THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502170527
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: AVON LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
This winter's unusual weather featuring southwesterly winds is causing a more serious problem for Hatteras fishermen than the season's biting cold.
It's robbing them of their livelihood.
The Avon Channel, which links commercial fishing vessels to Pamlico Sound, is blocked by materials dredged up by those winds. Dare County officials are seeking help from state and federal officials to clear the passageway.
The county has sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., asking for his help in getting assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers. At the state level, the county is seeking relief under emergency provisions of the Coastal Area Management Act, or CAMA.
Dare County Commissioner Joseph ``Mac'' Midgett said commercial fishermen in the area informed him of the problem last week. He inspected the channel Wednesday. About 40 to 50 boats use it.
``There's an opening about 20 feet wide out of the harbor,'' said Midgett, who represents Hatteras Island on the commission. ``For now, they can get in and out of there in a small boat. If we have more southwest winds, it could completely close it up. I knew the channel had shoaled up, but I didn't know it was that bad. We've got to do something.''
Midgett said a lot of fishermen and crabbers bring their catches to Avon Seafood. The sand buildup is making it tough for them to make a living.
``What we're trying to do is bring federal attention to this problem,'' said Dare County Planner Ray Sturza. ``Hopefully, by contacting the congressman, we can get the the Corps to do something.''
Sturza said the county is also looking into other types of emergency assistance so fishermen can go back to work. In the past, the Corps has assisted in emergency dredging projects at Oregon Inlet, Buxton Harbor and other channels.
Another possible solution is the use of a drag line to clear the channel. However, that brings with it another difficulty, what to do with the spoil dredged out of the channel.
``We'd have to put it on a barge or find a suitable dumping place for it,'' Sturza said.
Dave Griffin, the Division of Coastal Management's district manager in Elizabeth City, said the county could have several possible solutions under CAMA.
``There is a maintenance permit that is available in instances where the scope of the blockage is 1,000 square yards of material or less,'' Griffin said. ``I've been in situations where moving out 1,000 yards of material can get them 4 to 6 feet of water. In the event there is only about 1,000 square yards of material, we can issue the permit real quick, probably within a week.''
However, if the amount of spoil blocking the channel is in excess of the maintenance permit limits, then a CAMA permit would take 60 to 90 days to be issued.
Griffin said there is also the possibility of an emergency permit under CAMA, but that would depend on the extent of the emergency.
Jones' press secretary, Mike McClanahan, said Thursday that a team from the Corps of Engineers has surveyed Avon Channel.
``We expect to get the results from that survey by the middle of next week,'' McClanahan said. ``Once we receive those, we will be able to formulate a proper response. Congressman Jones is concerned about the problem and wants to help in any way possible.'' by CNB