The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will consider next week adopting proposed boundaries of the area of environmental concern for Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
The commission is scheduled to meet at the Tryon Palace History Center, 529 S. Front St. in New Bern at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 27 with a public input and comment period scheduled for 3 p.m. The meeting will resume at 9 a.m. Aug. 28.
Supporter Spotlight
During the coming meeting, the commission is expected to vote on whether to approve the boundaries of Jockey’s Ridge AEC, a designation that creates strict development rules to protect the tallest active sand dune along the Atlantic Coast.
Under the designation, the removal of more than 10 cubic yards of sand in one year within the boundary of the park’s AEC will require a Coastal Area Management Act, or CAMA, permit. Sand that is removed must be placed within an area of the park designated by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management in consultation with the state Department of Natural Cultural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation.
The rule would also prevent sand within the AEC from being altered or prevented from moving freely by development activities “except when necessary” to maintain or construct a road, residential or commercial structure, accessway, lawn, garden, or parking area “unless by allowed by the park’s management plan.
Last year, the CRC unanimously approved a permanent rule identifying Jockey’s Ridge at a unique geologic feature AEC, a designation that has received overwhelming public support.
The commission will also consider adopting amendments to urban waterfront rules and exceptions within ocean hazard areas, and approving the Bogue Banks Beach Management Plan.
Supporter Spotlight
The full agenda and briefing materials are available on the CRC website.
The public may attend the meetings in person or join online on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s YouTube channel.
