APNEP State of the Sounds Conference: Nov. 17
Registration Deadline: Nov. 4

Nov. 17, 2011 — New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, 203 S. Front Street, New Bern.
Save the Date!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Nov. 4

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program will host its first State of the Sounds Symposium to coincide with the release of its State of the Sounds assessment report.

The symposium is hosted by North Carolina Sea Grant, Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program and the N.C. Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center.

This event is open to scientists, policy makers, natural resource managers, interested citizens, students and other regional stakeholders. Sessions will explore current scientific developments, management initiatives for environmental restoration and protection, engagement efforts, and other social and ecological issues relating to the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System.

Registration is FREE and is required by Nov. 4. There will be no on-site registration. Register online at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/soundsreg.

For more information, including a general agenda, directions and lodging details, visit:
portal.ncdenr.org/web/apnep/state-of-the-sounds-symposium.

Campus:

The UNC Coastal Studies Institute (UNC CSI) is in the process of constructing new facilities to conduct the mission and activities for this multi-institutional marine science research campus.

UNC CSI will complement NC State’s Center for Marine Science and Technology and UNC Chapel Hill’s Institute for Marine Sciences in the middle of the state and UNC Wilmington’s Center for Marine Sciences in the south by serving as an inter-institutional research center in the NE and by providing collaborative programming in the areas of Maritime Heritage, Coastal Processes and Engineering, Estuarine Ecology and Human Health, and Coastal Sustainability of Human Dimensions.

In 2007, UNC CSI was authorized by the state of North Carolina to build a 90,000 sq ft campus using state of the art LEED certified construction techniques. In 2009, the state purchased 204 acres of upland and marsh with deep water access to support the program’s operational needs. The campus will include a marina facility to support boat and dive dependent work, dormitories to house students and faculty, and a 50,000 sq ft research and education facility.

The facility will use advanced interactive distance education technologies, smart spaces, and sustainable energy and water management systems. The technical and computing resources for UNC CSI will be enhanced by a partnership with the Renaissance Computing Institute, a UNC system wide program which advances the use of supercomputing in research and education.

NC Marine Science Research Facilities (PDF)

Project Status:

Building construction is expected to commence November 2010 with building occupancy in June 2012.

Preliminary site work will commence late summer 2010. This will include rough grading and the excavation of uplands to form a canal and boat basin.

The campus design is in the Construction Documents (CD) phase. The final CDs should be completed in July 2010. These will be submitted to the NC State Construction Office for approval and revision. The project should be ready for the state bid process in the fall 2010.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company is hosting a Subcontractor Meet & Greet at the Dare County Administration Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC 27954, in room 168, on Thursday September 2, at 10:30AM.  The purpose of this event is to meet local subcontractors and HUB / MWBE subcontractors, and inform them of the prequalification and bid time frame for the upcoming Coastal Studies Institute construction project in Manteo, NC. 

Design:

The research and education building will be constructed to LEED standards with a Gold rating expected. (www.usgbc.org)

Wastewater will be treated on-site. Treated wastewater will be used to flush toilets in the dormitories and the marine service building.

Rainwater will be captured and used or treated and infiltrated completely on-site. Research efforts are underway to treat captured rainwater for potable water use at the campus.

Early site work: Preliminary site work is expected to begin mid-summer 2010 to excavate uplands to form a connecting canal and boat basin. The excavated material will be used on-site to establish road beds and building elevations.

Landscape concept: The site will be stabilized during construction using native grass mixes. Final landscaping will include natives rescued on-site and additional native species plants.

The Research Building has 60% of formwork and reinforcing installed on the west side of level 4, with the formwork for the level 4 east stair case completed.  The telecommunications ductbank construction has started.  The Marine Services Building has slab formwork, power ductbank and the gravel sub base completed. (Photos courtesy of Mark Kasten)