Coastal Management Enforcement
CAMA permits are intended to protect the environment, public-trust rights and the economy of the North Carolina coast. To ensure that Coastal Resources Commission regulations are followed, Coastal Management employs a number of compliance tools. For example, DCM staff monitor projects that have received minor, major or general permits to make sure they are being carried out correctly. Staff also conduct routine aerial flights to look for unauthorized development within Areas of Environmental concern and to monitor permitted development.
The division's most critical compliance tool is enforcement. Someone is determined to be in violation when they begin development in an Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) without a valid CAMA permit or if any of their CAMA-permitted work does not comply with the issued permit or the Coastal Resources Commission's rules. Once a violation has occurred, Coastal Management staff may issue a violation notice, halt development in progress, require restoration of the site and assess a penalty for the violation.
In dealing with violations, Coastal Management's first priority is to seek resource recovery through prompt, voluntary restoration of the damaged area. The division's enforcement authority allows the division to require restoration for activity that could not be permitted, and to assess civil penalties of up to $10,000 for major development violations. The division may assess up to $1,000 for minor development violations. In addition, the division may assess for the costs incurred for investigations, inspections, and monitoring associated with violations.
If you suspect a CAMA violation has occurred, contact the Compliance and Enforcement Representative at the Coastal Management office nearest you.
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