The public can submit comments until mid-May on the draft environmental assessment for proposed dredge work in waters by Cape Lookout Lighthouse in Carteret County.
The project includes dredging the Army Corps of Engineers and National Park Service federal navigation channels from Back Sound to Cape Lookout Bight, and placing the dredged material on a nearby island and soundside and oceanside beaches at Cape Lookout National Seashore, officials said.
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The Corps prepared the draft environmental assessment dated April 2023 and available on the website. Project details are on the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment webpage.
The public comment window ends May 15, the National Park Service announced Tuesday. Comments on the draft assessment should include enough detail to support statements in favor of or opposed to the proposed action.
Written comments may be submitted to John Policarpo, U.S. Army Engineer District, Wilmington, CESAW-ECP-PE, 69 Darlington Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403, or emailed to John.N.Policarpo@usace.army.mil.
The proposed dredging would use government-owned shallow-draft plant and contracted hydraulic cutterhead pipeline dredges. Pipeline dredging would be used for initial dredging, then every three to five years, depending on shoaling and funding. Pipeline-dredged material would be placed on Sandbag Island, Bird Island or on nearby National Park Service beaches, officials said. A map of proposed placement areas is on the website.
“Based on the information in the Draft EA, we expect the proposed Federal action will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment; therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. If this opinion is upheld following circulation of this Draft EA, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) pursuant to (National Environmental Policy Act) will be completed by the Corps and NPS,” officials said.
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