North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission members, during the their November meeting, are expected to consider adopting rules to reinstate Jockey’s Ridge as an area of environmental concern
The two-day meeting, which will also include an update on Cape Hatteras National Seashore, from Superintendent Dave Hallac begins at 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Ocean Isle Beach Town Hall, 111 Causeway Drive. The public may attend the meeting in-person or watch by web conference. The meeting is expected to reconvene at 9 a.m. Nov. 14.
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The Coastal Resources Advisory Council will meet in-person only Nov. 13, at 1 p.m., also at the town hall.
An in-person public comment period is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 13.
Development activities in and around Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head have been regulated since 1984, when the commission designated the sand dune system as a unique geologic feature area of environmental concern.
In October 2023, the Rules Review Commission returned during the periodic rules review process, the rules designating Jockey’s Ridge as an area of environmental concern , and were removed from the state Administrative Code. The commission then adopted emergency and temporary rules reestablishing the area of environmental concern and use standards, according to division documents.
The emergency rules went into effect on Jan. 3, and expired May 13, when the Rules Review Commission objected to the temporary rule. The commission decided to go ahead with permanent rulemaking on April 25, which designated Jockey’s Ridge as an area of environmental concern with use standards that are nearly identical to the original 1984 standards.
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The Division of Coastal Management held a public hearing Oct. 15 at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. There were 17 oral comments all in support of the redesignation, and the division received 32 written comments also in support.
Also during the meeting Nov. 13-14, the commission is expected to consider adopting a handful of rules related to the permitting process, the fiscal analysis for the existing bridges and culverts replacement general permit, and consider oceanfront setback variances in Avon, Nags Head and Oak Island, riparian setbacks in Holden Beach, and impervious surface limits in Figure Eight Island
A full meeting agenda and briefing materials can be found on the commission’s website. Times indicated on the agenda for individual items are subject to change.
