Posted by: ncdcm | October 16, 2012

Public Hearing Tomorrow on Temp. Rule 15A NCAC 07H .0306

As a result of passage of House Bill 819 and it subsequently becoming law (SL2012-202), the Coastal Resources Commission is required to adopt temporary rules allowing for the replacement of single-family or duplex residential structures that cannot meet the setback criteria of 15A NCAC 7H .0306(a)(2). SL2012-202 specifically targets single-family or duplex residential structures greater than 5,000 square feet, which are currently required to be set back from the first line of stable, natural vegetation 120 feet or 60 times the shoreline erosion rate, whichever is greater. In order to qualify for the exemption, the structure being replaced cannot exceed its original footprint or square footage, must meet a minimum setback of 60 feet or 30 times the erosion rate, whichever is greater, and must be located as far landward on the lot as feasible. The provision would only apply to single-family or duplex residential structures constructed prior to August 11, 2009.

A public hearing for this rule will be held Oct. 17 at 5 p.m., at the NC Division of Coastal Management Office, 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, NC. Written comments may be submitted to DCM Director Braxton Davis at Braxton.Davis@ncdenr.gov, or 400 Commerce Ave. Morehead City, NC 28557.

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Posted in News

Posted by: ncdcm | September 20, 2012

State Issues CAMA Major Permit for Bonner Bridge Construction

Following a thorough environmental review, the N.C. Division of Coastal Management has issued a Coastal Area Management Act major permit to the state Department of Transportation to construct a replacement for the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge in Dare County, and to demolish the existing bridge after the new structure is completed.

The permit was issued following a 30-day public comment period, and reviews by four federal and 10 state agencies.  

The Division of Coastal Management has worked closely with DOT and other state agencies throughout the planning and development process for this project. 

DOT plans to replace the existing 2.4-mile two-lane bridge over the Oregon Inlet and related approaches with a new 2.8-mile two-lane bridge and related approaches to the west of the existing bridge. The new bridge will be constructed parallel to the existing bridge. Construction is expected to begin in early 2013.

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Posted in News

Posted by: ncdcm | September 13, 2012

DCM extends date to complete Hurricane Irene repairs

The Division of Coastal Management is allowing an additional 120 days to complete Hurricane Irene construction projects authorized under a CAMA Emergency General Permit. The emergency permit expired on Aug. 29, and all work was to have been completed by that date. However, DCM found that many property owners experienced construction delays due to difficulties in settling insurance claims or securing contractors,  and decided to extend the deadline to give property owners time to complete the permitted work.

 

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Posted in NC DCM, Storms

Posted by: ncdcm | August 27, 2012

DCM’s Hurricane Irene response – one year later

Immediately after Hurricane Irene hit the North Carolina coast last year, DCM and the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources activated a CAMA Emergency General Permit to help our neighbors rebuild storm-damaged coastal structures. 

Since then, the division has issued 967 Emergency General Permits, and also worked to help secure permits for projects that did not meet requirements for the emergency permit.

Emergency general permits speed up the authorization process for rebuilding structures that meet state standards, and also waive permit fees for those projects, as well as beach bulldozing and maintenance dredging of existing channels related to hurricane recovery.

Work authorized under the emergency permits must be completed this week, by Aug. 29.

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Posted in Storms

Posted by: ncdcm | August 21, 2012

N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will meet Aug. 29-30 in Sunset Beach

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission, or CRC, will meet Aug. 29-30 at the Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center in Sunset Beach. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. Aug. 29 and 8:30 a.m. Aug. 30. The meeting is open to the public.

The following are some of the items on the CRC’s agenda:

  • Sandbag Enforcement/Rule Amendments – The CRC’s Ocean Hazards Subcommittee will hear an update on sandbag enforcement prioritization and discuss previously proposed amendments to the commission’s sandbag rules.
  • Sea-Level Rise – N.C. Division of Coastal Management, or DCM, staff will discuss potential future division activities related to sea-level rise.
  • Adoption of Sea-Level Policy for Public Hearings – The CRC will consider approving a non-regulatory sea-level rise policy. The policy would be sent to public hearings before formal adoption.
  • Land Use Planning Process – DCM staff will present the recommendations of a land use planning guidelines review subcommittee.
  • Estuarine Shoreline Stabilization – DCM staff will discuss departmental efforts regarding estuarine shoreline stabilization.
  • CRC Rule Development – The CRC will consider a temporary rule for the replacement of certain oceanfront residential structures, pursuant to section 3 of House Bill 819.
  • Land Use Plan Certifications and Amendments – The CRC will consider land use plan certifications for Southern Shores and Pender County, and land use plan amendments for Swansboro, Jacksonville and Camden County.
  • Public Hearing – The CRC will hold a public hearing on a proposal to incorporate updated long-term average annual erosion rates into the state’s oceanfront development rules.
  • Public Input and Comment – People may comment on CRC issues at 11 a.m. Aug. 30.

 The Coastal Resources Advisory Council, a group that provides the CRC with local government perspectives and technical advice, will meet at 1 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center.

A full meeting agenda is posted on the N.C. Division of Coastal Management’s website.

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Posted in CRC

Posted by: ncdcm | August 16, 2012

Summer 2012 CAMAgram

The summer edition of DCM’s newsletter, the CAMAgram, is now online. If you’d like to recieve our newsletter quarterly via email, please send a request to Michele Walker at michele.walker@ncdenr.gov.

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Posted in News

Posted by: ncdcm | August 14, 2012

NC CRC Schedules Public Hearings on Updated Oceanfront Erosion Rates

The CRC will conduct eight public hearings during August and September on a proposal to incorporate updated long-term average annual erosion rates into the state’s oceanfront development rules.

Hearings will take place in each of the eight coastal counties that contain ocean shoreline: 

  • 5 p.m., Tues., Aug. 28 – New Hanover Co. Government Center, 230 Government Center Dr., Wilmington
  • 5 p.m., Wed., Aug. 29 – Sea Trail Golf Resort and Convention Center, 75A Clubhouse Rd., Sunset Beach
  • 2 p.m., Wed., Sept. 5 – Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Dept., 215 Black Rd., Ocracoke
  • 5 p.m., Thur., Sept. 6 – N.C. Division of Coastal Management, 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City
  • 3 p.m., Tues., Sept. 11 – Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, 1160 Village Lane, Corolla
  • 7 p.m., Tues., Sept. 11– Kill Devil Hills Town Hall, 102 Town Hall Dr., Kill Devil Hills
  • 3 p.m., Thur., Sept. 13 – Surf City Town Hall, 241 N. New River Dr., Surf City
  • 5 p.m., Tues., Sept. 18 – N. Topsail Beach City Hall, 2008 Loggerhead Court, N. Topsail Beach

Written comments may be sent to Braxton Davis, Division of Coastal Management, 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, N.C. 28557, or by e-mail to Braxton.Davis@ncdenr.gov. The deadline for written comments is Oct. 1, 2012.

A long-term average annual erosion rate is based on the average amount of erosion that occurs each year over a period of about 50 years. By measuring movement of the ocean shoreline over a long period of time, the Division of Coastal Management is able to develop a more accurate representation of the net shoreline change, taking into account normal shoreline movement, beach nourishment and storms. 

DCM uses long-term average annual erosion rates in determining setback distances for oceanfront construction. Setbacks are measured from the first line of stable natural vegetation.

Maps of the proposed oceanfront erosion rates are on DCM’s website at http://dcm2.enr.state.nc.us/maps/erosion_rates_2011.htm.

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Posted in CRC, News

Posted by: ncdcm | July 31, 2012

DCM completes first digital map of 12,000-mile N.C. estuarine shoreline

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has completed a project to create the first ever continuous digital map of more than 12,000 miles of estuarine shoreline in North Carolina.Marsh Toe Revetment

The map is the result of a partnership between the state agency and East Carolina University. 

Among its findings, the project identified the mileage of shoreline types such as a marsh or a swamp forest and the number of shoreline structures such as piers and bulkheads along estuarine waterways. Estuarine shorelines are found along the coast’s broad network of brackish sounds, marshes, rivers and creeks. Estuaries are a unique and important part of coastal life – a transitional area where fresh and salt water mix.

“This is a really exciting project,” said Braxton Davis, director of the state Division of Coastal Management, or DCM. “The maps can be used by DCM, local governments and researchers to assess changes in shorelines and structures, study where and why shorelines are eroding, monitor future changes, and better understand development trends along our estuarine shorelines. This work will provide a wealth of useful data for North Carolina’s coastal management program.”

Using the most recently available aerial photography for each county, the estuarine shoreline for all 20 coastal counties has been digitized and is now available to view on the state Division of Coastal Management’s website. 

From broad, shallow sounds like the Albemarle and Pamlico, to narrow bodies of water such as Core and Masonboro sounds, North Carolina has 2.2 million acres of estuarine waters. These shallow sounds, rivers and creeks make up one of the largest estuarine systems in the United States.

Staff from DCM and East Carolina University will continue working together to conduct a more in-depth analysis of the shoreline data, including calculating the length of the five distinct shoreline types and the different types of modified shorelines. They will also work to identify regional shoreline development trends and analyze the distribution of various coastal structures.

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Posted in NC DCM, News

Posted by: ncdcm | July 13, 2012

“Meet me at Masonboro” for summer field trips

Masonboro Island ReserveLearn about sea turtles, estuarine ecology, and the plants and animals of the Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve during three educational field programs led by reserve staff on Saturdays in July and August. 

All sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and will last for one to one-and-a-half hours.

 The scheduled field programs are:

  • July 21, Sea Turtles – Endangered sea turtles nest on Masonboro Island during the summer and use the nearby waters regularly. During this guided field trip, learn about their life history, nesting habits and conservation efforts. 
  • July 28, Estuary Ecology – Estuaries are special places where dynamic forces are the norm. Learn about the tides, currents and winds that bring nearly constant change to the specially adapted habitats and organisms that call the estuary home.
  • August 4, Plants and Animals of the Reserve – Visit several distinct habitats during this field trip across the island from sound to sea. Learn about the unique organisms that live in and use each habitat in this hands-on exploration.

Programs will take place near the north end of the island. Participants should meet just below the north cove at “First Beach” on July 21 and July 28, and should meet just below the second cove at “Third Beach” on Aug. 4. Look for the white tent with the Coastal Reserve banner. Transportation to the island is not provided.

For more information or to register for a field trip, please contact site manager Hope Sutton at 910-962-2998 or suttonh@uncw.edu. Participants can also register at the N.C. Coastal Reserve’s website at www.nccoastalreserve.net.

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Posted in Coastal Reserves

Posted by: ncdcm | June 19, 2012

NC has three new Clean Marinas, six recertified Clean Marinas

Clean Marina logoThree coastal marinas have been certified as North Carolina Clean Marinas, a designation given to marinas that exceed the state’s environmental regulations.  

The Mona Black Marina, Federal Point Yacht Club and Carolina Beach State Park, which are all in Carolina Beach, earned the status as North Carolina Clean Marinas.

The Clean Marina program illustrates how marina operators can help safeguard the environment by using management and operation techniques that exceed environmental requirements. To earn the certification, the marina’s owners prepare spill prevention plans and conduct safety and emergency planning. Marina operators also control boat maintenance activities to protect water quality. Marinas must complete the recertification process every two years in order to retain their certification as a North Carolina Clean Marina.

In addition to the three newcomers, six coastal marinas have been recertified as North Carolina Clean Marinas: Cypress Landing Marina, Harbour Village Marina, Wilmington Marine Center, Joyner Marina, Southport Marina and New Bern Grand Marina.

N.C. Clean Marina is a voluntary program that began in the summer of 2000. Marina operators who choose to participate must complete an evaluation form about their use of specific best management practices. If a marina meets criteria developed by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, it will be designated as a Clean Marina. Such marinas are eligible to fly the Clean Marina flag and use the logo in their advertising. The flags signal to boaters that a marina cares about the cleanliness of area waterways.

Clean Marina is a nationwide program developed by the National Marine Environmental Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to clean up waterways for better recreational boating. The foundation encourages states to adapt Clean Marina principles to fit their own needs.

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