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Discussion slated on Coastal Habitat Plan amendment

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North Carolina’s coastal habitats within the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan regions. Map: 2021 draft amendment
North Carolina’s coastal habitats within the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan regions. Map: 2021 draft amendment

The North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee is scheduled to meet next month to review a draft amendment, including recommended actions.

The meeting is set for 1-4 p.m. Aug. 3 and will be held online by web conference.

Also on the meeting agenda, the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Pew Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Workgroup will give a report to the steering committee.

The public can join online at https://ncdenrits.webex.com/ncdenrits/j.php?MTID=m4966e838e55ab48954a4a6e92a9d1b5b. Use meeting number, or access code, 161 675 1697 and password: 1234. To join by phone, call 1-415-655-0003.

A coastwide habitat plan became needed in the 1990s when fish populations, habitat, and water quality concerns were becoming increasingly evident. Resource managers, fishermen, the public, and the legislature recognized that addressing habitat and water quality degradation was critical to improve and sustain fish stocks, as well as the coastal ecosystem, according to the draft.

For more information, contact Jimmy.Johnson@ncdenr.gov with the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership or Anne.Deaton@ncdenr.gov with the Division of Marine Fisheries.

About Staff Report

The story was compiled by staff members of Coastal Review.

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