Turnpike Authority may fall back under the jurisdiction of NCDOT

Dispite making incredible strides in moving the bridge forward, it seems that the NCTA is set to come under the fold of the NCDOT. Senator Basnight, the bridge's greatest ally, seems to believe that the measure will leave the bridge on its current course for construction and completion. Below is a full article from the Daily Advance:

DOT to take over Turnpike Authority

Mid-county bridge won’t be affected
By Jennifer Preyss
Staff Writer

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Four years after the project was taken from the N.C. Department of Transportation and handed off to the N.C. Turnpike Authority, the Mid-Currituck Bridge will likely be back in DOT’s hands.

The state House approved legislation last week transferring the administrative functions of the seven-year-old Turnpike Authority to the DOT. The Turnpike Authority currently has charge of the estimated $600 million mid-county bridge project.

House members overwhelmingly favored the bill, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Crawford, D-Granville, voting 113-4 for the merger. Those voting in favor included area Reps. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, Timothy Spear, D-Washington, and Annie Mobley, D-Hertford.

The Senate signed off a similar bill when it approved its version of the state budget several months ago.

State officials said the move is designed to trim costs and improve efficiency.

Schorr Johnson, a spokesman for state Senate

President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight, said it’s not known how much merging the Turnpike Authority with DOT will save the state. Since the Senate approved its version of next year’s $18 billion budget in May, state revenues have dropped an additional $1 billion, he said.

House and Senate conferees are currently working to reach agreement on a budget before July 15, Johnson said. If they do, and the Turnpike Authority provision remains in the budget, the agency will cease to exist as a stand-alone agency. It instead will fall under the supervision of the DOT secretary, Johnson said.

Basnight was a chief proponents of giving the Turnpike Authority control of the long-delayed mid-county bridge project. In August 2005, then Gov. Mike Easley signed legislation giving the Turnpike Authority the ability to contract with private companies to build nine projects, one of them the long-delayed bridge spanning Currituck Sound.

At the time, a Basnight spokeswoman said taking the project from DOT and giving it to the Turnpike Authority would be more efficient and could speed up the engineering and permitting processes needed to build the bridge.

Since the Turnpike Authority took over, the mid-county bridge project — which was first discussed in the 1980s — has moved forward.

Last year, the Turnpike Authority determined that the project should be a toll bridge, and earlier this year, the agency announced it had signed a contract with ACS, a Spanish construction firm, to build it. A start date for the project — 2010 — and a completion date — 2013 — have also been set.

The Turnpike Authority is also currently studying three options, including a no-build option, for the 7-mile span.

Recently, Turnpike Authority officials announced that they were delaying completion of the environmental impact study until September.

Johnson, the Basnight spokesman, indicated that giving DOT control of the Turnpike Authority shouldn’t affect the timetable for building the bridge.

“This was one of many hundreds of provisions in the budget,” Johnson said. “Sen. Basnight supported (the merger). The Mid-Currituck Bridge is one of his top priorities and he wouldn’t have favored (the provision) if it had any detrimental effects on” that project.

Johnson said the Turnpike Authority may see some organizational changes, but that funding of key projects won’t change. The Senate budget, for example, earmarks $64 million for Turnpike Authority projects, including the mid-county bridge.

Bridge Impact Study Delay could save millions

The draft Environmental Impact Study for the Currituck Mid-County Bridge will be delayed until the fall but doesn't appear to delay the timeline of the bridge according to the NC Turnpike Authority. It could actually result in a significant cost savings. See the article below from the Daily Advance:

Delaying study could save $60M on bridge
By Jennifer Preyss
Staff Writer


Pushing back release of a draft study of the Mid-Currituck Bridge project won’t delay the span’s completion date but could shave about $60 million off its final cost, the group planning the bridge said this week.

North Carolina Turnpike Authority engineers elected to reschedule the draft environmental study’s release date until September because they wanted more time to investigate modifications to the mid-county bridge’s design, Jennifer Harris, a staff engineer with the Turnpike Authority said.

Harris said delaying the EIS statement, which originally was due out earlier this year, could trim nearly $60 million off the 7-mile bridge’s cost and help improve its overall functionality when it opens in 2013.

“An additional design construction option has been introduced as a cost-saving (mechanism) and we’re investigating that now,” Harris said.

The bridge, which would attach the Currituck mainland with the northern beaches of Corolla, is estimated to cost about $659.2 million. Delaying the EIS until September could bring that cost down to about $600 million.

Delaying the EIS also will prevent engineers from having to complete a supplementary EIS statement at a more advanced stage in the project, Harris said.

Using the extra time to modify the bridge’s design does not change the three preliminary bridge concepts known as MCB2, MCB4 and no bridge option ER2, but may reconfigure portions of the bridge, including the toll stations on U.S. Highway 158, Harris said.

The current design places the eastbound and westbound toll stations farther apart, she said. A new design may place them closer together and reposition them further east near the Currituck Sound.

However, exact design changes are still unknown, she noted, because the Turnpike Authority has only been discussing modifications to the bridge for less than two weeks.

The postponement will not delay the bridge project’s starting date of late 2010 or its projected completion date of 2013, Harris said.

In May, the Turnpike Authority entered into a public-private partnership with ACS Infrastructure Development, Inc. to build the bridge.

ACS is expected to finance the cost of the project and be compensated over a 40-year period through the collection of toll fees, currently estimated to be $10 to $12 per crossing.

Harris said the public will be notified when changes to the project are made.

Corolla Area Working on a Charter School

Optimism is growing that Corolla may one day have a Charter School in town. It has even gotten the interest of the County Commissioners. Below is a report from a recent town hall style meeting that took place in Corolla.

Task force continues to develop plans

By Toby Tate
Staff Writer

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Currituck County commissioners have thrown their support behind a proposal to bring a charter school to the county’s Outer Banks.

Board Chairman Owen Etheridge said Monday that commissioners are “committed” to seeing a charter school in Corolla, and will do whatever they can to support organizers’ efforts.

“From what I’ve seen, charter schools have been successful in North Carolina,” he said. “If they go about this the right way with organization and set up and find some good teachers, I think they will be able to get (the school) off the ground.”

Etheridge and other commissioners discussed the idea of a charter school on the Outer Banks during a “town hall” meeting with Corolla residents several weeks ago.

Meghan Agresto, manager of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and a parent spearheading the charter school effort, said she left the meeting “feeling incredibly positive” about commissioners’ support.

“Three of them came up to me — (Vance) Aydlett, Etheridge, and (Paul) O’Neal — and they said they think this is an incredible idea and (to) let us know what we can do to help,” Agresto said.

Agresto and several other Outer Banks residents, including Sylvia Wolff, Sharon Twiddy, Bren Robbins, Susan Taylor, Julie Allen and Ilze Drozds-Russano, make up the Corolla School Task Force. The group has been meeting since February to develop a plan for opening a charter school in Corolla by the fall of 2011.

Although charter schools are publicly funded, they’re different from traditional schools in that they’re not controlled by local public school districts. Usually charter schools are controlled by a local board of directors that is responsible for ensuring students meet the same educational standards as their peers in traditional schools.

Under state law, charter schools have to be approved by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. So far, there are 98 charter schools in North Carolina, the closest being Washington Montessori School in Beaufort County.

Agresto said the Corolla charter school task force still needs to incorporate, apply for non-profit status and apply to DPI by February in order to meet its deadline of fall 2011.

One of the chief matters DPI will weigh before approving the task force’s request is the proposed charter school’s financial viability.

“In order to balance the budget, we have to prove to DPI that we can balance (our budget) with the money that follows the children the first year,” she said.

The group also has to elect members to a non-profit board, have those board members receive training in school policy and administration, and find a site for the school.

“We have some good leads on locations” for a school building, she said. “We are communicating with people who are interested.”

Since the school would be a nonprofit entity, any donations, such as a building, could be used as a tax credit, Agresto said.

Agresto believes the school could be more than an educational resource; it also could be another economic draw for the Outer Banks, she says.

“I think people here realize it would be good for commerce if school wasn’t an impediment to living here,” she said. “Even if people were commuting, they could bring their kids with them — people like to be close to their kids. We think that if we build it, they will come.”

The task force plans to meet sometime next week to discuss its next move, Agresto said.

“We really need to meet and educate ourselves” about the charter-school process, she said. “But it looks like if we jump head first into this that the community will be behind us.”


Copyright 2009 The Daily Advance All rights reserved. - The Daily Advance - Our Partners

Currituck Keeps Property Taxes the Same

One piece of good news in this economy is that property owners in the 4WD area won't have an increase in their taxes this year. Through of series of cuts, reserves, and responsibility, the tax rate will remain at $.32 per $100.00. Below is the full article from the Daily Advance:

No tax hike in Currituck's proposed $65M budget
Scanlon cites lower spending
By JENNIFER PREYSS


CURRITUCK — Currituck County Manager Dan Scanlon says it pays to have a significant reserve account, and Currituck is proving that in next year’s county budget.

Unlike their peers in neighboring counties, Currituck commissioners don’t face having to raise property taxes or fees to balance the county’s proposed $65 million spending plan, and one of the biggest reasons, Scanlon says, is the county’s decision to keep sufficient funds in reserve.

“When we were in the boom of the economy we took a lot of heat for having reserves; now we can see how wise it was to have reserves,” Scanlon said in his budget message to Currituck commissioners earlier this week. “We certainly don’t seem to be having some of the struggles our (local) communities (are having) because we’ve been able to maintain adequate reserves.”

The Chowan County Board of Commissioners voted earlier this week to raise that county’s property tax rate by 3.5 cents next year. The Pasquotank County commissioners are also considering raising property taxes to balance the county’s budget for next year.

While other counties are cutting jobs and trimming workers’ salaries and hours, Currituck plans to give its employees a cost-of-living raise next year.

“We’re probably one of the few counties in northeast North Carolina that is fortunate enough to be able to provide a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for our county employees,” Scanlon said.

Currituck’s property tax rate remains at 32 cents per $100 of property valuation in next year’s proposed budget. That means someone with a $100,000 house would pay $320 in property taxes next year.

Crafting a balanced budget for next year without any tax or fee hikes was even more of a challenge, Scanlon said, because of the current economic recession. With 66 percent of the county’s tax base on the Outer Banks, Currituck’s revenues are significantly affected by swings in the real estate market, and right now the swing has been downward, he said.

“Our tax base expands for one of two reasons — people buying selling real-estate, or people building something on the land,” he said. “Land transfer taxes peaked in 2005 and ... (there has been a) drastic drop-off in land transfer taxes from 2005 to (the present.) Not only is the number of transactions decreasing, the values of the transactions themselves are decreasing.”

Sales tax revenue has also plateaued, Scanlon said.

“Sales tax has not only become flat but we’re actually starting to see a drop in sales tax,” he said.

Currituck’s 32-cent property tax rate generated more than $25 million last year, while sales taxes contributed about $4 million.

One thing that has helped, Scanlon said, is the county’s decision to lower overall spending over the past seven years.

“We have been systematically lowering our budget versus getting to a point where we’re absorbing a big hit at one time,” Scanlon said.

Next year’s proposed spending plan, for example, includes a $44 million general fund budget — a 6 percent decrease from the current year’s budget that ends June 30. The overall budget is about 4.8 percent less than this year’s spending plan.

Education is the single largest expense in next year’s proposed budget — $10 million. The spending plan also allocates $5 million for emergency medical services, another $5 million for the Currituck Sheriff’s Department, $4 million for the Department of Social Services and about $2 million for the county jail.

The county also had to absorb an 11.71 percent increase in health insurance costs for county workers.

The budget proposal also spends $310,000 developing the 4-H Cultural Life Center — commonly referred to as the “horse farm.” Monies have also been included to upgrade the Planning Department’s Unified Development Ordinance and develop the Maple Commerce Park. Another spending priority for next year is development of a community center, Scanlon said.

Besides the county’s proposed $44 million general fund, Currituck anticipates an occupancy tax fund of $7 million and an enterprise fund of $11 million.

Commissioner Gets Carova Beach Staffed with EMS for Summer Season

It appears the Daily Advance was able to pick up scent. Here is the link to their article . The earlier article is posted below:



Previous Post: June 6th, 2009
With a career background in EMS and Fire Service, Commissioner Vance Aydlett knows how important response times are in emergency situations. The off-road area has historically always had a low call volume when it comes to emergencies, but a response time that many felt was too long. Commissioner Aydlett has set out to do something about it. "I sat down with the County Manager and the EMS Director and told them I wanted some sort of plan to provide an enhanced EMS service for the Carova Beach Area."

Aydlett's initial goal was to provide 24 hour EMS service from the Carova Beach Fire Station but because of other budgetary concerns within the County, the Board of Commissioners ultimately agreed to providing two full-time EMS personnel and ambulance coverage from 9AM-9PM, 7 days a week. Coverage is beginning this weekend and will continue through the tourist season until mid-October.

This is a great step in providing better emergency services to the year round residents and seasonal vacationers. I know it is hard for some to place a great deal of importance on providing more services for so few calls, but for the person making that call, there is no service more important.

Commissioner Aydlett, thanks.

Commissioners oppose one proposed design of Currituck County Bridge

As reported in the Daily Advance, The County Commissioners do not support a concrete barrier on US 158. The full article is below:

Currituck opposes bridge design that limits Waterlily Road access
Concept ends left turns from U.S. 158
By JENNIFER PREYSS
Staff Writer

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Currituck officials say they are opposed to a proposed design for the Mid-Currituck Bridge that would eliminate left turns from US Highway 158 onto Waterlily Road.

In an e-mail to a North Carolina Turnpike Authority engineer last week, County Manager Dan Scanlon said the county has concerns about the bridge design because it proposes constructing a concrete barrier on U.S. 158 between the J.P. Knapp Bridge and the site where the new bridge would be built.

If the barrier is built, motorists traveling south on U.S. 158 could not turn left onto Waterlily Road as they now do. Instead, they would have to continue south on U.S. 158, drive past the Mid-Currituck Bridge interchange and make a U-turn at the relocated Aydlett Road intersection.

Jennifer Harris, an engineer with the Turnpike Authority, said in e-mail to Scanlon that the change would mean that motorists wishing to turn left from U.S. 158 onto Waterlily Road would have a detour of about a mile.

In addition, motorists would no longer be able to turn left from Waterlily onto U.S. 158. Motorists wishing to travel southward from Waterlily Road would first have to turn right on U.S. 158 and head northward, Harris said in her e-mail. They would have to cross the Knapp Bridge, proceed to the Worth Guard Road intersection and make a U-turn, she said. From there, they would have to cross back over the Knapp Bridge a second time to get southward on U.S. 158. The barrier would require motorists to drive approximately 2.5 miles longer than they do now, Harris said.

In his e-mail, Scanlon advised Harris that county officials do not support the design.

“...Please be advised that Currituck County will go on record opposing such a design,” Scanlon wrote.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Owen Etheridge said the design does not benefit Currituck residents who will be the primary users of the road.

“I don’t see any benefit for any local residents; it only benefits the traveling public,” Etheridge said. “It’s neither convenient or safe and as a commissioner I can’t endorse the project and I won’t.”

Etheridge also points out that in emergencies, the one- and two-mile diversions may affect fire and emergency service response times.

Steve Dewitt, the Turnpike Authority’s chief engineer, said the bridge concept is just that, a concept. He said bridge designers recognize the proposed concrete divide along U.S. 158 may warrant some changes. In fact, they’re currently talking with state Department of Transportation officials to develop another design, he said.

“This is very pre-mature, for now it is just a concept,” Dewitt said. “We’re looking at different alternatives with our number one priority surrounding (driver) safety.”

Dewitt said the there is no timeline for when the final bridge design will be completed. However, the final design will include input from local governments and residents, he said.

“The bottom line is that we’re far from being done with the (plans),” Dewitt said. “We will go back to the drawing board no matter what.”

ANOTHER Stallion euthanized over Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial day weekend always brings with it a certain amount of tolerance because of irresponsibility by a few visitors and locals, but some actions are intolerable. Below is a recount of the events that took place as another stallion was hit by CWHF dirctor, Karen McCalpin.


I have just returned from the beach. The beautiful stallion that is featured in the Mary Kolliner photo in the center of our brochure and our Charter member photos is dead.. His name was Spec. He was euthanized at 2:30 p.m. His left hind leg was broken so badly it was snapped completely in two. Dr. Kite examined the leg thoroughly. It was hit from the side with great force and broken inward. There were ATV tracks all around where the horse was originally seen on the beach at 6:43 a.m. this morning. It is possible that ATV’s were being used to chase the horse and then hit him. Residents reported hearing ATV’s tearing around at 1 and 2 a.m. Spec drug himself up over the dunes over a mile from where he was first seen. I have no words to describe what the last few hours have been like for those of us who were present. If there is a tougher horse on than planet than Spec, then it’s got to be a Spanish Mustang as well. Spec did not want to die and he fought long and hard. It was gut wrenching. It was a waste. It was sickening. Someone up there right now is responsible for his death. Or perhaps, like the other horse that was hit, they left the beach for awhile, they got rid of the evidence, and they’re counting on others to cover for them.

Please, if you live up there and you see or hear something that you know is not right – call the Sherriff’s office. You don’t have to give your name. We have lost two healthy, beautiful, stallions in the last 4 weeks. Hit by people who know that they hit them. Left to suffer in agony. Help us hold them accountable. Help us keep another horse from having to die.

My deepest thanks to Steve and Hannah Rogers who came drove here from Columbia . Steve was able to use his expert marksmanship skills to dart Spec twice with tranquilizers.. Thanks to Deputy Justin Cartwright for his assistance, to Edna Baden, Kim Hoey, Jim and Ellen Rein, Brian O’Connor and Cameron Gray.

Karen H. McCalpin

Executive Director

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

P.O. Box 361

1126 Schoolhouse Lane

Corolla, NC 27927

252-453-8002

www.corollawildhorses.org

Outer Banks:: No more plastic bags

I rarely weigh in my opinion on the information that I post but I am proud of what Senator Basnight has done with banning the plastic bags. The Outer Banks should be a model of responsible and sustainable behavior since we market ourselves as environmentally appealing to our visitors. Here is the article from the News & Observer in Raleigh, remember, it still has to pass the House:

Outer Banks bag ban wins Senate approval

Outer Banks shoppers at large retailers would have the option of paper or nothing under a bill the Senate approved Wednesday.

The legislation, which passed 47-1, would prohibit those stores from using plastic shopping bags. Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, a Manteo Democrat, is pushing the bill, which applies to Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties.

Basnight said the flimsy bags have turned into post-purchase tumbleweeds polluting the landscape of the Outer Banks, which relies on its landscape to attract tourists.

The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Josh Stein, a Raleigh Democrat, described the bill as a pilot program that could go statewide. The goal is to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags, such as the cloth totes sold at grocery stores, and eventually to eliminate paper and plastic bags.

Nearly 20 states have considered or imposed legislation regulating plastic bags, but only the city of San Francisco has banned them.

Retailers argue that paper bags made from recycled material, which are permitted by the bill, cost more and that retrofitting stores that are set up for plastic bags will create costs that are passed along to customers. The wiser approach, they argue, is to encourage or even mandate recycling.

Staff writer Mark Johnson

Currituck Commissioners Corolla Town Hall Meeting

If you local or down next week and want to attend, the commissioners will be in Corolla for a rare town hall meeting. It is an opportune time to bring up issues from the bridge, 4WD road improvements, tourism dollars, Whalehead stormwater management, etc...

BOC Schedules Corolla Town Hall Meeting
The Currituck Board of Commissioners will conduct a Town Hall Meeting in Corolla on Thursday, May 21, 2009. This meeting is open to the public, and will be held at the Corolla Fire Station in Whalehead, beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information, call 232-2075.

NCTA on the ground conducting field work for Bridge

Information from the County website and NCTA:

May 13, 2009 - Currituck County residents may soon notice surveyors and engineers completing tasks in the area to support project development studies on the Mid-Currituck Bridge.

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) will be performing surveying and geotechnical work within the project corridor for the Mid-Currituck Bridge project. Engineers and surveyors representing NCTA will be working on or near local properties to perform survey tasks and obtaining subsurface information in accordance with General Statutes 136-89.194.

Property owners with questions regarding this work should contact the NCTA Chief Engineer's office at 919-571-3000.

Turnpike Authority enters into Pre-Development Agreement to finalize bridge feasibility.

In the following release obtained from the NCTA, the bridge is the all too familiar "one step closer" to becoming reality. This unique public/private partnership has officially merged whereby various partners within the coalition can focus their efforts and expertise to determine feasibility of each critical component. Below is the release:

TURNPIKE AUTHORITY SIGNS FIRST PUBLIC PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR MID-CURRITUCK BRIDGE

RALEIGH ––The North Carolina Turnpike Authority today signed the state’s first public-private pre-development agreement for a major transportation project.

“This is a historic moment for transportation financing in North Carolina,” said Transportation Secretary Gene Conti, Chairman of the Turnpike Authority Board of Directors. “With today’s contract execution we are creating a partnership between a progressive state entity and a private consortium to harness the efficiencies and financial capabilities of the private sector to deliver major transportation infrastructure for our state.”

The Currituck Development Group, LLC, whose lead partners include ACS Infrastructure Development, Inc.; Dragados USA, Inc.; and Lochner-MMM Group will work with the Turnpike Authority on the development, design, and financial assessment of the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge toll project on the Outer Banks.

“The Currituck Development Group is honoured to partner with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority on the development of this important project,” said Juan Santamaria, with ACS Infrastructure Development, Inc. “Not only will the Mid-Currituck Bridge help to reduce traffic congestion in the region, but it will also lead to important job creation in the State.”

The Currituck Development Group will perform financial analyses to determine the overall financial feasibility of the project. Depending on the results of these studies, the Authority may choose to enter into negotiations for a concession agreement with the Currituck Development Group to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the Mid-Currituck Bridge. Concurrently with the financial analyses, the Currituck Development Group will assist the Turnpike Authority in completing the environmental, engineering and design studies, including capital cost estimates, environmental mitigation, regulatory approvals, right of way and utility impact assessments, and construction planning, as well as toll operational strategies and toll market research. While the Currituck Development Group will complete many project development activities, the Turnpike Authority retains responsibility for the required environmental planning process and its outcomes.

"Today’s agreement is the culmination of more than a year of work by Turnpike Authority staff,” said David Joyner, Executive Director of the Turnpike Authority. “Public-private partnerships are an entirely new project deliver strategy for North Carolina, and we look forward to working with the Currituck Development Group to make the Mid-Currituck Bridge a reality.”

Public-private partnerships are formal collaborations between public agencies and private concessionaires that capture the advantages of private sector participation while maintaining public accountability to develop new infrastructure. These partnerships can be an effective way to deliver much needed infrastructure while minimizing costs and risks to the public.

A Mid-Currituck Bridge would be a toll facility approximately 7-miles long, making it the longest bridge in North Carolina, and cross the Currituck Sound connecting the Currituck mainland at US 158 near Aydlett with NC 12 on the Outer Banks south of Corolla. Construction of the Mid-Currituck Bridge would begin in late 2010 and open to traffic in 2013.

Additional project information and a copy of the PDA can be found at www.ncturnpike.org/projects/Mid_Currituck

A small push for further safety and awareness in the 4WD

A much needed step in the right direction to encourage responsible enjoyment of the wild horses and the 4wd area overall. Hopefully the response will be positive and the impact on the area minimal. Below is an article from The VA Pilot's Jeff Hampton:

By Jeff Hampton
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 24, 2009
Large signs on wild-horse tour vehicles and radio broadcasts of local regulations are part of a new plan to control unruly beach driving on Currituck County's northern Outer Banks.

The latest effort to promote safety and good manners seeks to gain some control over a beach that can become a mix of wild horses, families playing near the surf, and people fishing while horse tours, visitors, locals and construction crews drive back and forth through the day.

Residents in the four-wheel-drive area have reported that some visitors trespass onto their property and drive recklessly. A wild horse was euthanized last month after being hit by a vehicle.

Recommendations from the new plan are voluntary, said Karen McCalpin, executive director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and a member of the Wild Horse Advisory Group, created earlier this year.

"We'll see how it goes and evaluate it at the end of the summer," she said.

Among the recommendations:

- Tour companies would put large signs with the company name on each side of their vehicles. Participating companies would be promoted by the Wild Horse Fund and possibly the county tourism department.

- Tour company owners would attend a brief training session organized by the Wild Horse Fund.

- Currituck County would broadcast beach driving regulations and information on wild horses.

- Four-wheel-drive rental companies would get letters about the new recommendations.

"I think this is a good idea," said Jay Bender, owner of Corolla Outback Adventures. "It's not only good for us and gives everybody early recognition, it adds a little professionalism."

Bender's family has run a tour service since 1962, he said. The Wild Horse Advisory Group has several tour operators, including Bender.

A herd of about 100 wild horses is one of the biggest attractions to Currituck's northern Outer Banks, one of the few places remaining with nearly unrestricted beach driving.

At least seven companies operate tours to see small bands of the herd roaming through 12,000 acres that include land set aside for wildlife and small communities without paved roads.

In the summer, nearly 5,000 visitors a week stay in beach rental homes in the four-wheel-drive area. About 150 people live there year-round and drive back and forth along the beach to work and shop. Hundreds more drive onto the beaches every day during tourist season.

Over the years, regulations have been developed specifically for the northern Outer Banks that include staying at least 50 feet from a wild horse and a speed limit of 15 mph when driving near people.

Currituck County deputies regularly patrol there.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com

Currituck Not Likely To Raise Property Taxes

County Officials seem to think a tax increase would not be necessary this year. According to the Daily Advance article written by Jennifer Preyss, the county should be able to hold the line...and their breath.

By Jennifer Preyss
Staff Writer

Saturday, April 18, 2009

A tax increase seems unlikely this year in Currituck County, county officials told the board of commissioners.

“We’re still balancing numbers, but we’re not anticipating tax increases on anything,” Finance Director Sandra Hill said.

Hill and County Manager Dan Scanlon unveiled a portion of the 2009-10 spending plan at a work session last Monday.

The meeting was the first of several to be held in coming weeks, as the new seven-seat board prepares to adopt a budget by the end of June.

Because of the recession, spending is expected to remain light and tax increases appear unlikely in the coming year, Scanlon said.

The current 2008-09 budget of $47.9 million, adopted last June, held the line on taxes and fees. The property tax rate is 32 cents for every $100 of assessed value. Discussion last week centered on special revenue funds, which are dedicated for specific purposes.

For example, Scanlon presented balanced budgets for the fire equipment replacement fund, transfer tax capital fund, property revaluation funds, school capital and occupancy tax dollars.

Revaluation budget

One of the county’s annual spending priorities is transferring $121,000 from the general fund to the revaluation fund to pay for state-mandated property assessment appraisals, which determine property values.

Property appraisals are required at least every eight years, and can cost up to $1 million for computer software and outsourcing appraisers.

Currituck’s next revaluation effective date is not until Jan. 1, 2013, but the county will begin preparing for the next assessment as early as next year. The current estimated fund balance for the fund is $538,981.

Fire equipment fund

The fire equipment replacement fund sets aside money for buying and maintaining fire engines and equipment.

It has about $41,000 left over from when the county still taxed each of its fire districts. An additional $266,528 will be transferred from the general funds to the fire equipment balance.

Because the purchase of one replacement fire engine costs about as much as the total estimated actual 2009 balance of $418,156, Scanlon recommended the commissioners consider cutting operational costs of each fire station by $25,000, and routing that money to the fire equipment replacement fund.

“You heard each station say their equipment was in good shape,” Scanlon said, referring to a recent joint meeting with commissioners, fire station chiefs and the fire and emergency and medical services board.

Agreeing that cutting firehouse operational costs would benefit the county, Commissioner Barry Nelms said the stations will “make do with what they have to work with.”

Fire equipment funds may also go toward construction of a regional training facility for volunteer firefighters. Currently, firefighters travel to Virginia Beach for training, at a cost of $500 per week.

School capital fund

Commissioners also discussed spending options for the nearly $1.3 million in revenues left over in the school capital reserve fund from the construction of two new elementary schools in Moyock and Shawboro.

In all, roughly $3.4 million remains in the school facilities fund, which Commissioner Vance Aydlett suggested using to pay down the county’s $8 million debt from the Jarvisburg Elementary school completed in 2007.

Commissioners agreed the county may want to investigate other uses for the money, including the construction of a garage for county school busses and other vehicles to be mechanically serviced.

Tourism fund

Uncertain of the economy’s role in the tourism market this season, Scanlon said funds generated from the 6 percent occupancy tax may decline somewhat.

“We’re projecting a slight decrease in occupancy tax this year,” he said.

Approximately $2.6 million, or 2 percent of the total occupancy tax, will be used for tourism promotion, including $245,182 for departmental salaries.

Tourism Director Diane Nordstrom’s operating budget is about $2.2 million, which includes utilities, travel expenses, and $1.8 million specifically earmarked for advertising and promotional efforts.

The remaining 4 percent of the total occupancy dollars are used for tourism related efforts, such as the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

Scanlon’s tourism-related budget proposal included a $75,000 for the Corolla Horse Fund, and $900,000 for Whalehead projects.

Another work session is scheduled for the next two concurrent Mondays to continue discussions on the general budget and county enterprises.

A final budget will be presented at a regular Board of Commissioners meeting near the end of May, or early June for approval. Commissioners must agree upon and adopt the budget by June 30. The a new budget will go into effect July 1.

Corolla Wild Horse Fund Hires New Herd Manager

After an extensive search process, Executive Director, Karen McCalpin, announces that the CWHF has selected a new herd manager. Below is an email introducing their selection, Wesley Stallings:

I am pleased to announce that Wesley Stallings of Louisburg, NC will be assuming the position of Herd Manager as of May 25. We had many qualified candidates and our decision was made based on which candidate met the majority of the most heavily weighted requirements of the job. Wesley will be relocating with his wife, daughter, and their horse. Wes’s background includes positions as Park Service Supervisor for Franklin County Parks and Recreation; Assistant Manager of the Senator Bob Martin Eastern Agricultural Center in Williamston, as well as a Farm Manager. Wesley has shown horses in the American Quarter Horse Association circuit, started colts, attended horse shoeing school in Oklahoma, and has extensive experience in herd health and nutrition. He currently operates his own business installing and repairing underground irrigation systems. We look forward to welcoming Wesley and his family to the Outer Banks.

Wesley is planning on brining his horse with him and is looking for property where he can keep the horse. Preferably this would be a house and acreage. If anyone knows of such a property for sale or lease, please contact me. Also, Dawn Stallings will be looking for work in the Social Work field. She has been a social worker at a domestic violence shelter for about ten years.



Once Wesley is here and settled, we will host a “meet and greet” to give everyone an opportunity to spend some time getting to know Wes.



Karen H. McCalpin

Executive Director

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

P.O. Box 361

1126 Schoolhouse Lane

Corolla, NC 27927

252-453-8002

www.corollawildhorses.org

One Wild Stallion hit and euthanized in 4WD area

Despite some miscommunication I wanted to update this post and confirm only one horse has been hit recently which is described below. Sorry for the confusion but it appears Wavy TV's report of the story wasn't exactly timely. Karen McCalpin of the CWHF confirmed the story was referring to the same incident, which still remains tragic enough.


Previous Post:

Over the weekend it appears one of the wild horses was hit and had to be put down. Executive Director, Karen McCalpin sent an email summarizing the events below:

I received a call from volunteer, Karen Gregory this morning at 8:30 regarding a stallion that appeared to be severely injured near the ramp to the Carova Fire Station. Many thanks to Karen who took the time to set up stakes and yellow tape to keep people back even though she was on her way to work. Shortly after that, I received a call from Deputy Robert McIntyre as well. Special thanks to Sanctuary Patrol officer and Board President, Kim Hoey, who was at the site around 9 a.m. and stayed until resolution. The stallion was completely unable to put any weight on his rear hind leg and by the amount of the manure present, had been there for quite some time. Kim was able to get some water to him and he drank. On the way up the beach, our vehicle broke down south of North Swan Beach. Special thanks to Denise Wells who made calls for me from her home After finally getting back to the office at 10:30, I spoke with the horse vet at Martin’s Point (it would have taken about 45 minutes for her to get to the site) and she declined to respond. Her suggestion was to call Animal Control. I then called Dominion and Dr. Bart Kite responded all the way from Chesapeake. He arrived at the Wild Horse Museum about 12 p.m. and we were onsite around 12:30. We are speculating that the tire tracks at the site, the location of the horse near the ramp, the extent of his injuries, and yesterday’s thick fog may have led to the horse being hit by a vehicle. No report, however, was made to the Sherriff’s Department or to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.



Dr. Kite spent a great deal of time carefully assessing the extent and location of the stallion’s injuries. The horse was absolutely unable to move except to pivot around on his good hind leg. There was a tremendous amount of swelling in both the inside and outside of the stifle and hindquarters. There was a small bloody protrusion on the inside of the stifle that may have been splintered bone. It was determined that rescue was not an option, so the horse was humanely euthanized. Please know that this decision was very difficult and based solely on what was best for the horse. Even if we were able to somehow get him on the trailer, the prognosis was not good for recovery. Our highest praise goes to Dr. Kite, not only for coming all the way from Chesapeake to respond, but for his expertise, his patience, and most especially, his gentleness.



Additional thanks go to Greg Wilson for towing our trailer up the beach and staying until the end, as well as Brian O’Connor, Donnie Tadlock, Cameron Gray, Deputy McIntyre, my family, and another resident whose name I unfortunately don’t know. It is gratifying to see how many people care so deeply and are willing to do whatever is needed. I try to take comfort in the knowledge that without our intervention, the horse would have surely suffered a slow and agonizing death. Thank you all so much again for your help and support. A situation like this is heartbreaking.



Karen H. McCalpin

Executive Director

Corolla Wild Horse Fund

P.O. Box 361

1126 Schoolhouse Lane

Corolla, NC 27927

252-453-8002

www.corollawildhorses.org

North Carolina Turnpike Authority selects recycling consultant for Mid-Currituck Bridge project

A reader passed this article on to me highlighting the NC Turnpike's efforts to not only select quality corporations for the construction of the Mid Currituck Bridge but also implement quality practices such as selecting GBB to handle a large scale recycling effort thus minimizing waste and cost. See the article below:

Source: PUBLIC WORKS News Service
Publication date: February 24, 2009


By Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.

Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) announced today that it has been selected by the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA), as part of the Currituck Development Group (CDG), to provide construction waste and demolition debris (C&D) recycling consulting services for the Mid-Currituck Bridge project, a new 7-mile bridge in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

One of the project's goals is to find a use, either on-site or elsewhere, for the C&D generated by the project. GBB, which has achieved 98.5% recycling/reuse during the demolition of the old Nashville Thermal Waste-to-Energy plant, will inventory the origin, type and quantities of all waste materials projected to be generated, including buildings, vehicles and road materials to be removed. A specific waste management plan, including reuse/recycling opportunities and/or in some limited cases, disposal requirements, will be developed for each primary constituent material.

"GBB will also evaluate all construction materials needed for the project and incorporate on-site C&D materials wherever feasible," noted Bob Brickner, GBB Executive Vice President. "Typical examples include the grinding and processing of old concrete and asphalt materials into spec materials for reuse as base aggregate materials and/or Recycled Asphalt Pavement that can be easily incorporated into roadways, bike paths, walkways and parking areas."

Less typical examples include supplying project materials to third-party firms that conduct metals recycling, asphalt shingle processing for reuse in new asphalt materials, gypsum scrap processing and gypsum recycling for soil amendments, wood grinding operation for mulch product generation, tire grinding operation for tire-derived fuel generation, used wire recycling and the use of mechanical systems for full scale processing and sorting of mixed C&D waste materials to increase recycling opportunities.

In addition, GBB will seek to reduce local stockpiles of recycled materials when and where it is feasible to do so. Being familiar with C&D processors in eastern North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia, the team will pursue opportunities to use third-party-generated recycled materials for various aspects of the project. With a very good working relationship with North Carolina regulatory officials, GBB will maintain communication throughout the project so that any additional entities that obtain operating permits that could enhance the use of recycled materials will be identified and considered as the project evolves. For more information about the project, visit www.ncturnpike.org/design-

build/midcurrituck/midcurrituck.asp

Corolla Wild Horses being pushed to the brink

The Corolla Wild Horses, Outer Banks' most recognized and popular residents, have been upgraded in their status, which is not a good thing. According to Karen McCalpin, executive director of the Wild Horse Fund, the herd has been moved from Critical to Critical/Nearly Extinct. Below is an email from McCalpin explaining the status change:

After consulting with Dr. Sue Stuska, National Park Service, manager of the Shackleford Banks Banker strain Colonial Spanish Mustangs, I have notified the Equus Survival Trust today that our horses unfortunately qualify to be moved from critical status to critical/nearly extinct. This category requires fewer than 100 active breeding mares. Even combined with the Shackleford mares, we have fewer than 100 between the two wild herds. It is becoming more imperative than ever that we employ every effort and strategy to maintain a large enough herd in Corolla for genetic viability, while increasing our efforts to create off site breed conservation programs. Our primary mission however is to keep these horses wild and free for as long as possible. A herd size of 60 will not allow that. Please be assured that we continue to work diligently for that change. The American wild horse continues to be under siege across the country. We must do everything that we can to hold on to and protect our heritage horses.



Karen H. McCalpin
Executive Director
Corolla Wild Horse Fund
P.O. Box 361
1126 Schoolhouse Lane
Corolla, NC 27927
252-453-8002
www.corollawildhorses.org

Wild Horse tours to potentially be regulated

County officials and locals are looking for a way to keep sight-seeing and horse tours to a reasonable, sustainable, and safe operation....something that has been needed as tour operators have increased in number. I agree with statements in the article that the unguided tours have become a problem as unsupervised visitors have disregarded many property and safety rules. Happy to see some oversight on behalf of residents and officials. Below is an article from the VA Pilot's Jeff Hampton:

Outer Banks' residents seek controls over horse-watchers

By Jeff Hampton
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 5, 2009
Corolla's wild horses continue to draw crowds each summer, fueling an expansion of sightseeing tours that have locals calling for controls on trespassing and crazy driving.

"It's going to get shut down," said Richard Brown, owner of Wild Horse Adventure Tours and supporter of strong rules for tour operators. "Some of them don't care. They're going out there and make as much money as they can until they get rid of it completely."

But coming up with an ordinance that regulates horse-watching traffic on the rugged unpaved roads of the northern Outer Banks neighborhoods isn't easy.

"I don't want to see it get to the point where all of a sudden they say, 'OK, let's cut it out entirely,' " said Vance Aydlett, a Currituck County commissioner. "But turning people loose to run through those mud holes at 40 miles per hour is not a good thing."

Aydlett proposes a committee of tour operators, county staff and northern Outer Banks residents to come up with a plan.

Among the ideas already proposed are bigger speed limit signs, designated tour areas, and operator registrations that include signs on the sides of vehicles for easy identification and easy reporting for misbehavior.

At least six companies operate tours to see a wild herd of about 100 horses roaming through 12,000 acres in Currituck's northern Outer Banks. Two more companies could try to get permits for this summer, said Karen McCalpin, director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

"It's definitely lucrative," she said.

Most of the area is protected and secluded except for a few small communities such as Carova. Typically the horse herd is divided into smaller groups that can be seen grazing in a yard or standing along one of the unpaved roads.

Some tours are guided with a lead SUV such as a Jeep in front of one or more other vehicles. Some have customers ride as a group in a large SUV such as a Suburban. Some companies rent vehicles and provide a map or GPS device. One company runs a large four-wheel-drive bus.

In some cases, a guide vehicle leads a line of eight or more others in a convoy going up the beach through sun-bathing tourists. Eventually such convoys cross over the dunes and into populated neighborhoods.

The worst culprits are among the individuals who rent vehicles without a guide, McCalpin said. Residents report some of them driving onto private property and racing through large mud holes in the roads at high speeds rather than trying to find horses.

"It's a difficult thing to regulate," said Ben Woody, director of the Currituck County planning department.

Corolla's wild horses, believed to be descended from Spanish mustangs, are among the major attractions to the Currituck Outer Banks.

Contributions to the wild horse fund benefit from the publicity.

T-shirts, caps and other items are hot sellers that go toward herd management.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com

Lochner MMM Group Selected as Prime Consultant on Currituck Bridge P3 Project

Once again, a great find by a blog reader, Tony. Kudos to the NCTA for assembling what appears to be quite the conglomerate of all stars with proven track records and expertise in the necessary fields. That said, like being a real estate agent, you are graded on results. Below is a release from Lochner posted in Streetinsider.com:

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lochner MMM Group announces their selection as the lead consultant for engineering and environmental services on the Mid-Currituck Bridge Private-Public Partnership (P3) project for the Currituck Development Group in partnership with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA). Located in Currituck County, North Carolina, the project is estimated at $640 million.

The Currituck Development Group is led by concessionaire/developer ACS Infrastructure Development and Dragados USA with other local engineering and environmental team members, including Arcadis, Golder & Associates, Gibson Engineers, Wetherill Engineering, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Alpha & Omega Group, McKim & Creed and Baird & Associates. Team members also include Traylor Brothers, Weeks Marine, Bermingham Foundation Solutions, ARUP, Planning Communities, Deloitte, Jorgensen and TBE Group.

The team was selected over two other shortlisted proposers. The final selection criteria included: development approach, risk-sharing, revenue planning, technical expertise and personnel and resources.

The NCTA is pursuing the project as a pre-development agreement (PDA), rather than a conventional P3. Terms of the PDA allow the private partner to join the project in the conceptual phase to assist with various pre-development elements. Negotiations on the terms between NCTA and the consortium are expected to continue in the short-term as the project planning is underway. Within 18-months, the NCTA is expected to request a proposal from the consortium for building the new bridge.

The seven-mile project is intended to improve traffic flow between US 158 and NC 12. Additional improvements on NC 12 south of the bridge terminus for a distance of two to four miles, plus improvements on US 158 for emergency evacuation may also be required.

According to Roy Bruce, the environmental and design lead for Currituck Development Group, "The professional team assembled by ACS Infrastructure Development for this project combines proven international P3 experience with extensive North Carolina knowledge. This team is very excited to have this opportunity to work collaboratively with NCTA on this important transportation project."

Lochner MMM Group, LLC is a partnership of H.W. Lochner Inc. (Lochner), a respected US-based engineering firm with a local office in North Carolina for more than 20 years, and the Canadian firm of MMM Group Limited with extensive involvement in more than 18 Canadian P3 transportation projects. The partnership was formed to pursue large-scale public-private partnership transportation projects within the United States. For additional information about Lochner MMM Group, visit www.lochnermmmgroup.com.

Turnpike Board to approve Development Group to build Bridge

The Turnpike Authority is moving full steam ahead for the bridge build. From the real estate end, while activity is slow, I am beginning to get an uptick of inquiry from potential Buyers that correlates with more bridge developments. Hopefully we'll see some stability follow. Below is an article coming from Jeff Hampton of the Virginia Pilot:

Board expected to OK building of $659 million span in N.C.

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority board of directors is expected to approve ACS Infrastructure Development to lead construction and operation of the Currituck midcounty bridge when the board meets on Jan. 21.

Next 18 months
ACS, a North American subsidiary of Grupo ACS of Spain, and eight other companies – including engineers, contractors and a toll operator – will contribute to the investment, design and operation of the midcounty bridge. Final plans and an environmental impact statement are expected to be done early next year.

A group headed by ACS Infrastructure Development, a subsidiary of a firm based in Spain, is set to lead construction and operation of the Currituck midcounty bridge.

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority board of directors is expected to approve the company when it meets on Jan. 21, based on staff recommendations, Steve DeWitt, chief engineer with the authority, said this week.

During the next 18 months, the ACS partners - collectively known as Currituck Development Group LLC - and state officials will work out the design and operation of the seven-mile-long toll bridge over the Currituck Sound, DeWitt said. As part of a private-public partnership intended to cut costs and speed up completion, the group is also an investor in the project.

The model follows a pattern often used in Europe, DeWitt said. Traditionally in North Carolina, contractors bid on projects already designed and make no financial investment.

Completion of the Currituck midcounty bridge is on target for 2013 at an estimated cost of $659 million.

The span, to connect Aydlett on the mainland and the Currituck Outer Banks, is expected to save about an hour travel time, bypassing much of the heavy tourist traffic.

Most state and local officials support construction of the bridge, a project first put on the state's transportation project list in 1989. But costs and environmental concerns delayed construction.

Some residents have opposed the project, saying it would increase traffic and congestion on the Outer Banks.

The Turnpike Authority was established in 2002 by the General Assembly to speed up construction of as many as nine highway projects using tolls and partnerships with private firms. Plans for six projects, including the Currituck midcounty bridge, are under way.

ACS Infrastructure Development, a North American subsidiary of Grupo ACS of Spain, and eight other companies - including engineers, contractors and a toll operator - will contribute to the investment, design and operation of the midcounty bridge.

Final plans and an environmental impact statement are expected to be done early next year.

Toll revenues would offset costs. Earlier projections of tolls ranging from $8 to $12 could change, DeWitt said.