Coastal Policy

  • State Conditions Sunset Beach Dredge Permit

    The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has issued a permit to Sunset Beach to dredge south Jinks Creek but with conditions, including limiting excavation to less than half of the requested depth.

  • NC’s Next Sea Level Rise Study to Eye 2100

    The next update to the state’s periodic review of sea level rise science will consider projections out to 2100, not just the rolling 30-year time table the previous Coastal Resources Commission had mandated.

  • Cleanups Net More Than 200 Tons of Debris

    Efforts to clear wood, fishing gear and other debris that Hurricane Florence scattered along a 42-mile stretch of N.C. coastline collected more than 200 tons and numerous vessels.

  • Swamp No More: New Plan Ahead for River

    No longer classified as a swamp, work is to begin on a new plan to address the Lower Cape Fear River water quality problems that prompted the attempted regulatory end run.

  • CRC to Discuss Challenge to Setback Rules

    The Coastal Resources Commission meets Wednesday in Beaufort and will likely go behind closed doors to discuss a lawsuit over the denial of permits to rebuild an oceanfront house on Seagull Drive in Nags Head.

  • Ports Authority Set to Appeal Permit Denial

    The State Ports Authority will try to persuade the Coastal Resources Commission this week that a proposed expansion project’s economic benefits outweigh any environmental concerns.

  • State Permitting for Marsh Sills Simplified

    N.C. officials this week approved a general permit for a type of shoreline erosion control called marsh sills, easing the application process and putting it on par with that for bulkheads.

  • Nonprofit Outlines Plan for Topsail Projects

    Resource Institute of Winston-Salem, which was granted last year $5 million in state money, is set to lead a task force in prioritizing a list of 23 storm-mitigation projects proposed by the three Topsail Island towns.

  • Surf City Addresses Deck Rules, Stirs Debate

    Surf City town council adopted an ordinance allowing oceanfront property owners of unbuildable lots to build single-level decks no larger than 500 square feet, which is causing debate.

  • Law Tweaks Coastal Barrier Resource Act

    A new law amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, which bars federal spending including flood insurance in designated environmentally sensitive areas, but most of North Topsail Beach remains unchanged.