When the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission meets later this month in Manteo, members are expected to hear from the public their thoughts on reinstating protections for Jockey’s Ridge.
The commission meeting is to begin at 1 p.m. April 30 and resume at 9 a.m. May 1 in the Dare County Government Center. The public hearing on Jockey’s Ridge is scheduled for 4 p.m. April 30.
Supporter Spotlight
A public comment period is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. May 1. Comments may be limited to 3 minutes per person. The public can attend in person or view the meeting on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s YouTube channel.
The Coastal Resources Advisory Council will have an in-person meeting at 9 a.m. April 30, before the commission’s regular meeting begins.
Related: Jockey’s Ridge protections one step closer to approval
The commission designated in 1984 Jockey’s Ridge, an expansive sand dune system within Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, as a unique geologic feature area of environmental concern.
During the periodic rules review process, the Rules Review Commission in October 2023 dropped 30 rules, including the Jockey’s Ridge designation, giving as reasons a lack of statutory authority, unclear or ambiguous language, that it was unnecessary and failed to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act. The rules were then removed from the state administrative code.
In the time since, the Coastal Resources Commission has been going through the rulemaking process to reinstate the “unique geological feature” that is the centerpiece of Jockey’s Ridge State Park as an area of environmental concern.
Supporter Spotlight
The public hearing for the proposed permanent rule is a step toward restoring the area of environmental concern designation for Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head.
In addition to the public hearing, members are to consider approving beach management plans for Ocean isle Beach and for Carolina Beach, and to vote on the fiscal analyses on a proposal to allow nonpermanent structures on decks and boardwalks on urban waterfronts, and on proposed amendments to ocean hazard area exceptions.
Commissioners plan to hold discussions on human-made ditches and ways to provide information to potential buyers about specific properties and ocean hazard areas of environmental concern.
A full meeting agenda and briefing materials can be found on the the NCDEQ website. Times indicated on the agenda for individual items are subject to change.
