THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 28, 1995 TAG: 9502280235
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Dare County public works crews could begin work as early as Wednesday to clear shoaling at the entrance to the Avon Channel.
The county Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 Monday to authorize removal of about 1,000 cubic yards of sand from the harbor. The shoaling has kept commercial fishermen from entering and leaving the harbor for a number of weeks; about 50 depend on the harbor for their livelihood.
Now, the county is waiting for state approval of an emergency permit to allow the work. That approval, from the Division of Coastal Management, could come as early as today.
The commission also approved, 5-0, a resolution seeking help from the state to expedite the permitting process.
Voting for the resolution were Clarence Skinner, Sammy Smith, Joseph ``Mac'' Midgett, Geneva Perry and Doug Langford; Shirley Hassell abstained.
Hassell said she was uncertain of the reason for the resolution. When he contacted 3rd District U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., she said, he said a survey of the channel had been completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Jones' office said that while no funding is available now, money was expected to be available, she said.
Hassell also said a Hatteras Island resident had requested permission from the corps to use a dragline to clear the channel at his expense.
``I think that something needs to be done,'' she said. ``But I wasn't really sure who was doing what to whom. I don't think we should try to upstage anyone or worry about who gets the credit, as long as something gets done.''
Midgett, who represents Hatteras Island on the board, said local fishermen need help in a hurry to open the channel.
``It's been three weeks since people have been able to fish,'' said Midgett, a former commercial fisherman. ``We've got to find some way to get (the channel) opened up.''
If the county gets the expected approval from the Division of Coastal Management, funding isavailable in the current budget, said Public Works Director Bernie Austin. At this point, he acknowledged, he is unsure how much the job will cost.
``We won't know until we get there and begin work,'' he said. ``But since it's not that much that we're going to be moving, I don't think it will cost that much.''
An excavator, bulldozer and front-end loader would be used to remove the sand, he said.
Meanwhile, the commission will continue to work with state and federal officials toward long-term maintenance solutions, not only for Avon, but for other small harbors on the Albemarle, Pamlico, and Roanoke Sounds.
Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr. missed Monday's meeting; he was at a meeting of the Oregon Inlet Waterways Commission in Raleigh. by CNB