Source: NCDENR, 12/4/13

The public is invited to Atlantic Beach for next week’s meeting of the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission, which will be used to discuss future priorities for the commission, a study on creating a new Area of Environmental Concern for lands adjacent to the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and other coastal development issues.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission, or CRC, will meet Dec. 11-12 at the Hilton Double Tree in Atlantic Beach. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11 and 9 a.m. Dec. 12. The following are some of the items on the CRC’s agenda:
•        Commissioner Orientation – N.C. Division of Coastal Management staff will present information on division programs, including the regulatory, permitting, compliance and enforcement, and land use planning programs. The commission will also hear presentations on rule development and variance procedures.
•        CRC Planning – The commission will review and adopt changes to CRC internal operating procedures, and discuss future priorities for the commission.
•        Cape Fear River AEC Study – N.C. Division of Coastal Management staff will present a draft report of the feasibility of creating a new Area of Environmental Concern for lands adjacent to the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The commission classifies areas as Areas of Environmental Concern to protect them from uncontrolled development, which may cause irreversible damage to property, public health or the environment.
•        Variances – The CRC will hear two requests for variances from its rules.
•        CRC Rule Development – Staff with the N.C. Division of Coastal Management staff will present fiscal analyses of proposed rule amendments regarding 15A NCAC 7H.1300, which simplifies the permitting process for non-commercial boat ramps and associated access docks along estuarine and public trust shorelines; 15A NCAC 7H.1200, which modifies the general permit for piers and docking facilities; and 15A NCAC 7H.0213, which modifies the CRC’s sediment criteria rules for beach nourishment projects. Division staff will also present public comments received regarding 15A NCAC 7H.0304, which proposes to remove the Inlet Hazard Area designation from Mad Inlet and remove the temporary Unvegetated Beach designation from the area in the vicinity of Hatteras Village.
•        Land Use Planning – The CRC will consider certification of two land use plan amendments for the towns of Swansboro and Nags Head, and will hear three land use plan status reports.
•        Public Input and Comment – Members of the public may comment on CRC issues at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 12.

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