    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

              Coastal Zone
              Information
                 Center
                                      	COASTAL ZONE INFROMATION CENTER

                    STATE GUIDELINES   FOR LOCAL  PLANNING IN THE COASTAL AREA

                                                UNDER

                            THE COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1974

                                             ADOPTED BY
             					THE COASTAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
                                       ON JANUARY 27, 1975

                                           GZIC collection

                                                 AND

                        PROMULGATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF

                                         G.S. 113A-107(e)

                 HE
                 211                           OF THE
                 .N8
                 S73           COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1974
                 1975
                 c.3

                                       US Department of Commerm
                                   NOAA Coastal Services Center Libxtff*
                                        2234 South Hobson Avenue

                                               FOREiWORD

                          These State Guidelines for Local Planning as required

                    in the.Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 are divided into

                    three parts:

                                THE SUMMARY -- is designed for the use of public
                                offici-als throughout the coastal counties who
                                are responsible for the development of local land
                                use plans, and for theinformation of all citizens
                                of the coastal area. It is intended for wide
                                distribution.

                         Ii.    THE LAND USE PLAN -- is for the use of professional
                                planners and others engaged in the collection and
                                analysis of data, supervision of the planning process,
                                and the detailed work of putting the plan in final
                                form. It is intended for more limited distribution.

                         III.   GUIDELINES FOR AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN --
                                is to assure that such areas are included in the
                                land use planning process. It is also for the use
                                of professional planners and is intended for more
                                limited distribution.

                         These Guidelines have been prepared by the North Carolina

                    Coastal Resources Commission with   assistance from the State

                    Planning Office, several divisions of the State Department of

                    Natural and Economic Resources, the Land Policy Council, the

                    Institute of Government and Sea Grant Program at UNC, the Coastal

                    Resources Advisory Council, Lead Regional Organizations in the

                    coastal area, local government officials in coastal counties

                    and municip-alitie s and their professional planning staffs and

                    consultants, other federal and state agency representatives with

                    special interests in coastal planning, and numerous citizens and

                    organizations throughout the 20-county coastal area of North

                    Carolina.

                                                  (i)

                                         Glossary

                   The following abbreviations are used in the Guidelines:

                         AECs   - Areas of Environmental Concern

                         CAMA   -   Coastal Area Management Act of   1974

                         CRC    -   Coastal Resources Commission

                         DNER   -   Department of Natural and Economic Resources

                         LRO    -   Lead Regional Organizations

                                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                Page

                       THE SUMMARY

                       A.  Objectives   . . . . . . . . .  *. . .. . . . . . . .   1

                       B.  Policies   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3

                       C.  Standards    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      7

                           1.   Developing Goals   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8
                           2.   Organizing the Team    . . . . . . . . . . . .     9
                           3.   Achieving Public Participation    . . . . . . .   12
                           4.   Effecting County-City Relationships . . .       . 12
                           5.   Preparing a Time Schedule     . . . . . . . . .   14
                           6.   Protecting Areas of Environmental Concern         15
                           7.   Preparing the Plan--Format and Content            16
                           8.   Classifying Land   . . . . . .    . . . . . . .   19
                           9.   Reviewing and Approving the Plan     . . . . . .  19
                           10.  Distributing the Plan     . . . . . . . . . . .   20
                           11.  The Continuing Planning Process      . . . . . .  20

                       THE LAND USE PLAN

                       A.  Introduction   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     22

                       B.  Statement of Local Land Use Issues, Goals,
                           and Objectives   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     23

                       C.  Data Collection and Analysis     . . . . . . . . . .   24

                             Figure I - Chart of Data Analysis Items     . . . .  25
                           1. Present Conditions     . . . . . . . . . . . . .    26
                             Figure II - Categories for Existing Land      Use  . 28
                           2. Constraints     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     29

                           3. Estimated Demand     . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    31

                       D.  Land Classification     . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    33

                       E.  Areas of Environmental Concern                         43

                                                 (iii')

                       GUIDELINES FOR AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

                       1.0.    Introduction    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      44

                       2.0.    Coastal Wetlands-General      . . . . . . . . . .    48

                       2.1.    Coastal Wetlands-Low Tidal Marshland        . . . .  49

                       2.2.    Coastal Wetlands-Other Coastal Marshland         . . 50

                       3.0.    Estuarine Waters    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      51

                       4.1.    Renewable Resource Areas-Watersheds or
                               Aquifers-General    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      53
                       4.11.   Renewable Resource Areas-Watersheds or
                               Aquifers- Small Surface Water Supplies               53
                       4.12.   Renewable Resource Areas-Watersheds or
                               Aquifers-Special Aquifer Areas-Outer Banks
                               and Barrier Islands      . . . . . . . . . . . .     54
                       5.0.    Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-General     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      55
                       5.1.    Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-Existing National or State Forests             55
                       5.2.    Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-Existing National or State Parks . . . 56
                       5.3.    Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-Existing Wildlife Refuges, Preserves
                               or Management Areas Owned by the State of
                               North Carolina or the Federal Government             57
                       5.4.    Fragile, Historic or Natural Resouirce
                               Areas-Complex Natural Areas       . . . . . . . .    58
                       5.5.    Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-Areas that Sustain Remnant Species             60
                       5.6.    Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-Areas Containing Unique Geologic
                               Formations                 I. . . . . . . . . . .    61
                       5.71.   Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-Historic Places      . . . . .. . . . . . .    61
                       5.72.   Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource
                               Areas-Registered Natural Landmarks                   62
                       6.1.    Public Trust Areas-Public Trust Waters               63
                       7.0.    Natural Hazard Areas-General      . . . . . . .      64
                       7.1.    Natural Hazard   Areas-Sand Dunes Along the
                               Outer Banks                                          64
                       7.2.    Natural Hazard   Areas-Ocean Beaches and
                               Shorelines (on   the Outer. Banks).,,... . . . . . . 65
                       7.3.    Natural Hazard   Areas-FloodWays    . . . . . . .    66

                                                   (iv)

                                                                                  Page
                    7.41.  Natural Hazard Areas-River Flood Plains      . . . . .  67

                    7.42.  Natural Hazard Areas-Coastal Flood Plains       . . . . 68

                    7.50.  Natural Hazard Areas-Excessive Erosion
                           Areas-General   . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . .     69

                    7.51.  Natural Hazard Areas-Excessive Erosion Areas-
                           Coastal Inlet Lands    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    69

                    7.52.  Natural Hazard Areas-Excessive Erosion Areas-
                           Ocean Erodible Areas    . .  . . . . . . . . . . . .    70

                    7.53.  Natural Hazard Areas-Excessive Erosion Areas-
                           Estuarine and Sound and River Erodible areas   . . .    70

                                         US Department of commerce
                                    NOAA Coastal Services Center Library
                                          2234 South Hobson Avenue
                                          Charleston, SC 29405-2413

                                                    (V)

                                                US Department of Commerce
                                             NOAA Coastal Service Center

                THE SUMMARY

                     "State Guidelines for the coastal area shall consist of
                 statements of objectives, policies, and standards to be
                 followed in public and private use of land and water areas
                 within the coastal area." (Coastal Area Management Act of 1974.
                 G.S.113A-107 (a))

                 A. Objectives

                     The purpose of these State Guidelines is to assist local

                 governments in each of the 20 coastal area counties with the

                 preparation of their own individual land use plans.

                     Each county and each city or town within a coastal county

                 is encouraged to develop a plan which reflects the desires,

                 needs and best judgement of the citizens residing within its

                 boundaries.

                     When completed these 20 individual county land use plans

                 will form the basis for a "comprehensive plan for the protection,

                 preservation, orderly development, and management of the coastal

                 area of North Carolina", which is the primary objective of the

                 Coastal Area Management Act of 1974.

                     It is, therefore, essential that each of the municipal plans

                 and each of the 20 county plans not only take into,consideration

                 the geography, the economy and the traditional life style of the

                 local area, but is also in harmony with the pians developed by

                 the other 19 coastal counties andtakes into consideration both

                 state and national interests.

                     In this way the people of the coastal area, working through

                 their local officials and with the assistance of professionally

                 trained specialists, can realize the goals of the Coastal Area

                 Management Act of 1974.

                                              -1-

                       A problem arises at the very outset, however, because the
                   Coastal Area Management Act is such a detailed and'lengthy

                   document few coastal residents have read it, and fewer still

                   have studied it sufficiently to fully understand it.

                       Yet, the Act requires the development and-adoption of a

                   land use plan for each county in the coastal area, and further

                   requires that each county plan conform to State Guidelines,

                   which in turn "shall be consistent with the goals of the

                   coastal area management system," as set forth in that first

                   part of the Act.

                       Thus it is essential for any local official or any coastal

                   citizen involved in developing a local land use plan to under-

                   stand the legislative goals of the management system as stated

                   in G.S. 113A-102(b). Briefly, they are:

                       1.  To provide a management system capable of preserving
                           and managing the natural ecological conditions of the
                           estuarine system, the barrier dune system, and the
                           beaches, so as to safeguard and perpetuate their
                           natural producitivity and their biological, economic
                           and aesthetic values.

                       2.  To insure that the development or preservation of the
                           land and water resources of the coastal area proceeds
                           in a manner consistent with the capability of the land
                           and water for development, use, or preservation based
                           on ecological considerations.

                       3.  To insure the orderly and balanced use and preservation
                           of our coastal resources on behalf of the people of
                           North Carolina and the nation.

                       4.  To establish policies, guidelines and standards for
                           the conservation of resources; the economic development
                           of the coastal area; the use of recreational lands and
                           tourist facilities; the wise development of trans-
                           .portation and circulation patterns; the preservation
                           and enhancement of historical, cultural and scientific
                           aspects of the region; and the protection of common
                           law and public rights in the lands and waters of the
                           coastal area.

                                                   -2-

                   B   Policies

                       The basic policy decisions in any effective program

                   of county-wide land use planning must be made within the

                   county -- by people familiar with local tradition, local

                   problems and local desires for the future.

                       Though the final determination of policy is the

                   responsibility of the elected officials, the process extends

                 .far beyond the courthouse. Within the structure of county

                   government the Planning Board is obviously involved, though

                   it is equally important to have input in their areas of

                   special knowledge from all other agencies of government

                   ranging from the Sheriff, Tax Supervisor and Tax Collector

                   to the Board of Education and school administrators, and

                   the Health & Social Services departments.

                       Equally important is the involvement of the city council,

                   and of departments, boards and commissions of each in-

                   corporated municipality, not just with regard to the lands

                   within their city limits, but in adjoining areas as well.

                       Finally, it is important to.secure the views of a

                   wide cross section of citizens, representing not only

                   each different geographical area of the county, but those

                   who can ably represent the varying economic, social, ethnic,

                   and cultural interests as well.

                       Once widespread local input is assured, the task

                 .becomes one of indentifying those matters on which local

                   value judgements are needed.

                       In any community there is a drive for growth and

                                              -3-

                  changes which can provide the facilities, services and

                  strengthened economic base which most people equate with

                  a full and happy life. At the same time there is mounting

                  concern over human meddling with the ecological balance.

                  And many tend to prefer the environment in which they

                  were reared in coastal North Carolina to the more frenzied

                  and complex life style of more'urbanized sections of the

                  country. Each of these factors must be weighed carefully

                  before decisions can be made which will help shape the

                  form of life for generations yet unborn.

                      For example, if a large part of the land in a coas@al

                  county has been put to use as farmland, with the result

                  that agriculture has been the mainstay of the economy

                  for generations, then the decision must be made whether

                  to retain this traditional emphasis on farming; or to

                  allow limited industrial expansion; or to abandon the

                  agricultural base entirely. The same considerations

                  apply in areas where commercial fishing, forestry or

                  tourism have figured prominently as an economic base.

                      The very fact that coastal North Carolina has such

                  an extensive shoreline, along the  sounds, rivers and bays

                  as well as the Atlantic Ocean, has brought extreme

                  pressures in recent years to accommodate the growing numbers

                  of tourists and summer residents drawn to the area. Yet

                  at the same time that many coastal communities have

                  experienced the benefits of the flow of tourist oriented

                  dollars, they have most often been affected as much by

                                              -4-

                  the attendant problems of providing water, waste disposal

                  facilities, roads, police protection and numerous other

                  services, unthought of a few years back, for the growing

                  throngs.

                      These are the questions which must be decided locally

                  using land use planning as the basic tool. A key factor

                  to bear in mind at all times in this process is the number

                  of people the local area wants to accommodate eventually.

                  If planning in a particular area is geared to handle a

                  population of one hundred thousand people, and through

                  the course of time that number take up residence, then

                  there is a good chance of coping with the problems attendant

                  on growth. But if a million people eventually show up in

                  an area geared to handle one-tenth of that number, then

                  the whole planning process will have been useless.

                      It should be borne in mind throughout the planning

                  process that the county and municipal plans must take

                  into consideration not only local and area needs, but

                  state and national interests as.well.

                      Fortunately for local governments, given the restraints

                  of available time and funds, one important matter of

                  policy throughout the coastal area was determined by the

                  General Assembly when the Coastal Area Management Act

                  of 1974 was enacted into law. This was the specific

                  instruction to the Coastal Resources Commission to

                  identify critical areas which need to be considered

                  for protection and possible preservation in each county;

                  and to formally designate them as "Areas of Environmental

                                              -5-

                  Concern", in which any proposed development, change or

                  other use of the land will be subject to review before

                  permits for development are granted. Once these Areas

                  of Environmental Concern have been proposed, after

                  extensive review by local authorities and by the public,

                  they will be designated by the Commission for inclusion

                  in each county-wide plan.

                      Simply stated, the ultimate policy decision is how to

                  achieve responsible and needed growth within the capacity

                  of the land and adjacent waters to sustain it. The framers

                  of the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 deliberately

                  placed this decision in local hands.

                     When properly carried forward the land use planning

                  process never ceases, for it is continually affected by

                  changes in population, economics, technological develop-

                  ment and life style. As an obvious example, any land

                  use plan developed before the invention of the automobile

                  would have to be revised drastically to take into con-

                  sideration the need for highways and the impact of motor

                  vehicles on the way people live and how they earn their

                  living.

                     Each of the local land use plans called for in the

                  Coastal Area Management Act of 1974, therefore, can be

                  no more than a foundation to which future planning can

                  be added in the.light of our rapidly changing environment.

                     The Coastal Resources Commission recognizes this, and

                  recognizes also the problems resulting from the required

                  time schedule for completion of local plans, and the

                                              -6-

                    limitations on available funding. But the Commission

                    is equally aware that this entire effort will have been

                    wasted if each local government does not produce a land use

                    plan which will serve as a solid foundation for the future.

                    C. Standards

                        Traditionally the process of developing a land use

                    plan begins with the collection of a vast amount of data,

                    ranging from figures on population and income to maps

                    showing topography, soil classification and current land

                    uses.

                        This is generally followed by a detailed analysis of

                    the collected data, the development of local objectives,

                    preparation of new maps, and the drawing up of plans

                    and budgets for the construction of new facilities to

                    accommodate the projected expansion and growth.

                        It is a time consuming procedure, the culmination

                    of which most often is the printing of thick documents

                    containing a mass of written material, maps and charts.

                    Unfortunately these are infrequently read, and seldom

                    studied and implemented, and in many cases they end up

                    stored in the basement of the courthouse for posterity

                    or the trash collector.

                        The Coastal Area Management Act does not provide

                    sufficient time for the local governments of coastal North

                    Carolina to follow these traditional land use planning

                    practices if   they        are to complete their basic

                    plans by the November, 1975 deadline.

                                                 -7-

                 Neither does the Coastal Resources Commission want any

                 local goverrnent to go through the motions of preparing  a

                 traditional but relatively meaningless plan just to conform

                 to the requirements of the Act and these Guidelines.

                     Therefore, every effort has been made in these

                 Guidelines to rearrange, simplify and streamline the

                 procedures, so that none of the 20 coastal counties will

                 be required to do more during the course of the 1975

                 p.lanning effort than it can realistically expect to

                 accomplish in that period of time.

                     The basic objective, in short, is for each local

                 governmental unit in the coastal area to determine its

                 long-range development goals and translate these into

                 clearly understandable written descriptions and maps

                 which will serve as a firm foundation and practical

                 guide for all future planning and development.

                     Specifics of this planning process are dealt with

                 in the following eleven sub-sections:

                     1. Developing Goals

                         From the outset the emphasis of the citizen

                     planners -- County Commissioners, city officials,

                     Planning Board members and citizens serving on

                     advisory committees -- shoul d be directed toward

                     formulating the local development plan. This

                     calls first for the involvement of a large segment

                     of the citizens in determining what they want their

                     area to be like for future generations, and finally

                     for value judgements by the local governing body

                                              -8-

                       in the process of articulating the goals.

                           0nly when these general policies and goals have

                       been set will the planning process move into the area of

                       data analysis, map preparation and development of the

                       specifics of the plan.

                       2. organizing the Team

                           In any area, county or city, the team setting out

                       to put together an understandable and meaningful land

                       use plan must consist of a number of elements:

                           (a) The Local Elected Officials. They head the

                       team and most often delegate direct responsibility

                       to the Planning Board, but retain final authority for

                       approval of the plan.

                           (b) The Planning Board. It should   be composed of

                       individuals representative of different backgrounds,

                       interests and geographic areas.. A successful Planning

                       Board directs the planning operation, with the

                       assistance of the planning staff or consultants,

                       and this calls for extensive study and continuing

                       involvement in the process by all members. Individuals

                       not able or willing to devote a large part of their

                       time to this public service activity during 1975

                       will do a disservice to their counties and their

                       fellow citizens by being Planning Board members in

                       name only.

                           (c) The Coastal Resources Advisory Council Members.

                       These are local citizens whose role on the planning

                       team is liaison with the Coastal Resources Commission.

                                             -9-

                       (d) Professional Planners. Whether on salary or

                  under contract, they are paid to assemble data, analyze

                  information, identify problems, prepare maps, charts

                  and background reports, and provide assistance and

                  professional guidance to the citizen planners. It

                  is not their job to make policy decisions, or to

                  dominate the planning process.

                      A number of coastal counties, municipalities and

                  special districts already have various plans and studies

                  which contain extensive data pertinent to the planning

                  process.
                      In addition, considerable additional data has been

                  assembled since the CAMA became effective July 1, 1974,

                  and local planning staffs will continue the process

                  of accumulating maps, written material and statistics

                  as the plan develops. Much of this material will come,

                  without local effort or expense, from the CRC, DNER,

                  other departments of State Government, and agencies of

                  the Federal Government.

                       (e) Representatives of Local Public Agencies.

                  The experience and knowledge of these officials and

                  department heads ca n add immeasureably to the planning

                  process as well as helping to insure that the land use

                  decisions they make in their own activities are con-

                  sistent with county-wide goals and policies. The

                  most effective way to involve representatives of the

                  various agencies within the county is to have them serve

                  on an advisory council which meets on a regular basis.

                                        _10-

                       Coordination between.county and city governments is

                       perhaps of even greater importance and is discussed

                       in more detail in section 4 of the Standards.

                           (f) State and Federal Agencies. Especially in

                       counties which have extensive State and Federal

                       installations or land holdings it is important to

                       involve all agencies with a direct interest or

                       expertise in local land use problems. Obvious

                       examples are the National Park Service, defense

                       installations, and the State divisions of parks and

                       of forests. In all counties there is involvement by

                       other agencies, especially those concerned with dredge

                       and fill applications and other permits.

                           (g) -Citizens. Their involvement is probably the

                       most essential ingredient of a successful land use

                       planning program. Not only is it difficult, if not

                       impossible, for a handful of elected officials and

                       planners to develop a long range land use plan which

                       fully reflects the desires and needs of all citizens,

                       but it has been proven time and again that when citizens

                       are not directly involved in the planning they are

                       reluctant to support the actions and funding required

                       for future implementation.

                          Citizens can be involved in two different ways.

                       First, some counties already have formed county-wide

                       Advisory Committees, working with their planning boards

                       and planners on a continuing basis. Second, it is essential

                       to involve a large segment of the citizens throughout the

                       county as described in Section 3 of the Standards.

                     3. Achieving Public Participation

                         Because of the importance of public participation
                     in land us e planning the Commisson has prepared'a

                     special Handbook for Elected Offic ials on Public

                     Participation in the Development of Land Use Plans
                     in the Coastal Areas' of North Carolina for separate

                     publication and extensive distribution to all involved

                    .or interested citizens.

                         The Handbook contains detailed descriptions of

                     methods which have proven effective elsewhere in each

                     of the two basic step s necessary for effective public

                     participation -- first Informing the Public, and then

                     getting Public Involvement in the planning program.

                         Before approval of any land use plan the Commission

                     will require that the plan include a statement outlining,

                     the methods employed in securing public   participation

                     and the degree of that participation.

                     4. Effecting County - City Relationships

                         In the final analysis the individual plans for the

                     municipalities are an important part of the overall

                     county plan. It is imperative to devise some method

                     for having representatives of municipalities serve on

                     a permanent advisory council.

                         The relationship of cities to counties, and of

                     counties to cities, is one not fully defined in the

                     Coastal Area Management Act. Many additional questions

                     will arise which are not covered in the CAMA and cannot

                     be anticipated in these guidelines.

                                             -12-

                      Specific questions on coordination must therefore

                      be worked out locally.

                           Already, in some counties, a close working re-

                      lationship is being developed between the county and

                      city planning boards, and similar coordination and

                      cooperation is essential to the planning process

                      throughout the coastal area.

                          Just as it will be the responsibility of the CRC

                      to mesh the individual plans from all 20 counties into

                      a single comprehensive plan for the entire coastal area

                      of North Carolina, it is the responsibility of local

                      governments within each county to combine their plans

                      into a single comprehensive county-wide plan.

                          The official policy of the Commission on county-city

                      planning relationships is as follows:

                          "It is the policy of this Commission that in every

                      instance city plans shall be considered as integral

                      parts of the county plans."

                          "It is the further policy of this'Commission to

                      encourage cities which so desire to develop their own

                      land use plans, carefully coordinated with county plans

                      prepared in the manner provided in the Coastal Area

                      Management Act of 1974."

                          To implement this policy the CRC recommended, and the

                      Secretary of DNER has authorized, the allocation of grant

                      funds to qualifying cities for this purpose.

                          Further, the Commission and the Coastal Resources

                      Advisory Council are available to work with local

                                            -13-

                 governments in developing cooperative programs.

                 5. Preparing a Time Schedule

                     The CAMA provides that the Commission must adopt

                 these guidelines no later than January 27, 1975, and that

                 each locality must complete the preparation and adoption of

                 its land use plan within 300 days thereafter. The

                 effective date for these Guidelines is January 27,  1975,

                 which means that the local p lans must be adopted by

                 November 23, 1975.

                      This is a tight schedule, made even tighter by the

                 CAMA requirement that a public hearing be held prior to

                 plan adoption, and that copies of the proposed plan must

                 be available for public inspection 30 days before the

                 hearing.

                     The CRC has identified a few key dates by which

                 times local governments will have completed,certain

                 actions in the planning process and these are listed

                 below. Each local government will need to prepare a

                 detailed work program based on their particular

                 situation which adheres to these few key dates and submit

                 it to the CRC for review early in the planning process.

                     March 1, 1975 - Submit to the CRC a detailed work

                 program which includes:

                     1)  a Public Participation section which describes
                         when and how the public is to be involved
                         throughout the planning process (See the
                         Handbook for Elected Officials on Public
                         Participation in the Development of
                         Land Use Plans in the Coastal Areas of
                         North Carolina for suggestions).

                                        -14-

                           2)  a County-City coordination section which
                               describes how these planning programs will
                               be integrated.

                           3)  a time schedule to insure completion and sub-
                               mission of the Adopted Plan to the CRC by
                               November 23, 1975.

                           August 1, 1975 - The development of local goals
                       should have progressed sufficiently to begin the pre-
                       paration of the written part of the plan.

                           October 1, 1975 - The proposed plan should be com-
                       pleted, for review by the local officials and
                       appropriate agencies. A copy of the proposed plan
                       should be mailed to the Commission.

                           October 10, 1975 - The proposed plan must be com-
                       pleted and be circulated for formal review. Hearing
                       notification must be published in a newspaper of general
                       circulation in the planning area giving the date, time
                       and place of the hearing.

                           November 10, 1975 - One joint public hearing must
                       be held no later than this date where the county plan
                       land one or more city plans if applicablel are presented
                       and receive comments.

                           November 11, 1975 - Work should begin on making final
                       changes in the plan, including those resulting from the
                       public hearing.

                           November 23, 1975 - This is the deadline for adoption
                       of the plan.

                           November 24, 1975 - A certified copy of the adopted
                       plan shall be delivered to the Commission.

                           December 1, 1975 - Twenty additional copies of the plan
                       shall be delivered to the Commission, 15 for the individual
                       commissioners and five for staff review.

                       6. Protecting Areas of Environmental Concern

                           "They (State Guidelines) shall give particular
                       attention to the nature of development which shall be
                       appropriate within the various types of areas of
                       environmental concern that may be designated by the
                       Commission." (Coastal Area Management Act of 1974
                       G.S.113A-107 (a))

                           The Act contains detailed procedures to be followed

                       by the Coastal Resources Commission and others before

                       Areas of Environmental Concern can be designated -- but

                  no time schedule or deadline is included.

                      The first step in the AEC process -- identifying

                  "Interim" Areas of Environmental Concern -- was begun

                  in the summer of 1974 and will not be completed until

                  after adoption of these Guidelines.

                      The final steps required by the Act are even more time

                  consuming, which means there is little likelihood that

                  permanent Areas of Environmental Concern could be

                  designated by the Commission until after the deadline

                  for completion of local . land use plans in November, 1975.

                      The Commission has, however, developed land use standards

                  to insure that potential AECs are adequately considered

                  in the land use planning process. These standards, which

                  are set forth in Part III, clearly define each area and

                  establish policy objectives and general standards for their

                  appropriate use. They are intended for use in the pre-

                  paration of local land use plans. More detailed standards

                  and criteria to be used in per mit letting will be published

                  at a later date as an amendment to these Guidelines.

                  7. Preparing the Plan     Format.and Content

                      "A land use plan for a county shall .....consist  of
                  statements of objectives, policies, and standards to  be
                  followed in public and private use of land within the
                  county, which shall be supplemented by maps showing the
                  appropriate location of particular types of land or water
                  use and their relationship to each other and to public
                  facilities ..... (It shall contain) specific criteria for
                  particular types of land or water use in particular
                  areas ..... (and) give special attention to the protection
                  and appropriate development of areas of environmental
                  concern..." (Coastal Area Management Act of 1974.G.S.113A-
                  110 (a))

                      So long as the above directives from the Act are

                  followed the Commission has wide  latitude in establishing

                                         -16-

                      guidelines for what an acceptable land use plan shall

                      consist of, and for the form it should take. The

                      Commission is exercising that latitude by departing from

                      conventional land use plan concepts and calling instead

                      for simplicity and.innovation in these Guidelines with

                      the conviction that the resultant plans will be brief and

                      understandable, and thus practical and meaningful.

                          An approved plan shall consist of two documents,

                      one being a complete Land Use Plan for limited distri-

                      bution to those who will be involved  in implementation

                      and follow-up, and the other a concise Synopsis for wide

                      distribution to the public.

                          The Synopsis shall contain a clear summation of the

                      essential elements of the long range land use program

                      prepared by the citizens. The complete Land Use Plan

                      shall contain the Synopsis, supplemented by considerable

                      additional detail and back-up information.

                          Both the Synopsis and the complete Land Use Plan

                      shall be adopted by the local governing body on or before

                      November 23, 1975, and submitted to the Coastal Resources

                     .Commission. These two.documents represent only the

                      beginning of a continuing planning process, and the

                      Commission anticipates that additional studies will be

                      necessary to strengthen and implement the plan. Local

                      governments are encouraged to forward these additional

                      planning documents to the Commission as they are developed.

                          a.  Synopsis

                          The written text of the Synopsis shall be no more

                      than 20 double-spaced typewritten pages in leng th.

                                             -177

                        It shall containan identification of the major

                    land use issues or problems in the area, a clear state-

                    ment of land use goals and objectives, and an explanation

                    of how and why the long range goals were developed. This

                    should be backed up with a summary of past and present
                    land use conditions and trends.      I                             I
                        Particular attention should be given to the capability

                    of the land to sustain whatever growth is called for, with

                    emphasis on the limitations of the natural resources of

                    the area. Mention should be made also of projected

                    changes in population, 5, 10,, 25 and 50 years in the

                    future, with attention given to the type of services

                    needed to accommodate such growth.

                        The written Synopsis shall also contain an explanation

                    of the Land Classification Map with special attention

                    to the relationship between cities and the county.

                        A separate section shall list and describe Areas

                    of Environmental Concern, stressing their relationship

                    to adjacent areas, and appropriate land uses.

                       .Final ly the written Synopsis shall contain a concise

                    explanation of the steps which will be required in the

                    future for implementation of the plan; a method for

                    providing periodic review and revision in the light of.

                    changes in life style, the environment and economic

                    pressures; and a proposed method for widespread

                    distribution of the Synopsis..

                        b. The Complete Land Use Plan

                        Details on the contents of the Land Use Plan are

                    given in Part II of these Guidelines.

                       8. Classifying Land

                           A simplified land classification system for the coastal

                       area has been adopted by the CRC after concurrence with the

                       State Land Policy Council. It consists of five classes

                       of land, which shall be employed by counties in their land

                       use plans:

                           a.  DEVELOPED - Lands where existing population
                               density is moderate to high and1where there are
                               a variety of land uses which have the necessary
                               public services.

                           b.  TRANSITION - Lands where local government plans
                               to accommodate moderate to high density develop-
                               ment during the following ten year period and
                               necessary public services will be provided to
                               accommodate that growth.

                           C.  COMMUNITY - Lands wherelow density development
                               is grouped in existing settlements or will occur
                               in such settlements during the following ten
                               year period and which will not require extensive
                               public services now or in the future.

                           d.  RURAL - Lands whose highest use is for agriculture,
                               forestry, mining, water supply, etc., based on
                               their natural resource potential. Also included
                               .are lands for future needs not currently recognized.

                           e.  CONSERVATION - Fragile, hazard and other lands
                               necessary to maintain.a healthy natural environ-
                               ment and necessary to provide for the public
                               health, safety, or welfare.

                       9.  Reviewing and Approving the Plan

                           Each plan will be reviewed carefully by the Commission

                       and staff as soon as possible.after receipt. In compliance

                       with the.CAMA interested persons will be given the

                       opportu nity to present objections or comments, in writing,

                       within 30 days after the date of approval by the local

                       governing body.

                                             -19

                         Within 45 days after receipt of the local plan the

                     Commission will either approve the plan or notify the

                     county of the specific changes which must be made

                     in order for it to be approved.

                     .10. Distributing the Plan

                          Every effort should be made to provide a copy of

                     the Synopsis of the Land Use Plan for each citizen

                     in the county.

                          It is recommended that the county arrange to mail

                     a copy of the Synopsis to each listed taxpayer during

                     the calendar year of 1976. This can be enclosed with

                     the annual tax bill, though it would be preferable to

                     provide for an earlier mailing.

                          Alternative methods of accomplishing widespread

                     distribution should be proposed to the Commission when

                     the approved plan is forwarded.

                     11. The   Continuing Plann ing Process

                          Too frequently in the past counties and municipalitiesil

                     in North Carolina and elsewhere, have expended considerable

                     effort and public funds in developing land use plans,

                     and then shelved them.

                          In many instances a root cause for failure to

                     implement such a plan has been the fact that there was

                     inadequate citizen involvement -- first in not being

                     informed of the problems; second in not becoming

                     actively involved in the planning process; and finally

                     in not being familiar with the plan once it was completed.

                          An equally pertinent reason for non-implementation

                     is the process by which County Commissioners and

                                             -20-

                       municipal officials are elected, and Planning B-oard

                       members are appointed. Too often, by the time a plan

                       has been completed and printed the individuals who worked

                       hardest on it are no longer in office, and their successors

                       have their hands full familia rizing themselves with their

                       new jobs and current problems.

                            This is the first attempt in North Carolina, and

                       apparently in any of the other 49 states, to provide for

                       the development of land use plans simultaneously by a

                       large number of counties and municipalities in a large

                       geographic area.

                            It gives the CRC and local government in coastal

                       North Carolina a unique opportunity to develop land use

                       plans which can serve as a standard for numerous other areas

                       to follow.

                            Thus it is imperative for each involved agency of local

                       government to devise the most practical and applicable

                       methods for insuring that the 1975 Land Use Plan will

                       be implemented and not shelved.

                                           -21-

                      THE LAND USE PLAN

                      A. Introduction

                          The land use plan shall contain the following basic

                      elements:

                          1) A statement of Local Land Use Issues, Goals and
                              Objectives;
                          2)  A summary of Data Collection and Analysis;
                          3)  A Land Classif:ication Map;
                          4)  Written text describing and indicating appropriate
                              development for Areas of Environmental Concern
                              (with supplemental maps where possible).

                          The constraints imposed by statutory time schedules will

                      require the land use@plans produced under the provisions of the

                      Coastal Area Management Act to be basic, simplified documents.

                      These four elements represent a minimum level of planning

                      necessary to fulfill the objectives of the Act. Counties and

                      municipalities are encouraged to use these minimum guidelines

                      as a foundation from which to establish a more comprehensive

                      planning and managemen  t process.

                          While the Land Classification System permits a general

                      expression of future development patterns, some counties

                      and municipalities (particularly the more urbanized ones)

                      may find it useful to formulate a detailed land use map as

                      well as the land classification map. Those desiring to take

                      this additional step are encouraged to do so, and to submit

                      to the Commission'the detailed land use map in support of the

                      land classification map.

                          The local land use plan, including the land classification

                      maps, must be updated every  five years. If any local plans

                      and maps are not updated by the local planning unit and

                      submitted for reapproval to.the Coastal Resources Commission

                                              -22-

             by the end of six years,.the plans and maps become void and

             updated plans and maps will be prepared by the CRC for use

             in that local area.

             B. Statement of Local Land Use Issues, Goals, and Objectives

                 The local planning unit shall, in cooperation with its

             citizens and all relevant public agencies, identify the

             major land use issues facing the planning area and formulate

             a series of goals and objectives to help guide future develop-

             ment. The major land use issues which will be faced during

             the following ten year period should be identified and

             analyzed. Such issues should include:

                 1)  The impact of population and economic trends;
                 2)  The provision of adequate housing and  other services;
                 3)  The conservation of productive natural resources;
                 4)  The protection of important natural environments;
                 5)  The protection of cultural and historic resources.

                 Alternative approaches for dealing with these issues

             and their respective implications should then be considered

             in the development of land use goals, objectives and policies.

             These clearly stated goals, objectives and policies should

             serve as a guide to classifying land areas as well as clearly

             establishing priorities for action during the planning period.

             While the emphasis is to be on setting priorities for the

             ten year period, eventual population projections for 5, 10,

             25 and 50 years in the future shall be-defined consistent,

             with the desires of the people and the capability of the land

             and adjacent waters to sustain them. Consideration shall be

             given to the type and cost of services needed to accommodate

             those population projections and to the ability of the local

                                      -23-

                     economy to finance such services. It is recognized that

                     projections for 25 and especially 50 years may not be very

                     accurate, but even a rough projection can provide a long-

                     range perspective on growth.

                         A brief description shall also be given of the process used

                     to determine issues and arrive at local goals, objectives

                     and policies with particular attention given to the partici-

                     pation of the public and relevant public agencies.

                     C. Data Collection and Analysis

                         The data collection and analysis items detailed below

                     are designed to encourage consistency in th e planning efforts

                     of the coastal counties to facilitate the Commission's review

                     of the plans. They have been formulated so as not to place

                     a large burden on the planning resources of the localities.

                     The requirements can generally be fulfilled by utilizing

                     existing local plans and studies as well as information pro-

                     vided by regional planning bodies and State agencies. The

                     items set forth here provide the basic information necessary

                     to initiate an effe ctive planning pr ocess, to assist in

                     formulating local objectives, and to prepare a land classifi-

                     cation map. Those counties and municipalities desiring to

                     be more detailed or comprehens ive than these.guidelines

                     suggest are encouraged to do so. Figure I briefly sets forth

                     the required items and illustrates possibilities for additional

                     planning studies.

                         The process suggested by the data items outlined below

                     begins with an examination of the present  situation. An

                     estimate is then made of what land use demands are likely to

                                              24-

                                                                                                            FIGURE I

                                                                                      REQUIRED AND OPTIONAL DATA ANALYSIS ITEMS

                                                   ELEMENT                                                      REQUIRED                                                     OPTIONAL

                              1. PRESENT CONDITIONS:

                                 a. Population and Economy                                 Brief analysis, utilizing existing information.               More detailed analyses relating to human resources
                                                                                                                                                         (population composition, migration rates,
                                                                                                                                                         educational attainment, etc.) and economic
                                                                                                                                                         development factors (labor force characteristics,
                                                                                                                                                         market structure, employment mix, etc.).

                                 b. Existing Land Use                                      Mapped at generalized cat   egories, Figure 11.               Mapped with More detailed categories including
                                                                                                                                                         more detailed analyses, building inventory, etc.

                                 C. Current Plans, Policies, and Regulations

                                    I) Plans& Policies                                        1) Listing and summary.                                       1) Detailed impact analysis of plans & policies
                                                                                                                                                               upon land development patterns.
                                    2) Local Regulations                                      2) Listing and description of their enforcement               2) Detailed assessment of adequacy and de      gree
                                                                                                  mechanism.                                                   of enforcement.
                                    3) Federal & State Regulations                            3)  Listing and  summary (to be Provided by N.
                                                                                                  C. Dept. of Natural & Economic Resources).

                             2, CONSTRAINTS:

                                 a. Land Potential

                                    1) Physical Limitations                                   1)  Analysis of following factors (maps if                    1) Detailed analysis and mapping of required
                                                                                                  information available):                                      items.

                                                                                                  � Hazard Areas                                            Analysis and mapping of additional factors:
                                                                                                  * Areas with soil limitations
                                                                                                  � Sources of water supply                                    9 Water quality limited areas
                                                                                                  � Steep slopes                                               e Air quality limited areas
                                                                                                                                                               & Others as appropriate

                                    2) Fragile Areas                                          2)  Analysis of following       factors (maps if              2) Detailed analysis and mapping of required
                                                                                                  information available):                                      items.

                                                                                                  * Wetlands                                                   Analysis and mapping of additional factors.
                                                                                                  * Frontal Dunes
                                                                                                  9 Beaches
                                                                                                  9 Prime wildlife habitats
                                                                                                    Scenic and Prominant High Points
                                                                                                    Unique Natural Areas
                                                                                                  a Other Surface Waters
                                                                                                  e Fragile Areas

                                    3) Areas with Resource Potential                          3)  Analysis of following factors (maps if                    3) Detailed analysis and mapping of required
                                                                                                  information available):                                      items

                                                                                                    Areas well-suited for woodland                             Analysis and mapping of additional factors:
                                                                                                    management
                                                                                                    Productive and unique agricultural lands                   a Areas with potential for commercial
                                                                                                    Mineral sites                                                 wildlife management
                                                                                                  e Publicly-owned forests, parks, fish and                    a  Outdoor recreation sites
                                                                                                    game lands, and other outdoor                              *  Scenic and tourist resources
                                                                                                    recreational lands
                                                                                                  0 Privately-owned wildlife sanctuaries

                                 b. Capacity of Community Facilities                              * Identification of existing water and sewer           Detailed community facilities studies or plans
                                                                                                    service areas                                        (housing, transportation, recreation, water and
                                                                                                  9 Design capacity of water treatment plant,            sewer, police, fire, etc.).
                                                                                                    sewage treatment plant, schools, and
                                                                                                    primary roads
                                                                                                  9 Per cent utilization of the above

                            3. ESTIMATED DEMAND:

                                 a. Population and Economy

                                    1) Population                                             1) 10-yr. estimates based upon Dept. of                       1) Detailed estimate and analysis, adapted to
                                                                                                  Administration figures as appropriate.                       local conditions using Department of
                                                                                                                                                               Administration model.
                                    2) Economy                                                2) Identification of major trends and factors in              2) Detailed economic studies.
                                                                                                  the economy.

                                 b. Future Land Needs                                      Gross 10-yr. estimate allocated to appropriate                Detailed estimates by specific land use category
                                                                                           Land Classes.                                                 (commercial, residential, industrial, etc.).

                                 c. Community Facilities Demand                            Consideration of basic facilities needed to service           Estimates of demands and costs for some or all
                                                                                           estimated growth.        -25-                                 community fa  -cilities and services.

                      be placed on 'the planning area du ring the ensuing ten year
                      period, based'upon population and economic projections and

                      upon local objectives. The implications of the projected

                      future are examined and balanced against the suitability

                      of the lands within the county for development and the
                      capability of gove@rnment to provide basic public services

                      and facilities. The final step in the process is land

                      classification, which involves determining which lands within

                      the county are to be developed with urban services, which

                      are to continue growing as small communities, which are to

                      be used for rural productive purposes, and which are to be

                      conserved and left largely undeveloped.

                          The Summary of the Data Collection and Analysis submitted

                      as part of the land use plan shall include map(s) and text

                      indicating the manner in which the data-was assembled and

                      analyzed along with a statement of the major conclusions.

                      This Summary shall also demonstrat.e that each data item

                      discussed below was  considered in formulating the plan, based

                      upon the best available information. Base maps to be used

                      for displaying the data and for preparing the land classifi-

                      cation map will be provided by the Department of Natural and

                      Economic Resources.

                          1.. Present Conditions

                              a. Present Population and Economy

                                   A brief analysis of the local population and

                              economy shall be made, utilizing existing information.

                              Particular attention should be given to the impact

                              of s.easonal populations and to economic activities

                                                -26-

                      which utilize, are dependent upon, or which may

                      impair coastal land and water resources'.,

                      b   Existing Land Use

                          Existing land use shall be mapped and analyzed,

                      with particular attention given to:

                          1)   Significant land use compatibility problems;
                          2)   Major problems which have resultedfrom
                               unplanned development, and whi ch have
                               implications for future land use;'
                          3)   An identification of areas experiencing or
                               likely to experience major changes in
                               predominant land uses.
                          @4)  Areas of Environmental Concern.

                          Because of the benefit uniformity will provide

                      in maps of existing land use, the generalized

                      categor ies and color coding set forth in Figure II

                      shall be used. These categories are generalized and

                      are designed to be compatible with those suggested

                      by the U.S. Department  of Interior. The use of more

                      detailed breakdowns of these basic categories is

                      encouraged if appropriate.

                      C. Current Plans, Policies and Regulations

                          This element shall contain:

                          1)   A listing and summary of existing plans and
                               policies having significant implications for
                               land use, including at least transportation
                               plans, community facilities plans, utilities
                               extension policies, open space and recreation
                               policies, and prior land use plans and
                               policies.
                          2)   A listing and brief description of the means
                               for enforcement of all existing local land
                               use,regulations. The following regulations
                               shall be discussed, where applicable: zoning
                              .ordinance (including amendments), subdivision
                               regulations, floodway ordinance, building codes,
                               septic tank regulations, historic districts,
                               nuisance regulations, dune protection, sedi-
                               mentation codes, and environmental impact
                               statement ordinances.

                                       -27-

                                             FIGURE II

                      GENERALIZED CATEGORIES FOR RECORDING EXISTING LAND USE

                   CATEGORY                                   COLOR CODE

               URBAN AND BUILT-UP

                   Residential*                               Yellow
                   Commercial                                 Red
                   Industrial                                 Violet
                   Transportation, Communication, and         Grey
                    Utilities
                   Government and Institutional               Dark Blue
                   Cultural, Entertainment, and               Green
                   Recreation
                   Undeveloped Land                           White

               AGRICULTURE                                    Brown Hatched

               FORESTLAND                                     Green Hatched

               WATER                                          Light Blue

               WETLAND                                        Light Blue Hatched

               BARREN (including beaches, surface             Brown
                extraction and cleared transitional
                land)

               Note

                    *Where it is desirable to further break down the residential

               category by density or dwelling unit characteristics it is

               suggested that.shades of yellow and orange be used.

                                                @28-

                               3)  A listing and summary of  relevant State
                                   and Federal regulations affecting coastal
                                   land and water  resources (to be provided
                                   by the Department of Natural and Economic
                                   Resources).

                       2.  Constraints

                           a. Land  Suitability

                               An analysis shall be made of the general suita-

                           bility of the undeveloped lands within the planning

                           area for development, with consideration given to

                           the following 1actors:

                               1) Physic al Limitations for Development;
                               2) Fragile Areas;
                               3) Areas with Resource Potential.

                               The se factors shall be ana lyzed, and where possible

                           mapped, based upon the best information available.

                               The major purpose of this analysis is to assist

                           in preparing the land classification map. It is

                           recognized, however, that some of the are  Ias identified

                           as a result of the land suitability analysis may be

                           designated Areas of,Environmental Concern.    Any areas

                           so designated as AECs shall be subject to   the detailed

                           requirements of Section III of these Guidelines@  in

                           addition to the analysi.s carried out under  this

                           subsection.

                               1) Physical Limitations for Development

                                   An identification shall be made of areas   likely

                               to have conditions making development costly    or

                               causing und6s irablelconsequences if developed.

                               The follow-in g areas shall be-identified:

                                             -29-

                            (a) Hazard Areas, including the following:

                                 (1)  Man-made (for example, airports,
                                      tank farms for the storage of
                                      flamable liquids, nuclear power
                                      plants);

                                 (2)  Natural, including:

                                      (a) Oceanerosive areas;
                                      (b) Estuarine erosive areas;
                                      (c) Flood hazard areas
                                           - Riverine (floodplains and
                                             floodways)
                                           - Non-Riverine;

                            (b)  Areas with Soil Limitations, including
                                 the following:

                                 (1)  Areas prsenting hazards for
                                      foundations;
                                 (2)  Shallow soils;
                                 (3)  Poorly drained soils;
                                 (4)  Areas with limitations for septic
                                      tanks including both:
                                      (a   areas that are generally
                                           characterized by soil limita-
                                           tions, but within which small
                                           pockets of favorable soils do
                                           exist and
                                      (:b) areas where soil limitations
                                           are common to most of the soils
                                           present.

                            (c) Sources of  Water Su      ncluding:
                                                   pply''i,

                                 (1) Groundwater recharge areas
                                      (Bedrock and.Surficial);,
                                 (2)  Public water supply watersheds;
                                 (3)  Well fields.-

                            (d) Areas where the predominant slope exeeds
                                 twelve percent.

                         2) Fragile Areas

                            An identification shall be made of those areas

                         which could easily be damaged or destroyed by

                         inappropriate or poorly planned development.

                                    -30-

                                 The following shall be considered:

                                     (a) Wetlands
                                     (b)  Frontal Dun es
                                     (c)  Beaches
                                     @(d) Prime Wildlife Habitats
                                     (e)  Scenic and Prominent High Points
                                     (f)  Unique Natural Areas
                                     (g)  Estuarine Waters
                                     (,h) Other Surface Waters (Rivers, lakes,
                                          streams, etc.)

                                 3)  Areas with Resource Potential, including:

                                     (a)  Archeologic and historic sites
                                     (b)  Productive and unique agricultural
                                          lands, includingi
                                          - Prime agricultural soils
                                          - Potentially valuable agricultural
                                            lands with moderate conservation
                                            efforts
                                            Other productive or unique agricul-
                                            tural lands
                                     (c)  Potentially valuable mineral sites
                                     (d)  Publicly owned forests, parks, fish and
                                          game lands, and other non-intensive out-
                                          door recreation lands.
                                     (e)  Privately owned wildlife sanctuaries.

                        b. Capacity    of. Community Facilities

                             An identification shall be made of-,

                             (1) Existing water and sewer service areas;
                             (2) -The design capacity of the existing water
                                  treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, schools,
                                  and primary roads;
                             (3)  Thepercent at which the existing water treat-
                                  ment plant, sewage treatment plant, schools,
                                  and primary roads-are currently utilized,

                    3). Estimated Demand

                        a.: Population and Economic Estimates

                             Population: A population estimate for the following

                        ten  years shall be made and utilized as the basis for

                                             -31-

                    determining land and facilities demand and for

                    classifying land areas. Ten year population pro-

                    jections will be provided by the Department of

                    Administrati on for use in making population estimates.

                    Projections will be provided for counties and cities

                    and towns having a population greater than 2500.

                    Accurate projections for those areas with a popu-

                    lation of less than 2500 are not available and must

                    be developed by the local planning unit.

                        The projections provided by the Department of

                    Administration are based on prior trends with annual

                    updates. The local government may wish to use these

                    trend projections as their population estimates or

                    to modify them to include additional factors such as:

                        1) Seasonal population;
                        2) Local objectives concerning growth;
                        3) Foreseeable social and economic change.

                        The Department of Administration population model

                    is capable of taking into account some of these con-

                    siderations, and should be used where possible when

                    such further refinement is desired. If such refine-

                    ment causes a significant difference between the

                    Department of Administration population projections

                    and the local population estimate, the Coastal

                    Resources Commission or its designee should'review

                    the estimate prior to the local government using it

                    in their land use plan.

                                    -32-

                                  Economy:  Major identifiable trends'or factors

                              in the economy which might have  impact on future

                              land use shall be set forth.

                              b. Future Land Needs

                                  The steps to be followed in determining future

                              land needs are:

                                  1)  To make an allocation of the estimated
                                      population growth to the Transition, Community,
                                      and Ruralland classes of the Land Classifi-
                                      cation System, based on local objectives (for
                                      further clarification see Section II-D).
                                      The Transition class is to be used to accom-
                                      modate all the estimated moderate to high
                                      density growth. That is not to say, however,
                                      that growth cannot occur,in the Developed
                                      class. The great majority of the low density
                                      growth which is estimated should be clustered
                                      in the Community class, though a small amount
                                      can be accommodated at very low densities in
                                      the Rural class.
                                  2)  To determine, for the Transition and Community
                                      classes, the land area required to accommodate
                                      the estimated growth based upon the following
                                      gross population desnities (for-further
                                      clarification see Section II-D):
                                      Transition:  a minimum of 2000 people per
                                                   square mile
                                      Community:   as a rule of thumb, 640 people
                                                   per square mile (one person per
                                                   acre).

                              C. Community Facilities Demand

                                  Consideration should be given to new facilities

                              which will be required by the estimated population

                              growth.

                    D. Land Classification

                         1.   introduction

                              A land classification map shall be prepared according

                         to the specifications set forth in this section. The

                         following color codes shall be used:,

                                              -33-

                         Developed        Solid rust
                         Transition       Wide*spaced hatched rust
                         Community        Close spaced cross-hatched rust
                         Rural            White

                         Conservation     Solid  green

                     The North Carol ina Land Classification System contains

                     five classes of land:

                         a. Developed--Lands where existing population density

                         is moderate to high and where there are a variety of

                         land uses which have the necessary public services.

                         b. Transition--Lands where local government plans

                         to accommodate moderate to high density development

                         during the following ten year period and where

                         necessary public services will be provided to accommodate

                         that growth.

                         C. Community--Lands where low density development is

                         grouped in existing settlements or will occur in such

                         settlements during the following ten year period and

                         which will not require extensive public services now

                         or in the future.

                         d   Rural--Lands whose highest use is for agriculture,

                         forestry, mining, water supply, etc., based on their

                         natural resources potential. Also, lands for future

                         needs not currently recognized.

                         e. Conservation--Fragile, hazard and other lands

                         necessary to maintain a healthy natural environment

                         and necessary to provide for the public health,

                         safety, or welfare.

                     These five classes provide a framework to be used by local

                     governments to identify the general use of all lands in

                                          -34-

                      each county. Such a system presents an opportunity for

                      the local government to provide for its needs as well as

                      to consider those of the whole state. Also, they can

                      make a statement of policy on where and to what density

                      they want growth to occur, and where they-want to con-

                      serve the county's natural resources by guiding growth.

                          As a statement of local policy consistent with state-

                      wide needs and goals, the county land classification map

                      will serve as a basic tool for coordinating numerous

                      policies, standards, regulations, and other governmental

                      activities at the local, state and federal level. Such

                      coordination may be described by five applications:

                          a.. The Land Classification System encourages co-

                          ordination and consistency between local land use

                          policies and those of the State Government. Lands

                          are classified by the local governments... The Coastal

                          Resources Commission then reviews those.classifications

                          to ensure conformance with minimum guidelines for the

                          system. The coastal county maps taken together will

                          be the principal policy guide for governmental

                          decisions and activities which affect land uses in

                          the coastal area.

                          b. The System provides a guide for public investment

                          in land. For example, state and local agencies can

                          anticipate the need for early acquisition of lands

                          and easements in the Transition class for schools,

                          recreation, transportation, and other public facilities.

                                          -35-

                         C. The System can also provide a useful framework

                         for budgeting and planning for the construction of

                         community facilities such as water and sewer systems,

                         schools, and roads.  The resources of many state and

                         federal agencies, as well as those of the local

                         government which are used for such facilities, can

                         then be more efficiently allocated.

                         d. In addition,such a System will aid in better

                         coordination of regulatory policies and decisions.

                         Conservation and Rural Production lands will help to

                         focus the attention of state and local agencies and

                         interests concerned with the valuable natural

                         resources of the state. On the other hand, lands in

                         the Transition and Community classes will be of special

                         concern to those agencies and interests who work for

                         high quality development through local land use con-

                         trols such as zoning and subdivision regulations.

                         e. Finally, the System can help to provide guidance

                         for a more equitable distribution of the land tax

                         burden. Private lands which are in the Rural and

                         Conservation classes should have low taxes to reflect

                         the policy that few, if any, public services will be

                         provided to these lands. In contrast, lands in the

                         Transition class should be taxed to pay for the large

                         cost of new public services  which'will be required to

                         support the density of growth anticipated.

                         The local land classification maps must be updated

                     every five years. Each class is designed to be broad

                                          -36-

                          enough so that frequent changes in Maps are not necessary.
                          In extreme cases, such as when a large key.facility,
                          causing major repercussions, is unexpectedly placed in
                          a county, the Coastal Resources Commission can allow a

                          county to revise its classification map before the five

                          year period is over.

                               In addition, the Land Classification System allows

                          a variety of detailed land uses such as residential,

                          commercial, industrial,,recreational,.etc. to occur within
                          these classes and there is flexibility under existing

                          zoning enabling statutes to change these detailed land

                          uses whenever necessary.

                               Policies, rules, and actions concerning Areas of
                          Environmental Concern shall take precedence over policies,
                          rules, andactions concerning the Land Classifica,    tions,

                          in the event of any conflicts.

                         @2. The Five Classes

                               a. 'Developed

                                  Purpose: The Developed class identifies      developed

                               lands which are presently provided  with essential

                               public services. Consequently, it   is distinguished

                               from areas where significant growth  and/or new service

                               requirements will occur. Continued   development and

                               redevelopment should be encouraged to provide for the

                               orderly growth in the area.

                                  Description: Developed lands are area    s with a
                               minim um gross population density of 2,000 people per
                               square mile. At a minimum, these lands contain

                                                -37-

                     existing public services including water and sewer

                     systems, educational systems, and road systems --

                     all of which are able to support the present population

                     and its accompanying land uses including commercial,

                     industrial, and institutional.

                     b. Transition

                         Purpose: The Transition classAdentifies lands
                     where moderate to high'density growth is to be en-

                     couraged and where any such growth that is permitted

                     by local regulation will be provided with the necessary

                     public services.

                         Description: The area to be designated as

                     Transition must be no greater than that required to

                     accommodate the estimated county population growth

                     at a minimum gross density of 2,000 people per square

                     mile. For example, if the population increase for

                     the following ten year period is projected to be

                     10,000 people, and it is planned that 8,000 of them

                     will be accommodated in the Transition area, then no

                     more than four-square miles of Transition area should

                     be shown. In addition, the minimum services which

                     will be required are the necessary water and sewer

                     facilities  educational services, and roads.

                     Ponsideration must be given to the cost of public

                     services in the Transition area. Each local government

                     is encouraged to estimate the approximate cost of

                     providing public services where they do'not already

                     exist.

                                       -38-

                              I!ands to be classified Transition should be

                          considered in the following order:

                              1)  First priority is for lands which presently
                                  have a gross population density of more
                                  than 2,000 people per square mile, but do not
                                  qualify as Developed because they lack the
                                  necessary minimum public services. These
                                  areas may not be expected to accommodate
                                  additional population, but they @ill require
                                  funds for services to avoid public health and
                                  safety problems.
                              2)  Second priority is for lands that have all the
                                  necessary public services in place, but which
                                  lack the minimum gross population density of
                                  2,000 people per square mile needed to qualify
                                  the area as Developed. These areas therefore
                                  have not utilized the capacity of the existing
                                  services.
                              3)  Additional lands necessary to accommodate
                                  the remainder of the estimated Transition
                                  growth for the ten year planning period.

                              In choosing lands for the Transition class, such

                          lands should not include:

                              1)  Areas with severe physical limitations for
                                  development with public services.
                              2)  Lands which meet the definition of the
                                  Conservation class.
                              3)  Lands of special value such as the following
                                  unless no other reasonable alternative exists:

                                  (a) Productive and unique agricultural lands;
                                  (b)  Productive forest lands;
                                  (c)  Potentially valuable mineral deposits;
                                  (d)  Potential aquifers and key parts of water
                                       supply watersheds;
                                  (e)  Scenic and tourist resources;
                                  (f)  Habitat for economically valuable wildlife
                                       species;
                                  (g)  Flood fringe lands;
                                  (h)  Open coast flood hazard areas, exclusive
                                       of ocean erosive areas;
                                  (i)  Estuarine flood hazard areas,exclusive of
                                       estuarine erosive areas,

                                           -39-

                         C. Community

                             Purpose:  The Community class identifies existing

                         and new clusters of low density development not

                        requiring major public services.

                             Description:

                             1) The Community class includes existing clusters
                                 of one or more land uses such as a rural
                                 residential subdivision or a church, school,
                                'general store, industry, etc. (Cluster is
                                 defined as a number of structures grouped
                                 together in association or in physical
                                 proximity - Webster's Dictionary).
                             2)  This class will provide for all new rural
                                 growth when the lot size is ten acres or less.
                                 Such clusters of growth may occur in new areas,
                                 or within existing community lands. In
                                 choosing lands for Community growth, such
                                 lands should not include:
                                 (a)  Areas with severe physical limitations
                                      for development;
                                 (b)  Areas meeting the definition of the
                                      Conservation class;
                                 (c)  Lands of special value such as the
                                      following unless no other reasonable
                                      alternative exists:

                                      (1)  Productive and  unique agricultural
                                           lands;
                                      (2)  Productive forest lands;
                                      (3)  Potentially valuable mineral deposits;
                                      (4)  Potential aqui fers and key parts of
                                           water supply watersheds;
                                      (5)  Scenic and tourist resources;
                                      (6)  Habitat for economically valuable
                                           wildlife species;
                                      (7)  Flood fringe lands
                                      (8)  Open coast flood,hazard areas,
                                           exclusive of ocean erosive areas;
                                      (9)  Estuarine flood hazard areas,
                                           exclusive of estuarine erosive areas.

                             3) New development in the Community class, areas
                                 will be subject to subdivision regulations
                                 under the Enabling Subdivision Act (G.S.
                                 153A-340 et.seq.)

                                          -40-

                                 4)  In every case, the lot size must be large
                                     enough to safely accommodate on-site sewage
                                     disposal and where necessary water supply
                                     so that no public sewer services will be
                                     required now or in the future.

                                 5)  Limited public services should be provided
                                     in the Community class such as  public road
                                     access and electric power.

                                 6)  As a,guide for calculating the-amount of
                                     land necessary to accommodate new rural
                                     community growth, a gross population density
                                     of 640 people per square mile or one person
                                     per acre should be used. For example, if
                                     1,.000 new people are expected to settle in
                                     low density clusters during the following
                                     ten year period, then roughly 1,000 acres
                                     of land should be allocated for new growth
                                     in Community class areas

                             d. Rural

                                 Purpose: The Rural class identifies lands for

                             long-term management for productive resource utili-

                             zation, and where limited public services will be

                             provided. Development in such areas should be

                             compatible with resource production.

                                 Description: The Rural class includes all lands

                             not in the Developed, Transition, Community and

                             Conservation classes.

                             e. Conservation

                                 Purpose: The Conservation class identifies land

                             which should be maintained essentially in its natural

                             state and where very limited or no public services

                             ar e provided.

                                 Description: Lands to be placed in the Conservation

                             class are the least desirable for development because:

                                              -41-

                       1)   They are too. fragile to withstand development
                            without losing their natural value and/or;

                       2)   They have severe or hazardous limitations
                            to development and/or;

                       3)   Though they are not highly fragile or hazardous,
                            the natural resources,they represent are too
                            valuable to endanger by development.

                       Such lands at a minimum should include:

                       1)   Fragile

                            (a)  Wetlands
                            (b)  Steep slopes and prominent high points
                            (c)  Frontal dunes
                            (d)  Beaches
                            (e)  Surface waters including
                                 - L;@kes and ponds
                                 - Rivers and.streams
                                 - Tidal waters below mean high water
                            (f)  Prime wildlife habitat
                            (g)  Unique natural areas and historic and
                                 archaeological sites

                       2)   Hazard

                            (a)  Floodways
                            (b)  Ocean erosive areas
                            (c)  Inlet lands
                            (d)  Estuarine erosive areas

                       3) Other

                            (a)  Publicly owned forest, park, and fish
                                 and game lands and other non-intensive
                                 outdoor recreation lands
                            (b)  Privately owned sanctuaries, etc., which
                                 are dedicated to preservation
                            (c)  Publicly owned water supply watershed
                                 areas

                            (d)  Undeveloped key parts of existing water
                                 supply watersheds.
                            (e)  Potential water impoundment sites

                       In addition to the above named types of land, a

                   county may include other areas to be maintained in

                                      -42-

                            an essentially natural state which are needed to

                            implement their stated policy objectives.

                    E. Areas of Environmental Concern

                        Local land use plans are required by G.S. 113A-110 to

                    give special attention to the protection and development of

                    Areas of Environmental Concern. Part III of these Guidelines

                    specifies the treatment AECs are to receive in the local plan.

                                             -43-

              III. GUIDELINES FOR AREA@ OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

              1.0.  Introduction

                    The Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 requires   that these

              Sta te Guidelines "shall give particular attention to the nature of

              development which-s hall be appropriate within the various types of

              Areas of Environmental Concern that may be designated by the

              commission.11

                    The Act further provides that local land use plans "shall

              give special attention to the protection and appropriate.deve.lop-

              ment of Areas of Environmental Concern."

                    The 1974 Legislature found that "the coastal area, and.in

              particular the estuaries, are among the most biologically productive

              regions of this Sta te and of the nation" but in recent years the

              area "has been subjected to increasing pressures which are the

              result of the often conflicting needs of a society expanding in

              industrial development, in population, and in the recreational

              aspirations of its citizens."

                    "Unless these pressures are controlled by coordinated manage-

              ment," the Act states, "the very features of the coast which make

              it economically, aesthetically, and ecologically rich will be

              destroyed."

                    To prevent this destruction the Act charges the Coastal

              Resources Commission with the responsibility for identifying   types

              of areas, and designating specific areas,-- water as well as   land

              .in-which uncontrolled or incompatible,deve.lopment might result in

              irreparable damage. It further instructs the Commission to determine

              whattypes of use or development are appropriate within such areas,

                                             -44-

              and it calls on local governments to give special attention to

              these environmentally fragile and important areas in.developing

              their land use plans.                                 I

                    Thus, the Coastal Resources Commission and local government,

              with the assistance and guidance of the Coastal Resources Advisory

              Council, share a unique statutory assignment, for this is the first

              time North Carolina has undertaken such a massive and comprehensive

              determination of its critical land and water areas. Further, this

              is an unprecedented opportunity, in that none of the other coastal

              states has given this authority and responsibility to local govern-

              ment and a locally oriented commission.

                    Given its own timetable the Commission would have preferred

              following a more logical sequence in which adoption of Interim Areas

              of Environmental Concern would have been the first step, followed

              by preliminary State Guidelines, then adoption   of Permanent Areas of

              Environmental Concern, and finally the preparation of the final*

              State Guidelines in ample time for local governments to consider

              both the AECs and the Guidelines fully in the process of preparing

              their land use plans.

                    The time schedule in the Act, however, requires adoption of

              these Guidelines before the Commission has had an opportunity to

              study and designate Interim AECs; and undoubtedly the permanent

              AECs will not be adopted until after the deadline for completion of

              the local plans next November.

                    The Commission has therefore adapted its Guidelines and pro-

              cedures to this schedule, attempting in this document to identify

              the various types of potential AECs, and to explain the significance

              and provide a statement of policy and appropriate land uses for each.

                                              -45-

                   This should enable local governments to give special attention

              from the outset to the types of Areas of Environmental Concern

              which may be located within their planning jurisdiction,

                   Subsequently, with the adoption of Interim AECs, the Commission

              will provide more detailed information for each county or city.

                   The Coastal Resources Commission is now considering,,but has

              not adopted, Interim Areas of Environmental Concern. The Secretary

              of Natural and Economic Resources has submitted to the Commission

              proposals for Interim AECs covering a total of twelve categories.

                   These twelve categories, plus ten more, are described in

              Sections 2.0 to 7.53, below. The ten additional categories we    re

              included in the Guidelines in order to furnish counties and cities

              with a more nearly complete list of the subjects that might ulti-

              mately be designated as Interim or Permanent Areas of Environmental

              Concern.    In preparing their plans for AECs, however, counties

              and cities are required to plan only for categories that have

              actually been designated by the Commission as Interim or Permanent

              AECs,.

                   These Guidelines require that local plans should include the

              descriptions of Areas of Environmental Concern presented in the

              sections below. The plan must also include written statements of

              specific land uses which may be allowed in each of the classes of

              Areas of Environmental Concern. These specific allowable land

              uses shall be consistent with the policy objectives and standards

              of appropriate land uses found in this chapter.

              *A few of the statutory categories are not described in the
               Guidelines because of incomplete information.

                                              -46-

                   The plan shall be sufficiently precise as to the nature of

              permissible land uses in such areas as to: (1) enable the Coastal

              Resources Commission to determine if the plan is consistent with

              these Guidelines; and (2) afford a legal basis for the issuance

              or denial of development permits in the future.

                   Local planners should note that there are a few instances

              where a category of Areas of Environmental Concern may overlap

              with another. Where this is found to occur, the policy of the

              Commission is to require the local plan to adopt allowable land

              uses within the area of overlap consistent with the more restrictive

              land use standard.

                  @ In the following pages Guidelines for AECs are divided into

              the six, of seven, general categories specified in the Act as

              being those which the Commission may designate as AECs. As in

              the Act, some of these contain sub-categories, which are more

              clearly defined here. The categories are:

                         Coastal Wetlands - Low Tidal Marshland
                         Coastal Wetlands - Other Coastal Marshland
                         Estuarine Waters
                         Renewable Resource Areas    Watersheds or Aquifers
                           Small Surface Water Supplies
                         Renewable Resource Areas    Watersheds or Aquifers
                           Special Aquifer Areas   Outer Banks and Barrier Islands
                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas -
                           Existing National or State Forests
                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas -
                           Existing National or State Parks
                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas -
                           Existing Wildlife Refuges, Preserves or
                           Management Areas Owned by the State of North
                           Carolina or the Federal Government
                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas
                           Complex Natural Areas

                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas
                            Areas that Sustain Remnant Species
                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource   Areas
                            Areas Containing Unique Geologic Formations
                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas
                            Historic Places
                         Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas
                            Registered Natural Landmarks
                         Public Trust Areas - Public Trust Waters
                         Natural Hazard Areas - Sand Dunes Along the Outer Banks
                         Natural Hazard Areas - Ocean Beaches and Shorelines
                            (on the Outer Banks)
                         Natural Hazard Areas   Floodways
                         Natural Hazard Areas   River Flood plains
                         Natural Hazard Areas   Coastal Flood plains
                         Natural Hazard Areas   Excessive Erosion Areas
                            Coastal Inlet Lands
                         Natural Hazard Areas - Excessive Erosion Areas
                            Ocean Erodible Areas
                         Natural Hazard Areas - Excessive Erosion Areas
                            Estuarine and Sound and River Erodible Areas

              2.0. Coastal-Wetlands - General

                   Coastal wetlands are defined as "any salt marsh or other marsh

              subje ct to regular or occasional flooding by tides, including wind

              tides (whether or not the tide waters reach the marshland areas

              through natural or artificial watercourses), provided this shall

              not include hurricane or tropical storm tides. Salt marshland or

              other marsh shall be those areas upon which grow some, but not

              necessarily all, of the following salt marsh and marsh plant species:

              Smooth or salt water Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora); Black Needlerush

              (Juncus roemerianus); Glasswort (Salicornia spp.); Salt Grass

              (Distichlis Spicata); Sea Lavender (Limonium spp.); Bulrush

              (Scirpus spp.); Saw Grass (Cladium Jamaicense); Cat-Tail (Lyy@ha spp.);

              Salt-Meadow Grass (Spartina patens); and Salt Reed Grass (@partina

              cynosuroides)." Included in this statutory definition,of wetlands

              is "such contiguous land as the Secretary of NER reasonably deems

              necessary to affect by any such orderin carrying out the purposes of

              this Section." (G.S. 113-230(a))

                                              -48-

                For policy purposes, coastal wetlands may be considered in two

           categories: (1) low tidal marsh; (2) other coastal marshlands

           which have different significance  and policy implications.

           2.1. Coastal Wetlands - Low Tidal  Marshland

                a. Description. Defined as- marshland consisting primarily of

           Spartina alterniflora and usually subject to inundation by the

           normal rise and fall of lunar tides

                b. Significance. Low tidal marshland serves as a critical

           component in the coastal ecosystem. The marsh is the basis for the

           high net yield system of the estuary through the production of

           organic detritus .(partially decomposed plant material) which is the

           primary input source for the food chain of the entire estuarine

           system. Estuarine dependent species of fish and shellfish such    as

           menhaden, shrimp, flounder, oysters and crabs currently make up   over

           90 percent of the total value of North Carolina's commercial catch.

                In addition, the roots and rhizomes of the Spartina alterni-

           flora serve as waterfowl food and the stems as wildlife nesting

           material. Low tidal marsh also serves as the first line of defense

           in retarding shoreline erosion. The plant stems and leaves tend to

           dissipate wave action while the vast network of roots resists soil

           erosion. Marshes of this type operate additionally   as traps for

           sediment originating from upland runoff thus reducing siltation of

           the estuarine bottoms and conseauent detriment to marine organisms.

                C. Policy Objective. To give the highest priority to the

           preservation of low tidal marshland.

                d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

           those con sistent with the above policy objective. These marshes

           should be considered unsuitable for all development which will alter

                                           -49-

              their natural functions. Inappropriate land uses include, but are

              not limited to the following examples: restaurants and businesses;

              residences, apartments, motels, hotels, and trailer parks; parking

              lots and offices; spoil and dump sites; wastewater lagoons; public

              and private roads and highways; and factories. Examples of accept-

              able land uses may include utility easements, fishing piers, docks,

              certain agricultural uses except when excavation or filling

              affecting estuarine or navigable waters is involved, and such other

              uses which do not significantly alter the natural functions of the

              marsh.

              2.2. Coastal Wetlands - Other Coastal Marshland

                   a. Description. All other marshland which is not low tidal

              marshland and which contains the species of vegetation as listed in

              paragraph 2.0.

                   b. Significance. This marshland type also contributes to the

              detritus supply necessary to the highly productive estuarine system

              essential to North Carolina 's economically valuable commercial and

              sports fisheries

                       The higher marsh types3 offer quality wildlife and waterfowl

              habitat depending on the biological and physical conditions of the

              marsh. The vegetative diversity in the higher marshes usually

              supports a greater diversity ot wildlife types than the

              limited habitat of the low tidal marsh. This marshland type also

              serves as an important deterrent to shoreline erosion especially

              in those marshes containing heavily rooted species. The dense system

              of rhizomes and roots of Juncu:@; roemerianus are highly resistant

              to erosion. In addition, the higher marshes are effective sediment

              traps.

                                              -50-

                   C. Policy Objectives. To give a higher priority to t  he

             preservation and management of the marsh so as to safeguard and

             perpetuate their biological, economic and aesthetic values

                   d. ADnrouriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

             those consistent with the above policy objective. Highest priority
             shall be allocated to the conservation of existing' marshla'nds.

             Second priority for land use allocation of this type shall be given

             to development which requires water access and cannot function

             anywhere else, such as ports, docks and marinas, provided that the

             actual location of such facilities within the marsh consider

             coastal,physical and-biological systems and further provided that

             feasible alternatives regarding location and design have been

             adequately considered and need for such development can be demon-

             strated. Such allocation may only be justified by the projected

             land use demands and by community development objectives, but in

             no case shall the allocation exceed the capacity of the marshland

             system to sustain losses without harm to the estuarine ecosystem.

             3.0. Estuarine Waters

                   a. Description. Estuarine waters are defined in G.S. 113-

             229(n)(2) as, "all the water of the Atlantic Ocean within the

             boundary of North Carolina and all the waters of the bays, sounds,

             rivers, and tributaries thereto seaward of the dividing line between

             coastal fishing waters and inland fishing waters, as set forth in an

             agreement adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission and the

             Department of Conservation and Development filed with the Secretary

             of State entitled 'Boundary Lines, North Carolina Commercial Fishing

             Inland Fishing Waters, revised March 1, 1965,111 or as it may be

             subsequently revised by the Legislature.

                                            -51-

                   b. Significance.   Estuaries are among themost productive

              natural environments of North Carolina. They not only support

              valuable commercial and  sports fisheries, but are also utilized

              for commercial navigation, recreation, and aesthetic purposes.

              Species dependent upon estuaries such as menhaden, shrimp., floundery

              oysters and crabs make up over 90 percent of the total value of

              North Carolina's commercial catch. These species must spend all

              or some part of their life cycle in the estuary. The high level

              of commercial and sports fisheries and the aesthetic appeal of

              Coastal North Carolina is dependent upon the'protection and

              sustained quality of our estuarine areas.

                   C. Policy Objective. To preserve and manage estuarine waters

              so as to safeguard and perpetuate their biological, economic, and

              aesthetic values.

                   d. 'Appropriate Uses. Appropriate uses shall be:.those consis-

              tent with the above policy objective. Highest priority shall be

              allocated to the conservation of estuarine waters. The development

              of navigational channels, the use of bulkheads to prevent erosion,

              and the building of piers or wharfs where no other feasible alter-

              native exists are examples of land uses appropriate within estuarine

              waters, provided that such land uses will not be detrimental to the

              biological and physical estuarine functions and public trust rights,

              Projects which would directly or indirectly block or impair existing

              navigation channels, increase shoreline erosion, deposit spoils below

              mean high tide, cause adverse water circulation patterns, violate

              water quality standards, or cause degradation of shellfish waters

              are generally considered incompatible with the .management of estuarine

              waters.

                                             -52-

              4.1. Renewable Resource Areas - Watersheds or Aquifers - General

                   Public water supply watersheds or aquifers are defined as

              areas that are present sources of public water supply, as identi-

              fied by the N. C. Commission for Health Services or Environmental

              Management Commission, or that are classified for water supply

              pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1.

              4.11-Renewable Resource Areas - Watersheds or Aq_uifers
                     Small Surface Water Supplies

                   a. Description. Defined as relatively small watersheds or

              catchment areas which contain a stream(s) classfied A-I or A-II

             .by the Environmental Management Commission.

                   b. Significance. Small water supply watersheds represent

              a source of potable water for a locality or region. Any loss or

              serious detriment to such an area would have serious public health

              implications. Such a loss would also have a significant adverse

              .financial impact.

                       Uncontrolled development within the watershed would

              cause significant changes in the runoff patterns and would affect

              the quantity of water available as a raw water supply. Such

              development would also adversely affect water quality by intro-

              ducing a wide variety of pollutants from homes, businesses, or

              industries, either through discharge or surface runoff into the

              water supply.

                   C. Policy Objective. To insure the continued maintenance

              of water quality and quantity of the surface water supply.

                   d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land    uses shall be

              those consistent with the above policy objective.

                                           -53-

                4.12. Renewable Resource Areas - Watersheds or Aquifers
                         Special_-,tCq-uifer Areas - Outer Banks and Barrier Islands

                       a. Description. Areas of well drained      sands that extend

                downward  from the surface to include an extensive area of fresh

                water that is an important source for a public water supply

                identified by the North Carolina Department of Human Resources,

                Division of Health Services or that are classified for water

                supply use pursuant to G.Si 143-214.1. These areas will be

                identified by the Division of Health Services in cooperation with

                the State Geologist.

                      b. Significance. Naturally occurring aquifers on the outer

                banks and barrier islands generally occur in well drained sands

                at relatively shallow depth. Recharge to these aquifers is through

                precipitation and, occasionally, indirectly from adjoining fresh-

                water marshlands. Very little filtration of chemical contaminants

                or of viruses is afforded by the sand materials, and the potential

                exists for extensive pollution of these supplies rendering them

                unsafe as sources of public water supply. Additionally, a rate        of

                water withdrawal that greatly exceeds water recharge from the

                surface can result in saltwater intrusion rendering all or part

                of the aquifer unsuitable as a water supply source.

                     C. Policy Objective. To limit as nearly as possible the

                potential for contamination of special aquifer areas that may result

                in a public health hazard or significantly limit the value of the

                aquifer as water supply source.

                     d. Appropriate Land Use. Appropriate land uses shall be

                those consistent with the above policy objective. Special aquifer

                areas shall be planned for those kinds of development

                                               -54-.

             that will not rely upon subsurface waste disposal systems,

             result in injection of wastes into the ground, significantly

             increase the risk of accidental discharge onto the surface of

             liquid or other easily soluable contaminants, or increase the

             withdrawal of water from the aquifer to a rate that may cause

             saltwater intrusion. Inappropriate uses would include chemical

             or fuel processing or storage facilities or residential de,

             velopment employing septic tank sewage disposal system, These

             AECs should be planned for low intensity of use where feasible,

             and new intensive development that must occur should be provided

             with public waste water disposal systems.

             5.0. Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas       General

                    Fragile or historic areas, and other areas containing

             environmental  or natural resources of more than local signifi-

             cance, where uncontrolled or incompatible development could

             result in major or irreversible damage to important historic,

             cultural, scientific or scenic values or natural systems,

             5.1. Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Existing
                      National or State Forests.

                    a. Description. Existing sites that have been acquired

             for use as  national or state forests, as identified by the

             Secretary of Natural and Economic Resources.

                    b.  Significance. Existing national or state forests are

             areas containing natural resources of more than local signifi-

             cance where uncontrolled or incompatible development could

             result in major or irreversible damage to important natural

             values or resources. National forests act in a multiple,use

                                           -55-

               capacity for natural resources including timber, wildlife,

               grazing, water, and minerals. Additionally, national forests

               provide recreational, cultural, scientific and scenic values.

                     C. Policy Objective. To allow only limited develop-

               ment necessary to utilize natural resources consistent with

               those management procedures which do not cause irreversible

               damage to natural systems.

                     d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall

               be those that are consistent with the above stated policy

               objectives. All development shall be planned and executed so

               as to in no way impair, damage, or detract from the values for

               which the areas were established to preserve, protect, and/or

               utilize.

               5.2. Fragile, Historic or Natural Resourae Areas - Existing
                       National or State Parks.

                     a. Description. Defined as existing sites that have

               been acquired for use as national or state parks, as identified

               by the Secretary of Natural and Economic Resources.

                     b. Significance. Existing national or state parks are

               areas containing environm ental or natural resources of more than

               local significance where uncontrolled or incompatible develop-

               ment could result in major or irreversible damage to important

               historic, cultural, scientific, or scenic values, or natural

               systems, or would be detrimental to the recreational uses of

               natural sy stems. These sites provide: (1) areas of unique or

               scenic value; (2) recreational uses of natural resources; (3)

               portrayal and interpretation of plant and animal life, geology

             an d natural features; and (4) preservation of scientific sites

             and natural areas of statewide importance.

                   C. Policy Objective. To protect and preserve the scenic,

             historic, cultural, s cientific and natural values of national or

             state parks.

                   d. -Appropriate Land Uses, Appropriate land uses shall be

             those consistent with the above policy objective. All develop-

             ment in parks shall be planned and executed so as to in no way

             impair, damage or detract from the values which the areas were

             established to preserve and protect. In parks or parts of parks

             that do not contain natural areas or scientific sites, facilities

             for such outdoor activities as picnicking, swimming, boating,

             fishing, hiking, nature study and camping; and facilities nor-

             mally associated with simple play fields incident to picnicking

             and organized camping are examples of appropriate land uses.

             Facilities for recreational activities such as organized sports

             and athletic contests are examples of inappropriate uses. In

             ,parks or parts of parks containing natural areas of scientific

             sites, minimum developed paths and trails are examples of

             appropriate land uses. Facilities for recreational activities

             such as swimming, camping, picnicking, and the   like are examples

             of inappropriate land uses.

             5.3. Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Existing
                     Wildlife Refuges, Preserves or Management Areas Owned
                     t
                     b -Ahe-State of North Carolina or by the Federal
                      @y
                     Government.

                   a. Description. Title     is self-explanatory.

                                            =r7

                      b.  Significance.. These lands representing significant

                acreage in essentially natural conditions, are an important

                public resource essential in the protection and management of

                wildlife for recreational, scientific and educational purposes,

                      c. Policy Objective. To preserve    and maintain these

                areas consistent with the wise management  of wildlife popula-

                tions.for consumptive and non-consumptiveuses.

                      d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses-are

                those consistent with the above state d.policy objective. The

                production and management of wildlife is to be of top priority

                for these lands. This involves habitat improvement, including

                timber management in a manner consistent with the wildlife

                management program, and planned hunter harvest. 'Second priority

                is to be given to recreational and scientific uses such as

                hiking, boating and wildlife observation, which are judged to
                be consist ent with the wildlife management system.'

                5.4. Fragil'e, Historic or Natural Resource Areas     Complex
                        Natural Areas'.

                      a. Description.   Complex naturallareasare   defined as

                lands that support native plant and animal communities and pro-

                vide habitat conditions or characteristics that have remained

                essentially unchanged by human activity., Such areas are sur-

                rounde d by landscapes that have been modified but that do not

                drastically alter the conditions within the natural areas or

                their scientific or educational value. Such areas will be

                determined by the Commission, after considerationrof written

                reports or testimony of competent experts, to be rare within

             a county or to be of particular.scientific   or educational

             value.

                   b. Significance. Complex     natural areas provide the   few

             remaining examples of conditions   that existed within the 'coastal

             area prior to settlement by Western man.. Often these natural

             areas.pro vide habitat conditions suitable for rare-or endangered

             species or they support plant and animal communities represen-

             tative of pre-settlement c onditions. These.areas help provide

             a historical perspective to changing natural condition,s in the

             coastal.area and together are an import  ant and,irreplaceable

             scientific educational resource.

                   C. Policy Objective. To preserve the natural conditions

             of the site so.as to safeguard its.existence as an, example of

             naturally occurring, relatively undisturbed plant and animal

             communities of  major scientific or educational value.

                   d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

             those consistent with the above policy objective, Lands within
             the AEC shall n6t  be planned for uses or kinds of development

             that will..unnece@ssarily jeopardize the natural or primitive

             character of the natural area directl  Iy or indirectly through

             increased.accessibility. Additionally, lands adjacent to the

             complex.natural area should not be planned for additional de

             velopment that would@unnecessarily endanger the recognized Value

             of the AEC.. The variability between kinds of complex n    atural

             areas and between land uses adjacent to those natural areas

             means that,the ra'nge.of permissible uses and intensity of use
             must be car@efully tailored to the individual area.

                                            -59-

                5.5. Fragile Historic or Natural Resource Areas    Areas that
                             n Remnant Species.,

                     a. Description. Areas that sustain remnant species are

                those places that support native plants or animals, rare or

                endangered, within the coastal area. Such places provide habitat

                conditions necessary for the survival of existing,populations or

                communities of rare or endangered species within the county..

                Determination will be by the Commission based upon accepted lists,

                published by the Stateor Federal Government and written reports

                or testimony of, competent experts indicating that a species is

                rare or endangered within the coastal area.

                     b. Significance, The continued survival of certain native

                plants and animals in the coastal area that are now rare or

                endangered cannot be assured unless the relatively few well

                defined areas providing necessary habitat conditions are pro-

                tected from development or land uses that might alter these.

                conditions. These habitats and the.species they support provide

                a valuable educational and scientific resource,

                     c. -policy Objective. To preserve habitat conditions

                necessary,to the continued survival of rare or endangered native

                plants and animals and minimize development or land uses that

                might jeopardize known areas that support remnant species.

                     d. @Appropriate Land Uses, Appropriate land uses shall

                be those consistent with the above policy objective. Lands

                @within the AEC shall not be planned for uses or kinds of

                development that will unnecessarily jeopardize the habitat

                conditions responsible for the continued survival of the

                respective plants or animals.

                                           -60-

            5.6. Fragile, Historic.or Natural Resource Areas    Areas
                    Containing Unique Geological Formations

                  a. Description. Areas containing unique geological

            formations will be identified by the State Geologist, These
            places con-@ain surface or near surface formations thatIare
            either themselves unique or are especially unusual or notable

            examples o geologic formations or processes in the coastal

            area.

                  b. 3ignificance.   Unique geological areas provide sur-

            face or near surface exposures of unique geologic formations

            or processes of the coastal area, They are important educa-@

            tional, scientific, or scenic resources that would be jeopardized

            by uncontrolled or incompatible development.

                  C. Policy Objective. To preserve the    scientific, educa-

            tional or scenic values of unique geological  formations so that
            they may be@ available for future study and enjoyment,
                  d. A@ppropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

            those consistent with the above policy objective. Uses within

            areas containing unique geological formations shall be tailored

            to the particular unique qualities o f the individual area-,

            5.71. Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Historic
                     places,

                   a. Description. Defined as historic places that are

            listed, or have been approved for listing by the North Carolina
                     L

                              ion, in the National Register of,Histor
            Historical Commiss                                       ,,ic

            Places pu suant to the National Historic Preservation Act of

            1966; historical, archaeological, and  other places and properties

                                         -61-

                  owned, managed, or assisted by the State of North     Carolina

                  pursuant to G..S. 121; and properties or areas that are or may

                  be designated by the Secretary of the Interior as National

                  Historic Landmarks.

                         b. Significance. Historic resources are both non-

                  renewable and fragile. They owe their significance to their

                  association with American history', architecture, 'archaeology,

                  and culture. Properties on or approved for the National Register

                  of Historic Places may be of national., state, or local signifi-
                  cance. C. Policy Objective. To protect and/or preserve the

                  integrity of districts, sites, buildings, and objects in the

                  above categories.

                         d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall

                  be those consistent with the above stated policy objective.

                  Land use which will result in substantial irreversible damage

                  to the historic value of the area is inappropriate,

                  5.72.-Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas - Registered
                          R-atural Landmarks.

                         a. Description. Defined as properties or areas that are

                  or may be designated by the Secretary of the Interior as Regis-

                  tered Natural Landmarks,

                         b. Significance. Registered Natural Landmarks are true,

                  accurate, essentially unspoiled examples.of natural areas which

                  possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating     or inter-

                  preting the natural heritage of our nation. These areas (1)

                  encourage the preservation of sites illustrating the geological

                                                 -62-

                 and ecological character of the United States, (2) enhance the

                 educational and scientific value of sites thus preserved, (3)

                 strengthen cultural appreciation of natural history, and (4)

                 foster a greater concern in the conservation of the nation's

                 natural heritage.

                       C. Policy Objective. To maintain intact Registered

                 Natural Landmarks and the resource values for which they received

                 recognition of national significance.

                       d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

                 those consistent with the above stated policy objective. Con-

                 tinuing integrity is the essential element in development and

                 maintenance of Natural Landmarks. Reference to the original land-

                 mark application and description, as described in the National

                 Landmark Program, is essential to evaluate continuing integrity.

                 Developments which dilute the quality of the landmark so that it

                 no longer meets the test of integrity are considered inappropriate

                 land uses.

                 6.1. Public Trust Areas - Public, Trust Waters.

                       a. Description. Ocean and estuarine waters plus coastal

                 streams, tributaries and lakes in which the public may have rights

                 of navigation, access or other public trust rights (G.S. 113A-

                 113(b)(5)).

                       b. Significance. The public has rights in these waters

                 including navigation and recreation. In addition, these waters

                 support valuable commercial and sports fisheries and have aesthetic
                 value. C. Policy Objective. To protect public rights for               J

                                               -63-

                navigation and recreation and to preserve and manage the public

                trust waters so as to safeguard and perpetuate their biological,

                economic and aesthetic value.

                      d. Appropriate Uses. Appropriate uses shall be those con-

                sistent with the above policy objective. Any land use which

                interferes with the public right of navigation, or other public

                 rust rights, which the public may be found to have in,these
                wtaters, shall not be allowed, The development of navigational

                channels, the use of bulkheads to prevent erosion, and the build-

                ing of piers or wharfs are examples of land uses appropriate with-

                in public trust waters provided that such land uses will not be

                detrimental to the biological and physical functions and public

                trust rights. Projects which would directly or indirectly block

                or impair existing navigation channels, increase shoreline ero-

                sion, deposit spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse water

                circulation patterns, violate water quality standards, or cause

                degradation of shellfish waters are generally considered incom-

                patible with the management-of public trust waters.

                ,7.0., Natural Hazard Areas - General.

                     Natural hazard areas where uncontrolled or incompatible

                development could unreasonably endanger life or property, and

                other areas especially vulnerable to erosion, flooding, or other

                adverse effects of sand, wind, and water.

                7J. Natural Hazard Areas - Sand Dunes along the Outer Banks

                     a, Description, (Synonym - dunelands) Defined as sand

                deposits of windblown (eolian) origin, whether barren or partly

                or wholly vegetated with grasses, herbs, vines, or woody plants.

                                           -64-

                The dunelands extend from the inland perimeter of the ocean beach

                to the line of estuarine water encroachment on the sound side of

                the outer banks.

                       b. Significance. Dunelands.comprise a major portion of the

                outer banks and barrier islands and represent a protective barrier

                for the sounds, estuaries, and mainland. These sand deposits

                represent a dynamic system that does not afford long term protec-

                tion for development. Development with inadequate design or

                construction may be subject to substantial damage due to the ad-

                verse effects of wind and water.

                       C. Policy Objective. To insure that development which is

                undertaken utilizes sound engineering practices to minimize the

                erosive effects of wind and water.

                       d. Appro2riate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

                those co nsistent with the above policy objective. Only those

                developments that can be safely undertaken utilizing recognized

                engineering practices and site preparation and site maintenance to

                minimize unnecessary damage from wind and water should be allowed.

                7.2. Natural Hazard Areas - Ocean Beaches and Shorelines
                        (on-the Outer Banks)

                       a. Description. These are defined as land areas without

                vegetation covering, consisting of unconsolidated soil material

                that extends landward from the mean low tideto a point where any

                one or combination of the following occur: (1) vegetation or (2)

                a distinct change in predominant soil particle size or (3) a change

                in slope or elevation which alters the physiographic land form,

                and thus constitutes the transition into dunes or wetlands.

                       b. Significance. Sand deposits of ocean beaches and

                shorelines represent a dynamic zone which does not afford long

                                              -65-

                term prot-ection for development. The nature of tidal action

                and the force of storms is such that they cause.the beach areas

                to constantly shift. Littoral drift is-a natural phenomenon

                whereby sand is removed from beaches by wave action and littoral

                currents and is deposit ed upon a different stretch of the beach,

                The action also shifts the line of high tide and low tide, Ocean

                beaches and shorelines are valuable for public and private

                recreation and are located within a natural hazard area. Develop-

                ment within this dynamic zone may result in loss of property and

                possible loss of life.

                     c.' Policy Objective. To preserve to the greatest extent

                feasible the opportunity to enjoy the physical, aesthetic, cultural

                and recreational qualities of the natural shorelines of the state

                and to allow that type development which will withstand the

                prevalent na tural forces and not unreasonably interfere with the

                rightful use and enjoyment of the beach area.

                     d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

                those consistent with the above policy objective. Land use which

                involves permanent or substantial construction would not be

                appropriate.

                7.3. Natural Hazard Areas - Floodways

                     a. Description. Floodwayis defined as the channel and that

                portion of the floodplain of a stream determined to provide passage

                for the 100-year flood without increasing the elevation of that

                flood at any point by more than one foot.

                     b. Significance. Floodways serve as the main channel for

                the passage of flood waters. Development within the floodway may

                increase the potential of flood damage and unreasonably endanger

                                            -66-

            life and property.

                 C. Policy Objective. To protect the public health,       safety

            and welfare by restricting land uses within the floodway which

            have a significant potential to increase flood damage or cause

            loss of life.

                 d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

            those consistent with the above policy objective. In all instances,

            land uses must conform to the guidelines set forth in Chapter X

            Federal Insurance Administration, Subehapter B - National Flood.

            Insurance Program, Part 1910 - Criteria for Land Management and

            Use, 1910. 3d. In developing local land use plans, however, first

            priority should be given to those non-intensive recreational,

            rural and conservation uses listed in G.S. 143-215.54.

            7.41. Natural Hazard Areas - River Flood plains

                  a. Description. River flood plain is defined as a land

            area adjoining a river, stream or watercourse which is likely to

            be flooded once every one hundred (100) years (i.e., that has a

            one percent chance of being flooded each year),

                  b. Significance, Floodplains store floodwaters, thereby

            reducing inundation of adjacent lands. Floodplains also absorb

            and dissipate the energy of floodwaters, thereby reducing down-

            stream destruction.

                  C.  Policy Objective., To protect the public health, safety

            and welfare by restricting land uses within the floodplain which

            have a significant potential to increase flood damage and cause

            loss of life.

                  d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land      uses shall be.

            those consistent with the a bove policy objective. In all instances,

            land uses must conform to the guidelines stated in Chapter X:

                 Federal Insurance Administration, Subehapter B   National Flood

                 Insurance Program, Part 1910   Criteria for Land Management and

                 Use, 1910. 3c.

                 7.42. Natural Hazard Areas   Coastal Floodplains

                       a. Description. Coastal flood plain is defined as the

                  and areas adjacent to coastal sounds, estuaries or the ocean
                 w1hich are prone to flooding from storms with an annual probability

                 of one percent or greater (100 year storm) as identified by the

                 State Geologist. These areas are analogous to the 100 year flood

                 plain on a river.

                       b. Significance. Coastal flood plains are those   lands

                 subject to flooding or wave action during severe storms or

                 hurricanes. They.are,lands  where uncontrolled, incompatible, or

                 improperly designed buildings, structures, facilities, and develop-

                 ments can unreasonably endanger life and property. Except for

                 those portions of the areas lying within estuarine or ocean erodible
                 are as,'they are not generally or necessarily subject to severe

                 erosion or dynamic action leading to replacement of the land with

                 a body of water.  Unlike riverine floodways, structures within,

                 this area do not obstruct the flow of flood waters or create any

                 additional back waters.

                       C. Policy Objective. To ensure that all buildings, s  truc-

                 tures, facilities and developments are properly designed and

                 built to maintain their stability, integrity, and safety in the

                 event of flood surge from a 100 year storm.

                       d. Appr opriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

                 those consistent with the above policy objective. It is reasonable

                 to allow a certain degree of development if it is carefully controlled

                                             -68-

               and meets stringent engineering standards for stability, integrity,

               and safety during a 100 year storm. The land use plan may allow

               development activities, and if such development is undertaken, as

               a minimum it must conform with the standards of the Federal

               Insurance Administration for coastal high hazard areas and safety

               during the flood surge from a 100 year storm. (Code of Federal

               Regulations, Title 24, Chapter 10, Subchapter B).

               7.50. Natural Hazard Areas - Excessive Erosion Areas - G     eneral

                      Areas where geologic and soil conditions are such that

               there is substantial possibility of excessiveerosion or seismic

               activity, as identified by the State Geologist.

               7.51. Natural Hazard Areas     Excessive Erosion  Areas - Coastal
                        Inlet Lands

                      a. Description. Defined as the natural     zone of migration

               of coastal inlets. Such a zone covers all areas that are expected

               to be eroded by future inlets and inlet migration as identified

               by the State Geologist based on scientific determinations using

               the best available studies, including relevant historical photog-

               raphy and survey maps.

                     b. Significance. The particular location       of the inlet

               channel is a temporary one, as   such channe ls are subject to extensive

               migration. Coastal inlet lands are extremely dynamic land areas

               that are highly susceptible to becoming completely displaced by

               water.

                      c. Policy Objective. To limit unnecessary hazards to life

               or property or unreasonable requirements for public      expenditures

               to protect property or maintain safe conditions.

                                              _rla_

                        d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land.uses shall     be

                  those consistent with the above policy objective.    Recreational

                  or conservation.activities and easements for access represent the
                  preferred land use. Moveable temporary structures for recreational
                  purposes may be appropriate. Permanent or substantial*residential,

                  commercial, institutional, or industrial structures are not

                  appropriate uses in coastal inlet lands,

                  7.52. Natural Hazard Areas    Excessive  Erosion Areas    Ocean
                          Erodible Areas

                        a. Description.    Defined as the  area bounded by mean high

                  water and a recession line within which area excessive erosion

                  has a high probability of  occurring. Such a recession line

                  shall be located by the State Geologist in inerembntal'steps of

                  25, 50 and 100 years. Final determination of the excessive

                  erosion area shall be made by the Commis  Ision.

                        b. Significance. Ocean erodible areas are extremely

                  dynamic lands highly susceptible to becoming completely displaced

                  by water.

                        c. Policy Objective. To limit unnecessa    Iry hazards to life

                  or property orunreasonable requirements for@public expenditures'

                  to protect property or maintain safe conditions.

                        d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

                  those consistent with the above policy objectiv  e.

                  7.53. Natural Hazard Areas - Excessive Erosion Areas       Estuarine
                          all-d- Sound and River Erodible Areas

                        a. Description. Defined as the land     area extending from

                  the mainland-water interface landward to a   pred-i ction line

                                               -70-

            indicating the probable shoreline location 100 years hence, as

            identified by the State Geologist.

                   b. Significance. The estuarine and sound and-river

            erodible areas are natural hazard areas especially vulnerable to

            erosion. Development within this type AEC is subjected to the@

            damaging process of erosion unless special'develo*pment standards

            and preventive measures are employed.

                   C. Policy 0 bjective. To insure that development occurring

            within the 100-year erodibility line is compatible with the

            dynamic nature of the erodible lands thus minimizing the likeli-

            hood of,significant loss of,property.

                   d. Appropriate Land Uses. Appropriate land uses shall be

            those consistent with the above policy objective. Permanent or

            substantial residential, commercial, institutional or industrial

            structures are not appropriate uses in estuarine and sound and

            river erodible areas unless stabilization has been achieved along

            the effected reach. Recreational, rural and   conservation

            activities represent appropriate land uses in  those erodible areas

            where shoreline protective construction has not been completed.

                                                                                        kk

                                          -71-

                    is is to certify that this is a true copy of the rule
             by which the State Guidelines for Local Planning in the Coastal
             Area Under the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 were duly
             adopted by the Coastal Resources Commission pursuant to the
             provisions of G.S. 113A-107(e) on the twenty.seventh day of
             January 1975.

                                                  Thomas D. Eure
                                                  Chairman
                                                  Coastal Resources Commission

                  Sworn to and subscribed before me this           day of
             January 1975.

                                                  Notary Public

                  My Commission Expir                   42

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