybee Island, just like any Georgia barrier island, changes shape constantly. This Holocene, or recent geologicall y speaking, island consists of 3,100 acres, of which 1,500 acres are uplands. For more information on this topic, please see A Guide to a Georgia Barrier Island by Ta ylor Schoettle. [Type text] Page 3 Because the Savannah Harbor Federal Navigation Channel, maintained by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, has disrupted this natural cycle, more attention will be paid to it in the next section and in the Beach Restoration and Nourishment section. History and Development of Tybee Island Tybee Island was colonized alongside Savannah by General James Oglethorpe in 1733. Tybee was recognized early on in the colonial period as strategic to protect the port of Savannah. Several lighthouses were built on Tybee, and what you see toda y is actually two lighthouses: the third lighthouse (the bottom 60 feet completed in 1773) and the fourth lighthouse (the top 94 feet added to the original foundation in 1867). The octagonal structure is made of brick, with 12-foot- thick walls at the base tapering to 18 inches at the top (Sherpa Guides, Lenz Design, 2005). Tybee development continued in the mid-1800s when the only transportation was over water, the general public having access by steamboat. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that Tybee trul y became a tourist destination with the establishment of a rail line with Savannah in 1887. There were ver y few year-round residents before the 1870s, but over 400 beach cottages and other buildings were established b y the 1890s for the summer residents. U.S. Highway 80 was completed in June of 1923 linking Tybee Island with Thunderbolt, Georgia, and b y the 1920’s, Tybee was one of the busiest seaside resorts in the Southeast with the main hub of social activit y being the T ybrisa Pavilion. Another aspect of development on Tybee revolves around the shipping channel and port. The natural channel depth of the Savannah River is approximatel y 24 feet. Please see the sections on Beach Restoration and Nourishment and Beach Monitoring, as they adequately address these topics. Demographics Tybee Island is one of four public beach communities in Georgia along with Jekyll Island, St. Simons and Sea Islands. Tybee is Georgia’s 11th largest barrier island, measuring approximatel y 2.5 miles long by 0.75 mile wide. There is a permanent resident population approaching 4,000, which can grow to 30,000 on summer weekend days. The population according to the most recent census (2000) was 3,392. The median resident age was 47 years, median household income was $50,000, and the median house value was $175,000 and continues to increase rapidl y (Cit y-Data.Com, 2005). As of August 2005, there have been 59 single-famil y new house construction building permits issued at an average cost of $495,000 (Personal communication, Jan Fox and Vivian Woods, July 2005). According to the U.S. Department of Labor May 2004 Metropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the mean annual wage for all occupations were $32,750. Race is mostly of European descent, with ancestries including African, English, Irish, German, Italian, Scottish and American Indian (City-Data.Com, 2005). Rapid growth on the South Carolina coast and in Florida have placed additional human stresses on Tybee such as increased visitors on the beach, and greatly increasing single-and multi-family residential construction. In turn there is a greater need to maintain the beach for the use of our visitors and the protection of propert y. [Type text] Page 4 POLICIES AND LAWS Federal The Shore Protection Program Tybee Island was included in the Federal Shore Protection Program under the Water Resources Development Act in 1974. This Congressional Action, as well as other actions by the Federal Government, authorizes erosion protection measures, including sand re-nourishments every seven years, through 2023. The Corps administers and engineers this Program with coordination of the City, State and the GA DNR. Although the project has become an authorized project, each action must be separately funded from the Congress and from local funding sources for each construction activity as well as for the studies and engineering required by it. Three past projects have brought in under this Authorization beginning in 1975, the North Federal Terminal Groin was constructed and 2,300,000 cubic yards of sand was placed along the front beach; in 1986/87, the Federal South Tip Groin was constructed (and the North Terminal Groin was raised 4 feet) and approximately 1,000,000 cubic yards of sand was placed at the north and the south ends of the front beach; and in 1999/2000, built 8 rock groins at the back river and placed 1,300,000 cubic yards of sand on the north front beach and the south end of the island. Another re-nourishment was initially scheduled for 2007; however, adequate Federal funding was not allocated until FY2008. The City of Tybee, in anticipation for the 2007 re-nourishment, began the engineering and design, in particular the borrow area analysis initiated and was turned over to Corps for its use in support to the 2008 Renourishment. The 2008 Beach Re-nourishment Project contract was awarded in August 2008 and work was completed in December, 2008. Approximately 1,000,000 cy of sand was placed on the beach above the mean low tide line, with an emphasis on the Second Street area, where an additional 2000 cy was placed in this “hot spot”. The BTF has requested that the north end of the island also be included in this program as is all of the rest of Tybee and Congress has authorized a new “North End Study. However, no work has been performed due to a lack of Federal Funds and a prioritization for local funds assigned towards the main beach renourishment. The federal government provides 60.1% of the funding and Tybee Island as the local sponsor must provide the remaining 39.9% with the help of Chatham County and the State of Georgia. Another study (The Channel Impacts Study) supported by the BTF could assign a larger percentage to the federal government due to the effects of the federal channel if completed State The Shore Protection Act of 1979 (O.C.G.A. 12-5-230, et seq.) The Shore Protection Act is the primary legal authority for protection and management of Georgia’s shoreline features including sand dunes, beaches, sand bars and shoals. Its jurisdiction includes the submerged shoreline lands out to the three mile limit of State ownership, the sand beaches to ordinary high water mark, and the dynamic dune field. See http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi- bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=12-5- 231. [Type text] Page 5 The Marshlands Protection Act (O.C.G.A. 12-5-280, et seq.) The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act provides the DNR Coastal Resources Division with the authority to protect tidal wetlands. The CMPA manages certain activities and structures in marsh areas and requires permits for other activities and structures. Erecting structures, dredging, or filling marsh an area requires a Marshlands Protection Committee Permit administered through the DNR Coastal Resources Division. In cases where the proposed activity involves construction on a State-owned tidal water bottom, a Revocable License issued by the CRD may also be required. The estuarine area is defined as all tidally influenced waters, marshes, and marshlands lying within a tide elevation range from 5.6 feet above mean tide level and below. The jurisdiction of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act includes marshlands, intertidal areas, mudflats, tidal water bottoms, and salt marsh areas within estuarine areas of the state. See http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi- bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=12-5-281. The Georgia Coastal Management Program Georgia joined the Federal Coastal Zone Management Program (CMP) in 1998. Georgia’s federally-approved CMP allows the state to: • Provide technical assistance and Coastal Incentive Grants to local governments for projects in coastal area communities • Provide public education about coastal resources • Simplify the permitting process and improve compliance with issued permits • Exercise more control over federal projects in the coastal area through federal consistency review • Improve environmental monitoring efforts to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems Developed through an extensive public process; the Georgia Coastal Management Program is an integrated, networked program which uses existing state laws to manage Georgia’s critical coastal resources. State resource policies, such as the Coastal Marshland Protection Act and the Shore Protection Act, protect critical natural areas but do not provide a coordinated, comprehensive management framework with which to address the above issues. The Georgia Coastal Management Program provides such a framework. Water Quality Control Act, Georgia Code 12-5-20, et seq. The people of the State of Georgia are dependent upon the rivers, streams, lakes, and subsurface waters of the state for public and private water supply and for agricultural, industrial, and recreational uses. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the State of Georgia that the water resources of the state shall be utilized prudently for the maximum benefit of the people, in order to restore and maintain a reasonable degree of purity in the waters of the state and an adequate supply of such waters, and to require where necessary reasonable usage of the waters of the state and reasonable treatment of sewage, industrial wastes, and other wastes prior to their discharge into such waters. See http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi- bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=12-5-21. [Type text] Page 6 Local Consolidation of Beach Ordinances This section should consolidate ordinances into one section of the City code. Included will be safety and enforcement, commercial vendors, fishing regulations, pier use, and other rules and regulations and ordinances that should have the effect of law. (See ‘k’ below). Following is a partial list of ordinances: Storm Water Management Tybee Code 5-4-1 Beach Rules Tybee Code 9-5-1 (dogs on beach, animals at large) Green Space Title 8 is the land development code, in particular 8-3-100 is beach and dune vegetation, and 8-3-165 is green space rule, 8-3-240 is wetlands protection, 8-5-010J is shore protection (above ordinances provided by Bubba Hughes, City Attorney). • Beach Task Force, Sec. 2-3-30 • Regulatory fees, Sec. 3-2-72 • Sand removal, Sec. 5-1-3 • Damage or intrusion, Sec. 5-1-5 • Powered watercraft, Sec. 7-3-6 • Sales on beach, Sec. 9-1-20 • License, Sec. 9-3-31 • Fees, Sec. 9-3-33 • Control of business, Sec. 9-3-34 • Lifeguard, Sec. 9-3-35 • Rules and Regulations, Sec. 9-5-1 • Disorderly conduct, Sec. 11-1-6 • Authorized powers, Sec. 100-1-13 • Special property tax, Sec. 100-6-12 •Parking, street, & beach user fees, Sec. 100-6-14 • Dock Builders—regulation of contractors, unassigned as of August 2005 HISTORY OF BEACH RESTORATION AND NOURISHMENT The histor y of the Fe de r al N avi ga t i on p roj e ct i n t h e S av an n ah R i v e r indicates that dredging activities got underway in the late 1800's. At that point in time, there was a point of land a half mile out to sea between the north groin (the North Groin was n ’t built until the 1970’s) to US Highwa y 80. By 1915, this land had disappeared, and by 1925, another 600 feet disappeared from the front beach. The channel was deep enough to stop most sand and the island had to be protected by the sea wall built in 1938. Over 130 groins helped to hold some of the sand, but continuing deficits to the incoming sand flow due to the channel have caused increasing shoreline erosion beyond that expected b y natural causes. [Type text] Page 7 Many older residents have memories of waves breaking against the sea wall from the Back River all the way around to the front beach. With the destruction in 1963 of a bulkhead protecting Fort Screven, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) at the Savannah District initiated a Federal Beach Erosion Control Project for T ybee Island. Congressional authorization was obtained in 1973 and work started in the mid 1970's on the north groin near the Tybee Island Lighthouse. The Project Authorization was only for 15 years after the date of first construction. Upon completion of the north terminal groin, 2.3 million cubic yards of sand was excavated from a source just south of the south tip of the island and placed on the front beach beginning about 17th Street and moving north to the north terminal groin. The local sponsor for the construction of the north terminal groin and initial nourishment of the beach was Chatham County. This initial nourishment was based primaril y on Recreation Benefits, with the cost sharing set at 51% Non-Federal and 49% Federal. Following the initial nourishment, it was found that the new sand started migrating southward and the system of dunes south of 17th Street began disappearing off the end of the Island. After the issues related to the provision of adequate parking at the north end of the Island was resolved, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) became the Local Sponsor for the construction of a South End groin and Tybee Island’s first cost-shared re-nourishment. The GA DNR and the BTF began working with the Corps and beach consultants which resulted, in 1986, the construction of the south groin at 18th Street. Another approximately 1,000,000 cubic yards of sand was also placed on the Back R iver, south tip and front beaches beginning in January 1987. This project was also cost shared at 51% non- Federal and 49% Federal. In October 1992 (WRDA 1992), Congress authorized the deepening of the Savannah Channel from -38 ft mlw to -42 ft mlw. Part of the implementation plan was to utilize the north end of Tybee Island as an alternate disposal site for some of the dredged material from the entrance channel. The material was of a poorer quality than what was expected, including mud, silt, clay and fine sands. In addition, when the dredge head was not removing material (where the channel was already deep enough), almost all of the dredge output was water. This had the effect of eroding some of the high beach and dunes during every pass of the cutter head in the channel. In order to preserve the beach, the dredge outfall was place into the surf zone in order to not erode the existing beach. This resulted in a beach that was considerably flatter with all of the dredge material placed below the high tide line. Therefore, the amount of dredge material did not get as far south as what was expected, with most of the new material below the low tide line, no material was placed south of 2nd street. The silty material soon washed awa y, leaving a wide flat beach at low tide. The Georgia Ports Authority, along with the State of Georgia, made $4,900,000 available to perform a shore protection project for the south end of the island to assuage unmet expectations and to assist Tybee with erosion problems. In 1995, groins comprised of pre -cast concrete removable “Cam p bel” unit s were built on the south tip from the Federal South End groin to the south tip of the Island, [Type text] Page 8 with an additional 335,000 cubic yards of sand placed from the south tip of the island and northward to 14th Street. Consideration was given to monitor the beach along the lower back river to assure that the down-drift beach would not be starved of sand because of the installation of the Campbel groins. If the monitoring of the lower back river beach indicated that there was starvation occurring, the GaDNR would direct the City of Tybee Island to remove one or more of the “Campbel” units to allow a consistent amount of sand to pass the South tip of the island. In 1991, Project Authorization for the Federal Tybee Island Shore protection project expired. In 1996, under the authorization of Section 934 of the federal Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1992, the Corps prepared a “Section 934 Report” to extend the Federal Tybee Shore Protection Project Authorization to 50 years , subject to the approval of a Section 934 Report by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW). The purpose of the Section 934 report was to verify that the project was still justifiable, even with limited recreation benefits, and the project remained environmental sound. The Federal T ybee Shore Protection project Section 934 was approved and was re- justified based mostl y on prevention of storm damages to the homes and businesses, with very limited recreation benefits. The Section 934 Report was approved with a 60.3% Federal and 39.7% non-Federal because of the “blended” project benefits produces a unique cost share percentage. The inclusion of the south tip and Back River beaches was made within an A ppropriations A ct passed by Congress stating that the south tip and Back River up to Horsepen Creek was “an integral part of the Federal Shore Project.” This had the effect such that as long as the overall Shore Protection project was economically justified, that the separable element (the south t ip and B ack R iver) did not have to be “incrementally” economicall y justified. Thus, the current Federal Shore protection project extends from the North Terminal Groin all the way to the south tip and north up the Back River to Horsepen Creek. The next the re-nourishment occurred in 2000 which provided 1,500,000 cubic yards of sand and 8 small rock groins along the Back R iver beach near the South Tip of the island. This project cost over $10,000,000 and Tybee Island as the nonfederal sponsor was responsible for the 39.7% of the total project cost. The City of Tybee Island had financial assistance from the State of Georgia and Chatham County SPLOST funds to pay for the non-Federal cost share. The 2000 Beach Re-nourishment Project was completed in June, 2000. As of 2005, the front beach in the middle of the island has a very stable beach with over 500 feet of dunes. The south tip has a usable beach and a growth of sand dunes, and the Back River beach, except for the area just west of south tip, has shown growth. The front beach had been eroding between the north groin and 2nd Street and also near 17th Street; the rate of erosion has lessened since the three nourishments that are starting to refill our sand starved beaches. In FY2006, Congress appropriated Construction General Funds for the preparation of a [Type text] Page 9 Limited Revaluation Report (LRR) for the existing Federal Shore Protection project. The purpose of the LRR was to verify that the existing Shore Protection project was still justified, that the project was still environmentally compatible, that there was still a viable, willing local sponsor. In addition, the LRR established were the sand was needed and to establish the estimated cost for the next re-nourishment. This LRR was completed and approved b y the Savannah District’s next level of authority, the South Atlantic Division. The LRR updated the Economic Anal ysis produced a slightl y revised cost sharing split of 60.9% Federal and 30.1% non-Federal because of the updated project benefit split. No funds were appropriated b y Congress for the actual construction of the 2007 re-nourishment at that time. In December, 2007 (FY2008), Congress appropriated $6,396,000 as the Federal Share for the re-nourishment as described in the LRR. Funds were allocated to the District in January, 2008, with the plan to award the contract in late summer for execution in the fall of 2008. The Corps adopted much of the preliminary work that was prepared b y the City of T ybee Island main coastal consultant, Mr. Eric Olsen of Olsen and Associates. By adopting most of the information, in particular the offshore borrow area investigation and analysis, the Corps was able to complete the plans and specs in time. The 2008 Beach Re-nourishment contract was awarded to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock in August 2008. Work commenced in October 2008 and was substantially com pleted b y 1 January 2009. The contract was closed out on September 25, 2009, at a total project cost of $10,027,047.70, with $6,086,417.95 in Federal Expense and $3,940,629.75 in non-Federal costs. In addition, the City spent an additional $827,100 on consulting and engineering fees with Olsen and Associates in conjunction with the project which was not credited to the City of Tybee Island. The Corps utilized Mr. Olsen’s studies and recommendations which created efficiencies and allowed the project to be continued in the winter of 2008/2009. In Federal fiscal year 2 005, Congress appropriated stud y funds (General Investigations) for two purposes, for the possible inclusion of the north beach (from the North Terminal Groin to the mouth of Lazaretto Creek) and for the study of the possible impacts of the Federal Navigation project to the shoreline of Tybee Island. These two studies sought to change the existing Federal Shore Protection Project. In addition, there was a separate Federal project in the works. The Feasibility Cost Share Agreement (FCSA) for the Tybee Island Channel Island Impacts Feasibility Study was signed in January 2007. The scope of the initial work was first to determine if there was an impact, and if so, what would be an approximate estimate of that impact. The Corps Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was enlisted to perform this analysis based on historical surveys and advanced modeling. In September, 2007, the initial phase of the study was completed and reviewed as a final ERDC technical document. This report concluded that 70-80% of the erosion of the Tybee Island [Type text] Page 10 shoreline and shelf was caused by the ongoing Operation and Maintenance of the Federal Navigation Channel. There was no conclusion or recommendation as to the best mitigation alternative to offset this impact. No funds were appropriated in FY08 for the continuation of the Channel Impacts Feasibility Stud y; therefore, no work was performed. (Spencer, were any funds allocated in FY09, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 for the Federal Share of the Channel Impacts Study?) In summary, although progress has been made to stabilize the beach, work remains to be done to directl y mitigate the annual loss of sand caused b y normal forces of nature, which are exacerbated b y the interruption of the littoral flow by the Federal Navigation Channel for the Port of Savannah. Future re-nourishments are required to replace approximately an average of 200,000 cubic yards of sand lost each year from these causes. Such re-nourishments are needed about every seven to ten years to protect property and the growing dune fields and to maintain the beach. Beach Monitoring - The Savannah District of the U.S. Arm y Corps of Engineers (the Corps), monitored Tybee Island’s beaches for the first 5 years after the 2000 beach re- nourishment as required by the federal project for Beach Erosion Control (Tybee Island, Georgia, Operations, Maintenance, Replacement, Repair, and Rehabilitation Manual, U.S. Arm y Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, July 2009). After the fifth year, it became the responsibilit y of the City of T ybee Island to perform the required monitoring for the remainder of the life of the project. The City of Tybee Island hired ARC Engineering Jacksonville, TN. Olsen and Associates evaluates the annual surveys. This is to be done by aerial photograph y and on ground surve ys by consultants for the City of T ybee Island with ongoing status reports of present beach conditions and the rate of sand loss. Some fluctuations to beach conditions are caused by wind, water, and storms, and some to manmade impact, such as the shipping traffic and tourism. Of particular concern is the “hot spot” at the “Anchor” curve and whether design changes have worked to reduce erosion. Appendix A provides a summary table of shared responsibilities regarding beach monitoring on T ybee Island. FY2014 Renourishment (Spencer Davis needs to provide summary of costs, schedule and scope of work.) PUBLIC BEACH USES Beach Safety and Lifeguards –This section of the T ybee Island Beach Management Plan addresses lifeguards, existing standard operating procedures, equipment and needs. Lifeguards on Tybee Island operate under standard operating procedures that are available through The City of Tybee Island Fire Department and the Cit y Manager’s Office. All [Type text] Page 11 lifeguards fall under the command of the City of T ybee Island Fire Department. Direct supervision of the lifeguard department is under the Fire Chief appointed as the supervisor of the Ocean Rescue Division. The Ocean Rescue Captains report to the Fire Chief. Equipment and Needs -The City of T ybee provides the lifeguards with several items to ensure that the lifeguards are uniformed and professional in appearance. These include uniformed swim trunks or female suits, tank tops and whistles with lanyards. Towers, flotation cans, binoculars, various first aid equipment, fire-quality 800 MHz radios, rescue surfboard and kayaks as well as ATVs are also provided as equipment to be used b y lifeguards. Below is a chart explaining the placement of guards and equipment. This is only an example and should not be used as a template for ever yday placement (Tybee Island Fire Department Ocean Li feguard Division, Standard Operating Guidelines Manual). Table 1. Tybee Island Lifeguard Equipment Location Flotation Cans Radios Rescue Surfboard Kayaks Foot Patrol and ATV Tower #14 14th Street 2 Guards 2 Cans 1 Radio No No Yes Tower #15 15th Street 2 Guards 2 Cans 1 Radio No Yes (1) Yes-ATV Tower #16N North Pier 2 Guards 2 Cans 1 Radio No Yes Yes Tower #16S South Pier 2 Guards 2 Cans 1 Radio No Yes Yes Tower #17 17th Street 2 Guards 2 Cans 1 Radio No No Yes-ATV Tower #18 18th Street 2 Guards 2 Cans 1 Radio No Yes (1) Yes North Beach #1 Main Strand 2 Guards 2 Cans 3 Radios Yes Yes (1) Yes North Beach #2 Tower 2 Guards 2 Cans 2 Radios No No Yes Lifeguard Station EMT/Dispatch 1 Guard 1 Radio No No No Tower #3 3rd Street 2 Guards 2 Radios No No No Tower #19 2 Guards 2 Cans 2 Radios No Yes (1) LTs/ATV @ large to respond to unprotected Areas [Type text] Page 12 Tourism Tourism is the mainstay of Tybee Island’s economy. It is one of the main reasons why a beach management plan is necessary in the first place and cannot be overemphasized. Traditional Tourism Traditional tourism on Tybee began after the Civil War when steamships began carrying beach-goers to the island. Use of Tybee as a tourist destination has increased steadily as transportation to the island has become easier, by train which ceased operations in 1933 and by car (U.S. Highway 80). THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TYBEE ISLAND BEACH RENOURISHMENT A formal study published in November 2007 by Dr. Michael Toma, Director, Center for Regional Analysis, Associate Professor of Economics, Armstrong Atlantic State University and Ms. Alexis Brewer, Research Assistant documents the many and substantial state-level economic and fiscal impacts associated with re-nourishment on Tybee Island. These impact assessments may be considered state level estimates of lost jobs, lost worker income, lost business revenue, and lost state tax revenue resulting from a failure to re-nourish the beach at Tybee Island. This study is not an economic impact assessment of the entire tourism economy on Tybee Island. This analysis focuses on the net impact on Georgia’s economy of beach re-nourishment. Thus substantial effort has expended to estimate the proportion of Tybee Island tourism activity that is attributable to 1) out of state residents who vacation at Tybee Island, and 2) the amount of tourism activity that would be “recaptured” for Georgia provided that beach re-nourishment diverts some Georgia residents from vacationing in alternate out of state destinations and maintains the flow of in state residents to Tybee Island. On an annual basis, the state level net economic impacts can be summarized as follows: A total of 678 jobs, $18.4 million in labor income and benefits, and $54.7 million in business revenue are estimated to be supported by beach re-nourishment. Also on an annual basis, a total of $2.7 million in state sales tax and income tax reven ue would be generated for state government provided that the beach is re-nourished. An alternate assumption for the same time frame of the economic and fiscal impacts hold that tourism related economic activity linearly declines at the same rate as the beach eroded over the seven year re-nourishment cycle. Under this assumption, the annual economic and fiscal impacts are fourteen percent of the figures cited in the previous paragraph, the cumulative impact over the seven year cycle exactly equal to the data cited in the previous paragraph. The cumulative ten year economic impact under [Type text] Page 13 this assumption is summarized as follows: 678 jobs, $73 million in labor income and benefits, and $219 million in business revenue are estimated to be supported by beach re-nourishment. The ten year cumulative fiscal impact is $10.6 million in sales tax revenue and income tax revenue for state government. Although no formal study has taken place regarding the importance of tourism to Tybee’s economy, we can look to certain indicators to show the exponential growth of this industry, such as the hotel/motel tax generated over the past decade. Hotel/motel tax shared with the Tybee Department of Tourism in 1986 was $28,000, while in 2004 it was $325,933 (Personal communication, Paul DeVivo and Katrina Murray, April, 2005). This is an approximate 1,000 percentage increase in 19 years. A number of websites exist that are dedicated to tourism on Tybee Island, including: www.tybeevisit.com www.tybeeonline.com www.tybee.com www.tybeetyme.com Ecotourism According to the Institute of Ecotourism (www.ioet.org), the term “ecotourism” originated in the early 1990’s in response to the growing interest among travelers in enriching their travel experiences through direct contact with the natural environment, living history, and local cultures. Tybee Island, having plenty of all three, is a perfect ecotourism destination, and many small businesses and entities have sprung up due to the ample ecotourism opportunities. The Institute of Ecotourism goes on to say that “ecotourism enables communities to thrive economically while preserving and restoring the resources on which the travel and tourism industry and local communities depend”. With this idea in mind, ecotourism is a large part of Tybee’s future! The Tybee Island City Council has an ecotourism committee. The mission of this committee is two-fold: to promote ecotourism on Tybee and to identify green space and seek ways to make green space accessible to the general public. At present there are three projects that the ecotourism committee has worked on or is completed. 1. A bicycle trail using City streets from south beach to the lighthouse. This is a marked bike trail that keeps cyclists off of Jones Avenue and Highway 80, two of the busiest streets on Tybee Island. – Completed 2. The Sally Pearce Nature Trail. The ecotourism committee is in the process of identifying unopened rights of way to expand the existing nature trail - Completed 3. Alleviating a growing problem of limited water access on Tybee for all humanly powered craft such as kayaks, canoes, rowing shells and sailing rigs [Type text] Page 14 Roads & Parking The following information has been summarized from the Tybee Island Traffic & Parking Study prepared for the City of Tybee Island by HDR, Inc. Engineering in Atlanta, Georgia. For more complete information please see their report on file with the office of the City Clerk, or available as a downloadable PDF file on the City of Tybee website (www.cityoftybee.org). The coastal community of Tybee Island, Georgia, has a full-time population of approaching 4,000 residents. This can increase to over 30,000 on weekend days during the summer. The Tybee Island beaches, which stretch along the northern and eastern sides of the Island, are essentially the only Georgia beach areas serving the surrounding three-county area for public access and day use. This influx of visitors impacts traffic conditions on the Island and public parking facilities frequently reach capacity during peak times, leaving some visitors upset about not being able to find readily available parking. The HDR study continues to discuss overall parking strategies due to the fact that parking spaces are inadequate during peak periods in the summer. Overall parking strategies recommended by this study include enhanced beach access signage, satellite parking and shuttle system, and a toll at the entrance to the island (Tybee Island Traffic & Parking Study, HDR Engineering, Inc., January 2005). To see parking locations and beach access points on Tybee, along with a summary of access points and parking in table form, please refer to Appendix K. Beach Access To remain eligible for federal beach re-nourishment funding through the latest Project Cooperation Agreement between the Department of the Army and the City of Tybee Island (available at City Hall), Tybee Island needs to ensure public accessibility of its beaches. For more information on this subject, please refer to the Project Cooperation Agreement between the Department of the Army and the City of Tybee Island Tybee Island has addressed the needs that beaches be handicapped and stroller accessible by installing beach mats at 18th Street, East Gate and Gullick Street. The city also has two ADA beach wheelchairs available for the public free of charge at the Ocean Rescue headquarters on the South end next to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center just north of the 16th Street (Tybrisa) cross-over. The GA DNR, Coastal Resources Division has standard conditions for dune crossovers. These conditions are authorized by the Georgia Shore Protection Act (SPA) (O.C.G.A., [Type text] Page 15 §12-5- 230) and allows only one crossover structure per parcel. Please refer to Appendix C to see the entire standard conditions. It is the recommendation of the Beach Task Force to consider other ideas regarding crossovers. Possibly similar to ones used on the Jersey Shore. After visiting the area, Mayor Buelterman considers these types of crossovers worth evaluating. DNR also has guidance on maintaining and establishing dune paths. The DNR, Coastal Resources Division may allow the use of a path through the state’s jurisdiction under the Shore Protection Act. O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 et. seq. The purpose of a path is to provide pedestrian access through the vegetated dune area of the dry sand beach in areas of low traffic where public access does not exist and the functionality of the dune system will not be degraded. The Tybee Island South Beach Business District Design Charette by HDR Engineering, Inc. was completed in January 2005 for the City of Tybee Island. The South Beach Business District Design Charette held September 15-17, 2004, focused on the South Beach Business District. The charette process included intense sessions to receive input from City staff, the general public and area stakeholders. The design concept, according to HDR, is a starting point—a big picture idea for future actions. Implementation recommendations were broken up into Immediate Actions (<1 Year), Intermediate Actions (1-5 Years), and Long-term Actions (5+ Years). A balanced economic development will provide increased resources for the city to implement this plan. HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Mr. Jimmy Brown, with the City of Tybee Island, is the director of the Tybee Island Emergency Management Agency. To learn about hurricane preparedness on Tybee Island, contact Mr. Brown through City Hal at (912) 786-5330 and/or visit the Tybee Island website at: http://www.cityoftybee.org/Assets/Files/AreYouRead yforaHurricane.pdf Regarding what to do should a hurricane strike Tybee Island; two points need to be mentioned. According to current City Manager Ms. Diane Schleicher, a private firm has been retained to help with clean-up in the aftermath of a hurricane and according to Clayton Scott , the Director of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), there are two programs for emergency funding available to residents called public assistance (http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm) and individual [Type text] Page 16 assistance which are only awarded for uninsured claims. It is recommended all Tybee Island property owners have adequate Flood Insurance (http://www.fema.gov/media/fact_sheets/individual-assistance.shtm) the source of funds originating originate at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) level. These low-interest loan and grant programs become effective after a presidential emergency declaration. For more information on these programs and related manuals, please visit http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=22218 (personal communication, Clayton Scott, September 29, 2009). For a copy of the most recent (updated in 2009) Chatham County Hurricane Plan, visit: http://www.chathamemergency.org/Documents/EOP%20Incident%20Annex%20A%20 Hurricane%20Incident%20Management%20REV0709.pdf. Post storm removal of sand from the plat of Tybee Island should seek to maximize the return of such materials to the beach system. Depending upon the nature and location of such deposits, screening of debris may be required prior to placement if storm related send back to the beaches of Tybee Island. FEMA can pay for such sand relocation measures. Consultants to the City can assist with the facilitation of sand replacement. MOVING SAND FROM LOCAL AREAS OF ACCRETION TO LOCAL AREAS OF EROSION There is much concern from landowners on Tybee Island regarding beach erosion “hot spots” located seaward of their property. This issue is most evident at the Highway 80 curve and Second Street. Tybee Island has two areas of significant sand accretion. These are found at both ends of the island in the ebb tidal deltas. Sand could possibly be mined in these areas to be placed in areas of erosion such as Second Street. However, the 2008 re-nourishment used a different template in this area and it appears to be holding up better than previous templates. This area will always be difficult to maintain and slow the erosion rate due to the dynamics of water flow specific to this area. At a public meeting on June 20, 2005, one private citizen suggested that Tybee Island purchase a small dredge that could move sand from flood tide deltas to eroding areas. These kinds of creative solutions need to be researched and thoughtfully planned out by the citizens and public servants of Tybee Island in coordination with the State. This policy change was investigated by the City of Tybee Island, the BTF, City consultants, and sent to the GaDNR/Coastal Resources Division (CRD), and the Corps. No final action was taken by the GaDNR. Such things as permits and e ngineering [Type text] Page 17 methods should be clarified. According to Mr. Brad Gane of the GA DNR/CRD, moving sand locally from areas of accretion to areas of erosion can be done through identifying best management practices and standards and acquiring the necessary approvals from the State (Brad Gane, personal communication, June 20, 2005). Mr. Gane and Karl Burgess, also from GADNR, visited with BTF and Tybee Officials April 2014 and reiterated the same. The y will entertain a request to relocate a specific amount of sand based on a specific request from a specific location to another specific location. City Manager Diane Schleicher understands and is familiar with the process and how to put the request together. The height and length of the South Tip Groin was originally optimized in order to establish and maintain the main front beach, with just enough material flowing over and through the rubble mound groin to help avoid starving the South Tip and Back River beaches. It may be possible, with coordination and approval of the Corps and other State of Georgia agencies, to increase the height and length of the south tip groin in order to reduce the amount of littoral drift moving annually into Tybee Inlet. PUBLIC/PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF ACCRETING AREA OF BEACH The issue of who owns parts of the beach on Tybee Island is an important one to understand. Ownership issues are based on some records and the absence of other records. It is fairly certain that the front beach area (between the north & south federal groins) is owned by the city to the mean high water mark. The city did condemnations of the beach in that area when the first nourishment was planned in the 1970s. Land seaward of the mean high water line is owned by the state – the offshore also. There is little indication of ownership of the land adjacent to the Savannah River (North Beach). Parts that were once part of the old Fort Screven might arguably belong to the City of Tybee Island, but those parcels conveyed to private ownership could var y depending on deeds, accretion & easements. On the Back River side, it has always been my understanding that the beach was on public property but not necessarily defined as city property. When the Back River project was done, easements were secured from all abutting owners to permit the project to permanently allow public use and access. Occasionally, an upland property owner facing the Back River will claim title to a portion of the beach in this area. However, no such claim has ever been validated. There are some “King’s Grants” to some properties on the island, particularly in the Lazaretto Creek area. Not all such grants say the same thing & depending on facts following the American Revolution, the actual title ownership to some water adjacent properties can be impacted. [Type text] Page 18 The resolution of a definitive demarcation line would be evaluated as a part of a long range action item category. The issue is complicated by the impact of historical information on erosion & accretion as land ownership ordinarily accretes to the upland adjoining landowner, at least when it occurs naturally. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS The environmental section of this document covers the following topics: wildlife, plants, green space, water quality, water quantit y, and hurricane preparedness. Wildlife- Two groups of wildlife directly using the beach environment for food, shelter and reproduction are shorebirds and sea turtles. Both will be addressed at length in this section of the plan. Information for other groups of wildlife such as neo-tropical migrants, diamondback terrapins, wood storks, alligators, right whales and bottlenose dolphins can be found at the Tybee Marine Science Center, the GA DNR and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Coastal Refuges Office. Shorebirds- Tybee Island is important to wintering sea birds and shorebirds, and occasionally nesting sea birds. The north beach of the island from the jetty on the northeast corner, west along the beach that parallels the Savannah River is the best area for wintering and nesting birds. 1. The north beach of T ybee has been designated as Critical Habitat b y the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and noted as GA-1 in the federal register for the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodius). This area supports many species of water birds through the fall, winter and spring months. On Januar y 26, 2005 there were nearl y 2,000 water birds on the north end of Tybee, including seven (7) Piping Plover. A map of the general locations of the designated critical habitat for the wintering Piping Plover is depicted in Appendix G. 2. Beach-nesting birds are a high conservation priority for the Wildlife Resources Division of the DNR. The beach flats and dunes on the north end of Tybee occasionall y attract sea birds to nest. In 2005, a small flock of Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) nested on Tybee. The City of Tybee should coordinate with the DNR Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) to protect the areas where birds are nesting, to achieve mutual conservation goals. State nongame biologists can assist in sign placement and rope barriers to keep the public awa y from beach nesting birds. 3. Dogs can disrupt and harass birds on the beach. Tybee's no-dog rule needs to be enforced for the entire island. Sea Turtles-Nesting sea turtles are an important part of our beach ecos ystems in the Southeast. The following beach nourishment guidelines are from the Georgia Department of Natural [Type text] Page 19 Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, and Non-game Program: The protection and maintenance of nesting habitat is considered a high priority in the USFWS/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Recover y Plan for the U.S. Population of the Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta caretta. The purpose of these guidelines is to minimize the effects of beach nourishment projects on sea turtle reproduction and to ensure nourished beaches are compatible with native beaches. The following are general guidelines for beach re-nourishment projects: Construction-Construction shall be allowed primarily outside the loggerhead turtle nesting and hatching season (Ma y 1-October 31). Deviations from this provision will require coordination with the GADNR and approval prior to the initiation of construction. Sediment Grain Size-Fill material shall be free of construction debris, rocks, or other foreign matter and shall not contain, on average, greater than 10% fines (i.e. silt and clay, passing through a #200 sieve, approximately 075 mm) and shall not contain, on average, greater than 5% course gravel or cobbles (retained by #4 sieve, approx.. 4.5 mm). Sand grain size on Georgia beaches is generall y between 0.15 and 0.3 mm. Sediment Composition-The sediment composition of Georgia beaches is generally fine- grained silica sand (>90%) with ver y little fragmented shell. Shell content should remain below 15% of total volume. Sediment Color-Sediment color should be between 10 yr6.5/1 and 10yr7.0/1 on the Munsell soil color chart Compaction-Sand compaction should be measured at a maximum of 500 ft. intervals along the fill area. Compaction will be measured at 3 stations along three transects corresponding to the landward, middle and seaward portion of the fill berm. At each measurement station, a cone penetrometer shall be pushed to depths of 6, 12, and 18 inches three times (3 replicates) and the compaction readings will be averaged to produce a final reading at each depth for each station. If the average value for any depth exceeds 500 cone penetrometer units (cpu) for an y 2 or more adjacent stations, than that area will be cross-tilled from the high tide wave rush to the seaward toe of the dune prior to May 1. If a dune feature is constructed as part of the project, the dune feature should be tested for compaction prior to the planting of vegetation or sand fence construction. If compaction readings are greater than 500 cpu at any of the test depths (6”, 12” 18”) for 2 consecutive stations, the dune feature should be tilled prior to May 1. The DNR is responsible for performing the compaction testing and informing the city if and where there is a need for tilling on the beach for turtle habitat. Beach Profile-The constructed beach profile should be graduall y sloping rather than an elevated flat terrace to reduce scarping. The beach should be monitored for scarping prior to the nesting season. Escarpments in excess of 18” extending more than 100 ft should be mechanicall y leveled to natural beach contour prior to May 1. [Type text] Page 20 Sand Fence Construction-Sand fence construction will be in accordance with GADNR guidelines. GADNR Sand Fence Guidelines (Appendix I) are designed to allow marine turtle access to nesting habitat and prevent trapping of marine turtles as they return to the sea following nesting. Dunes- Sand Dunes are a complementary feature of a healthy beach. The seaward edge of a dune will align with the most recent high tide line. If there is excess sand, this excess sand will construct a new dune line approximately at the high tide line. During low tide, the wind will blow the sand, usually landward, which would be either captured by the line of wrack (deposited there by the high tide) or captured in the dune system that is above the high tide line. With a steady supply of sand (as with the middle beach), you will end up with multiple rows of mature sand dunes. During periods of high tides and winds, such as a hurricane or northeaster, the first row of dunes will become eroded and the sand will move into the intertidal zone. Thus, the dune system becomes a sand “bank” and a source of sand that stabilizes the beach and delays any breach in the dunes. Once the dunes have been breached, localized flooding will likely occur. In addition, when the tide recedes, the outgoing water will further erode any remaining dunes. Templates: As far as we know, there is no approved vertical cross section “template” for sand dunes. However, there are templates for the placement of the sand fencing, as attached. Basically, the snow fencing should be placed perpendicular to the prevailing wind. For the north end of the island, the snow fencing should be placed in a northwest to southeast direction (configuration 1). For the southern end of the island, the snow fencing should be placed in a Northeast to Southwest direction (also configuration 1 but reversed). Where there is no prevailing wind direction (middle beach), the snow fencing should be placed in a “W” as in configuration 2. Vegetation on top of dunes: The recommended plantings for the top of the dunes are Sea Oates. Along with the plantings, it is recommended that a sprinkler system be established such as was established as a part of the dune building program for the North Beach (in front of the North End parking lot. Vegetation surrounding dunes: The Beach Management Plan contains directions as to the maintenance of vegetation (Shrub-Scrub) surrounding the dunes, page 19. Sand fencing: The City of Tybee should put together a very specific plan regarding placement and rational for locating sand fencing. Appendix I pages 1-2. Beach Lighting- No discussion of sea turtles would be complete without mentioning beach front lighting during nesting and hatching season. The Cit y of Tybee has an ordinance, section 8-3-230, which provides standards for lighting in the shore protection area adjacent to the City's beaches. Because egg-la ying females are disturbed b y lights, and sea turtle hatchl ings orient toward the bright horizon to be able to find their way to the ocean, they can become [Type text] Page 21 easily disoriented by artificial sources of lights, such as street and porch lights. Because of this, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center (TIMSC) and Georgia Power have instigated a “Lights Out” Program on Tybee Island to encourage citizens and tourists to turn off or shield outdoor lighting after 9 PM from May 1 to October 31. For more information on this subject please visit the TIMSC website at http://www.tybeemsc.org/turtles.html. Plants Scrub-Shrub Trimming Guidelines - The goal of this strategy is to summarize data from numerous sources and to propose guidelines for granting GA DNR Shore Protection Act Permits for vegetation tri mming or landscaping within State Shore Jurisdiction areas. Though derived from the known habitat needs of the painted bunting (Passerina ciris), a species of concern in Georgia, these guidelines are intended to apply to all scrub shrub habitats within Shore Protection Act jurisdiction. Please refer to Appendix D for a more thorough description of scrub-shrub trimming guidelines for areas within Georgia Shore Protection Act jurisdiction. Sea Oats-The City of Tybee has a local ordinance that protects sea oats (Uniola paniculata), Section 9-5-1(8): No disturbing of dune vegetation or walking in the dunes. It shall be unlawful for any person to pick, gather, remove, walk in the dunes, or otherwise disturb the vegetation present on sand dunes, including sea oats. Tree Canopy-The cit y has conducted an inventory (when?Is it still valid) with geo-location tools of all trees of 2” caliper or greater on city rights of wa ys, parks and other propert y. One purpose of this project is to qualify for Federal Emergenc y Management (FEMA) reimbursement if the city were to lose any of these tree due a FEMA declared emergenc y. Funding for the project was in combination with city funds and a grand from the Coastal Resource Division of the DNR. This inventory also allows city staff to anal ysis the mixture of tree species currentl y on the island to some degree. Green Space-The topic of green space on Tybee Island continues to evolve. There are three main efforts underway: 1. A nature trail system consisting of the Sall y Pearce Trail, unopened city streets, and a bicycle trail, 2. City Resolutions that cover preserving all remaining parcels owned b y the City for green space and public recreation, and disallowing permanent structures or pervious surfaces in cit y parks, 3. The T ybee Island Land Trust which holds several conservation easements to permanentl y protect the easement properties. Some discussion has ensued regarding a real estate transfer tax for green space acquisition that would require state action for Tybee Island to collect a small percentage of a [Type text] Page 22 transfer tax when real estate changes hands. In 2004, the City of T ybee Island received a grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission to inventory and map remaining undeveloped forested and green space areas. The goal of this project was to develop, from this inventory and map, a series of walking and biking trails and linear parks (personal communication, Bob Thomson, Jul y 2005). There are several ordinances in place, such as the prohibition of any fill of marsh and freshwater wetlands that exceed the State’s minimum requirements (City Code 8-3-240, Wetlands Protection). A map of green space on Tybee Island is available at City Hall (personal communication, Paul Wolff, April 2005). The City Code that directly addresses green space in Article 8, Section 3-165, entitled Green Space. Following is the current city code of this section as listed on the Tybee Island Cit y Government website (City of T ybee Island, 2005). Findings and Purpose: The preservation of green space is important to the health and welfare of the City's citizens and aids in the reduction of drainage problems associated with development; and the preservation of green space and permeable surfaces will preserve aesthetic features of the landscape and provide for the free flow of air, light, etc. Therefore, in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare, the Mayor and Council find that the imposition of a permeable surface requirement into the setback spaces of lots is appropriate. In all zoning districts, sixty-five percent (65%) of the designated setback area of a lot shall consist of permanent permeable surface so as to permit the absorption of water and shall not be paved, built upon, or covered in such a way so as to interfere with the permeability of the surface. It is the intention of the governing body and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of Ordinances, City of Tybee Island, Georgia, and the sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered to accomplish such intention.(ORD. 1999-24; 8/12/99)(ORD. 2000-10; 2/11/00) Beach Water Quality This section is attributed to the GA DNR, Coastal Resources Division. The City has installed filters in 20 storm water catch basins in heavily used parking lots on the island in order to catch the fines and other impurities before they enter into the system. These filters were installed in city parking lots on the south side in 2009. The Cit y currentl y has a Coastal Incentive Grant for additional storm water testing at additional location in an effort to determine if shore birds significantl y contribute to higher levels of bacterium in the water throughout the year. The City is also working with the University of Georgia /Skidaway to establish oyster beds at multiple storm water outfalls in an effort to process the storm water naturally. [Type text] Page 23 Beach Water Quality Monitoring The GA DNR Coastal Resources Division (CRD) Beach Monitoring Program was developed to protect swimmer health. Starting in 1999, CRD monitored the swimming beaches on Tybee for the presence of fecal coli form bacteria. Fecal coli form is an indicator bacterium, which when found in the water indicates the presence of human or animal fecal matter. Fecal matter can contain pathogens (bacteria, virus, etc.), which can cause human illness. Passage of an amendment to the federal Clean Water Act known as the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000 (PL 106-284) addresses significant new swimmer protection provisions. The BEACH Act requires states to adopt water qualit y criteria utilizing enterococcus bacteria as the standard indicator for salt-water recreational beaches. The Act also requires states to develop procedures for notifying the swimming public when high levels of bacteria are found. In April 2004, CRD entered a new phase of beach monitoring and public notification based on the Environmental Protection Agenc y’s recommended levels of enterococcus bacteria for marine recreational waters. Enterococcus, like fecal coli form, is an indicator bacterium. Research has shown the enterococcus is a better indicator of the presence of fecal matter in salt water. EPA has finalized a new standard for bacterial water quality: a single sample maximum of 104 enterococcus CFU per 100ml or a geometric mean of 35 enterococcus CFU per 100ml. CRD has worked in partnership with the City of Tybee and the Chatham Health Department to develop procedures to notify the public. Public advisory signage has been installed at beach access points on Tybee Islands. The Health Districts have prepared templates for press releases to issue health advisories in the event of high bacteria levels. CRD tests the Tybee beaches year-round in five (5) locations: the south end at Chatham Street, the Strand just north of the pier, at Center Terrace, near the lighthouse at Gulick Street, and at Polk Street with Polk Street recentl y being taken off of a permanent advisory status. The beaches are tested weekly. When elevated levels of bacteria are found, CRD notifies the Health Department. The Health Department notifies the City of T ybee and issues a press release notifying the public of the swimming advisory. The City of Tybee activates the advisory signs in the affected area of beach. The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) investigates to find the source. CRD continues to test the affected beach until the bacteria levels drop to an acceptable level. The Health Department then lifts the swimming advisory and the City of T ybee de- activates the advisory signs. CRD has placed beach information on our web site at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us/ and has linked to the Earth911 web site to show current beach conditions. On the Earth911 site, regular beach visitors can subscribe to an e-mail notification system for their favorite beach. Subscribers to this free service will receive an e-mail each time the beach status changes. [Type text] Page 24 Storm Water Management Storm water management on Tybee Island directly affects beach water quality. There have been several ordinances/resolutions passed by City Council that address storm water regarding: - Pervious driveways, and - Storm water permits are required by an y land disturbing activity regardless of size or distance from the water. It is important to note that the local code is stricter than State requirements regarding storm water management. To see the Code section in its entirety, visit the City of T ybee website at www.cit yoft ybee.org, Title 5 Public Works. Water Quantity/Conservation Water conservation is a priority for Tybee Island. There is a water conservation ordinance in place since 1997, Municipal Code 6-1-2, and the City’s website has a section on water conservation at http://www.cit yoft ybee.org/conservation.htm. The Cit y adopted a tiered Water and Sewer rate schedule on January of 2009 based on usage and has held workshops with local businesses on strategies for water conservation. There is additional public information regarding water conservation on the City web site and public access channel. The City purchased and implemented an automated meter reading s ystem in 2008/2009 that has a leak detection system feature that allows city staff to notif y property owners of leaks well before the y receive t heir monthly water bill in order to take corrective action. The Cit y reduced the number of public showers at public cross-over from 23 public showers in 2008 to 5 foot-washers in 2009. Federal The Environmental Policy Act of 1969, (NEPA) 42 USC § 4321 et seq. (1969), as amended, requires the use of efficient plumbing fixtures. For more information see http://www.epa.gov/owm/waterefficiency. Dogs on the Beach There are man y reasons why dogs, and other pets, are not allowed on Tybee’s beaches. Public nuisance and disturbance to shorebirds are on the top of the list, along with nonpoint source pollution from fecal matter. The City Code that addresses this issue can be accessed via [Type text] Page 25 the Cit y of T ybee website at www.cityoft ybee.org/code, Section 9-5-1 RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR USE OF THE MUNICIPAL BEACHES, (4) No pets. It shall be unlawful for any person who shall own, or be in control of, or be in charge of, any dog or other pet, to allow or take that dog or other pet upon the beaches or structures erected thereon. This does not include properly certified guide dogs, or similar animals assisting the blind, deaf, or other physically handicapped persons. Beach Cleaning and Maintenance Beach cleaning and maintenance is one component of good beach management and beach cleaning should take place within limits. In a letter written from then CRD Director Susan Shipman to Mayor Walter Parker on July 16, 2004, it is stated that pursuant to O.C.G.A., Section 12 -5-248 (b), the DNR would issue a letter of authorization to T ybee for beach cleaning activities with the following conditions: 1. Mechanical cleaning may not occur in the dunes and can only occur during the day. 2. Cleaning should focus on manmade debris and avoid natural debris, such as beach wrack, as beach wrack is important to primary dune formation—an important component to the ecology of the beach ecosystem. 3. During the sea turtle nesting season (May 1 to October 1), cleaning can only occur after the turtle patrol has completed their daily surve y of Tybee Beach for nests and hatchling emergence. 4. Cleaning ma y not occur within 20 feet of sea turtle nests. 5. Cleaning ma y not occur within 100 feet of a designated shorebird nesting area or designated critical habitat. 6. Cleaning equipment must stay at least 10 feet from indigenous vegetation. 7. Onl y equipment with 10-psi or less tire pressure can operate on the beach. 8. Cleaning equipment must not penetrate more than two inches into the beach surface. 9. Cleaning equipment must effectively screen and return sand to the beach. 10. All material collected must be removed from the beach. The letter also states the O.C.G.A. 12-5-248 (a) (1) provides that governmental vehicles may be utilized for beach maintenance without a permit as long as those vehicles operate across existing crossovers, paths, or drives. The letter goes on to state that pursuant to Board of Natural [Type text] Page 26 Resources Rule 391-2-2, Appendix A, T ybee Island’s three such existing access sites are the north, middle, and south access drives. Other access points would need to be approved b y the Shore Protection Committee. Furthermore, the statute mandates that proper vehicular activity must be conducted so as to provide protection to sea turtles and birds. BEACH COMMUNITIES In order to assess such local issues as infrastructure, zoning and parking, we have attempted to identify beach communities on Tybee Island. The model that was used for this task is the Virginia Beach Management Plan of April 2002, which used a principal strategy of segmenting Virginia Beach’s coastline into eight individual beach units. We have, cursoril y, attempted to identify beach communities and have come up with six communities: Savannah River Beach, North Beach, Front Beach, Beach Business District, South Tip, and Back River. The following sections were written b y Mr. Lou Off, the past current T ybee Island BTF Chair, and Ms. Berta Adams, also a past member of the Tybee Island BTF. [Type text] Page 27 Savannah River Beach Location and Structures This beach starts in the northwest area of T ybee and goes to the northeast. Starting near Teresa Lane, where residential development is approximately 500 feet wide between highways 80 and the beach, it ends at Estill Point, which is over a mile north of Highwa y 80. The beach is approximatel y 5,000 feet long and contains 27 single-famil y beach front residences and 8 vacant lots. Also along the beach is the Savannah Beach and R acquet C lub with 184 units near the west end and Light House Point with 117 units on the east end. Both of these complexes contain mainly short term rental spaces. The Tybee Island sewage treatment plant is on this beachfront with tertiary treatment and effluent discharge into the ocean. Other than multi- famil y housing, most homes are owner-occupied and have been constructed in the last 10 to 20 years. All remaining lots are zoned for single-family homes. Property Ownership Privately-owned property along this beach stops is in severe dispute, with some portions of the Island, private ownership goes to the low water mark, the high water mark, or even the middle of the channel. Public sand nourishment projects should not be constructed on private land. Therefore, clarificat ion of propert y ownership needs to be determined. [Type text] Page 28 Usage This beach is difficult to access unless from the beach-front residences, multi-family units or in subdivisions that have beach access. The beach is therefore quiet and seldom crowded. Increased construction in this area is causing more single-family residences to be placed in the rental program causing a higher usage of the beach in the summer months. Since this beach faces the Savannah River there is little surf and is safe for wading, ka yaking, fishing and wind surfing. The beach is used for sunbathing, biking and walking. Points of interest along this beach include the shrimp boats that moor overnight in the warm months, that attract man y dolphin, while the close proximity to the river make it a great place to observe the large commercial ships sailing to and from Savannah. Beach Maintenance The Savannah River beach is not included in the Federal Tybee Island Shore Protection Program. Because it is on the river, surf is minimal, and the dynamic forces that usually affect this beach are the tidal currents and large ship wakes. The east end of this beach has been accreting from sand moving north from the north end of the island due to the sink caused by the depth of the shipping channel and summer south east winds. This has added over 300 feet to Estill Point in the last 10 years. Polk Street to the west end of the beach, which averages 200 feet of width at low tide, has small but stead y erosion caused by winter time nor’easters that erode the dunes at high tides. The State of Georgia provided funding in 2002 to increase the dune size in this area b y having 20,000 cubic yards of sand trucked in and placed on the existing dunes. A federal stud y is required (Authorized but not funded) to include this beach in the Shore Protection Program which has been authorized but not funded by either Congress or the City of Tybee Island. Access Because this beach is not in the Shore Protection Program there is no federal requirement to have public access. However, there are two public access locations, one at Polk Street that handles vehicular traffic as well as walking and with 10 parking spaces and one at Bay & Beyers Streets with 4 public parking spaces plus a bicycle rack. Wheelchairs can use this road but would need to have tires that can transverse the soft sand at the Polk access point. The City has constructed another access to this beach at the unopened portion of Byers Street, which is near the west end of this beach and is ADA compliant. Parking There is adequate right-of-wa y near Byers Street and on Ba y Street to provide an additional four (4) public parking plus bicycle parking. Additional Parking information is contained in Appendix L. [Type text] Page 29 Infrastructure There are no showers or restrooms along this reach of the beach front. The City does maintain several locations with trash receptacles. There is a wooden swing near Polk Street. There are several locations with signs posting the City rules for beach use and numerous signs to remind people to stay off the dunes. A set of bird identification signs are at the beach entrance at Polk Street for this purpose. Services Trash is picked up dail y in the summer. Almost no safet y service or police patrols are made on this beach. Currents are strong on ebb and flood tides, especially at new and full moons, when changes in the tide are at maximum. At low tide the south river channel is close to the beach and can be dangerous for swimming or rafting. The east end is extremel y dangerous for swimming due to the combined effects of tidal currents, beach wind currents, greater surf and the ship wakes that are very close. One drowning has occurred at this location. Environmental The accretion of sand has formed a large dune field and shrub area near Estill Point that is a nesting area for many shore birds. Also, the limited use of the beach allows birds to gather in large numbers. This is a designated spot on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. When permits were received from the GA DNR for rebuilding the dunes on this beach, requirements for compaction and scarp maintenance were assigned to the City of Tybee. [Type text] Page 30 North Beach Location and Structures This beach is defined as the area from Estill Point south to Highwa y 80. The beach is approximatel y 7,000 feet long with the north Federal Groin in the middle. The accreting point on the north end is over 1,000 feet from the nearest structure which is Light House Point condominiums (see Savannah River Beach section). Beyond this large complex is a small gated community, several single family residences and a line of town homes. Behind these is a mixture of 25 single-family residences of mixed size and age. South of the groin is the City of T ybee Public Beach that is over a quarter mile long. To the south is Seaside Colony subdivision, a group of condominiums and more single-famil y houses to US H ighway 80. This portion of the community includes 18 beachfront houses, 4 beachfront condominiums with another 50 single-famil y houses and 5 condominiums behind them. Houses range from historic to new, dating back to the 1890’s. Just off the beach there are two single-story older structures housing a nursing home. Property Ownership The Cit y of T ybee owns a portion of this beach and adjacent land for parking. On the north end it is necessar y to clarify ownerships as described in the previous beach communit y section (Savannah River Beach). It is thought that to the south of the public beach, ownership to the beach side of the 1938 sea wall has been quitclaimed legall y to the City. The T ybee Island Task Force recommends that the City of Tybee Island seek to clarify this issue. [Type text] Page 31 Historic Area Much of this area of T ybee was a part of Fort Screven, developed in the second half of the 1800’s and decommissioned in 1947. The fort contains the Tybee Lighthouse and several renovated support buildings. Nearb y is a section of the fort that is now a museum. Other fort buildings remain, such as the theatre and bakery along with eleven officer houses that have been restored. Gun emplacements and attached ammunition storage exists along the beach with 14 foot thick walls. Some of these are under private ownership with houses built on top of them. This area attracts man y tourists. Usage The north and south portions of this beach are difficult to access and are used mainly b y the home owners, renters and guests. Typical beach use includes sun bathing, swimming and walking. South of the groin the surf is greater. Along the southern portion the erosion has exposed a sea wall from the early 1900’s that makes swimming dangerous. Signs mark this area, and care needs to be taken in this area. The public beach is the second most used beach on the island and draws large weekend and holiday crowds. At times the crowds on this beach spread along the other sections. Beach Maintenance The portion of the beach north of the groin is not a part of the authorized Federal Shore Protection Project. This beach has remained relatively stable due to sand passing through the groin with the Southeast summer winds and tidal currents. There are emerging dune fields along this beach above the tide line. The north point continues to accrete. The north groin was built in 1975 and had been settling into the sand allowing more sand to pass through it to the north. The 1986 Shore Protection Project included the raising of this groin by another four feet. There has been no evidence that the North Terminal Groin has been sinking any further. A dynamic area on the north side of the groin is caused by another “Y” shaped rock groin and the varying winds that make major seasonal changes in the immediate area. The federal North Terminal Groin continues to retain sand on the south side to provide an adequate, stable beach for the public area. The beach south of the groin has been fairly stable with onl y a small loss of sand. Areas above the tide line could use more sand fencing to encourage more dune build up. The south end of this section is the worst erosion on the island. Re-nourishment sand has been placed in this area during each construction project except for the 2008 re-nourishment. Because the beach projects towards the east at this point, sand flows off it in both directions beaches to both sides have become more stable from the recurring re-nourishment projects. Except for the couple of blocks at the south end of this reach near US Highwa y 80, this beach has a low tide width of over 300 feet and increasing dune fields at the northernmost end. [Type text] Page 32 Signage and Traffic Many da y trippers use the public beach in the north beach community and this, along with the historic area tourists, brings heav y traffic to mostly narrow two-lane residential roads. Signage for beach parking and the historic area is good and directs traffic through various turns from US Highwa y 80 to the parking lots. During days of expanded use, traffic can be intense. The Georgia Department of Transportation has provided a 4’x5’ reflective sign advising visitors of the “Pay to Park” island-wide enforcement. The sign is located at the east-bound traffic lane approaching the Island on US Hwy 80. Access North of the groin the only access for the public is along the south side of the Light House Point condominiums. To the south there are public access points at both Highway 80 and one block north at Van Horne Street. The public beach has three access boardwalks with one being handicapped accessible. Other beach access is provided for the condominium complexes and private houses. All major public and private access points are boardwalks over the dunes. Some of the crosswalks do not extend through new dune fields and several paths are being used for private access. Parking The public access north of the groin has limited public parking in its vicinity. The lot next to the Police Department has been metered and signed using the pay & display meter system. This has provided 200 additional metered parking spaces for the public. This is overflow parking for the lots at the lighthouse and public beach. There is also a lot with free parking of 30 spaces for use b y visitors to the lighthouse and museum. The remainder of the parking location is shown in Appendix L. Infrastructure There are restrooms at the public beach that are somewhat outdated. At the parking lot end of the Gullick Street cross-over there is a foot-washer available. Public access points have signs with the beach rules and regulations. Near the groin there are bird identification signs provided b y the DNR and designed b y Mallor y Pierce. There are no permanent lifeguard stations on the public beach. Several beach swings are on the beach but in need of repair. A restaurant, currentl y the North Beach Grill, shares the parking lot at the public beach, and the museum and lighthouse are adjacent. Improvements to the restrooms were done in 2009 and a new single- story FEMA compliant restroom is being res earched for possible construction with 2009 SPLOST funding in the future in the same location at the current public restroom. [Type text] Page 33 Environmental At the north point there is, in addition to the quiet beach and dunes, approximately 5 acres of shrubs and m yrtle trees. This area is good for bird nesting and observing. This beach section of Tybee is also heavily used b y man y ecologicall y sensitive shorebirds such as Black Skimmers (Rhyncops niger), Sandwich Terns, (Sterna sandvicensis), and the Piping Plover, is a good area for bird nesting and bird watching. Front Beach Location and Structures This beach is approximately 8,000 feet and starts at Highwa y 80 on the north and ends at 14th Street on the south. The beach parallels Butler Avenue. The north end of Butler Avenue is onl y 100 feet from the beach and about 900 feet at 14th Street. The first two blocks on the north end contain two town-home complexes and twenty single-family houses. The next two blocks hold the Desoto Hotel and Condominiums with 37 hotel rooms and 30 condominium units and Beach Side Colony with approximately 91 condo units and a beach side restaurant. Most condo units are for short-term rentals. From 5th (Center Street) to 14th Street the area between Butler Avenue and the beach contains 40 beachfront single-family homes and 15 lots for development. Behind the beachfront are approximately 250 single famil y homes, a few duplexes and another 50 lots. These homes contain one or two living levels, range between [Type text] Page 34 brand new and 1930’s vintage with most having footprints of 1,500 feet raised off the ground to meet FEMA requirements. Between each numbered street are 2 or 3 alleyways that service these homes and dead end at the beach. Many homes are being built or renovated to meet increasing demands for beach side short-term rentals. An exception to the above is the Fresh Air Home, which sits upon six or more lots and caters to disadvantaged youngsters for beach camp. The west side of Butler Avenue, for a depth of several blocks, contains houses smaller in size but mainly for permanent residents. Also on this side are the Cit y Hall and related buildings, four churches, two motels and the island grocery market. Property Ownership It is not known whether all propert y beachside of the 1938 sea wall is owned by the Cit y or not. This should be confirmed, and a permanent ownership tool, such as a conservation easement, should be established to guarantee no future development. Usage From Hi ghway 80 to Center Street is the third most used beach on the island due to the higher densit y housing with the town homes, hotel and condominium units. Residents of weekly rentals tend to use this beach more than the permanent residents. Parking is available in this section of the beach. From Center to 14th Street, the beach is quiet and used mainl y b y residents, renters and guests in the houses between Butler Avenue and the beach. An exception is when all parking is in use, usuall y summer weekends and holidays. This beach is used for sunbathing, swimming and walking. There is a vendor for beach chairs and umbrellas at 2nd Street. Beach Maintenance The North portion of this beach is Tybee Island’s most erosive area. Prior to the 1999 re- nourishment project there was no beach in this area at high tide and the top of the sea wall, as well as some of the reinforcing stone at the base, was totall y exposed. Even though over a million cubic yards of material was placed here in 2000, this was the case again just prior to the 2008 re-nourishment. About 80% of the total sand lost since the last nourishment has happened in this area. New sand placement has rebuilt this section of the beach. At this point on the island sand flows in each direction due to the summer winds from the southeast and northeasters in the winter. The whole front beach, from the north to the south federal groin, has had a loss of sand from the hurricane season of 2004, and from normal erosion. This beach has seasonal changes that include scarping, sand bars and intertidal gullies. From 8th Street to 13th Street the dune fields have increased in width to over 400 feet. This is due to nourishment. Project providing sand from the beach to the north. Dune fields are emerging at 3rd to 6th streets and additional sand fencing has been added on the new upper beach near US Highwa y 80 in order to encourage more dune growth. [Type text] Page 35 Signage and Traffic Sunny summer weekends and holidays bring heavy traffic to Highway 80 and Butler Avenue. The dead-end numbered streets tend to fill up quickl y b y beach goers hunting parking spots. There is directional signage but a coordinated plan to move traffic and inform the public of available parking is needed. Access Most numbered streets have public access to the beach by dune crossovers. Others have direct access without the boardwalk where there are little or no dune fields. At 8th Street, the crossover is handicapped accessible and there is a MOBI mat for wheel chair mobility on the soft sand. Alleyways between the numbered Streets have dune crossovers that service the homes in those areas. Some beachfront houses have private dune crossovers. The hotel and condominium complexes have direct private beach access. Parking This section has parking along both sides of Butler Avenue, all numbered streets and on the west side of Butler Avenue at 4th and 5th streets. There is a privatel y owned lot at 3rd Street, with about 100 spaces, that is intermittently attended. Public parking spaces with pay & display meters and single mechanical meters b y various locations are noted in Appendix L. Parking on streets without meters is not legal. Cars will be ticketed. Infrastructure There no feet washing facilities or public showers in the middle section of the Island. Signage at the street ends has beach rules and regulations and water quality information. At the beach side of the access t here is also signage for beach rules and regulations, wooden swing seats and trash receptacles. There is no permanent lifeguard along this beach. Environmental Most sea turtle nesting activity takes place on this beach. The wider dune fields here have abundant plant life and provide homes for shore birds. [Type text] Page 36 Beach Business District Location and Structure This community is bounded by 14th Street on the north, 18th Street on the south and Butler Avenue to the west. It encompasses approximately 2,200 feet of beach. The front row on the beach is comprised of a hotel, numerous condominium buildings, and several stores and restaurants. Between these structures and the beach are public parking lots and small buildings that house the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, and two mobile air-conditioned restrooms on each end of the district, in the two large parking lots. The main fishing pier and pavilion extends over the ocean at Tybrisa Street (16th). T ybrisa Street is lined with stores, a hotel, galleries and restaurants. South of Tybrisa, single and multi-family structures are densely built on the numbered streets and parallel alleys. North of Tybrisa, there are a few scattered single-famil y residences, a new condominium complex, restaurant, and motel and conference center. There is some little space remaining in this area. On the west side of Butler Avenue, the street is lined mostly with motels, shops and restaurants. Historical This area was the site of an earl y 1900s hotel and amusement park. However these buildings are now gone. There are a few early and mid-century residential structures remaining. [Type text] Page 37 Usage This is the busiest beach and community on the island in the summer time. Off-season there remains much commerce but only at a fraction of the busy season. The beach is typicall y crowded in the summer and used for sun bathing, swimming and surfing. Beach Maintenance In 1986, the South End Federal Groin was constructed. This reduced much of the southerly sand drift through this area and has improved the overall stability of the beach. The South End Federal Groin was designed to allow some sand to pass over and through the rubble groin. The length of the groin was design to be able to hold back the “design template”, including “advanced nourishment”. Advanced nourishment is the placement of additional sand on the beach that has sufficient quantit y to withstand 7 years of average erosion, allowing the beach to erode back to the “design template.” Prior to the construction of this groin, the south portion of this beach was extremely unstable with a significant portion of the sea wall exposed at low tide. There was also the very real danger that the bottom of the seawall would be exposed enough to allow the bottom to “kick out” and fail. Rock was placed at the toe of the seawall in the 1970, prior to an y Federal erosion protection project, as an emergency action . The buildup of the beach to the north feeds sand onto this beach. The sand dunes along this beach continue to develop. Signage and Traffic This communit y is extremely congested with both traffic and people during the summer season. The Cit y of Tybee has formulated a development plan made for the streets and parking lots of this area and has implemented the first major phase of this plan by expanding the sidewalks, abandoning the airport armed parking lot system which has improved traffic flow and made the South end more pedestrian-friendly. Improved signage should be a goal of this project. Current beach signage is similar to other adjacent communities, so the city has implemented a new wa y finding s ystem to help visitors find their way around the island. Access There are four dune crossovers between the pier and 14th Street, public accesses from the pier and crossovers at 17th and 18th streets. 18th Street access is handicapped accessible and is also capable of vehicular access. Parking The area immediatel y adjacent to the beach is reserved for public parking the entire stretch of this community. These lots and are now using a central pay service s ystem with [Type text] Page 38 several kiosks located around the perimeter of the parking lot. The design for this area reformats these lots to improve the efficienc y of spaces and traffic flow. Additionally there is parking on the numbered streets, Butler Avenue and Inlet Avenue as listed in Appendix L. Infrastructure This beach has signage for state water quality monitoring and beach rules and regulations, trash receptacles and swings at the access points. There are also 4 foot washers in this district. Rest rooms for the public are in the building with the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and store. The pi er and pavilion are administered and maintained by Chatham County. There are several beach vendors in this community. The City installed a mobile FEMA compliant ADA 3 stall restroom in the South lot (16 th Street lot) in 2008 and a mobile FEMA compliant 5 stall restroom in the North Lot (14th Street lot) in 2009. Environmental Due to the high human usage, rec ycling and trash pickup, particularl y on holidays and summer weekends, should be increased. Figure 2. South Beach Business District Design Vision [Type text] Page 39 South Tip Location and Structure. The South Tip community is considered to be the approximatel y 1,800 feet of beach from 18th Street to the back river terminal groin (jetty). Along the beach there are 11 single-famil y homes with another 30 between the beach and Butler Avenue. Several structures are town homes or duplexes. The neighborhood is zoned R- 2. There is a mix of permanent residences, second homes (mostly unoccupied in the off season), and units for short-term rental. Houses exist in a variety of sizes and ages History Development of the south end of Tybee was established in the early 1900s and some homes of that era still survive. There are a variet y of renovated homes from different parts of the 1900s along with some recent construction. Many houses in this area represent prime examples of historic Tybee Beach architecture and life style. Unfortunately, some are lost each year due to demolition. [Type text] Page 40 Usage South of the South Federal Groin are a substantial broad beach and a large ebb tide delta that is fed b y the southerl y littoral flow of material coming down the shoreline from the upper beaches. This decreases the surf and allows beach walking on the sand bar at low tide. The south tip beach is a popular area for sunbathing, sail boarding, and camping. The vegetation and dune formations give the area a tropical island ambiance somewhat akin to the Bahamian Out Islands. Low densit y housing adds to the feeling of space and remoteness that appeals to visitors wishing to spread out with their families, picnic, play Bocce Ball, toss a Frisbee or kite surfing. (Safety aspects of the sand bar being exposed during low tide?) Beach Maintenance The beach nourishment project of 1975 used a sand bar area just south of the beach for borrow material and destroyed existing jetties as well. The combination of the sink-hole caused by removing more material than specified in the project engineering plan and the destruction of the jetties led to an erosion problem for the first time in this area. A state project engineered in the mid-1990s by T ybee’s beach consultant resulted in the construction of 2 “T” and 1 “L”-shaped groins made of Campbell units. These are concrete sections that are designed to decrease erosion caused by the d ynamics of surf hitting solid surfaces. Currentl y, the beach is showing signs of stability and is forming new dune fields where the pree xisting fields (before the 1975 initial nourishment ) used to be. A notching of these groins was implemented on 2003 to allow for more sand to continue its flow through this beach for additional nourishment to the Back River. This action continues to be monitored for positive results on the B ack R iver and possible negative results to the front beach. No material was required to be placed in the south tip area as a part of the 2008 re-nourishment. (What about the 2014 re-nourishment?) Signage and Traffic The location, accessed by several parking areas, has increased traffic in this area. Signage for parking is adequate. During summer months, parking on 19th Street and Chatham Avenue extension is in great demand; consequentl y, there is congestion at peak periods of beach use. Access Public access to the beach is available with a dune crossover at 18th Street, a dune walk and driveway at 19th Street, a dune walk at Chatham Avenue, and handicap access at 18th Street with a MOBI mat leading across the soft sand to the hard sand. Alleys between 18th and 19th Streets provide access to the houses that are off the beach, and some front beach houses have private access. [Type text] Page 41 Parking There is public metered parking for this area is shown in Appendix L. Roads in this area are narrow and do not allow for any other parking. Infrastructure At public access points there are signs for rules and regulations and water quality. There are also sitting areas at the 19th and Chatham Avenue crossovers. Trash cans are placed at the access points. Environmental Sand fencing has been and continued to be reinstalled in a new configuration that will be less of a hindrance to sea turtle nesting. Back River Location and Structures The Back River beach starts at the terminal groin at the south end and runs approximately [Type text] Page 42 3,000 feet northward. Along this beach are 24 single-family structures including two duplexes on the beach front and another 24 between there and Chatham Avenue that parallel the beach. Houses in this community vary from some of the oldest on the island to some of the newest. Many houses have been renovated, keeping the old style of the early 1900’s. Some houses are second homes and only a few are used for short-term rentals. Also on this stretch of beach is the back river fishing pier, which extends 300 feet across the beach into the river. Several homes have personal docks. The limits of private ownership along the beach area are unknown. History Due to the availability of the Back R iver and the cooling summer breezes, back river development started in the late 1800s. Much of the original construction was destroyed b y several strong hurricanes around that time. The next wave of house construction is still standing and many of these are great examples of cottages from the early 1900s. Others represent construction from the 1920s and 1930s with some already renovated and others in need of repair and renovation. There has been some infill of houses from the 1950s to present day. Usage The back river area is used for swimming, as there is no undertow and the wave action is relativel y mild. Swimmers, however, are urged to pay attention to the currents, especiall y during tidal changes. Popular activities are walking, fishing and kayaking. A boat ramp and other areas along the beach are good places to launch kayaks. Walking on the north end of the Back River is interrupted by the pier and docks that block the beach at higher tides. The exposed sea wall makes it difficult to walk from the Back River to the south tip beach at higher tides as well. Beach Maintenance The back river has recently been placed in the Federal Shore Protection Project and includes the area from the South Tip terminal groin to Horse Pen Creek. There is no beach from the entrance of Horse Pen Creek southward for 1,500 feet, and this confuses the limits of this beach. It is understood that there has never been a beach in this area and there are 17 private short docks and a marina that would preclude nourishment in this area without significant adjustments. This area has a bulkhead. There has been beach re-nourishment on the south end of this beach and in 1999 eight short rock groins were constructed. The southern- most groins are full y exposed while the five to the north are totally covered b y sand. Past experience shows stabilit y along the north section and almost constant change both seasonal and annuall y on 800 feet of the south end. Most of the erosion here is caused b y dynamic tidal action in the river. At Inlet Avenue there has been some accretion to the beach. Notching the south tip groins has shown that a small amount of sand can migrate to this beach. Future stud y may show a need for several more short groins at the south end of this beach, with t- heads added to some of the groins. Some limited re-nourishment was done here in the 2008 [Type text] Page 43 project. Signage and Traffic Most use of this beach is by the people living in this community and those living on the east side of Chatham Avenue. Roads are all narrow in this area and seldom crowded as most tourists remain on the east beach areas. There are several signs for the fishing pier. Access Public access is at Inlet Avenue, Alle y 3 and at the fishing pier. Most houses have access by paths or short dune crossovers. This beach can also be accessed from the south tip beach at lower tides but, with a new stairway from the sea wall, could be accessed at all times. Parking More parking spaces are needed for the growing ka yak and small fishing boat users can be added wh en the drainage project is done by the cit y on Alley 3. Additional parking information is found in Appendix L. Infrastructure There exists the City Boat ramp and Fishing Pier located along the Back River in addition to trashcans and signs for rules and regulations. Environmental This area is particularly sensitive to oil spills as there are many boats being docked here and the water does not flush easily? (really?). Diamondback terrapins also utilize the Back River and are a species of concern to wildlife biologists and ecologists. It is recommended that citizens of these six beach communities be chosen to work with the Tybee Island BTF and City staff from Public Works, Planning & Zoning, and others as identified, to hold a one day workshop to further discuss these beach community sections. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The purpose of this Beach Management Plan is to provide a useable planning document to the Tybee Island government and community that will serve several functions: 1. To provide standard operating procedures for beach management by outlining responsibilities for management and maintenance of the beach, and to provide long–term [Type text] Page 44 direction and guidance for city policy makers and the Tybee Island Beach Task Force (BTF) as well as best management practices to City personnel for beach re-nourishment and maintenance 2. recommend specific duties to stakeholders, and 3. Provide pertinent information to residents and interested parties. Planning and Zoning Mr. Donald ‘Dee’ Anderson, was the Assistant City Manager and Zoning Administrator for Tybee Island in 2005 when the first version of the Tybee Island Beach Management Plan was developed. According to Mr. Anderson and Mr. Bob Thomson, the City Manager for the City of Tybee Island at that time, the City of Tybee Island has two unique planning and zoning requirements: 1) Tybee Island requires drainage plans for both individual houses as well as subdivisions, and this is rare for most jurisdictions in Georgia; and 2) there is a building height limit of 35 feet or less (Personal communication, Bob Thomson, April, 2005). The following general information was excerpted from the Comprehensive Plan for Tybee Island as submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs: Unlike other cities with a diverse range of development, Tybee Island is essentially composed of residential, tourist, and resort-services activities. Development and zoning patterns are therefore straightforward. Residential zone (R-1 and R-2), tourist zoning (R- T), and commercial (C), are in effect and are generally followed by planners. However, exceptions stand out. Certain “pockets” of nonconforming developments rise over, append to, or simply loom in the midst of conformed development. For more information please refer to the Comprehensive Plan for Tybee Island, and refer to Figure 1, Zoning Map of Tybee Island. Beach Restoration & Nourishment The Federal Government Through the Water Resources Development Act and other act of law, the Federal government authorized a 15-year project authorization to allow the Corps to work with the City of Tybee Island to help maintain the beaches through 1989. Specificall y this project Authorization authorized an erosion protection program, using both rubble mound groins and beach re-nourishments beach re-nourishment every seven years of approximately one million cubic yards. The federal government originally contributed 49% of the needed funding for the initial nourishment in 1975 and the first re-nourishment in 1986, as well as the groin construction in 1975 and 1987. The non-Federal share of the initial work was 51% because the primary justification of the project was to promote and provide recreation. Although the Project is authorized, it can remain unfunded far past its optimum 7 year re- nourishment cycle. Much congressional c o o r d i n a t i o n a n d i n f o r m a t i on s h a r i n g is therefore often necessar y to obtain the Federal as well as the local funding. [Type text] Page 45 Corps policy in the earl y 1980’s shifted to limit the benefits from recreation to no more than 50% of the total project benefits. Under Section 934 of WRDA '86, Federal aid for periodic beach nourishment at existing projects ma y be extended as necessary without further Congressional authorization for a period not to exceed 50 years from the date of start of project construction. The extension to 50 years was not automatic. After notification by the US Corps that the nourishment period is about to expire, the project sponsor must request an extension and express a willingness to cost share the cost of the Section 934 study and future re- nourishments. The Corps received funds in 1989 to prepare the Section 934 report, which was approved by the Secretary of the Army in 1996. This new authorization re-established the cost sharing to be a blend of the Storm Damage Prevention benefits (normally shared at 65% Federal and 35% non -Federal) with recreation benefits (normally shared at 50% Federal and 50% non- Federal), yielding a weighted average initial cost share at 60.3% Federal and 39.7% non-Federal for the 2008 Renourishment and will be XXX% for the 2104 Renourishment. The Limited Revaluation Report, approved in 2006, revaluated the project benefits, which yielded a sli ght adjustment to 60.9% Federal and 39.1% non-Federal. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Locally, the Savannah District of the US Arm y Corps of Engineers is responsible for the administration and operations of the F ederal government’s Civil Works Program. For T ybee Island, this work includes studies for this coastal area, engineering for construction and management of these projects. They provide valuable input to maintenance of the beach. They also are the responsible agency for the on-going maintenance of the Savannah River shipping channel and the three multipurpose projects in the upper Savannah River Basin. The federal government is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the adjacent Savannah Harbor Federal Navigation Project and expends $12 to $15 million per year in O&M funds in order to maintain an Authorized depth of -42 feet below mean low water mlw (the Inner Harbor, from the mouth of the Savannah River, the project depth is kept at -42 ft mlw, whereas the Offshore Bar channel is maintained at a depth two feet deeper at -44 ft mlw.). State State of Georgia, General Assembly The State has been very generous in providing financial assistance to Tybee for nourishment of the State’s most publicly accountability related to the beach. In addition to assisting with the Shore Protection Project funding the state has provided funds of $4.9 million in [Type text] Page 46 1995 to install the south tip modular concrete erosion control units and nourish beaches in that area. The State also provided $450,000 in 2002 to add to the dune fields at the north beach. How about the 2008 and 2014 State Support? The State legislation like many takes actions to reduce adverse inputs of man-altered inlets to adjust coastal barriers. For example, the State passed HB 727 authored b y Representative Burke Day on behalf of the City of Tybee Island. House Bill 727. The following is taken from Georgia Code Section 52-9-2: “With regard to all sand that is suitable for beach replenishment originating from the dredging of navigation channels within tidal inlets, as well as the entrances to harbors and rivers: 1. Such sand shall be used to replenish the adjacent coastal beaches, if feasible, either b y deposition of sand into the near shore littoral zone or direct placement on affected beaches; 2. If such sand is placed elsewhere, then a qualit y and quantity of sand from an alternate location necessary to mitigate an y adverse effects caused by the dredging shall be used to replenish affected coastal beaches; provided, however that this paragraph shall apply onl y where beach replenishment is necessary to mitigate effects from the dredging and dredged material removal from the natural river-sand transport-beach system of a specific project and beach replenishment from another source is the least costly environmentally sound mitigation option; The disposition of sand shall be completed in cooperation with and, when required b y applicable state or federal law, with the approval of the local governing authority and the DNR according to the requirements of Part 2 of Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Title 12, the 'Shore Protection Act'; and (4) All such activities shall provide protection to coastal marshlands as defined in paragraph (3) of Code Section 12-5-282 and to nesting sea turtles and hatchlings and their habitats. (b) The DNR and the party undertaking the dredging shall coordinate to determine the option under subsection (a) of this Code section for beach replenishment that is most beneficial to the adjacent or affected coastal beaches, including, where applicable, identifying an alternate source of sand for purposes of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section, after taking into consideration environmental impacts and an y limitation of applicable state and federal law.” The Savannah District, US Army Corps of Engineers disclosed their position in October 2008, that they will not modify their Operation and Maintenance practices for the Savannah Harbor in light of HB 727 or the change in the Georgia Coastal Zone Management Act because there is no reasonable and practicable alternative to the Federal Standard. [Type text] Page 47 Simpl y, the District has found their actions to be consistent with the State of Georgia CZM Plan. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division The DNR Coastal Resources Division is responsible for implementing the Georgia Coastal Management Program in which Georgia’s beaches are a major component. One of the enforceable authorities of the Georgia Coastal Management Plan is the Shore Protection Act of 1979 that defines the sand-sharing s ystem and establishes management standards. Activities regulated by the State include construction and maintenance of boardwalks, dune stabilization projects, beach restoration and re-nourishment, and other activities that may alter the natural topography or vegetation within beach and dune areas. In addition, the DNR establishes guidelines for the placement and maintenance of sand fencing to provide for dune building and stabilization while minimizing adverse impacts on wildlife. Recommendations are provided for native dune vegetation when planting is needed. Coastal activities are coordinated with other state and federal groups in accordance with existing laws and regulations while ensuring the values and functions of the sand sharing s ystem are not impaired. If the Corps is to be required to modify their sand disposal practices at the entrance to the Savannah River, the GA DNR will need to challenge the Savannah District’s CZM finding. Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) The GPA operates the main Containerize and Roll-on-Roll-off of port facilities in the Savannah area as well as three other Georgia locations (Bainbridge, Brunswick and Columbus, GA). The GPA provides a large economic impact in this region. The Garden City Terminal, being approximatel y 15 miles upstream from the mouth of the river Federal government, through the Corps, must maintain the river at the authorized depths to allow continued commerce. Georgia Department of Transportation (GA DOT) The GA DOT is the official Local Sponsor for the on-going Operation and Maintenance of the Savannah Harbor, executing the latest Project Cooperation Agreement (P C A) in January 2005. With this agreement, their role is to provide 35% of the cost sharing for the ongoing raisin g of the Diked Disposal Areas along the north bank of the Savannah River and to participate in the funding of future deepening project, if authorized by Congress. Local City of Tybee Island The City is ultimately responsible for the maintenance and operation of the beach within certain limits placed upon it by the State and Federal Government. The City is currentl y involved in an agreement called the T ybee Island Shore Protection Project, which is designed [Type text] Page 48 to provide flood control protection from hurricanes and storm damage. The protective work includes re- nourishment of beaches to maintain a minimum beach template and groins and fencing as required. The agreement establishes an operation and maintenance program with specified tasks to be performed b y City personnel and cooperation with the preparation of studies and specifications for future work. The responsibilities for the Cit y are established in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Tybee Island, Georgia, Shoreline Protection Project, Operations, Maintenance, Replacement, Repair, and Rehabilitation Manual, dated July 2009. Community Development Community Development is the responsibility of the local government. Comprehensive Plans are required for a local government to keep Qualified Local Government status through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Tybee Island submitted a comprehensive plan in 1992 that has had short-term work updates in 1998 and 2003 (personal communication, Mike Gleaton, Georgia DCA, May 2005). The short-term update of 1998 states that a priority for Tybee Island is the formulation of uniform, fair, and long-range zoning, building and enforcement codes that reflect the experience of the past and the desire of the islanders for low-density, single-family residential development and the need for open space and recreational areas BEACH MONITORING REQUIREMNENTS Much of the Federal and Local information below is taken from the Operations, Maintenance, Replacement, Repair and Rehabilitation Manual for Tybee Island, Georgia, Shoreline Protection Project of the U.S. Arm y Corps of Engineers, Savannah District of July 2009 . Please see Appendix A for responsibilities. Federal Cost Shared Five-Year Beach Monitoring The Project Cooperation Agreement requires a post construction-monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of the project features. This portion of the monitoring is cost shared under terms of the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA), a legal document that spells out the responsibilities of both the Federal Government and the Non-Federal Sponsor, and is performed b y the Corps. The 5-year monitoring plan includes beach and h ydrographic surveys as well as aerial photograph documentation for the first 5 years after the 2000re- nourishment, whereas the City of T ybee Island has the responsibility to continue the monitoring program until the project authorization has expired. [Type text] Page 49 Quality Assurance (QA) under the Corps’ Inspection of Completed Works Program The Corps of Engineers performs a continuing quality assurance (QA) role for civil works projects once a project has been turned over to the local sponsor for operation and maintenance. The Section 934 Report established that the primary purpose of the project was to provide Storm Damage Prevention. Therefore, the Tybee Island Shore Protection Project is part of this QA Inspection program under the Flood Damage Reduction program. This program requires the Government to assure that local sponsors are fulfilling their PCA and OMRR&R responsibilities. The program requires the local sponsor to appoint a Project Superintendent and provide the necessary resources to compl y with the requirements outlined in the OMRR&R Manual. The Superintendent and the Corps will jointly inspect the project. The Corps will coordinate a mutuall y acceptable QA inspection date with the Project Superintendent. State There are no State shared responsibilities regarding beach monitoring at this time. Local Non-Federal Monitoring Requirements Beginning in the sixth year after the 2000 Re-nourishment (in 2006), (after the 5-year post construction monitoring cost-shard with the Corps) at least annually, the non-Federal Sponsor is responsible for monitoring the beach profile to determine losses of nourishment material from the Project design section and provide the results of such monitoring to the Government. After the 5-year monitoring period, the non-Federal Sponsor may request the Government to conduct the surveys and analyze the data. However, financial arrangements must be made prior to enactment and the non-Federal Sponsor must pay the entire cost. Quarterly Surveillance Report A quarterly surveillance report is submitted b y the City of T ybee and the Savannah District Corp to the GA DNA, Coastal Protection Division. The report includes an assessment of the beach fill, berm, dune, and groin performance of the Project. This visual inspection is separate from the profile-monitoring program. Citizens and Tourists Citizens and tourists are responsible for helping to maintain a clean and healthy environment. The y should rec ycle, keep the beach free from litter, and ensure that pets are not roaming the beach. If citizens and tourists see any illegal or unethical practices, the y should report such activities to the Tybee Island Police Department at (912) 786-5600. [Type text] Page 50 BEACH CLEANING & MAINTENANCE State- O.C.G.A. 12-5-248 (a) (1) provides that governmental vehicles may be utilized for beach maintenance without a permit as long as those vehicles operate across existing crossovers, paths, or drives. Pursuant to Board of Natural Resources Rule 391-2-2, Appendix A, Tybee Island’s three such existing access sites are the north, middle, and south access drives. Other access points would need to be approved by the Shore Protection Committee. Furthermore, the statute mandates that exempted vehicular activity must be conducted so as to provide protection to sea turtles and birds. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 12-5-248 (b), the Department would want to issue a letter of authorization, with the following conditions: 1. Cleaning ma y not occur in the dunes and can only occur during the day. 2. Cleaning should focus on manmade debris and avoid natural debris, such as beach wrack, as beach wrack is important to primary dune formation – an important component to the ecology of the beach ecos ystem. 3. Wrack must be removed within 7 days of it appearance. If wrack appears, then notification is required to call the DNR. If the wrack is allowed to become integrated with the beach sand to the point that sand is retained by the wrack, then the wrack must be preserved in place as a potential new sand dune line or else must be a GaDNR Permit for its removal. 4. During the nesting season (May 1 to October 1), cleaning can onl y occur after the sea turtle patrol has completed their daily survey of Tybee Beach for sea turtle nests and hatchling emergence. 5. Cleaning ma y not occur within 20 feet of sea turtle nests. 6. Cleaning ma y not occur within 100 feet of a designated shorebird nesting area or designated critical habitat. 7. Cleaning equipment must stay at least 10 feet from indigenous vegetation. 8. Onl y equipment with 10-psi or less tire pressure can operate on the beach. 9. Cleaning equipment must not penetrate more than two inches into the beach surface. 10. Cleaning equipment must effectively screen and return sand to the beach. 11. All material collected must be removed from the beach. The above conditions are based on consultation with Florida's beach cleaning provisions and DNR’s Coastal Nongame Endangered Wildlife Program. Local Population It is the responsibility of the local government, City of T ybee Island, to comply with the above conditions once a letter of authorization is issued from the State. City personnel would need to be trained in correct beach cleaning equipment and procedures. The Tybee Beautification Association coordinates two major beach sweeps each year. The [Type text] Page 51 organization also sponsors many smaller cleanups for various school and civic organizations. Also, four Adopt-A-Highwa y clean ups are conducted annually b y the T ybee Beautification Association. Citizens and Tourists Citizens and tourists are responsible for helping to maintain a clean and health y environment. They should rec ycle, keep the beach free from litter, and ensure that pets are not on the beach. THE WAY T0 2014. As it has been written elsewhere, the Federal Authorization for the Tybee Island Shore Protection project expires in 2024, 50 years after the initiation of construction. We have 10 years to prepare for a new era with a change in the funding and execution of shore protection projects. It can be said that there are several ways forward towards a continuation of the placement of sand on the seaward beach on a regular basis. These are: 1) Seek an extension of the existing Federal Renourishment Project through enacting Section 1037 of WRRDA 2014 allows for: a. “the Secretary shall, at the request of the non-Federal interest, carry out a study to determine the feasibility of extending the period of nourishment described in subsection (a) for a period not to exceed 15 additional years beyond the maximum period described in subsection (a). This provision would allow for the Local Sponsor (The City of Tybee Island) to request the Corps to perform another Feasibility Study (similar to the 1989 Section 934 report) to re-verify the Engineering, Economics and Environmental aspects of the Federal Shore protection project. The cost of the 1988 Section 934 Report was $2.5 million and took three years to complete. Because this is a delegated authority to the ASA(CW), no new Congressional Authorization would be required. It is assumed that the study would be cost shared 50% Federal and 50% non-Federal.- Timeline: Upon the receipt of a letter from the City of Tybee Island for the study, funds would be requested from Congress (18 months), a Feasibility Cost Sharing agreement executed (one year), Study completed (3 years), review and approval (2 years), a total of 7 to 8 years, depending on funding. End result: a 15 year extension of Federal Authorization to 2039, if approved. 2) Complete the Phase II of the Channel Impacts study, which would provide the Engineering, Economics and Environmental impacts of the mitigation options to offset the impacts of the on-going Federal Navigation project, along with a specific recommendation to resolve the problem The completed study with a specific recommendation, a project cost estimate and environmental approvals would have to be reviewed and approved by UQUSACE, OMB, ASA(CW), etc. and submitted to Congress for a New Congressional Authorization. [Type text] Page 52 The remainder of the study would be cost-shared at 50% Federal and 50% non-Federal, with the implementation cost of the mitigation feature cost shared to be determined. A possible benefit to this path is that the project would no longer be justified on Storm Damage Prevention and/or Recreation, but as a mitigation feature that must be funded as long and the Offshore Channel is maintained. Timeline: Revise the Feasibility Cost sharing agreement to include the new Phase 2. Prepare the Phase 2 report (3 years), obtain approval (one year) and obtain inclusion in a new Water Resources Development Act (problematic). 3) Go it alone. Beginning 2015, work to obtain State and Local funding for a 2025 Renourishment. Similar to Hilton Head, funds could come from GPA, GaDNR, Ga DOT, Chatham County. The City of Tybee Island would be responsible for obtaining all environmental approval and government coordination. Sand could be placed where ever the City wanted with no regard to the “Federal” template, but still subject to Federal and State environmental permits. 4) FEMA has a program to reduce the flood insurance rates if homes were raised to provide additional “freeboard” to prevent the first floor from flooding during a storm event. If freeboard is provided to homes, it may provide for a reduction in Federal Flood Insurance Program Insurance premiums. However, since the existing Federal project is mostly justified based on the Storm Damages prevented, raising the first floor will reduce some the project benefits to any future Federal project not justified on Mitigation from the Channel Impacts. It is a recommendation of the Tybee Island Beach Task Force that a meeting should be held this fall to fully explore each of these, and others, options to map out the best way forward for the beach at Tybee Island. All stakeholders should be invited to participate at the Federal, state and local levels to fully explore each of these options, with the benefits, risks and uncertainties of each option. 2024 is just around the corner. [Type text] Page 53 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ms. Berta Adams, T ybee Island Beach Task Force Dr. Clark Alexander, Skidawa y Institute of Oceanograph y and Georgia Southern Universit y Ms. Deb Barreiro, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division Mr. Bart Broph y, Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) Inc. Mr. Jimm y Brown, City of Tybee Island, T ybee Island Emergency Management Major Chris Case, City of Tybee Island Police Department Ms. Elizabeth Cheney, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division Mr. Paul DeVivo, DeVivo Marketing Mr. Brad Gane, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division Mr. Alan Garrett, US Arm y Corps of Engineers Mr. Mike Gleaton, Georgia Department of Community Affairs Mr. Mike Harris, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division Ms. Mary Hogan, Cit y of Tybee Island Finance Director Mr. Bubba Hughes, Cit y of Tybee Island Attorne y Mr. Jonathan Lynn, Cit y of Tybee Zoning and Planning Manager Ms. Jan MacKinnon, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division Mr. Pat Monahan, Chatham County, Assistant County Manager Mr. Burt Moore, Savannah District Corp of Engineers Ms. Hope Moorer, Georgia Ports Authority Mr. Lou Off, T ybee Island Beach Task Force Olsen & Associates Mr. James W. Price, Tybee Island Police Chief Mr. Doug Plach y, U.S. Arm y Corps of Engineers Mr. Pete R yerson, Tybee Island Parking Services Mr. Clifton “Skip” Sasser, Tybee Island Fire Chief Ms. Diane Schleicher, City of Tybee Island City Manager Mr. Clayton Scott, Chatham Emergenc y Management Agency Ms. Susan Shipman, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division (Retired) Ms. Jennifer Spivey, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority Ms. Ann Thran, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division Ms. Fran Todd, Living Independence for Everyone LIFE Inc. Ms. Lawanna Tsolous, Tybee Island Ecotourism Council Mr. John Walden, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Ms. Kathr yn Williams, Tybee Island City Council and Tybee Island Beatification Mr. Joe Wilson, City of Tybee, Department of Public Works Director Mr. Brad Winn, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division [Type text] Page 54 Mr. Paul Wolff, Tybee Island City Council Ms. Vivian Woods, Cit y of Tybee Island Clerk of Council Mr. Spud Woodward, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division The sources of funding for this project are The Coastal Management Program of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And, of course, all the private citizens of T ybee Island who attended the public meetings and gave their comments and recommendations! LITERATURE CITED AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS A Guide to a Georgia Barrier Island, Ta ylor Schoettle, 1996. Watermarks Publishing, St. Simons Island, Georgia. Beach Long Range Management Plan by Erik Olsen. This provides lots of info on the beach and monitoring, projects, funding. Chatham Count y Hurricane Plan, revised August 2004. Chatham Emergenc y Management Agenc y. Found online at: http://www.chathamemergency.org/Documents/EOP%20Incident%20Annex%20A%20Hurricane %20Incident%20Management%20REV0709.pdf City-Data.Com, 2005. http://www.city-data.com/city/T ybee-Island-Georgia.html. City of T ybee Island, 2005. http://www.cityoft ybee.org/code. Comprehensive Plan for T ybee Island Georgia, 1992, and short-term work update of 1998, as submitted to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Limited Reevaluation Report, Tybee Island, Georgia, 2007 Re-nourishment, August 2005, US Arm y Corps of Engineers Savannah District North Beach berm construction permits from DNR. Spells out requirements from DNR that the City must follow. Project Cooperation Agreement between the Department of the Army and the City of Tybee Island regarding each re-nourishment funding. [Type text] Page 55 Sherpa Guides, Lenz Design. 2005. http://www.sherpaguides.com/georgia/coast/northern_coast/t ybee_fort_screven_north_midbeach .html#Li ghthouse. State of Georgia ADA Coordinator’s Office, 2005. http://www.ganet.org/gsfic/ada/overview.shtml. Tybee Island Fire Department Ocean Rescue Division, Standard Operating Procedure Manual Tybee Island, Georgia, Shoreline Protection Project, Operations, Maintenance, Replacement, Repair, and Rehabilitation Manual, May 2002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. Tybee Issues, 2002. http://www.tybeet yme.com/ti/tybee_beaches_lou_off.htm. Tybee Island South Beach Business District Design Charrette. Prepared b y HDR, January 2005. Tybee Island Traffic & Parking Study. prepared by HDR Engineering, Inc. Atlanta, GA, January 2005. View of Tybee from the Lighthouse, 2004, Application for Urban & Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program. Virginia Beach Management Plan, April, 2002, Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission. [Type text] Page 1 Appendix A Corps of Engineers Operations, Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Repair Manual [Type text] Page 2 Appendix B Beach Monitoring Responsibilities The following information contains a summary of the activities the Tybee Island superintendent has responsibility for implementing as part of the OMRR&R phase of the project. MONITORING REQIREMENTS RESPONSIBLE AGENCY TIMEFRAME DURATION OF MONITORING FREQUENCY Visual Surveillance Inspection City of Tybee January, April, July, and October Quarterly Continually October inspection will be performed jointly with the COPRS as a Quality Assurance (QA) inspection Extraordinary Storm Inspection Cit y of Tybee As major storms or hurricanes occur as required As Required When T ybee Island anticipates seeking emergency assistance under PL 89-44. Beach Profile Surveys and Analysis Cit y of T ybee Survey b y 20 Aug & Complete analysis by 15 Sep in Advance of Hurricane Season Continually Once a year beginning in 2006 Sand compaction tests (cone penetrometer) City of Tybee February At least 2 yrs. following beach nourishment Till to 36” depth if tests fail Li ghting Ordinance Cit y of Tybee May 1 – October 31 Enforcement every year Send compliance report to Brunswick Office of USFWLS [Type text] Page 3 and the Corps by 5 November each year* Sand fencing/planting vegetation Cit y of T ybee as required during the year as required to maintain as required to maintain *Report should include: (1) A copy of the ordinance enforced for the season, (2) Method used to notify the public of the ordinance, (3) Enforcement action implemented such as periodic inspections, results of inspection, and follow-up measures. Corps of Engineers Responsibilities. The following information summarizes the Corps responsibilities. MONITORING REQIREMENTS RESPONSIBLE AGENCY TIMEFRAME DURATION OF MONITORING FREQUENCY Review sea turtle nest records for Tybee Island and other data. Corps, coordinates with USFWS At least 6 months before each dredging/re- nourishment cycle As Required As Required 5-Year Monitoring Corps thru 2005 As shown in the 5- Year Monitoring Program As shown in the 5- Year Monitoring Program QA Inspection Corps/City Jointly In October As Required Once a year [Type text] Page 4 1.2 Cost Shared Five-Year Beach Monitoring (Completed) The Project Shoreline protection projects generally require a post construction-monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness of the project features. This portion of the monitoring is cost shared under terms of the PCA and is performed by the Corps of Engineers. The South Tip and Back River Beaches in particular should be monitored closely. The 5-year monitoring plan as shown the OMRR&R Manual includes beach and h ydrographic surveys as well as aerial photograph documentation. Table 1—Local Sponsor-Funded Beach Monitoring Program 1.2 Non-Federal Monitoring Requirements Beginning in the sixth year, 2014, (after the 5-year post construction monitoring b y the Corps of Engineers) at least annually, the non-Federal Sponsor shall monitor the beach profile to determine losses of nourishment material from the Project design section and provide the results of such monitoring to the Government. After the 5-year monitoring period, the non- Federal Sponsor may request the Government to conduct the surve ys and analyze the data. However, financial arrangements must be made prior to enactment and the non-Federal Sponsor must pa y the entire cost. 1.2.1 Quarterly Surveillance Report.  A quarterl y surveillance report will be submitted to the Savannah District Project Manager and Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Protection Division. The report will include an assessment of the beach fill, berm, dune, and groin performance of the Project.  City of Tybee Island Shoreline Protection Project. The report is shown in Appendix I. This visual inspection is separate from the profile-monitoring program. The surveillance report meets the requirements of the Corps to perform quality assurance of the non- Federal Sponsor’s responsibilities outlined in the PCA and this manual. 1.2.2 Quality Assurance Under Inspection of Completed Works Program The Corps of Engineers performs a continuing quality assurance (QA) role on civil works projects that have been turned over to the local sponsor for operation and maintenance. The Tybee Island Project is part of this program. This program requires the Government to assure that local sponsors are fulfilling their PCA and OMRR&R responsibilities. The program requires the local sponsor to appoint a Project Superintendent and provide the necessar y resources to comply with the requirements outlined in the OMRR&R Manual. The Superintendent and the Corps will jointly inspect the project at least once a year. The Corps will coordinate a mutuall y acceptable QA inspection date with the Project Superintendent. Refer to [Type text] Page 5 ER 1110-2-100 dated 15 Feb 95, “Periodic Inspection and Continuing Evaluation of Completed Civil Works Structures” for further guidance. The Corps of Engineers ma y conduct the inspections and write the report, on behalf of the Project Sponsor, provided appropriate procedural and financial reimbursement arrangements are made. [Type text] Page 1 Appendix C TYBEE BEACH RENOURISHMENT A SHORT HISTORICAL PERSECTIVE Players and Projects The Players; The City of T ybee: The City is ultimately responsible for the maintenance and operation of the beach within certain limits placed upon it by the State and Federal Government. The City is currentl y involved in an agreement called the Tybee Island Shore Protection Project which is designed to provide flood control protection from hurricanes and storm damage. The protective work includes re-nourishment of beaches to maintain a minimum beach template and groins and fencing as required. The agreement establishes an operation and maintenance program with specified tasks to be performed by Cit y personnel and cooperation with the preparation of studies and specifications for future work. The responsibilities for the City are established in the Project Operations, Maintenance, Replacement, Repair, and Rehabilitation Manual. The Cit y is also working with the State Government, the DNR and the NOAA to modify the CZM plan in order to require the sand being dredged from the Savannah River Channel for maintenance to be placed on the T ybee Island beach or near shore. Other beach sand management projects are sponsored by the City when deemed necessar y. Tybee Island Beach Task Force (BTF): The City by ordinance 2 -3-30 created the BTF for the purpose of promoting the health, safet y, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and general welfare of the Cit y and provide recommendations to the Mayor and Council of the City regarding issues affecting the beach including but not limited to beach erosion and re- nourishment. Ten to twenty members appointed by Mayor and Council are selected for their knowledge and interest in protecting and promoting the natural characteristics of Tybee, especiall y its beaches and shorelines. Functions and duties include the promotion of beach preservation and maintenance; prevent erosion through re-nourishment while serving as consultant to the Cit y on beach matters. The BTF coordinates with other entities to perform these functions and lobbies county, state and federal entities on behalf of the City. Open monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday at 12 noon at City Hall, with minutes and reports made to the City. Chatham County: To date little assistance has been provided by Chatham County to help in the maintenance of the sand on Tybee Island beach. In 2014 however, the County has promised $6 Million dollars of SPLOST. It is widely accepted that a high percentage of beach visitors come from this county and there should be participation by them for the costs. The City should be keeping records of the county traffic and start negotiations with the [Type text] Page 2 count y to establish a line item in the budget for this. The State of Georgia: The state has been very generous in providing financial assistance to Tybee for beach nourishment. In addition to assisting with the Shore Protection Project funding the state has provided funds of $4.9 million in 1995 to install the South Tip modular concrete erosion control units and nourish beaches in that area. The State also provided $450,000 in 2002 to add to the dune fields at the North Beach. The state has created two bills to require maintenance material from the Savannah River Channel be put on the T ybee Island beach and near shore. The Georgia Ports Authority and the Department of Natural Resources coordinates beach related situations as directed b y the state. Department of Natural Resources (DNR): The DNR Coastal Resources Division is responsible for implementing the Georgia Coastal Management Program in which Georgia’s beaches are a major component. One of the enforceable authorities of the Georgia Coastal Management Plan is the Shore Protection Act of 1979 that defines the sand-sharing system and establishes management standards. The sand sharing s ystem is comprised of the beaches, sand dunes, sandbars, and shoals that constitute a vital area of the state by protecting real and personal propert y, providing essential habitat for wildlife, and playing an integral part in maintaining the health and well-being of residents and visitors. Activities regulated by the State include construction and maintenance of boardwalks, dune stabilization projects, beach restorati on and re-nourishment, and other activities that may alter the natural topography or vegetation within beach and dune areas. In addition the DNR establishes guidelines for the placement and maintenance of sand fencing to provide for dune building and stabilization while minimizing adverse impacts on wildlife. Recommendations are provided for native dune vegetation when planting is needed. Coastal activities are coordinated with other state and federal groups in accordance with existing laws and regulations while ensuring the values and functions of the sand sharing system are not impaired. A representative of the DNR, Coastal Division attends some of the BTF meetings to answer questions regarding the State’s role in beach management and to act as a liaison between the City and the Department. Georgia Ports Authorit y (GPA): The GPA operates the ports in the Savannah area as well as three other Georgia locations. The GPA is included in the state Department of Transportation and provides a large economic impact on this area. Being approximately 15 miles from the port to the coast the GPA ( T h e G P A d o e s n o t p r o v i d e a n y s u p p o r t t o m a i n t e n a n c e o f t h e N a v i g a t i o n C h a n n e l )along with the federal government must maintain the river to allow continued commerce. The GPA cooperates and assists the City with its beach maintenance and has a representative that attends some of the BTF meetings. The Savannah River Channel: Being one of the oldest Cities in the Country, Savannah, growth has depended on the use of the river. A larger ship in the 1800’s required manipulation to deepen the channel. Once breakwaters and jetties along with river depths of 20 feet or more, sand flows from the north were restricted. Radical changes were observed to the coastline of T ybee Island. Continued sand starvation spawned the construction of a seawall along most of the Tybee beach front and over 130 wood, steel and rock groins. Studies of the area have [Type text] Page 3 resulted in estimating the losses of sand to Tybee beaches and near shore of 300,000 to 800,000 cubic yards per year. Annual maintenance of the river channel by the state and federal government removes approximately 800,000 cubic yards of material which is wasted beyond where it could assist the Tybee shore line. Olsen Associates, Inc.: The City retains Erik Olsen, a coastal engineer to provide professional advice on the requirements to maintain the beach. Mr. Olsen is responsible for man y studies of the South Carolina, Florida and Georgia and a long range beach management plan in 2001 for Tybee which has been the road map for continuing BTF recommendations. Mr. Olsen provides input to other studies, reports and construction to the beach. He serves as the Cit y representative on T.A.C’s established by the Corps for beach related issues. The Federal Government: Through the Water Resources Development Act ( of w h e n? ) the federal government entered a 50 year agreement with the City to help maintain the beaches through 2023. Specificall y this agreement authorizes a beach re- nourishment every seven years of approximately one million cubic yards and all the studies and engineering to accomplish this work to keep the beach as designed. The federal government contributes approximately 60% of the needed funding to do this work. Although the work is authorized it is unfunded and much congressional coordination is necessar y to obtain the funding. A scheduled re-nourishment has not happened on time to date. The Federal Government is also responsible for the maintenance of the adjacent Savannah Harbor Federal Navigation Project and expends $12 million per year of operations and maintenance dollars to maintain a depth of 42 feet. This work includes upstream and offshore disposal of materials that are predominatel y silty in nature. The Arm y Corps of Engineers (Corps): The Corps is responsible for the administration and operations of the federal government programs. For T ybee this work includes st udies for this coastal area, engineering for construction and management of these of these projects. They provide valuable input to our maintenance of the beach. They also are the responsible agency for the maintenance of the Savannah River shipping channel. The Corps attends BTF meetings. Marlowe and Compan y: Howard Marlowe and others of his company are experts on the political aspects coastal management and federal projects. Based in Washington they are in constant contact with Congressional Representatives, Senators and their staff. They help shape polic y and push for the necessar y funding for beach projects. The City r etains this company at this time. (Have they renewed the contract?) They also provide beach maintenance processes and procedures from their wealth of knowledge on this subject b y their involvement with coastal organizations such as the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. B. The Projects: The Shore Protection Program: T ybee Island was included in the Federal Shore [Type text] Page 4 Protection Program under the WRDA in the mid 1970’s. This agreement with the Federal Government authorizes sand re-nourishments ever y seven years through 2023. The Corps administers and engineers this Program with coordination of the City, State and the DNR. Although authorized, this Project must be funded from the Congress for each nourishment and the studies and engineering required b y it. Three past projects have brought in 1975, the North Federal Groin and 2,300,000 cubic yards of sand along the front beach; in 1986/87, the South Groin and 1,000,000 cubic yards of sand at the north and the south ends of the front beach; and in 1999/2000, built 8 rock groins at the back river and placed 1,300,000 cubic yards of sand on the north front beach and the south end of the island. Another re-nourishment was complete 2008. It is expected that the approximately 200,000 cubic yards lost per year will be restored to Tybee’s beaches by these periodic renourishments. The BTF has requested that the north end of the island also be included in this program as is all of the rest of T ybee. The federal government as sponsor provides% of the funding and Tybee Island as the local sponsor must provide the remaining 40% with the help of the County and the State/GPA. GPA/State of Georgia: In 1994 while the channel was being deepened it was expected that 2,000,000 cubic yards of material would be disposed on the north end of Tybee. The poor qualit y of the material was responsible to the termination of this project and it was replaced by a project funded by $5,000,000 of excess bond revenue from the deepening which stabilized the south tip with 3 concrete modular groins with 50,000 cubic yards of sand fill. Another 285,000 cubic yards of sand was placed from the south federal groin northward to 13th Street. HB 727: Burke Day, State Representative for Tybee has presented and had approved a State Bill that requires all beach quality material removed from the State’s navigation channels be used to repair the beaches and near shore areas that it damages. If it is not economically feasible to use the dredged material, similar material can be obtained from approved barrow areas. Georgia is attempting to have the law made a part of the NOAA Coastal Management Plan that would require federal compliance. This Bill would combine the current double costs of removing channel\ material by one program and returning it by another. Other: There are other methods of moving sand that is available in the area:  Trucking from on shore borrow areas to the beach. This method is high cost and time inefficient.  On beach relocation. The removal of sand from areas with an abundance of sand to sand starved areas. Have a quantity limitations and significant environmental constraints. .  Smaller sized local dredges. To move sand off nearb y sand bars at 100% City expense assuming cost can be equal. This would be flexible for a North Beach Project (small scale). The City has been a long term critic of dredging sand from Tybee Inlet.  Self contained sand sharing equipment. Could be used in the Tybee/Little Tybee inlet to move delta sand back on shore. [Type text] Page 5  Sand stabilizing methods. Most of these uses intrusive on beach structures. [Type text] Page 1 Appendix D Standard Conditions for Dune Crossovers 6/24/2003 Shore Protection Act O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 Standard Permit Conditions for Dune Crossovers Onl y one crossover structure shall be allowed on a parcel. In considering the design and routing of a crossover, the shortest route over the lowest area of the dunes shall be plotted to minimize impacts to the sand sharing system. For new construction, no decks or viewing platforms will be approved in the jurisdictional area. Previously permitted and grandfathered structures may be maintained provided they are serviceable. Additionally, the applicant requesting the structure must own 100% of the private lands through which the structure crosses or have the express written permission of the owner. The following standard conditions shall apply to dune crossovers:  The height of the structure shall be at least 36” above the grade of the sand dune and the width shall be no greater than 6’ as measured from the outside posts, to allow for sand movement or accretion in the d ynamic dune field.  The terminal point of the crossover shall be seaward of the seaward most dune but shall not encroach seaward of the ordinar y high water line in the active intertidal beach.  If the shoreline erodes and the crossover extends seaward of the ordinary high water line, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to move the permitted improvements back to the dry sand beach, landward of the ordinary high water line.  The structure shall begin at the toe of the landward most dunes.  Heav y equipment is prohibited in the Shore Protection Act jurisdiction. This project must be constructed using hand tools.  Clearing and grading of dunes is not authorized in conjunction with the construction of this project; stockpiling of materials in the dunes is prohibited.  Vegetation ma y be cleared onl y for the width of the permitted structure. The maintenance trimming of jurisdictional vegetation will only be allowed within 6” of the sides of the structure and 7’ high over the structure.  No motorized vehicles are permitted on the crossover structure, except for motorized wheelchairs for handicapped persons.  Any sand needed to restore the site to pre-project vegetated and topographic conditions, or for backfilling, must be beach quality and obtained from an upland source and not from the beach. [Type text] Page 2 Appendix E Scrub-Shrub Trimming Guidelines for Areas Within Georgia Shore Protection Act Jurisdiction The goal of this proposal is to summarize data from numerous sources and to propose guidelines for granting Georgia Department of Natural Resources Shore Protection Act Permits for vegetation trimming or landscaping within State Shore Jurisdiction areas. Though derived from the known habitat needs of the Painted bunting (Passerina ciris), a species of concern in Georgia, these guidelines are intended to apply to all scrub-shrub habitats within Shore Protection Act jurisdiction. Successful management of habitat requires the protection of existing habitat. Breeding habitat loss is generally considered to be the greatest threat to the painted bunting species (Muehter 1998, Lowther et al. 1999). A major concern for Atlantic coast populations of painted buntings is the transformation of valuable wetland and scrub-shrub habitats into intensive residential development. This is especiall y well documented along the Atlantic coast. Current management practices can be modified or initiated to enhance the population of this declining species. The goal of this plan is to identify: • Habitat Management Goals specific to each site • Habitat Management Considerations to be identified for each site • Planning Tools to be utilized in Habitat Management Habitat Management Goals: Along the coast, natural beach dunes and scrub-shrub and grass y habitat are maintained by storms, salt spray, and drought. In developed areas near coastal marshes, habitat should be maintained as naturall y as possible, with special attention paid to the grass to shrub ratio found so that it emulated the same ratio found in naturally occurring open savannah-like forests. Mowed lawns are not conducive to the painted bunting, and in critical habitat areas, should be discouraged. Wetlands, even those less than ½ acres in size, should be protected as important feeding areas for nesting buntings and their young (Me yers 1999). Active management may enhance nesting habitat. The maintenance of scrub-shrub grasslands in transition areas such as beach dune habitats is critical. Areas that are vegetated primaril y with waxed myrtle (Myrica cerifera), rattan vine (Berchemia scandens) as well as native muhly grass (Muhlenbergia filipes) provide for painted bunting and other bird species nesting and feeding habitat. Painted buntings use some areas if grasses and scrub-shrub habitat are allowed to cover the area for four to five years and have successfull y produced young in this habitat in coastal Georgia (Meyers 1999). Habitat Management Considerations: Known breeding habitat for the eastern populations of painted bunting must maintain early t o mid-succession vegetation, with an emphasis on retaining a mix of open and wooded or shrubby components. In the southeast, protecting beach scrub-shrub and coastal wetland habitats [Type text] Page 3 is important, not just for painted bunting habitat but for a wide variet y of bird species known to utilize this habitat year round and is best accomplished by being left alone (Sykes 2004). Ideall y, nesting habitat could be enhanced by using a template modeled after successful nesting habitat on other barrier islands such as Nann y Goat Beach, Sapelo Island. The template could be designed using aerial photographs of Nanny Goat Beach to roughly establish a ratio of grassland to scrub-shrub that is present in known nesting habitat. An overla y would create habitat that is approximately 50% grasses and 50% scrub-shrub. On developed barrier islands, a dense shrub perimeter no less than 25’ along adjacent propert y lines would be maintained to afford protection to the emergent grassland habitat within the proposed cutting area. The objective would be to incorporate view shed corridors for adjacent properties when identifying selected areas of Myrica cerifera to be removed. A proposal could include the selective removal of Myrica cerifera followed by monitoring for the natural succession of Muhlenbergia filipes, Berchemia scandens and Sageretia minutiflora. Additionally, the removal of known invasive species such as Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) should be a mandator y component of an y proposed vegetation plan. Additionall y, in an effort to enhance the value of the habitat, feral cats should be trapped in a humane manner and be permanentl y removed from the area. Planning Tools: Using aerial photographs and detailed surveys of specific locations, templates could be designed to emulate known nesting habitat while considering view shed corridors for adjacent propert y owners. The plan would emphasize cutting a pattern that simulated the heterogeneous clumps of shrubs as seen on Sapelo’s Nann ygoat beach. Long straight lines of shrubs would not be recommended, because predator search patterns focus on and easily follow this type of edge habitat. Clumps of heterogeneously spaced shrubs cannot be searched as easily b y predators. A customized plan would identify specific stands of Myrica cerifera for removal through selective cutting and the minimal application of localized herbicide. Early March is the best time to maintain grassy areas. Mowing of grass y areas should be conducted no more frequentl y than ever y other year. Bibliography and References: Lan yon, S.M., and C.F. Thompson. 1986. Site fidelity and habitat quality as determinants of settlement pattern in male painted buntings. Condor 88:206-210. Meyers, J.M. 1999. Effects of landscape changes on the Painted /Bunting populations in the southeastern United Stat es from 1966-1996 (progress report). US Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Reston, VA. Meyers, J.M. 2004. Personal conversations. [Type text] Page 4 Meyers, J.M., D.H. White, and C.B. Kepler. 1999. Habitat selection, productivity and survival of scrub-shrub neotropical migrator y birds in the southeastern United States (progress report). US Geological Surve y, Biological Resources Division, Reston, VA Muehter, V.R. 1998. WatchList Website, National Audubon Society, Version 97.12. Online. Available: http://cristel.nal.usda.gov. Nature Conservancy 2002, Species Management abstract for Painted Bunting; Online. Available: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/pabu/h/weknow.html. Sauer, J.R., J.E. Hines, G. Gough, I. Thomas, And B.G. Peterjohn. 1997. The North American Breeding Bird Survey Results and Anal ysis. Version 96.3 Online. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. Available: hhtp://www.mbr.nbs.gov/bbs/bbs.html. S ykes, P.W., Jr. 2003, 2004. Personal conversations. S ykes, P.W., Jr., and J.M. Meyers. 1999. Annual survival in the southeastern coastal breeding population of the Painted Bunting (progress report). US Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Reston, VA. URL=http://cristel.nal.usda.gov. Winn, B. 2002-2004. Personal conversations. [Type text] Page 1 Appendix F DNR Guidance on Maintaining and Establishing Dune Paths The Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division may allow the use of a path through the state’s jurisdiction under the Shore Protection Act. O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 et. Seq. The purpose of a path is to provide pedestrian access through the vegetated dune area of the dry sand beach in areas of low traffic where public access does not exist and the functionality of the dune system will not be degraded. The dune area is a fragile and important habitat for many birds and other wildlife. A path may be recommended instead of a crossover through areas with thick vegetative growth and presence of wildlife. The path should meander through the vegetation avoiding significant trees and habitat and allowing for the growth of a canop y over the path and is generally approvable if not greater than 3 feet wide and 7 feet high. The Department requires that paths be maintained using hand tools only. No heav y equipment may be used. No vehicular access is authorized. The Department requires that staff be on site to flag the footprint of the path before maintenance begins. No alterations of the location or dimensions of the path may be done without prior approval from the state. You must use all appropriate best management practices to protect the habitat and dune system. All debris must be removed from jurisdictional areas. An y incidental impacts associated with projects must be rectified by fully restoring areas to their preconstruction topographic and vegetative states. If sand is needed to restore the project site, it must be of beach qualit y obtained from an upland source rather than from the beach or dune s ystem. You may be required to demonstrate proof of upland sand acquisition. The Department must be notified prior to planning a dune path. Once staff has met on - site to assess the request, a Letter of Permission (LOP) may be issued outlining specifications. Each project must comply with all other Federal, State, and local statutes, ordinances and regulations. [Type text] Page 1 Appendix G Jul y 16, 2004 The Honorable Walter Parker Mayor, Cit y of T ybee Island P.O. Box 2749 Tybee Island, Georgia 31328 Attn: Mr. Bob Thomson SUBJECT: Beach Cleaning Dear Bob: The Cit y of T ybee as wel l as Tybee Beach Task Force has inquired of Coastal Resources Division in recent weeks as well as in the past about beach cleaning equipment — whether it is allowed or not. We understand there is interest among the Cit y of T ybee Commissioners in exploring this as a possible beach maintenance activity. We have studied available information regarding beach cleaning equipment as well as researched this activity in neighboring states. O.C.G.A. 12-5-248 (a) (1) provides that governmental vehicles ma y be utilized for beach maintenance without a permit as long as those vehicles operate across existing cross-overs, paths, or drives. Pursuant to Board of Natural Resources Rule 391-2-2, Appendix A, Tybee Island’s three such existing access sites are the north, middle, and south access drives. Other access points would need to be approved by the Shore Protection Committee. Furthermore, the statute mandates that exempted vehicular activity must be conducted so as to provide protection to sea turtles and birds. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 12-5-248 (b), the Department would want to issue a letter of authori zation, with the following conditions: 1. Cleaning may not occur in the dunes and can only occur during the da y. 2. Cleaning should focus on manmade debris and avoid natural debris, such as beach wrack, as beach wrack is important to primary dune formation – an important component to the ecology of the beach ecosystem. 3. During the nesting season (May 1 to October 1), cleaning can only occur after the sea turtle patrol has completed their daily surve y of Tybee Beach for sea turtle nests and hatchling emergence. 4. Cleaning may not occur within 20 feet of sea turtle nests. 5. Cleaning ma y not occur within 100 feet of a designated shorebird nesting area or designated critical habitat. 6. Cleaning equipment must stay at least 10 feet from indigenous vegetation. 7. Onl y equipment with 10-psi or less tire pressure can operate on the beach. 8. Cleaning equipment must not penetrate more than two inches into the beach surface. 9. Cleaning equipment must effectivel y screen and return sand to the beach. 10. All material collected must be removed from the beach. The above conditions are based on consultation with Florida's beach cleaning provisions [Type text] Page 2 and DNR’s Coastal Nongame Endangered Wildlife Program. We would request that the City of Tybee notif y the Coastal Resources Division, Ecological Services Section in writing of your intent to conduct mechanized beach cleaning. Please provide us the details of the activity, including the equipment to be used, in order to evaluate the notice of intent, following which we could then issue a letter of authorization. Correspondence will also keep all parties in touch and informed. We hope this responds to the City of Tybee’s inquiry regarding beach cleaning. Should you have an y questions or need further information about this activity, please contact Brad Gane, Assistant Director for Ecological Services, at 912-264-7218. Sincerel y, Susan Shipman xc: Brad Gane Jeannie Butler Buck Bennett Brad Winn Mark Dodd Lou Off [Type text] Page 1 Appendix H Some locations have been slightly enlarged for display purposes only [Type text] Page 1 Appendix I Georgia Department of Natural Resources Sand Fence Guidelines Sand fencing is used extensively along the Atlantic Coast to build and stabilize dune fields and control human access to the beach. Unfortunately, some sand fence configurations have been shown to restrict or inhibit sea turtle nesting. The Management Plan for the Protection of Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles and their Habitat in Georgia (II, B, 2, C) stipulates that “fencing must be placed so as not to deter turtles’ access to nesting areas, and arranged to prevent trapping nesting turtles”. The following sand fence guidelines are designed to provide good dune building and stabilization performance, while minimizing impacts to sea turtles. Standard sand fencing consists of 4’ wooden slats wired together with spaces between the slats. Woven fabric t ype fencing has also been successfully used in dune restoration projects. However, it is important that fabric fencing have a 40% to 60% open to closed space ratio to be effective. Fabric fencing is susceptible to ultraviolet degradation causing it to sag and lose its original shape. With sufficient maintenance, this problem may be avoided. Guidelines for Sand Fence Placement: 1. Installation and repositioning of sand fences shall be conducted outside the marine turtle nesting season (Ma y 1 – October 15) unless approved b y the USFWS or GADNR Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program. 2. Sand fence shall be installed in a temporary manner in accordance with the attached conceptual drawing. Configuration 1 consists of 10 foot sections of fence spaced at a minimum of 10 feet on a diagonal alignment to the shoreline (facing the prevailing wind). Configuration 2 consists of two 10 foot sections placed in an “open V” shape with the wider end facing the shoreline. Minimum space between ends of the “V” is 10 feet, and minimum width between the close ends of the “V” is 7 feet. For both configurations, the approximate angle of the fence to the shoreline is 45 degrees. 3. Sand Fence shall not be placed in the inter-tidal zone. Sand Fence must be placed above the highest spring high tide line, preferabl y adjacent to the primary dune. 4. Sand Fence shall not be placed within 7’ of a beach scarp. 5. Sand Fence shall not be placed in front of an existing fence until the existing fence is completel y buried. 6. Sand fences shall not be placed to control pedestrian traffic seaward of the secondary dunes. A post and rope fence may be used to restrict pedestrian access without impacting nesting marine turtles. 7. If fence material is damaged, debris must be removed from the beach area b y the owner in an expeditious manner. [Type text] Page 2 [Type text] Page 1 Appendix J SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS • Raise the level of the beach by approximately 3 feet this could be done with local funding, by dredging, trucking or relocating sand from the accreting area of Estill Point. Note—this action could have deleterious effects on the shorebirds in this area. • Take further action to protect the shorebirds in this area in coordination with the beach accretion issue. • Develop public parking at Polk Street by using the public works area. There are space limitations with this recommendation. • Provide more police and lifeguard protection to the beach, especially in summer. • Have rental property owners and/or brokers provide adequate information on rules and regulations pertaining to the beach and its usage to short term renters. • Clarify property ownership along this beach. • The north end of the island should be considered for inclusion in the Shore Protection Program. • The old exposed sea wall and groins need to be removed in their entirety. • Sand fencing should be installed at areas above the high tide line that have emerging dune fields on going • A study should be completed to see if the Federal North Terminal Groin needs to be reinforced or possibly raised • Further determine actions needed to protect the shorebirds in the north beach area including the Piping Plover. • Property ownership along this beach should be legally clarified. • 5-Head Signal at US 80/14th Street • US 80/Tybrisa/Inlet Ave. Intersection Improvements • 14th, 15th, 17th Street Improvements • Pier/Pavilion Improvements • US 80/Butler Avenue Improvements • Test shuttle system/remote parking • Preference Survey for parking fees/tickets/toll • Toll Feasibility Study • Ensure hotels, condominium complexes and other short-term rentals • have adequate information on beach and dune rules, usage and safety. • Ensure hotels, motels and private rentals inform visitors of beach usage and safety • Conduct on-going monitoring of the notches in the groin field • Conduct public works review and plan for signage/structure maintenance • Clarify the limits of construction for the Shore Protection Program • Review dock policy and see if access through docks can be made • Review old boat ramp for possible improvements – Part of future drainage project • Review authority for keeping track of and cleanup of gas and oil spills at the boat ramp. • Increase parking availability at Back River when city does drainage project at Alley III. • Create outreach materials for citizens and tourists, particularly regarding environmental [Type text] Page 2 stewardship such as why dogs and feral cats are a threat to shorebirds, water quality, water conservation, etc. • The Tybee BTF must continue to work with the Federal, State and Chatham County to secure adequate funding for beach re-nourishment. • Evaluate the minimum height, width and location of the sand dune system that is needed to protect the seawall from exposure. This will first include the identification and description of a “design storm” that the sand dune system will be to have to withstand. Using the design storm parameters (wind direction, duration, speed, wave height, wave direction, erosion rates, etc.); develop a recommendation as to the height and width of the dune system that would be large enough to withstand the “design storm”. Also recommend how to develop and maintain the optimal sand dune system. The purpose of the recommendation would be to identify the minimum beach width and dune height needed for different reaches of the beach. This would allow the identification of where the beach has “excess” sand that could be relocated. • Propose and evaluate alternatives to keep and store sand that ends up on places on the beach as “excess sand.“ This excess sand can take the form of additional beach width or dune height. Part of the evaluation will be to identify the impacts, both physical as well as environmental to adjacent beaches and properties. Part of the recommendation will be to identify the optimum technology and timing for the moving of the “excess” sand from the overbuild area to areas of the beach that has seen excessive erosion, such as the Second Street area. • Make a recommendation and obtain input from the Coastal Resources Division of the GA DNR, Corps, and other appropriate state and Federal natural resources. The purpose of the recommendation will be to identify the most cost efficient and environmentally sound way to capture accumulated sand and relocate the sand to deficiency areas of the beach, thus delaying the average re-nourishment cycle. • Coordinate with the Corps in the development and execution of the Federal Shore Protection project and the Savannah Harbor Channel Impacts Feasibility Study. This included the review and comment on the Corps prepared Scope of Work and Schedule as well as any preliminary and find Corps products and services. • Monitoring, evaluation and any recommendation of the South End Campbell units. This includes the monitoring of the sand volume and elevation from the south side of the Federal South End Groin, around the South tip and north to the City of Tybee Island Boat Ramp. Recommendations should be focused on the number and location of the Campbell Units, and whether any of the units should be moved, replaced or removed. • Evaluate whether the pier and pavilion impedes the natural flow of the sand. • It is recommended that citizens of the six identified beach communities be chosen to work with the Tybee Island Task Force, and City staff from Public Works, Planning & Zoning, and others as identified, to hold a one-day workshop to further discuss such subjects as infrastructure, parking, zoning, services, etc. • The City of Tybee Island should agree to protect the areas where state protected shorebirds are nesting (the north end west of the rock jetty). This would fit well with the state's conservation goals. State nongame biologists can assist in sign placement and rope barriers to keep the public away from beach nesting birds. • Tybee's no-dog rule should be enforced particularly on the north end of the island due to nesting and roosting shorebirds found there that are protected by the State. • It is recommended that this Tybee Island Beach Management Plan be incorporated by [Type text] Page 3 reference into the next update of the Tybee Island Comprehensive Plan. • Tybee Island should research the issue of public/private ownership of beaches, who owns accreting areas of beach, and determine and set line of public/private ownership along the entire beach. Once this line is set, publicly owned lands need to be held in trust so that these green space lands are not used for private gain by development. [Type text] Page 1 Appendix K Recommendation Matrix DPW Install sand fencing at areas above the high tide line that have emerging dune fields BTF Study to see if the North Beach groin needs to be reinforced DPW Conduct on-going monitoring of the notches in the groin field on South Tip Beach DNR/WRD Responsibility Review dock policy and see if access through docks can be made in Back River area DPW Review old boat ramp for possible improvements in Back River area - to be done with Ally III drainage project including extra parking spaces. DPW Insure that the conditions at the sea wall are safe in Back River area DPW Improve North Beach Restrooms – partially completed. City of Tybee Police and Fire Departments Provide more police and lifeguard protection in all beach communities, especially in summer City of Tybee Police and Fire Departments Station a seasonal lifeguard to supervise beaches between 19th Street and the Back River Groin – station is there during the regular season.- Completed LTs and Supervisor ride ATV at Large and respond to areas along the Back River and unprotected areas. CRC Create outreach materials for citizens and tourists regarding environmental stewardship, such as why dogs and feral cats are a threat to shorebirds, water quality, water conservation, etc. City of Tybee IT Department Environmental/Wildlife Take further action to protect the shorebirds in the Savannah River and North Beach areas [Type text] Page 2 City of Tybee/DNR, WRD The City of Tybee Island should agree to protect the areas where state protected shorebirds are nesting (the North End west of the rock jetty). City of Tybee Police Department DNR, WRD Tybee's no-dog rule should be enforced particularly on the north end of the island due to nesting and roosting shorebirds found there that are protected by the State City of Tybee/BTF Investigate the nourishment of the Savannah River Beach and the north end of North Beach in the Shore Protection Program City of Tybee/USACE Re-nourish Front Beach North Beach and Beach Business District in 2015 or as soon as possible, Include South Tip Beach and Back River Beach in the 2015 re-nourishment City of Tybee/USACE The Tybee Beach Task Force must continue to work with the State legislature and Chatham County to secure adequate non-Federal funding for beach re-nourishment City of Tybee/State Legislature/Chatham County Local Movement of Sand; Raise the level of Savannah River Beach by approximately 3 feet as recommended by the Corps. This could be done by federal or local funding and by dredging, trucking or relocating sand from the accreting area of Estill Point the Tybee Beach Task Force along with City of Tybee Island staff and citizens need to come up with recommendations for moving sand from accreting to eroding areas on the island such as the north or south end to Second Street (to be approved by the State DNR that will not disrupt Sea Turtle nesting and other environmental factors City of Tybee Staff and Citizens Tybee Island should consider the option of purchasing a small dredge that could be used to move sand from flood tide deltas to eroding areas that are privately owned. This course of action would need to be planned in advance and approved by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division City of Tybee/DNR CRD & WRD Property Ownership Section Clarify property ownership along Savannah River, North Beach and Back River areas, and property east of the sea wall along Front Beach, Beach Business District and South Tip Tybee Island should research the issue of public/private ownership of beaches who owns accreting areas of beach and determine and set line of public/private ownership along the entire beach. Once this line is set, publicly owned lands need to be held in trust so that these green space lands are not used for private gain by development. [Type text] Page 3 DNR CRD- Construction of crossovers in all beach communities should be strictly limited to those for public access or to those that serve entire neighborhoods. Private crossovers for individual homeowners should be prohibited. [Type text] Page 1 Appendix K Beach Access and Parking Locations Location Number Name Number of Spaces Type of Parking Access at Site 1 North Beach Lot 280 pay & display Yes A HWY 26 & 80 (curve) 0 None Small sand path 2 Fort Screven/Museum Lot 54 pay & displa y No 3 Tybee Island Light Station 47 Free No 4 North of 3rd St on US 80 50 single meters No 5 2nd Avenue North of US 80 41 both styles of meters Yes 6 2nd Ave West 9 single meters Yes 7 3rd Street Access 14 pay & display Yes 8 3rd Street Access 14 Pay & display Yes 9 4th Street West of US 80 40 single meters No 10 US 80 from 1st Street to Izlar 313 both styles of meters No 11 Center Street 21 pay & display Yes 12 5th Street West of US 80 27 single meters No 13 6th Street Beach Access 26 pay & display Yes 14 7th Street Beach Access 30 pay & display Yes 15 8th Street Beach Access 26 pay & display Yes 16 9th Street Beach Access 21 pay & display Yes 17 Memorial Park 48 Single Meters Yes 18 10th Street Beach Access 21 both styles of meters Yes 19 11th Street Beach Access 12 pay & display Yes 20 12th Street Beach Access 11 single meters Yes 21 13th Street Beach Access 18 pay & display Yes 22 14th Street Beach Access 29 both styles of meters Yes 23 14th Street West 6 Single meters 24 15th Street Beach Access 49 pay & display No 25 16th Street Lot 177 Pay and Display Yes 26 Tybrisa Street 46 pay & display No 27 Tybrisa West 15 Pay and display Yes 28 Inlet Avenue 25 pay & display Yes 29 Inlet Avenue Lot 16 Single meters Yes 30 South Beach Lot 2 210 pay & display Yes 31 South Beach Lot 1 177 pay & display Yes 32 17th Street Beach Access 15 pay & display Yes [Type text] Page 2 33 18th Street Beach Access 16 pay & display Yes 34 19th Street Beach Access 40 pay & display Yes 35 Butler Avenue 25 pay & display No 36 Butler Avenue East Side 127 Single meter Yes 37 Butler Avenue West Side 99 Single Meter Yes 38 Chatham Avenue 37 pay & display Yes 39 Fisherman’s Walk 25 pay & display Yes 40 Alley 3 15 pay & display Yes 41 Police Station Lot 200 pay & display Yes 42 Lovell Avenue 9 single meters Yes 43 Polk Street Access 11 single meters Yes 44 Bay and Beyers Street Access 2 single meters Yes Total 2494