1/4/2001 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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I I i January 2001 Page 10. reasons the Spit has died. It has not been allowed t0 lateral drift. After the 1992 storm evert, it was washed right Over. At high tide, the waves were going right Ovr and affecting the shoreline. In the past t0 r dging , they pumped sand to two low spots, in front, to try t0 build this back up t0 give it lateral flog. Although it is trying t0 migrate, when it does get t0 shore in these Other places, it doesn't exist; it literally disappears. Ms Boretos stated one of the reasons that happened- is because they maintain dredging of that channel. This channel is being maintained artificially here; it is preventing this from welding o to this. Mr. Ellis stated this is the natural Original channel. Ms Boretos stated that was right, but they are dredging this channel. Mr. Ellis stated after this disappeared. Ms BOr tos stated but today they are dredging this channel arra asked if that is correct? - Mr. Ellis stated no, they don't dredge, he point t0 two locations where they i0 dredge, but not rear the tip. Ms Boretos asked if there has not been historical dredging there? Mr. Ellis stated no, that is COtuit. This is the natural channel in the Old clays. She stated she is asking is, it is one thing t0 have a natural channel, but Over time this fills in and welds. hat is a well documented process for Barrier Beaches in the northeast. Mr. Ellis stated after this disappeared, this was not dredged Out here. natural channel developed onto a Barrier of sand. There was no channel . until they dredged it. After this disappeared t0 shore, they hal t0 groin . rt. . Mr. Sherman stated it is a half-mile array and asked what are the implications for the area we are talking about? Mr. Ellis stated one Of the reasons for the problcrns here are the groins. The only war to make any kind of Barrier Beach in front ofthis to dredgeand deposit and let it laterally floc. MIs BOr tos stated he was correct that the groin field, and this is a well- studied, ll- stu lied, trell- ocum nted Barrier Beach., these groin fields here (pointing) are full: The sand has Borne Out to the end Of therm. .'The littoral current is corning fr m the .vest to the east which means there isn't verb much capture of sediment occurring, except for the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife groin. That hasn't filled up yet. That is just one part Of the problem, that's not why this is migrating lard. This Occurs even in areas where there are no groins and associated down-drift.