MEDIA ADVISORY: State coastal commission will meet Sept. 18-19 in Wilmington

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission and Coastal Resources Advisory Council will meet Sept. 18-19 at the New Hanover County Government Center, Human Resources Training Room, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Sept. 18 and at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 19. A public comment period is scheduled for noon. Sept. 19. At the chairman’s discretion, comments may be limited to three minutes per person.

Prior to the commission meeting, the Coastal Resources Advisory Council will meet at 10 a.m. at the same location.

Both meetings are open to the public

Agenda items for the commission meeting include:

• Variance – The commission will hear a request seeking a variance from the commission’s 30-foot buffer rule to allow an addition to an existing structure.
• Consideration of Fiscal Analysis for the following fiscal analyses for proposed rule amendments:
  • 15A NCAC 7H .0312 – Technical Standards for Beach Fill Projects – this rule amendment reduces the sampling requirements associated with sediment analysis for beach nourishment projects.
  • 15A NCAC 7H .0304; .0306; .0309 and .0310 – Inlet Hazard Areas – this rule will establish new inlet hazard areas and associated development standards.
  • 15A NCAC 7J .0403 & .0404 Development Period/Commencement/Continuation and Development Period Extension – these rule amendments will change the renewal process for CAMA permits and extend their timeframes from three to five years.
• Rulemaking recommendations – The commission will consider amendments to rules concerning permeable surfaces in buffer areas and oceanfront decks and repairs.
• Oceanfront Rules and Implementation – The commission will review its oceanfront setback rules and the lines from which the setbacks are measured.
• Rule Development for Shellfish Lease Permitting – The commission will discuss draft rule language for a general permit for structures associated with shellfish aquaculture leases.
• Public Hearing – The commission will hold a public hearing on the following proposed rules:
  • 15A NCAC 7H .0304; 7H .0309 & 7H .0313 – Modification of these rules will allow more flexibility in the use of sandbags for erosion control around state port inlet areas.
  • 15A NCAC 7H .1900 – General Permit to Allow Temporary Structures Within Coastal Shorelines and Ocean Hazard AECs – Modification of these rules will allow a general permit for temporary structures within coastal shorelines and ocean hazard areas of environmental concern to accommodate scientific research needs.

A full meeting agenda and briefing materials can be found here. Times indicated on the agenda for individual items are subject to change.