Businesses that want to provide services on Ocracoke’s beach, which is the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, are required to get a Commercial Use Authorization from the National Park Service.
One CUA will cover activities in all applicable parks: Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Cape Hatteras), Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) and Wright Brothers National Memorial (Wright Brothers).
The application process for this is now open and CUAs are valid from the date of issue through the same calendar year.
Visit the following websites for applications, instructions and descriptions of each authorized service:
Will O’Neal hits the game-winning home run in the bottom of the eighth inning March 17 against Hatteras. Photo by Richard Taylor
By Richard Taylor
Call it Ocracoke’s never-give-up attitude, a full moon on the rise or the luck of the Irish. Dolphin baseballers pulled off a stunning, come-from-behind 12-9 victory over hapless archrival Hatteras on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Good fortune was apparent even before the first pitch March 17 at the community ball field. Originally scheduled for the Hurricane diamond, a wet Buxton field and ferry limitations necessitated the game’s relocation to Ocracoke.
Ocracoke led 4-1 by the fourth inning, but Hatteras had other ideas. Excellent base running and a two-run homer by River Lester propelled Hatteras to a 7-7 tie in the top of the seventh.
The Dolphins could have won in the bottom of the seventh but failed to score even with the bases loaded, sending the contest into extra innings.
Hatteras again took the lead, 9-7, in the top of the eighth. The Dolphins answered with two runs of their own, knotting the score again at 9-9 with two outs in bottom of the extra inning,
Then, with Davis Grant on third and Finn Kattenburg on first, a 2-2 count and the game on the line, Will O’Neal connected with a fortuitous 3-run “walk-off” homer. Players and spectators watched in disbelief as the clutch hit sailed just over the left field fence and into the marsh behind the scoreboard and flagpole, near where Hatteras had homered earlier.
From the third base coaching box, Jim McClain waved runners Grant and Kattenburg towards home. O’Neal trotted triumphantly around the bases, realizing he had won the game with his first hit as a Dolphin.
“With two outs, you go on contact,” McClain explained later. “As soon as the ball hit the bat, I sent them home and just watched that ball keep going and going. Then it was gone.”
Spectators looked on in amazement as the ball barely cleared the fence before Grant and Kattenburg scored. Finally, O’Neal completed his triumphant trip around the bases and crossed home plate, later saying, “I watched the ball go into the sunset. It was beautiful.”
The exuberant home crowd erupted into jubilation, awestruck over sophomore O’Neal’s improbable feat. Teammates immediately lauded O’Neal with smiles, congrats and bear hugs. With no Gatorade cooler on hand, they dowsed him with bottled water.
Congratulating Will O’Neal for his game-winning homer. Photo by Richard Taylor
Facebook posters wrote Friday that cheering for “the shot heard ‘round the village” was audible blocks away.
Diehard Dolphins fan Linda Jackson always sits with friends behind the first base line fence. “We all thought Hatteras would catch it, but it went far enough, and the boys were tickled to death,” she said. “They all cheered Will and poured water on his head.”
Fletcher and Heather O’Neal’s son grinned for the rest of the afternoon, sporting a green Irish derby hat he borrowed from Erin O’Neal.
“Fletcher and I are very proud of William’s game-winning home run,” Heather said. “His hard work combined with a bit of Saint Patty’s Day luck for an exciting finish to the game! It’s a moment we will always remember.”
After returning home from drivers’ education training in Swan Quarter Sunday evening, O’Neal reflected on his memorable blast.
“I knew I had to do something to help us win,” he said. “Thankfully, I did. I’m usually nervous when I go to bat. This time I wasn’t at all.”
“Will’s homer will almost make the whole season for us,” said assistant coach Ernie Doshier.
Assistant coach David Esham quipped, “It was a fun day. It felt good when we won, finally.”
Almost unnoticed, McClain sent the batboy, his son Duncan, to retrieve the ball for O’Neal. “He’s a seasoned spider monkey,” the father said. “I wasn’t paying attention, but I’m sure he hopped over there and waded around in the marsh until he found it.”
The younger McClain then raced back to the sideline with the prize souvenir, which he promptly handed to his father outside the Dolphin dugout along the first base line.
“Duncan has been helping me at practices,” McLain said. “He’s become the team mascot, and he probably loves baseball more than anybody else on this island. “He was on cloud nine just for being able to be in the dugout with the big kids, feeling like he’s part of the team.”
Soon the coach borrowed a ballpoint pen and returned to the field. Kneeling on one knee just outside the dugout, he scribed “3/17/2022 Walk-off H.R. Will O’Neal” between the stitches as Duncan proudly looked over his shoulder.
“This was a monumental occasion,” the coach said. “We’ve never had a walk-off home run here at varsity on Ocracoke that I’m aware of. The home run’s what everybody’s going to remember. But all of that happened with two outs. Of all the kids I’ve coached over the last few years, Will tries as hard as he can, all the time. That home run was a direct result of his effort.”
As the hugs and hoopla subsided, Dolphins took turns autographing the trophy ball, before starting pitcher Daymon Esham finally handed the “March Memento” back to O’Neal.
McClain noted his team’s positive attitude has been building for years. “We don’t give up,” he said. “In years past, we would have gotten sad and felt like we were beat. I give credit to our seniors (Jackson Strange, Julian Bennink and Brandt O’Neal) and juniors Chandler O’Neal, Davis Grant, Max Elicker and sophomore Daymon Esham.”
Will O’Neal with the game-winning baseball. Photo by Richard Taylor
McClain said Daymon is the primary starter who he tries to use judiciously. “I would say give Daymon the win and Jackson the save,” he said.
Two weeks ago, Ocracoke beat Hatteras here 17-0. “Since then, they’ve clearly done a lot of work,” McClain explained. “They played a much better game this time. I look forward to playing them again.”
After helping the Lady Dolphins to the Atlantic 5 (1A) regular season basketball conference title, Maren Donlon returned the baseball lineup in right field, snagging two long Hatteras fly balls.
“I used to sweat bullets when they hit a fly ball to the outfield,” McClain said about Donlon’s fielding. “Those days are over. Her defense was outstanding.”
There are 20 players on the squad this year and he is trying to rotate them around to get everybody some playing time and experience.
“We focus on building baseball as a program and having it be as much fun as possible for all of them,” he said.
The Dolphins, now 4-1 overall, played Bear Grass (4-3 overall, 2-0 in conference) at home Tuesday (March 22). “Both teams are going to hit and it’s going to come down to solid defense,” the coach predicted. “Making the playoffs is going to depend on that game.”
The Dolphins luck ran out against powerhouse Bear Grass Charter here Tuesday (March 22). “Both teams are going to hit and it’s going to come down to solid defense,” McClain had predicted.
The Bears scored five runs in the first two innings. Each team held the other scoreless for the rest of the seven-inning game, making the final score still 5-0 Bear Grass.
Dolphin defense had its moments. Max Elicker struck out the side in the top of the sixth and the team shut down Bear Grass with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh. Ocracoke is now 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference.
The struggling middle school boys lost 16-8 to Columbia at home Monday and play Mattamuskeet here today (March 23). The varsity travels to Columbia on Thursday.
Following the game, Islander Rachel O’Neal won $2,171 in a 50/50 raffle, which raised an equal amount to support both middle and varsity baseball.
For one shining moment on March 17, the moon, stars, sunset and fate all aligned over a small Outer Banks baseball field to create a magical memory that will linger long in the annals of Ocracoke sports.
Jackson Strange pitches. Photo by Richard Taylor
Right fielder Maren Donlon catches a Hatteras fly ball. Photo by Richard Taylor
All watch as Hatteras player River Lester’s two-run homer clears left field. Photo by Richard Taylor
Hatteras runner attempts to beat throw to first as Max Elicker awaits relay throw. Photo by Richard Taylor
The Dolphins load the bases at the bottom of the seventh inning. Photo by Richard Taylor
Daymon Esham is at bat during the Dolphins March 17 victory over Hatteras. Photo by Richard Taylor
The Dolphins celebrate their win over Hatteras under a full moon. Photo by Richard Taylor
Coach Jim McClain labels the game-winning ball as his son Duncan looks on. Photo by Richard Taylor
Head Coach Jim McClain presents signed game-winning ball to Will O’Neal. Photo by Richard Taylor
Nathen Contreras, left, and Daymon Esham (signing ball) watch as Will O’Neal acknowledges cheering fans. Photo by Richard Taylor
The March 17 game-winning baseball. Photo by Richard Taylor
A spaghetti dinner on March 20 benefitted the family of Sonya Voitenko, right, a Ukrainian exchange student on Ocracoke, N.C. Photo: C. Leinbach
By Connie Leinbach
It was Ukraine day on Ocracoke on Sunday as the Ocracoke community came out to support the fundraising efforts for Ukrainian exchange student Sonya Voitenko.
The scene was Jason’s Restaurant where concerned islanders quickly consumed 300 spaghetti dinners and a table full of baked goods and Ukrainian souvenirs to help raise funds for Sonya’s family, who is still sheltering outside of Sumy on the eastern edge of war-torn Ukraine.
Sonya and her Ocracoke host mother, Sonya Allen, wore traditional Ukrainian apparel and greeted the supporters.
“I’m really thankful for all of the volunteers and my parents are very grateful I am here,” Sonya said as the sale got underway.
Sonya, 16, who arrived last August via the government-run Future Leaders Exchange Program, is a junior at Ocracoke School since August and is expected to stay in the United States at least through the summer.
The fundraiser, organized by Sundae Horn, yielded $7,000, Sonya said.
“That’s absolutely amazing,” she said. “I’m endlessly grateful to the community!”
Of that amount, $400 will go to Sunflowers for Ukraine, which donates medical supplies, and the rest will go to Sonya’s parents and younger sister, with whom Sonya is in touch daily via video chat.
Lena O’Neal and Leslie Cole prepare spaghetti dinners. Photo: C. Leinbach
“My mom says that such a support will definitely lead Ukraine to the victory,” Sonya said, as the shelling by the Russian army enters its fourth deadly week.
Allen gave an update on the Voitenkos’ situation in Ukraine as Sonya, her classmates, teachers and staff helped serve the dinners.
“It changes daily,” Allen said, but she said the Voitenkos will be able to access the PayPal account since PayPal has opened up in Ukraine.
Ocracoke School Principal Leslie Cole ladled Jason’s homemade marinara sauce onto the cooked pasta. “She is just delightful,” Cole said about Sonya, who has blended well into the school culture and participated in three sports: cross country, volleyball and basketball.
“Every sport she played in they went to states,” noted Lena O’Neal, who placed garlic toast into the containers.
“I’m just so sorry this (war) is happening,” Cole added.
As Jason stirred the vats of marinara and toasted the garlic bread, he said that he arrived at his normally closed restaurant at 6:45 that morning.
“We cooked 25 pounds of pasta and 35 gallons of sauce,” he said.
Parttime islander Greg Honeycutt acknowledged that Jason always steps up to the plate with these fundraisers.
“That we have a Ukrainian kid here in Ocracoke is amazing,” he said.
A number of community members donated baked goods: cookies in the shape and color of the Ukrainian flag and sunflowers, Ukrainian honey cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, brownies and more.
“We give a huge thanks to Jason,” Horn said. “This exceeded our expectations.”
Sonya Voitenko and Sonya Allen will be featured guests on “What’s Happening on Ocracoke” on WOVV, Ocracoke’s nonprofit community radio station, this Friday at 11:30 a.m. at 90.1 FM and online at wovv.org, or use the TuneIn App, radio.garden.
Donations for Sonya’s family can be made through PayPal at: Votenkosofiya2005@gmail.com, or send checks made out to Sonya Voitenko, P.O. Box 1512, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
Customers line up to support the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Photo by Richard Taylor
Karen Lovejoy, Sonya Allen, Sonya Voitenko and Sundae Horn after the successful fundraiser for Sonya Voitenko’s family. Photo: C. Leinbach
Two Sonyas. Photo: C. Leinbach
Chef Jason Wells stirs one of several vats of marinara sauce. Photo: C. Leinbach
Three baseball games are scheduled this week at the Ocracoke Community Ballfield. Above, Nicholas Cole steals home in a game in which the Dolphins beat Hatteras 17-0 on Feb. 28. Photo by Richard Taylor
Monday, March 21 First middle school home baseball game vs. Columbia, 4pm. Ocracoke Community ballfield
Tuesday, March 22 High school baseball home vs Bear Grass, 3:30. Drawing for 50/50 raffle. Ocracoke Community ballfield
Wednesday March 23 Middle school baseball home vs Mattamuskeet, 4 pm. Ocracoke Community ballfield.
Thursday, March 24 Martin Brossman will lead a business workshop,Mastering Google Business Resources for Greater Business Success, from 2 to 5 pm, Ocracoke Community Center. Sponsored by the Small Business Center at Beaufort County Community College.
Friday, March 25 Martin Brossman will lead a business workshop, Increasing Art Sales Through Strategic Marketing from 9 am to noon. Ocracoke Community Center. Sponsored by the Small Business Center at Beaufort County Community College. Ocracoke Oyster Company: Ray Murray, 6:30 pm
Saturday, March 26 Celebration of life for Bill Jones. 2 p.m. Berkley Barn. The family asks those who aren’t fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to refrain from attending. See obituary here. Ocracoke Oyster Company: Martin & Clifton, 6:30 pm
The NC Forecast Office National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City updated their forecast Tuesday morning (March 22) for severe weather beginning late afternoon into the evening on Wednesday. Conditions remain favorable for the development of strong to severe storms capable of damaging winds, large hail, and possibly a tornado.
The update includes heavy rainfall in eastern North Carolina into Thursday with up to two to three inches possible on Ocracoke.
Angie Todd, race director for the 2021 Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and the Scallywag 5K/10K/half-marathon, always bestows medals on the runners. Photo: C. Leinbach
The Ocracoke Island Weekend Runfest 5K/10K/Half-marathon will be held April 23 & 24. Registration closes April 1. For details and to sign up, click here.
By Connie Leinbach
Angie Todd is looking to add the Six Star World Marathon Medal to her collection of marathon medals.
Angie, 43, owner of Angie’s Gym on Sand Dollar Road which opened in 2012, has been an exercise aficionado and guru since about 2009 when she decided to get in shape.
An epiphany experience with “turbo jam” led her into a new fitness regimen and then to teaching and to the establishment of her gym behind her house.
She ran her first half-marathon in 2012, then the second in 2014 when her husband, Andy, wanted to run one and she joined him.
“This is where I really got bit by the running bug,” she said.
She is on her way to earning the Six Star Medal bestowed by Abbott World Marathon Majors on runners who complete six world marathons – Chicago, New York, London, Boston, Berlin and Tokyo.
According to the Abbott website, Angie is among the five-star finishers, having run all but Tokyo.
Her first marathon (26.2 miles) was the Tobacco Road Marathon in Cary in 2016. The Boston in 2018 was her fifth marathon, but her first World Major marathon.
She ran New York and Chicago in 2019 and ran Berlin and London last fall.
Angie Todd, left, awaits runners in the Scallywag 5K/10K race in November 2021. Islander Kitty Mitchell, right, helps monitor the finishers. Photo: C. Leinbach
Oh, and the Rome marathon, which isn’t part of the World Major Six but which had been rescheduled to the fall due to COVID-19.
So that was three marathons in three weeks, Angie explained as she handed out medals to the 320-plus runners in Ocracoke’s Scallywag 5K/10K/half-marathon races Nov. 13 and 14, which also had been rescheduled. Then she ran the New York City marathon again early last November.
Brad Metcalf, 71, an island homeowner and triathlete who had just finished the 5K and was later named top runner in his 70-99 age bracket, was quizzing her about her marathon achievement.
“That’s crazy,” he said, as he cooled down. “Most don’t do four marathons in their lifetime let alone four in a month and under four hours each. She’s in the top 1 or 2% of the 1%.”
Angie later corrected Metcalf, however, and said the New York City marathon was three weeks after London. So, she actually ran four marathons in seven weeks.
Angie hadn’t planned to run three marathons in three weeks in Europe.
“COVID rescheduled everything,” she explained. “You never do three in a row with a week between each one. That’s not enough time to recover.”
She had planned to train between each run. “But I was in Rome and Berlin and London. So, I chose to sightsee instead,” she said.
Angie ran the five world marathons in under four hours, clocking the 2019 Chicago marathon in 3:33.
“That was my fastest ever,” she said.
So far in her running career she’s run 14 marathons and hopes to repeat the Boston Marathon on April 18.
Brad Metcalf with his prize for his top 5K finish in his age group. Photo: C. Leinbach
Then the Scallywag 5K/10K half-marathon returns April 23 and 24 followed by the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning.
When Angie trains for a marathon she runs 50 to 60 miles a week.
To get into these world marathons, which typically sport 30,000 runners, you must have fast run times, run for a charity or get chosen in a lottery.
“So, it’s hard,” she said.
She has already secured a spot for the sixth world marathon — Tokyo in 2023. Only Japanese natives may run this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
She hopes it will reopen internationally next year and after that, and after she logs 18 or 20 marathons, she will be done with marathons and will do half-marathons, which are 13.1 miles.
“That’s my favorite distance,” she said.
In addition to running her gym and her duties as race director for this yearly event that benefits Ocracoke’s community radio station WOVV 90.1 FM, Angie organizes the 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.
Andy and her daughter, Catherine, also help her with the island races.
“She and Andy are my cheerleaders at the races I run,” she noted about her world travels.
Angie works fulltime at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) and recently was appointed chair of the Hyde County Board of Education.
Andy Todd, left, is one of Angie’s helpers for the Turkey Trot and the Scallywag races, all of which begin and end at 1718 Brewing Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach
Angie Todd’s record on the Abbott World Marathon Majors website.
Example of vandalism at NPS restroom at the Ocracoke Discovery Center. NPS photo
Observer staff report
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is seeking the Ocracoke community’s help in stanching recurring vandalism at the restrooms beside the Ocracoke Discovery Center.
Since last summer, law enforcement rangers discovered six separate acts of vandalism at the restrooms located across from the ferry docks in Ocracoke Village.
The Seashore now seeks tips from the public to help catch those responsible for the vandalism.
Dating back to Aug. 25, vandals have damaged handrails, toilets and door locks; ripped soap and toilet paper dispensers off walls; removed trash bags, soap, and toilet paper; thrown trash around the restrooms; and kicked in a restroom door and broke its frame.
In addition to these acts of vandalism, drug paraphernalia have been found inside the restrooms.
David Hallac, superintendent, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina, said in an interview that the first acts late last summer seemed related to the “Devious Licks” TikTok challenge in which students film themselves on the video app stealing and vandalizing items in public, particularly in schools.
“We don’t know that (the vandalism is) related to that, but certainly there are concerns that the vandalism was, or is, related to the TikTok challenge,” he said.
Hallac ruled out plans to install cameras at the bathrooms, which, basically, are left open all night.
“Do you really want a camera inside while you’re going to the bathroom?” he said. As for cameras at the entrances, “What if 10 people go in at night and the next morning we find vandalism. How do we know who did it? So that’s what makes it really hard.”
Hallac noted that this vandalism has prompted thoughts of possibly locking the restrooms at night.
“But that would be terrible to do because they’re serving as a primary restroom for most of the folks that are shopping in Ocracoke village, so we really don’t want to do that,” he said. “They’re also serving as restrooms for ferry passengers. The last thing you want to do in a case like this is penalize all of the upstanding folks that need to use the bathroom.”
Two of the restrooms that have been vandalized are behind the older bathrooms that are alongside the Discovery Center. The Park Service recently began renovating the older bathrooms, with an expected completion date at the beginning of May, but one of the doors to those was recently locked and the door kicked in.
“We appreciate the support of the Hyde County Sheriff’s Department and North Carolina Department of Transportation during the Seashore’s investigation of these crimes,” Hallac said. “While some of the acts of vandalism may seem minor, they cumulatively have led to a significant burden on maintenance staff and provide negative experiences for visitors to Ocracoke Island.”
Anyone with information that may help determine the individuals, circumstances and events that led to these acts of vandalism are asked to contact the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB). Call or text the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009 or submit a tip at www.nps.gov/isb.
The damaged restroom door frame caused by the door having been kicked in. NPS photo
These restrooms at the Ocracoke Discovery Center are undergoing renovation with an expected completion date of early May. Although two other bathrooms located behind these have been vandalized, these, too, have also been damaged. NPS photo
Current bucket-and-sand dredging north of Ocracoke Island. Photo: C. Leinbach
By Joy Crist of the Island Free Press. Reprinted by permission
There was little good news at the Dare County Waterways Commission meeting on Monday (March 14) as frustrations continued to simmer about the lack of immediate dredging and imminent solutions for the Hatteras Inlet.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attempted a round of dredging in February, but was unsuccessful due to the shallow waters. “When the Merritt came in February, we originally tried going in there [to dredge], and we made a couple passes in the South Ferry Channel,” said Joen Petersen, the corps’ Chief of Floating Plan. “This tore up the rudder on the Merritt, so it had to go to the emergency shipyard.”
While a new survey of the South Ferry Channel will be ordered this week, at the moment, it is unlikely that there is enough water for the Merritt, the Corps’ sidecaster dredge, to be able to conduct dredging operations anytime soon.
“We can’t even get [on the hump] with the Merritt right now,” said Petersen. “We’ll, hopefully, get a new survey by Thursday, and, hopefully, get a new approach… [But] right now the water is not favorable to get in there and dredge, and conditions aren’t looking good to get in there and dredge this week.”
“People really need to be aware of the gravity of the situation, and how time-sensitive this opportunity for dredging is,” said Hatteras charter boat captain Brian Patteson at the meeting. “We’re where we were a year ago, and it’s a bad place to be. If we can’t get a channel in the next few weeks, it will be a serious financial hardship for [a lot of] people, on top of what they’ve already been through. We’ve been shut out down here for about two months, and it’s very disconcerting… Failure is not an option.”
Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Ferry Division also said they were having issues getting through the inlet, and that it was causing interruptions or hardships to their operations.
“We are having trouble just like everyone else. We are not using the Hatteras Class ferries because of these issues,” said Catherine Peele, Planning and Development Manager for the NCDOT Ferry Division. “The point is that we need more dredging, and more room and better conditions.”
Bucket-and-sand dredging in Sloop Channel north of Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach
Essentially, dredging is needed to make the channel deeper, but there is currently not enough depth to dredge, creating a seemingly insurmountable problem. However, the Waterways Commission brainstormed a potential short-term solution, and there are several long-term solutions in the works that will hopefully ease conditions by the summer.
For the short-term, commission members turned their attention to the ongoing bucket and barge dredging operation that is underway in the Sloop Channel north of Ocracoke Island. This is an emergency dredging project commissioned by the NCDOT to obtain more sand and rebuild the dunes on northern Ocracoke Island, while making this corner of the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry channel a little deeper.
Commission members hypothesized that if they could enlist the assistance of the bucket-and-barge dredge currently in Hatteras Inlet to “punch a hole” and open up a 50’ ft. wide and 300-400’ ft. long area, it could build a deep path that the Merritt could get through in order to dredge the South Ferry Channel.
Because this would require the contractor for the emergency dredging project to effectively take on a new project, even if it’s just for a short time, a permit modification would be required, and the NCDOT would need to give their permission, in addition to other factors that would make this temporary solution come to fruition.
“There are a lot of moving pieces,” said Ken Willson, the county’s consultant with Wilmington-based Coastal Protection Engineering. “The timing has to be right with the Merritt, the DOT has to be on board, and the contractor has to be able to get there, too, but it sure would be nice to be able to work this out to benefit the South Ferry Channel as well.”
Commission members are working with the contractor to see if the bucket-and-barge dredge will be able to work in the South Ferry Channel area, and are also discussing permitting and permissions with the associated agencies, including the NCDOT and Dare County.
“The fact of the matter is the [NCDOT] will get more sand cheaper if we can get that permit modification to allow them to work in the South Ferry Channel,” said Willson, referring to the sand needed to build the dunes along N.C. Highway 12 on northern Ocracoke Island.
For the long haul, the expected late June arrival of Dare County’s own dredge, Miss Katie, as well as the approval of the realignment of the Hatteras Ferry Channel, will likely make dredging easier in the future, assuming both projects are completed soon.
Much of mariners’ frustration in recent years has been directed at the fragmented regulatory status of the inlet’s passages – some federal, some state, some neither, some both. Realignment of the federal channel would help address these gaps. The Corps is in the process of adding language that will expand the areas included in the existing federal authorization, a long-sought revision that, until recently, was believed to be possible only through an act of Congress.
The approval of the realignment will also potentially allow dredging year-round, (unless revisions are made during the review process.) Locally, year-round dredging is a much-needed addition, as special permission is currently required to dredge outside of the approved window, which ends on March 31.
Rendition of the Miss Katie dredge
This realignment of Rollinson Channel that would include the South Ferry Channel and Sloop Channel in the federal authorization is still being reviewed by various agencies, and is currently being delayed by National Marine Fisheries Services, which told the Army Corps that they have concerns about how subaquatic vegetation is being addressed in the Environmental Assessment.
“I’m wondering if it’s important for the U.S. Coast Guard to access the ocean?” asked Commissioner Ernie Foster. “Allowing the Coast Guard to do their job may be [more important] than concerns about subaquatic vegetation.”
Per Petersen, despite the current delay, the Corps is “still trying to get this realignment squared away and signed in April.”
With the March 31 deadline to dredge on the horizon, Commissioner Natalie Kavanagh asked about being proactive and garnering permission to dredge outside the allowed window, in case the current conditions improved and April dredging was possible. Corps representatives said that, if needed, a release to dredge after March 31 would likely be able to be obtained within a week.
Meanwhile, as the commission explores the feasibility of enlisting the bucket-and-barge dredge for near-term dredging, and anticipates the arrival of Miss Katie and the approval of the channel realignment to provide long-term relief, safe navigation through Hatteras Inlet remains a waiting game.
“Brian [Patteson] has been taking his boat to Oregon Inlet, because he can’t get out of Hatteras,” said Chairman Steve “Creature” Coulter. “By the first of April, there will be a large fleet trying to run trips every day or every other day. We need to get something done, and we need to get it done quickly.”
“I know everyone is a little discouraged, as am I,” Coulter continued. “But maybe something will materialize with the bucket and barge dredging, or maybe we’ll get rid of some of this low tide we’re having right now, and that will help us out. We can hope.”
The National Park Service plans to rehab the Ocracoke lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters and seeks public input. Photo: C. Leinbach
The National Park Service will hold two public meetings, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, March 28, in the Berkley Barn, for public review and comment on an environmental assessment (EA) for the rehabilitation of the Ocracoke Light Station.
The same information and question-and-answer session will be presented at both meetings.
The public comment period ends April 13.
Last year, the NPS held a meeting to outline the repair needs of the lighthouse.
Buildings associated with the Ocracoke Light Station complex include the lighthouse, double keepers’ quarters, carpenter’s shop, store house, cisterns, privy, oil house and generator house. Built in 1823, the Ocracoke lighthouse is the oldest functioning lighthouse in North Carolina and the second oldest lighthouse still in service in the United States.
The Ocracoke Light Station rehabilitation project is needed because these historic structures were damaged from recent storms and, if the buildings are left as they are, it is expected that they will be damaged further by future storms.
In the wake of recent storm damage and in consideration of future impacts from climate change and sea level rise, the National Park Service proposes to sustainably rehabilitate the Ocracoke Light Station and mitigate reasonably foreseeable flooding impacts while continuing to provide visitor access.
The EA evaluates three alternatives:
Alternative A simply follows the current management plan to repair exterior and interior storm damage.
Alternative B proposes to elevate some of the structures at the Ocracoke Light Station and repair storm damage.
Alternative C proposes to remove the Double Keepers’ Quarters and replace it with a ghost structure, which would mimic the size, shape and location of the existing building.
Under all alternatives, the lighthouse would be rehabilitated, which would include the following actions:
–Removing the shotcrete from the exterior of the lighthouse and replacing it with a coating that will allow appropriate protection of the masonry and moisture control. –Replacing damaged masonry, including replacing bricks and mortar. –Repairing or replacing all windows with historically appropriate windows. –Repairing leaks at the top lantern and repainting. –Recoat interior masonry. –Expose the original stone foundation.
Comments may be submitted electronically, the preferred method, or mailed to: Superintendent, Attn: Ocracoke Light Station, 1401 National Park Dr., Manteo, NC 27954.
Spring is blooming on Ocracoke as seen in these camellias at the Magic Bean. Photo: C. Leinbach
Monday, March 14 Friends of the Library annual meeting with guest speakers Walt Wolfram and Jeffrey Reaser discussing the Ocracoke brogue. 7 pm. Ocracoke Community Center
Wednesday, March 16 Roanoke Island Animal Clinic sees patients in the Ocracoke Community Center. Call for appointments. 252-473-3117.
Thursday, March 17 St. Patty’s Day Celebration, performers Dusty Old Bones. 8pm The Breeze
Friday, March 18 Ocracoke Tourism Development Authority. 9 am. Ocracoke Community Center
North Carolina Shell Clubmeets at 7 pm in the Ocracoke Community Center Activities include a silent auction of various shells and speaker Ruth Fordon, talking about her work with the sea turtles on Ocracoke. Open to the public.
Saturday, March 19 North Carolina Shell Club meets at 7 pm in the Ocracoke Community Center. Ed Schuller will talk on the revision of Hugh Porter’s “North Carolina Sea Shells.” Open to the public.
Sunday, March 20 Fundraising spaghetti dinnerand bake sale at Jason’s Restaurant to benefit the family of Sonya Voitenko, a Ukrainian exchange student at Ocracoke School. 11 am to 2 pm.
