The state commission that regulates coastal development will accept comments until Nov. 30 on adding to existing rules a definition for man-made ditches, allowing more colors and sizes of sandbags to protect public roads, and a new general permit for temporary weather monitoring structures on the beach to collect storm data.
The Coastal Resources Commission designates areas of environmental concern, adopts rules and policies for coastal development within those areas, and certifies local land use plans. The Division of Coastal Management, under the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, act as staff to the commission.
Supporter Spotlight
A public hearing is set for 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, in the division’s office at 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City. The commission opened the public comment period on Oct. 1.
In addition to adding the proposed definition of man-made ditches, the language would state that man-made ditches may not be considered public waterways or marshland, or designated as an Area of Environmental Concern.
The proposed amendment on sandbag criteria is to allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to have a broader range of sandbags to consider for protecting public roadways.
“These changes are needed due to recurring erosion events prompting NCDOT to look at alternative sandbag designs that increasingly require NCDOT to seek variances from the existing rule,” the division said.
The new general permit to allow temporary structures on the beach to collect meteorological data during approaching storms, is to “address limitations in existing CAMA permitting procedures, which are not designed to accommodate the rapid, location-uncertain deployment of temporary weather monitoring structures needed to collect time-sensitive data at storm landfall,” the division said.
Supporter Spotlight
Send written comments by Nov. 30 to crcrulemakingcomments@deq.nc.gov, or NC Division of Coastal Management, Attn: Tancred Miller, 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, NC 28557.
To review all related materials for each proposed rule change, visit the CRC proposed rules website.
