Coastal Habitat Protection Plan

A Plan to Protect

The overarching goal of the N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) is long-term enhancement of coastal fisheries through habitat protection and enhancement efforts. The North Carolina Marine Fisheries, Environmental Management, and Coastal Resources Commissions unanimously adopted the North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan in December 2004. The document provides information on the habitats’ distribution and abundance, ecological functions and importance to fish production, status and trends, threats to the habitats, and includes recommendations to address threats. The Coastal Habitat Protection Plan is revised every five years to reflect changes in the status of habitat protection in North Carolina.

CHPP Process

Development and implementation of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan is a N.C. Department of Environmental Quality effort. Staff from the department’s divisions with jurisdiction over marine fisheries, water quality and coastal management participate in plan development and implementation. This CHPP Team, consists of staff from the Division of Marine Fisheries, Division of Coastal Management, Division of Water Resources, and Division of Energy, Minerals, and Land Resources. Other agencies, such as Albermarle-Pamlico National Estuarine Partnership, Wildlife Resource Commission, Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, Division of Mitigation Services, and Soil and Water Conservation District have participated on the CHPP Team. To implement recommendations of the plan, the CHPP team develops specific implementation actions.

The CHPP Steering Committee, which consists of two commissioners from the Marine Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Environmental Management commissions reviews and approves the plan, recommendations and implementation actions. They also meet regularly to discuss cross-cutting habitat and water quality issues and solutions and receive updates on CHPP progress. Members of the CHPP Steering Committee serve as liaisons to their full commissions to improve communication across commissions.
 

2021 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Amendment

The NC Coastal Habitat Protection Plan 2021 Amendment was approved by the Marine Fisheries, Environmental Management, and Coastal Resources commissions in November 2021 and by the Department of Environmental Quality in December 2021. It was transmitted to the General Assembly in January 2022. The CHPP received overwhelming public support for implementation of the recommended actions. The 2016 CHPP Source Document will continue to serve as the background document for the amendment. View the documents below to learn more.

North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan - 2021 Amendment

Appendix C. Public Comment Written Letters

2021 Research Priorities from the NC Coastal Habitat Protection Plan

2016 CHPP Source Document