Coastal Resources Commission Meets Thursday, Friday
RALEIGH -- The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will hold its regular meeting Thursday and Friday, March 26-27, at the Sheraton in New Bern.
Again at this meeting, the Commission will discuss its rules governing development along inland shorelines -- both shorelines along estuaries and those upstream. The Commission has been trying to determine how well the rules are working to protect water quality, to stem flooding and to prevent erosion.
Since the CRC first approved its rules for development along estuarine waters in 1978, population in North Carolina’s coastal area has increased dramatically. But changes to the CRC’s rules have been minor.
Estuarine waters are areas where fresh and salt water mix. These brackish areas provide important homes for birds, fish, shellfish and other creatures that are not found elsewhere.
Also on the Commission’s agenda:
Public comment period (9 a.m. Thursday, March 26) -- The CRC will hold its regular public comment session to hear public comments and concerns about coastal issues.
Neuse River Management Plan (10 a.m. Thursday, March 26) -- The CRC will hear an update on the plan from a representative of the Division of Water Quality.
Land Use Planning Improvements (1:30 p.m., Thursday March 26) -- The CRC’s Planning & Special Issues Committee will hear a report on improvements to the Land Use Planning program. The committee also will consider land use plan updates for Aurora, Belhaven, Chocowinity, Ocean Isle Beach and Long Beach.
Sandbag Replacement (1:30 p.m., Thursday March 26) -- The CRC’s Implementation & Standards Committee will consider several issues related to sandbag replacement, including whether to allow separate permits to protect a house and septic system on the same property, and whether roads should be subject to the one sandbag permit per property limit.
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For more information, contact Alison Davis at 919-733-2293 or 1-888-378-0529 (pager).
Date Posted: March 24
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