Tyrrell County land use plan Coastal Area Management Act

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

cloqg cps-
COASTAL ZONE
INFORMATION CENTER

0 TYRRELL COUNTY'
Land. Use. Plan.

0 @ra

HD
211 CAMA
1@ N8 1976
T9
1976
J]

COASTAL ZONE
INFORMATION CENTER

TYRRELL COUNTY

LAND USE PLAN

COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT ACT

Property of CSC Library
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER 2234 SOUTH HOSON AVENUE CHARLESTON CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
MAY 24, 1976 CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413

This Report Has Been Prepared for
The Residents of Tyrrell County, North Carolina

Board of Commissioners

Lem A. Cahoon, Chairman

Joseph Landino Dan Davis
George Dawkins Floyd Hollis
Ray McClees, County Coordinatot

Planning Board
Bertram Davenport, Chairman
L. A. Keiser Floyd Patrick
Joseph Liverman, Jr. Warren Woddard

Citizens' Resource Committee

Margaret A. Griffin, Chairwoman
Joseph Landino Durwood Cooper
Claude Jones Joseph Overman

Project Staff
Sue Ann Kulick, Community Planner
Debra Ingalls, Secretary
Mary Noe, Secretary
Danny Smith, Draftsman
Mike Yount, Draftsman

May, 1976

RESOLUTION 34

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TYRRELL COUNTY LAND USE PLAN.

WHEREAS, the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 establishes a
cooperative program of coastal area management between local and
State governments, wherein local government shall have the initiative
for planning and State government shall establish areas of environ-
mental concern; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly of North Carolina has determine d*
and declared as a matter of legislative finding that among North
Carolina's most valuable resources are its coastal lands and waters,
and that the coastal area, and in particular the estuaries, are
among the most biologically productive regions of this State and of
the nation; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has found that an immediate and
pressing need exists to 'Pstablish a comprehensive plan for the
protection, preservation, orderly development, and'management of
the coastal area of North Carolina; now, therefore,

The Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners resolves:

That the Tyrrell County Land Use Plan is hereby adoptedin
accordance with the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974,,,--and the
guidelines established by the Coastal Resources Commissionjor.
the purpose set forth above, and it is hereby declared to be
public policy.

TABLE-OF CONTENTS

Lag e
1. Introduction

A. Purpose and History of the Plan 1

B. Geographical Setting 2

C. Climate 2

11. Description of Present Conditions

A@ General Population Trends 5

Economy. 15

Agricultural Trends 15

First Colony Fa rms 22

C. Existing Land Use 24

General Development Pattern 24

Problems from Unplanned Development 25

D. Constraints 27

Physical Limitations 27

Hazard Areas 27

Soils 30

Ground Water 32

Steep -Slopes 33

Fragile Areas 33

Coastal Wetlands 33

Estuarine and Public Trust Waters 33

WildIffe 37-

Fish 38

Rare and Endangered Spectes 38

Areas With Resource-Potential 44

Agricultura.1 Lands 44
Mineral, Resources 45

Forest Resources 45

Commun i ty Tac i I i ti es 5.1

Water and Sewer Service, Areas 51

Roads and Schools 51

III@ Current Plans, Policies,.and-,Regulatio ns 55
A., Local 55.

B. State and Federal 58

59
IV. Public Participation Activities

A. Land Use Issues 59

Population 59

Housing Characteristics and Conditions 60

65
Economy

Natural Resources 65

Historic and Cultural Resources 6.7
B. Goals and Objectives 68

V, Estimated Demand 74

A. Population and Economy 74
Population 74
Projections 10-50 years 74
Carrying Capacity Issue 74
Economy 75

B. Future Land Needs 78

C. Community Facilities Demand 78

VI. Plan Description

A. Land Classification -81

The Land Classification System 81

The Five Classes of,Land 82-

B. Allocation of -Pooulatio,n 98

VII. Potential- Areas of Environmental Concern 89

A., Coastal Wetlands 90

B. Estuarine Waters 92

C. State Parks 93

D, Areas, that Sustain Remnant Species 94

E. Certain Public Trust Areas 95

F. Estuarine and River Erodible Areas 97

VIII. Impl ementati on 98

IX. Summary (Synopsis) UNDER SEPARATE COVER

X. City-County Plan Relationship
Int erpretations of Town/County.Plans 101
X'I Columbia Land Use Plan 102

A. Present Conditions 103

Population 103

Economy 106

Existing Land Use .10_6

Bi, Constraints on Development 106

Land.Potential 106

Soils 106

Hazards 107

Fragile Areas 107

Community Facilities 107

C. Current Plans and-Policies 108

D. Public Participation Activities 108

E. Estimated Future Demand 108

Population 108

Economy 109

Future Land Need & Community Facilities Demand 109

F. Plan Description 110

G. Potential Areas of Envirnmental Concern 110

H. Implementation 110

Xll Appendixes

A. Questionnaire Results 111

B. Public Participation Report to Coastal Resources Commission 121 125
C. Bibiography 125

INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose & History of the Plan

B. Geographical Setting

The Coastal A-rea@@-Management-,-Act%-I,p&s:sed-in 1974 i's more.forceful than

enabl-ing leg is lati on it requires -a-11 @coasta]- counties to -accept the re-

spons-ibi I ity- of; @purposefullly, plan ni;ng- ftr@-the wisest and -best use of a I l

resources. Land use planning on such a sca1e has never before been attempted

in North Carolina, and it is inevitable that a long-maturing,process must

follow the passage of such a unique program-.- This plan will also require

further refinesments and more s:pecilfic studies in several planning areas.

But planning is only@the first step. A planning document is a useless

pile of paper unless@both citizens and-elected representatives commit them-

selves to making the plan work. Each,decision, each action must add support

and structure to the plan. The legislature made many revisions in the Act

to insure a plan that both protects the resources and provides for the citi-zen,

and the county should be prepared to respond with the same effort. The

Coastal Resources Commission, composed of appointed representatives from the
twenty coastal counties, has further worked to develop guidelines which have

specifiedboth the planning procedure and the-planning document.

'This document is the first step--toward satisfying the requirements of

the Act. Future action by the county-in implementing this program will affect

the status of grants and programs in Tyrrell and the county's acceptability

as a receiving agent for these.

This Land Use Plan is a policy statement which attempts to show where,

when, and how the county expects to encourage the land uses throughout Tyrrell

to change or remain the same. The..strength-of th-is plan rests almost entirely
on the willingness of the citizens to enact-further land use regulations where

they see fit. However, within the areas ofvenvironmental concern (AEC's) land

use shall be regulated accordi@ng to the guidelines set forth by.the Coastal

Resources Commission.

GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

,The Swanquarter area, a part of the east-central coastal plain of North

Carolina, includes Dare, Hyde, Pamlico, Tyrrell and Washington Counties.

Tyrrell County is bounded on the northby the Albemarle Sound, on the east

by the Alligator River, on the south by Hyde County, and on the west by

Washington County. The county lies within the Pamlico Terrace, a broad,

flat eastward sloping plain that represents a former ocean floor. The ter-

race.is one of a series of marine terraces formed by successively lower

stands of the sea during Pleistocene times. Much of the county is less than

five feet above sea level. Lake Phelps is a prominent feature in the south-

west corner of the'county. Oddly enough the lake is higher than the surround-

ing Iand. Pocosins occupy much of Tyrrell.

The county is drained by slow moving streams, drainage ditches, and

canals which empty into the Scuppernong and Alligator Rivers and the Albemarle

Sound.

Tyrrell is underlaid by sedimentary rocks that range in age from Cre-

taceous to Recent and represent deposition in both marine and non-marine

environments. The sedimentary formations include beds of limestone, sand,

unconsolidated shells, marl, clay, and unconsolidated sand stone. Through-

out most of the area, sediments of Pleistocene and Recent age form a layer

25 to 100 feet thick.*

CLIMATE

The climate is mild with a 184 day growing season, average January tem-
perature of 43.7 degrees, and average July temperature of-'77 degrees. The 41

average annual precipitation is 51.15 inches.**

*Geology and Ground Water Resources of the Swan Quarter Area, North 41
Carolina. Division of GrEnd Water, Ground Water Bulletin Number 4, 1964.
**A New Geography of North Carolina. Bill Sh arpe.

BVLL BA V
oil SWAM'
@10

ax SAVANNAH

LUMB A 'T" lp
ALLIGATO-R T p

MOLLOW GROUND

SWAMP

)ruff
GUM NEC11C T P VING At

-OUTH
$T, S

FORK

I twp

SWAMP

OIL

TYRRELL COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA

TOWNSHIPS
31

C"A-" %

rm CAROLINA
NOR

TYRRELL COUNTY

Location Map

DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT
CONDITIONS

A. General Population Trends

B. Economy

C. Existing Land Use

D. Constraints

GENERAL POPULATION TRENDS

The Coastal Area Management Act was passed to protect people through

careful management of natural resources, Manis presence is a major force

affecting natural resources. No matter how we view people in the environ-

ment we are both part Of the problem--and part of the solution. The impact

of population must, therefore,'be considered as an important part of land

use plans.

0 In 1970, Tyrrell County had a total population.of-3,806--the lowest

county population in the state. As seen in Table 1, the county population

has been decreasing at an evIer increasing rate. Between 1960 and 1970 the

county lost over 15% of its population--a total decrease of 714 people.

During the same period, North Carolina had a population increase of 11.5%.
Table 2 shows the greatest losses occurred in age groups 0-4 (51% loss)

and 35-44 (31% loss). This population-trend is graphically shown in Table 3.

Tables 4 and 5 show township populations and indicate that Gum Neck Township

lost the greatest percentage of people while Scuppernong lost the smallest

percentage. The losses in children under 4 can be matched with the comparable

loss of women in the child bearing age groups (defined as women between the

ages of 15 and 49) Table 6.

Contrasting with the decreases in the two younger age groups are

increases.in the number of people over 55 years, of age, Not only did these
two age groups (55-64,-and-65+) increase in number, but they also make up a
greater prop6rtion (%) of the population.- This is shown in Table 7.

As a result of the high percentage of older people, the median age

within the county is high, as can be seen in Table 8. Only 7 other counties

in North Carolina have a higher median age.*
The median age for the whole county is high, but the racial division

of age is even more informative. The white population median age is nearly

8 years older than-the@total population median age, while the Negro median

age is nearly 10 years younger than the combined population median. Tables

9 and 10 also show the Negro and white pop ulations fo r 1960 and 1970 accord-

ing to age groups. The Negro popWation age group 5-14 is the only age

group that is not losing members faster than the white population group.
More importantly, the Negro age'groups 20-24 have continued to lose members
while the white age group 20-24-has- experienced a 29% increase.

*Median age is defined as that age which divides the population exactly
in half, with half the people older than the median age and half the people
younger.

TABLE I

TYRRE-LL COUNTVPOPULATION-1940-1970.

YEAR POPULATION CHANGE PERCENT

1940 5,556
1950 5,048 -508 - 9.1
1960 4,520 -528 -10.5
1970 3,806 _714 -15.8

SOURCE:. Statistical.Analysis System, N. C. State UniNersity, 1975.

TABLE 2
TYRRELL COUNTY
POPULATION BY AGE GROUPS

AGE GROUP 1960 1970 CHANGE PERCENT

0 - 4 537 265 -272 -51 %

5 - 14, 1064 849 -215 -20

15 - 19 427 37.5 - 52 -12

20 24 200 210 + 10 +.05

25 34 412, 311 -101 -24

35 44 526 364 -162 -31

45 54 526 464 - 61 -12

@55 64 374 474 +100 +27

64+ 454 493 + 39 + 8

SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population 1960 and 1970.

TABLE 3

TYRRELL COUNTY

County Population by Age Groups 1950-1970

1150

1100

1050
1950
E3

1000
1960

950
1970

900

850
LLJ

CD 800
LIJ

LL-
750

700
777
650

600

550

@A. A,;
500

450

400

350

X
00F
300

250

2
0
00
KA
VIA

0-4 5-14 15-214 25-34 35-44, 45-54 55-64 65+
AGE GROUPS

TABLE 4

POPULATION BY COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP

TYRRELL COUNTY POPULATION BY TOWNSHIP

SOUTH
YEAR'- COUNTY- ALLIGATOR COLUMBIA GUM NECK SCUPPERNONG FORK

1940 5,556 607 2544 1198 1074 33'
1950 5,048 587 2482 883 100?, ___92
1960 4,520 613 2212 732 901 63
1970.- 3,806 482 1910 523 838 56

SOURCE: N. C. State Un i vers i ty- S-t-a,t-i @s ti-ca-l Abs tra c t-, Sys tem-, 1975.

TABLE 5

TYRRELL COUNTY.

COMPARISON- Of- P7 PIOPTJLATI ON' CHANGES

TOWNSHIP 1960 1970 CHANGE PERCENT

Tyrrell Co. 3806 4520 -714 -15.8
Columbia Twp. 1910 2212 -302 -13.7
Columbia Town 902 1099 -197 -17.9
Gum:Neck Twp.. 523 732 -209 -28.6
Scuppernong Tw'p,. 838 901 63, - 77 0(11`@
South Fork:Twp. 53 62 9 -14.5
4-*,
A1-11-ga-tor TWO-. 482 613 -131 -Zr.

SOURCE: N.@;, C, 5tate University Stattsti-c-a-1 Analys,ts System, 1975.

.TABLE 6

TYRRELL COUNTY

WOMEN- OF CI+I,LD.- BEAKING AGE

1960 1970 Change Percent

938 446 -492 -52.6%

SOURCE: U..-S. Census of-Population 1960; 1970

TABLE 7

TYRRELL COUNTY
TOTAL POPULATION BY AGE AND SEX

1960

1970

IRE
KNEW M11"I", 654

ilk
M"a
Man
. .... . 55-65
i gp
-54
45

35-44

-0
25-34
LIME=

1
-24
5

-14
5

0-4

12 11 TO 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2, 1 1 2 4' 5@ 7 @8 9 10 11 12

*Showing % changes are misleading. Here the age group 45-55 has decreased in size, yet those who remain
are a larger proportion of the population.

SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population

TABLE 8

TYRRELL COUNTY

MEDIAN AGE

1960-1970

Females Males Total
Negro White White Negro Population*

1960 18.1 35.4 34.4 16.8 25.7

21.2 40.6 38.6 19.0 31.8

SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population 1960, 1970.

TABLE 9

TYRRELL COUNTY

NEGRO POPULATION BY AGE GROUPS

Age Group 1960 1970 Change %
0- 4 321 135 -186 -57.9

5- 14 558 505 - 53 - 9.5

15 - 19 222 193 - 29 -13.1

20 - 24 106 87 - 19 -17.9

25 - 35 161 118 - 43 -26.7

35 - 44 187 135 - 52 -27.8

45 - 54 181 170 6.1

55 - 64 117 168 + 51 +43.6

64+ 123 141 + 18 +14.6
Non-white Negro

*In 1960 there were only two people-who were non-wh1te and non-Negro.

SOURCE: U. S. Census of Popqlation 1960, 1970.

TABLE 10

TYRRELL COUNTY

WHITE POPULATION BY AGE GROUPS

Age Group 1960 1970 Change Percent

0 - 4 216 130 - 86 -39.9

5 - 14 506 340 -162 -32.0

15 - 19 205 182 - 23 -11.2

20 - 24, 94 122 + 28 +29.8

25 - 34 251 192 - 58 -23.1

35 - 44 339 229 -110 -32.4

45 - 54 345 295 - 50 -14.5

55 - 64 257 306 + 49 +19.1

6-5+ 331 352 + 21 + 6.3

SOURCE: U. S. Census of Population-1960, 1970.

TABLE 11

REGIONAL POPULATION-COMPARISONS

COUNTY 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970

Camden 5,474 5,640 5,382 5,461 5,440 5,223' 5,598 5,453

Chowan 10,258 11,303 10,649 11,282 11,572 12,540 11,729 10,764

Currituck 6,529 7,693 7,268 6,710 6,709 6,201 6,601 6,976

Dare 4,757 4,841 5,115 5,202 6,041 5,405 5,935 6,995

Gates 10,413 10,455 10,537 10,551 10,060 9,555, 9,254 8,524

Hyde 9,278 8,840 8,386 8,550 7,860 6,479 5,765 5,571

Pasquotank 13,660 16,693 17,670 19,143 20,568 24,347 25,630 26,824

Perquimans 10,091 11,054 11,137 10,668 9,773 - 9,178 8,351
_9,602

Tyrrell 4,980 5,219 4,849 5,164 5,556 5,048 4,520 3,806

Washington 10,608 11,062 11,429 11,603 12,323 13,180 13,468 14,038

R 85,048 92,800 92,422 54,334 96,907 97,580 97,698 97,302

SOURCE: Region R Water and Sewer Study, Freeman and Associates.

4b db db 4b

ECONOMY

Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Tyrrell ranks 98th,in per capita

income ($1,562), leading only Bertie ($1,555) and Northampton ($1,514) counties.

Forty-four percent of the county's population lives below the poverty level.

The county has a small population and, therefore, a small. labor force.

Under-employment may be serious, as indicated by the high percentage (44%). of

persons below poverty level. Employment opportunities are scare with prac-

tically no industry in the county. The percentage of women in the labor

market is low (34%) in comparison to percentages of women in the labor force

from areas which are more economically developed (generally about 50%). In

Tyrrell, most people (41%) are blue collar workers. Thirty-six percent have

white collar jobs.. Sixteen percent are in farming and 11% are service workers.

Since 1960, white collar positions have increased 16%.

No single sector employs a large percentage ofthe work force. Agriculture,

forestry, and fishing industries together account for 18% of the employment.

Wholesale, retail, service, education, government and construction 'sectors

each employ about 10% of the labor force. Manufacturing emp-loys about 20%.

Agricultural Trends

Fewer farms, larger farms, shifts-in tenure pattern and a large increa.se
0 in value of agricultural real estate highlighted the changes in North Carolina
agriculture between 1964 and 1969.

The number of farms decreased 19% in the state. Average farm size in-
0 creased by 10% from 97 to 106.6.acres.

Value of farm land and buildings increased by 45%. Average sales of
farm products per farm increased from $7,200 in 1964 to $10,000 in 1969, an

increase of 39%. The proportion of commercial farms with sales of $10,000

or more increased slightly from 20% to 24%. The percentage of farms with

sales exceeding $5,000 was 40% in 1964 and 1969. Thus, 60@ of all farms in

North Carolina continue as marginal or part-time operations with gross sales

of less than $5,000.

There was a slight decrease in part owners and a shift from tenants

towards full ownership.*

For Tyrrell County, cash farm receipts went up between 1959 and 1969,

although receipts still fall behind the rest of the region. Of course,

First Colony Farms has now begun operations, and these figures will change

drastically in the near future.

Tyrrell County employment in agriculture decreased by 40% between 1960

and 1970.

*SOURCE: Tar Heel Economist, November, 1972

TABLE 12

INCOME.AND.POVERTY CHARACTERISTICS FOR FAMILIES9
UNRELATED INDIVIDUALS, AND PERSONS
TYRRELL COUNTY - 1970

Family Income Distribution

Income Number of Families 936.Families

1,000 55 355 below poverty
level;
1,000 - 11999 129 37.9% below poverty
2,000 - 2,999 144 level
3,000 - 3,999 117
4,000 - 4,999 75 Median Income $4,307
5,000 - 5,999 52 Mean Income $5,808
6,000 - 6,999 81
7,000 - 7,999 64
8,000 - 8,999 72
9,000 - 91999 15
10,000 - 11,999 54 J-
12,000 - 14,999 21
15,000 - 24,999 48
25,000 - 49,999 5
50,000 or more 4

Unrelated Individuals 228 126 Below Poverty Level
55.3% Below Poverty Level

$1,750 = Median Income
$2,133 = Mean Income

Persons, having income less than poverty level 1,702
44.8% of all persons

Per capita income of persons $1,562

Only Bertie and Northampton have lower per capita incomes

*SOURCE: U. S. 1970 Census of Population

TABLE 13

1970 OCCUPATIONS OF EMPLOYED-PERSONS

Number

Total Employment 1220

Professional, Technical 132
Managers, Adm,tnistrators 39 White collar 386 32%
Sales 69 Workers
Clerical 146 (333 = 25%)

Craftsmen, foremen 128
Operatives 204 Blue collar 504 = 41%
Laborers, except farm 172 Workers (575 = 42%)

Farm labor & foremen 85 Farm = 197 16%
Farmers & managers 112 (32 = 24%)

Service workers 104 Services = 133 = 11%
Private households 29 (135 = 10%)

(1960 census totals)

TABLE 14
1970 INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION OF-EMPLOYED PERSONS

Number Percent of Total

Agriculture, forestry, fishing 225 18%
Construction 143 12
Manufacturing 243 20
Wholesale 76 7
Retail 128 10
Finance (Banking credit, insur-
ance, real estate) 51 4
Personal & community service 164 13
Education & government 125 10

SOURCE: U. S. Census, 1970.

TABLE 15

REGIONAL COMPARISON OF FARM CHARACTERISTICS

Value of Land
Average Size and Buildings
Area and No. of Farms of Farm per Farm
County 1969 1964 1969 1964 1969 1964
(acres) (dollars)

Beaufort 1,467 1,683 133.6 130.6 41,259 33,028

Camden 221 215 254.8 252.1 89,020 55,554

Chowan 430 448 137.4 127.8 50,492 31,300
ko Currituck 205 307 256.2 226.2 79,084 44,907

Gates 614 620 140.5 145.1 36,137 23,537

Hyde 294 336 270.3 227.9 75,816 33,709

Pasquotank 379 446 178.1 164.6 77,625 53,853

Perquimans 492 603 165.5 150.8 54,878 37,913

Tyrrell 213 259 157.7 154.7 50,621 20,490

Washington 477 506 190.5 138.3 63,431 26,017

SOURCE: Dr., Stone, N. C.@State Agricultural Extension Service

TABLE 16

CASH-fARM",rRECEIPTS-' REGIONAL-COMPARISON

1969 1959-69
Percent-of Total Percent Change in Receipts
Livestock Livestock
Total, Crops & Poultry Total Crops & Poultry
.(thousand,dollars)

Camden 4,062,831 80.8 19.2 44.6 27.2 239.3

Chowan 7,292,226 62.9 37.1 88.0 60.0 10.0

Currituck 4,323,619 70.0 30.0 14.6 4.2 49.3

Dare N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

G ates 7,657,181 53.0 47.0 97.3 56.3 180.1

Hyde 4,541,690 73.0 27.0 87.5 62.6 220.1

Pasquotank 6,988,753 79.9 20.1 35.9 .22.6 139.0

Perquimans 6,153,846 68.1 31.9 51.6 40.2 83.1

Tyrrell 2,718,965 61.9 38.1 112.9 96.0 147.5

Washington 6,198,665 79.1 .20.9 80.1 80.5 78.7

Region R 49,9379,776 69.3 30.7 62.7 43.8 132.0

SOURCE: Dr. Stone, N. C. State Agricultural Extension Service.

A n

TABLE 17

VALUE OF FARM.PRODUCTS SOLD

Farms Selling

$51000-$9,999 $10,000 and Over
Area & County, 1969 1964 1969. 1964
--Fpercent)
Beaufort 18 22 30 35

Camden 11 14 35 34

Chowan 14 16 37 33

Currituck 14 14 @41 30

Gates 19 20 30 23
Hyde .13 12 @39 32
Pasquotank 15 15 41 37
Perquimans 18 39 26
Tyrrel 1 8 16 25 .12
Washington 17 19 32 23

TABLE 18

JENURE OF FARM OPERATORS (Percent)

Full Owners Part Owners Tenants
1969 1964 1969 1964 1969 1964

Beaufort 52 41 28 38 20 20
Camden 47. 39 35 46 18 15
Chowan 47 42 33 36. 20 22
Currituck 43 4 16 39 39 18 13

Gates 59 48 25 -34 16 18
Hyde 50 38 40 43 10 18
Pasquotank 48 41 .36 40 16 19
Perquimans. 43 45 39 38 17 17
0 Tyrrell 60 .53 27 34 13 13'
Was.hington 57 45 25 .29 18 .25
SOURCE: Dr. Stone N. C. State Agriculture Extension Service

0 21

First Colony Farms

With a 375,000 acre-spread in Washington, Tyrrell, Dare and Hyde Counties,

the farm may be one-of the-largest in the-country. Although the farm's

potential for major problems is well-known, it is not well documented. Environ-

mentally, the farm's effect has been less than feared. Sociologically, the

impact on the various counties a-lso appears minimal. It is a generally

accepted principle that a single isolated industry (as First Colony Farms may

be considered) does not add enough value to.pay for the service requirements

it generates. In the case of First Colony Farms, the burden (costs/services)

may fall unequally among the.surrounding counties as e mployees settle in

various places and as equipment warehouses and stock yards are located through-

out the four counties. The impact on Tyrrell and Hyde may be quite different

from that on Dareand Washington Counties. In general, there should be limited

social impacts unless specific steps are taken to concentrate the work force.

First Colony Farms has no plans to do so.

Most of First Colony Farms' buying, selling, and financing is done outside

the area; in fact, it is done predominantely outside the state. Few indepen-

dent buyers, sellers, or processors are therefore expected to establish in

the area.

The farm expects to hire a limited number of people every year (about 30).

Of these-employees 1/3 will be skilled,,-1/3 semi@skilled, and 1/3 professional.

As preferential assessment does not apply to First Colony Farms, the tax

dollars generated by land conversion in Tyrrell County added some $74,000 to the

county's 1975-76 budget of $2,318,113 (or about 3% of the budget).

Socially, First Colony Farms is not creating a commotion in Tyrrell County
nor is it a drain.on services of the budget. However,.the massiv'e land conver-

sion may be negatively affecting wildlife habitats or other recreational resources.

Us,

Usts
BULA. ALA T
au

COL

Us
Usk

001,
iL

71 a

0:0:4 -% . . . . . . . .
11-a now
IS _an

Ex
-VIAG
cc

Is
Is .8
Is aIs8Is so
'Ememss"'m .. ... . . . X 0
n
Is

a IN
n GRAPINYMS
0 MY
00

liallowa
a 'asse -a-
-2@ m Is aas n

Ty
TYRRELL COUN

NORTH CAROLINA

,@e7 A.:
L E G E 1\1 0

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSED PASTURE FIRST COLONY
oEl RECREATION AND WILDERNESS FARMS

IS775
PROPOSED ROW CROP

CULTIVATED ROW CROP
23

QTHER OWNERSHIP

EXISTING LAND USE

.G.efl.elral Development Pattern

The county meets the census definition of a rural area--it has no "place"

or incorporated,town of more th-an 2,500 inhabitants. Little acreage is devel-

oped in moderate-to-4igKdenslty residents or for commercial or industrial uses.

Columbia is the on-ly municipality in the county, Various communities
exist in name, but are actually widely dispersed "neighborhoods" (perhaps'with

a store and community center) in an identifiable section of thecounty,

Commercial establishments are located primarily Lin Columbia. Some remain

in the central business district, but more are being attracted to the U.S. 64

bypass.

Small industri-al enterprises--lumber yard, samill, farmers" supply--are

located on U.S. 64 west of Colum0a,

Residenti-al development occurs along the e@oads dispersed throughout the

county, There are 12 subdivisions or trailer parks in the county. These are

all located along the shore of the Albemarle Sound and are a mixture of vacation,

retirement, permanent homes, and mobile homes. Mobile homes have nearly

quadrupled in number from 1970-75, or from 84 to 309, Most new development

of any sort-occurs i.n Columbfa, Scuppernong Community, or Sound Side Community,

Large farms and large commercial timber,tracts dominate the land-holding

pattern in the county. Approximately 68% of the land is corporately held

(First Colony Farms, Weyerhaeuser, Horner 'Waldorf, Connecticut General Life

Insurance, and others).

Existing recreation si-tes, as described fin the State Comprehensive

Recreation Plan, are: Bulls Bay Boate), Gum Neck Landing boat 'ramp, Columbia

boat ramp, Norman Smith Memorial Beach, Pettigrew State Park, Prichetts Marina,

Sawyers Marin-a', Scuppernong Community Center, Travis Playground, and Scuppernong
0
Travel Trailer Park,

Problems From Unplanned Development

Several problems have resulted from the unplanned development within

the county. Most obvious is the congestion along U.S. 64, both in Columbia

and throughout Scuppernong Township. Uncontrolled driveway-.access has per-

mitted every individual residence or place of business to have its own direct

driveway. A traffic hazard is created when cars are constantly turning off or

coming onto the highway. Speed is drastically lowered and.the effectiveness

of the highway reduced. This loss can be counted in taxpayers' dollars when

the road must be widened, traffic lights installed, or other traffic control

measures instituted.

Ill-planned development with poorly designed streets and inadequate lots

will be a handicap for a long time along the Sound Shore, in Goat Neck and

perhaps in Gum Neck. Any new development in these areas must now contend with

poor road systems, the lack of recreat,ion areas, and anticipated water supply

and sewage disposal problems. Indiscriminate countywide dumping is evident,

due to the lack of a proper landfill and a solid waste collection system.

Three areas are experiencing, or can be expected to experience, major land

use changes: Scuppernong@community, Gum Neck,-and the Sound Shore area.

Scuppernong, because of its better soil conditions and location on U.S. 64,

between Columbia and Creswell, is already showing signs of development. Several

commercial establishments and many residences already exist. Scuppernong's

population fell less than any other township between 1960 and 1970. One well

located subdivision would probably create considerable changes.

Massi-ve lan'd clearing and drainage operations for large scale farming are

the changes occurring th-roughout Gum Neck Township. Grain storage, shipping

facilittes, and-expansion-of the cattle and swine feed lots by First Colony

Farms can be expected In the"near-future. Ba,rge facilities and food processing

plants are possibilities, also, as secondary developments,

Now that the'southeast states are.experiencing greater immigration--

especially to rural areas--recreation home development along the Albemarle

Sound can be expected to continue and.poss,ibly increase. Such development,'

unless strictly regulated, can be expected to degrade water quality by septic

tank effluent or accelerated shore erosion.

The Scuppernong River is a natural area providing prime fish spawning

areas along the hardwood fringe. Any drainage operation upstream (in Washington

County) can be expected to modify down@stream characteristics.

26'

CONSTRAINTS

An analysis has been made of the general suitability of land for develop-

ment with special emphasis given to physical limitations, fragile areas, and

areas with resource potential,

PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS

Hazard Areas

Several man-made hazards exist. A USAF bombing range is located In the

Albemarle Sound directly north of SR 1209 where the road curves closest to the

Sound Shore near SR 1218 (Dewer Pier). Boating is prohibited in the area although

the warning is frequently ignored. A privately owned landing strip is located

directly east of Dewey Pier. The owner of the air strip is subdividing the sur-

rounding land.

One oil tank storage facility is situated on Columbia's waterfront in a

residential neighborhood; another is in a commercial area; and a third is in a

residential neighborhood near the high school.

Coastal flood-prone areas are one of the major natural hazards in the

county. All land areas below 6 feet elevation have been designated flood prone.

Which means, according to the United States Geologic Service and Department of

Housing and Urban Developmentment maps, most of the county has a 1% chance each year

of being flooded. Or, put differently, the flood prone-area will be inundated,

on the average, once every hundred years.

Riverine floodways and flood plains have not, been delineated for Tyrrell

County. This should be done for both the Scuppernong River and the Alligator River

because such areas serve as buffer zones to public trust and estuarine waters,

besides providing excellent habitat in the form of seasonally inundated wooded

swamp fringes for spawning herring.

Estuarine erosion areas have been determined by the Soil Conservation

Service for 121 points along the Albemarle Sound and Alligator River. An

average 25-year erosion rate has been calculated.

BULL BA Y

wa.
SAVANNAH
*147

co"
ac.

15
HOLLOW GJWUND

SWAMP

G@@ -AW. kAPff
BA -Y

Q-

B SWAMP

TYRRELL COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA
J-1
L@-J= .4.
SHORELINE'
REACH EROSION

SHORELINE LOST TO EROSION 1947 1969

Reach No. 1 Reach-No. 8
Erosion = 22.5 acres or 168,395 tons ErosUn = 14.1 Acres or 41,310 tons
Av. Width of Eroded Area = 61.8 Ft, Av. Width of Eroded Area = 30.6 Ft.
Tons Lost Per Year 7,654 Tons Lost Per Year = 1,878
Ave. Height of Bank 3.8 ft. Av. Height of Rank = 1.5 Ft.
Distance - 3.0 Miles Distance 3.8 miles

Reach No. 2
SUMMARY":
Erosion = 98.3 acres or,4,D3,,' 83.tons
G
42 Ft,
Av. Width of Eroded.Arba,- T .. *I T,otal. Erosion 485,5 acres or,1,521,295,tons
. 1 22''
Tons Lost Per Year '=, ta,; @3 Av,.:Width.of Eroded Area = 44,7 Ft.
Av. Height of Bank- ,t Tons Lost Per Year 69,150
Distance = 19.0 miles
Ave, Height of Bank 1.6 Ft.
Reach No. 3 Distance 89.6 miles
Erosion = 89.7 acres or 283,417 tons
Av. Width of Eroded Area = 43.4 Ft.
Tons Lost-Per Year 12,883
Av. Height of'Bank 1.6 Ft.
Distance = 17.1 miles

Reach No. 4
Erosion = 85.6 acres or 212,620 tons
Av. Width of Eroded Area = 66.4 Ft.
Tons Lost Per Year = 9,665
Av. Height of Bank = 1.4 Ft,
Distance 10.6 miles

Reach No. 5
Erosion = 27.6 acres or 54,000 tons
Av. Width of Eroded Area = 40;.0 Ft,
Tons Lost Per Year...= 2,455
Av Height of Bank!.'= 1.0 Ft..
Di;tance 5.7 miles

Reach No. 6
Erosion = 77.5 Acres or 151,@20 tops
Av. Width of Eroded Area = 40@0 F t,.
Tons Lost Per Year = 6,905
Av Height of--Bank.= 1.0 Ft.
Distance = 16.0 miles
Reach No. 7
Erosion = 70.3 acres or 206,550 tons
Av. Width of Eroded Area = 40.0 Ft,
Tons Lost Per Year = 9,389
Av. Height of Bank = 1,5 Ft.
Distance 14.5 miles

Soils

Soils which occur together in a characteristic and repeating pattern on a

landscape constitute a gemral soil area or a ."soil association." Soil asso-

ciations are named for two or more of the most extensive soil types found on a

particular landscape. The less extensive soil types may or may not be included

in the association name.

A generalized soils map showing the locations and extent of six associa-

tions in Tyrrell County has been prepared. This map, along with the accompany-

ing text and interpretations, provides the general soils data necessary for

planning the efficient use and orderly development of the county's land re-

sources. This map will be useful to those who are interested in the location

and extent of soil types in the county, as well as to those who seek the loca-

tions of areas suitable for agricultural, industrial, or other broad land use

potentials within the county.

It should be emphasized that this general soils map has been prepared for

broad planning purposes only. It does n ot accurately depict specific soil types

on individual tracts of land and is not suitable for detailed planning of such

tracts. A more detailed soil survey is necessary for detailed planning and

should be prepared by the county.

The accompanying soil interpretations table gives limitations of the main

soil types for dwellings, recreational areas, light industries, and highway

development, as well as suitability for general agriculture, woodland, and

pasture development;

'The accompanying maps, legends and tables were prepared by the Soil Con-

servation Service assisting the Pamlico Soil and Water Conservation District.

As one can easily see from,the-tabl-es and map, the drainage issue is a
serious matter for Tyrrell. At best, the soils have moderate limitations; at

APPEP.DIX 0

3 6
4

_j
6

0 5
Z*
6

6
6
0

2
Is V
/6 3'
A 4 6

,a
6

6
3 b
0
@6.

It
5

77 1

RAmvrh'E
MY

41
5

LEGEND
F-Tj !ERTIE-LUMBEE-JOHN S ASSOCIA TION: H-d,,-,,Iy
", h.i@ d. s-@al Dowly &ai.,d @d poofly cl,,i@
d oils -ix), f,ilbl, -dy cily loa, ,bs,il,; m -ly
I-el to &-tfy I,pmZ to% m th, hight, I-d-ms.
YATT-COXVILLE ASSOCIATION: P-1, d,.I..d
F-2 @i@ f, @bittLli;l Ii., @dv 0., 1-1. cl., ..b@
S.il,: Iat .1.1 of I" Co.". P,
HYDE-BAYBORD ASSOCIATION: V.,y p-ly d,.i-d 0 1 2 3 1
soil, @itj, li- 1, -, `1- 0., 'lay &,bs,itc
m--;@t b-d 'flats' w ftwe-ms.
TORF.UNTA- ORTSMOUTH ASSOCIATION: V , i-ly .... .
dm,ed -ils 21, hi,bl, lo- -d , sa,dy Il- 1.
-dy cl- 1- -bsoill: ...... lik,' -as . ....

P
_@SQUOTANK-WEEKSVILLE ASSOCIATION: 1-1,
y p, ly &ai,,d ,it, @ith 1,ittbl, ili 1- -bs,it,
_d:,".7 1, a*@, - It..d. Ilat - of @,
'o. Co.". lol.i@. GENERAL SOIL MAP
BELHAVEN-DARE-DOROVAN ASSOCIATION: va@ TENTATIVE: SUB IECT TO CHANGE
x-Ty cl,amcd wgmic -ds -rh - -daid ti,,asg@ TYRRELL COUNTY
-1 -1 IN: - I- fil, fill, b.11- 1-dl .1-1 NORTH CAROLINA
...........
No.: T@i. OIL CO@11!@
Fw 4, il@vta@
oil _'y @s . ded." -Frc7t- REV. 7-72 4-R-25, 137 31
ti- R-32,005

Soil Interpretations APPENDIX D
General Soil Map TABLE I
Tyrrell County, North Carolina

LIMITATIONS FOR SUITABILITY FOR
% of Soil Association % of Dwellings with Recreation
County ASSOC. Sewerage Septic Tank Intensive Light Roads and General
Systems Filter Fields Cam Sites Picnic Areas Play Areas Industries Streets Agriculture WoodslPasturp
5%

1. BtRTIE-LUMBEE-JOHNS
Bertie 35% Sev. Wt. Sev. Wt. Perc. Mod. Wt. Fl. Mod. Wt. Fl. Mod, Wt. Fl. Sev,Wt.TSC Sev.Wt.TSC Good Good
Lumbee 207. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev-. -Fl.-IW-t. -3`ev-77177@-t. @ew-.WE.TSC Sev.Wt.TSC Fair Good Good - @ood
Johns 15% @ev. Wt. Fl. Sev. Wt. Mod. Wt. Mod. Wt. Mod. Wt. -�'e-v.WtTSC Sev.FI.Wt. Good Good Good Gooa
2%
2. MYATT-COXVILLE
Myatt 407. Mod. Perc. - Sev.Wt.Fl.Perc. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev.Wt.Fl. Poor Good Good JGood
Coxvirle-- 40%, Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev.Wt.Fl.Perc.- -1-e`v-T-ra?7r.-- Sev.Trat.Fl. Sev.Fl.Wt. Sev.Fl.Wt. Poor Good Good Fair
Cor. TSC
20%
3. HYDE-BAYBORO
Hyde 5 0% Mod. O.M. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev.Wt.Fl.TSC Sev.Fl.Wt.TSC Poor lGood Good Good
7-avboro T5- -k Mod. O.M, Sev. 71. --Wt. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. --�-ev.Fl.WT.TSC Poor Good Good Good
6%
4. TORHUNTA-PORTSMOUTH
Torhunts 55% Sev. F L Wt-. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev, Wt. Fl. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev.Wt.FI,TSC Sev.Wt.Fl.TSC Poor Good lGood Fair
Portsmouth 30% Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev. Wt. Fl. Sev.Wt.Fl.Cor. Sev.Wt.Fl.TSC Poor Good Good Good
4%
5. FASQUOTANK-WEEKSVILLE
Pasquotank 55% Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev, Fl. Wt. Sev.Fl.Traf. Sev.Fl.Traf. Sev.Fl.Traf. Sev.Traf.Fl.Cor Sev. Fl. TSC Poor Good Good -Good
Weeksville 357- -�-ev-.Fl. Wt. Sev. Fl. Wt. Sev.Fl.Traf-.- --Siev-.Fl.Traf. Sev.Fl.Traf. Sev.Traf.Pl.Cor! Sev. Fl. TSC Poor Good Good_ Good
63% 6. BELHAVEN-DARE-DOROVAN
(Histosols) Belhaven 1. Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. Poor Poor Poor iPoor
v: Sev. Fl. Sev. F Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. Poor Poo
'R Sev. Fl. 1: r Poor Poo
Dare 31. S:v Fl. Sev. Fl. i
Dorovan 20% Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. I Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. Sev. Fl. -Tev. -Fl. Poor Poor Poor Poor

Abbreviations for Limiting Factors: Abbreviations for degree of limitations:
F1 - Flood hazard Perc - Percolation rate Slt. Slight; Mod. - Moderate; Sev. - Severe I/ Structures whose footings are in subsoil.
Wt: - Water table Cor - Corrosion potential 1/ Refers to roads and streets that have
Traf - Trafficability TSC - Traffic supporting capacity subsoil.
Sh-Sw - Shrink-swell potential Prod - Productivity I/ Peanuts and tobacco.
R - Rock AWC - Available water capacity Corn, soybeans and smallgrain.
O.M. - Organic matter.

DEFINITIONS OF LIMITATIONS

None to Slight Soils have properties favorable for the rated use. Limitations are so minor that they can be easily overcome,
good performance and low maintenance can be expected from these soils.

Moderate Soils have properties moderately favorable for the rated use. Limitations can be overcome or modified with planning, design,
or special maintenance.

Severe Soils have one or more properties unfavorable for the rated use. Limitations are difficult.and costly to modify
or overcome, requiring major soil reclamation, special design, or intense maintenance,
*J/ These rates reflelt high level management.

7-72 4-R-25137

their worst, the soils are nearly underwater. This is not to say, how ever,

that the soils are unuseable, but rather that any use would require some sort

of soil modification.

This problem of wet soils is probably the major land use constraint facing

the county. If a more balanced economy is sought, the business will need to

contend with severe soils limitations. If agricultural production is to expand,

land clearing must be united with water table management. If the housing short-

age is to be eased, water and sewerage systems must be very carefully planned.

In short, soil conditions may be the strongest factor working against develop-

ment in Tyrrell.

Ground Water

The Yorktown aquifer is the principal source of water supply in Hyde and

Tyrrell Counties. 'This aquifer consists chiefly of beds of marl, sand and

consolidated coquina that are generally separated by beds of clay or sandy clay.

Yields of 5 to 20 gpm are common in most small diameter wells in the Yorktown

aquifer. Yields of 75 to 100 gpm may possibly be obtained from carefully con-
structed wells*of large diameter. 'The aquifer is recharged directly in the

area of out crop and indirectly by seepage of water through overlying surficial

sand. 'The chemical quality of water from the Yorktown aquifer varies with the

lithology. The water is commonly moderately-hard to.hard but is generally

acceptable for most domestic purposes throughout the area.

Surficial sediments of Pleistocene and Recent Age comprise the non-artesian

or water table aquifer of the Swan Quarter area. This aquifer is recharged

directly by.precipitation a-nd surface storage and, where it immediately over-

lies artesian aquifers, acts as a source of recharge to them. The water table

is usually within 2 to,3 feet of the land'surface except in the swamp, where

it is at the surface.

Water from this shallow aquifer is characteristically soft, irony

and corrosive. The vulnerability of this aqUifer to local bacteriological

or chemical contamination must be considered in well construction and adequate

safeguards taken,

.Only a small fractlon of the available ground water in Tyrrell County is

now being used, Because of the relatively shallow depth to saline water

(120-160 ft.),development of large ground water supplies at most places must

be carefully planned to,insure
proper.well spacing and-pumping rates. in order

.to prevent contamination of the aquifer,

Steep Slopes

There are no steep slopes tn Tyrrell County,

FRAGILE AREAS

Coastal Wetlands

Coastal wetlands.containing the species of vegetation Included In the
statutory definitions of wetlands have been identified for Tyrrell County,
The majority of wetlands*occur along the Alligator River and its tributaries,

with the largest wetland located on Lo,ng $hoal Point.. In total, about 850

acres of wetland are located on 15 sites, The majority of the wetlands are

in little danger from development. Most occur In completely.unpopulat@&..
,areas but remat@@n subject,.to the pressures of drainage, clearing, and forestry

practices,

Estuarine and Public Trust Waters

Tyrrell County has a lake, streams, canals and a.sound which are all

p_ublic trust waters and include commercial fishing waters, important herring
nursery areas (along the Scuppernong and Alligator Rivers), and the Intra-

Coastal Waterway whi.ch provides access to all states on the eastern seaboard
as far north as New Jersey,

The'relationship between any body of water and adjacent land uses is

complex,and various land uses may directly or indirectly damage the public

rights in these waters. For'example, septic tanks may create water quality

problems at Lake Phelps or along the Albemarle Sound unless sanitation

regulations are st-rIcItly enforced,
The.North.carolina Stream Classification System catag'orizes all streams

.according to,their intended use, The system and its relationship to water

bodies in Tyrrell county are described here,

The use of water is only partially dependent on the quality of water in

the stream, If the stream is to be used for drinking water,then water quality

must be high, However, If the stream is to be used as an open@sewer,, water

quality really isn't 'Important. These distinctions are important in u@der-

standing HOW stream classifications are determined. Streams are classified

according to how they will be used!-and the classification does not

necessarfly reflect the actual water quality,

The following list shows the classification of major water bodies in

Tyrrell County:

C Swamp Sc4ppernong River to Riders Creek and tribu-
tarles.
Alligator River and tributaries.to junction
of main forks.
Most canals, including Bee Tree, Batava-,
and Somerset, Goose Creek, and Frying Pan
canals,

SB B.ull Bay

Sc Albemarle Sound

SC Swamp Alligator River

Class Al and All
Source of water supply for drinking, culinary, or food-orocessing
purpose or any other usage requi0ng water of lower quality.

0 34

Class B

Bathing and any other best usage except as source of water supply for
drinking, culinary, or food-processing purposes.

Class C

Fishing, boating, wading, and any other usage except for bathing or as
a source of water supply for drinking, culinary, or food-processing purposes.

Class D

Agriculture, industrial cooling, and process water supply, fish
survival, navigation and any other uses except Class A, B, or C uses.

S stands for salt water,

SWAMP

TYRRELL COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

STREAM

CLASSIFICATION

SWAMP

LEGEND:
TYRRELL
NORTH CAROLINA

STREAM
SC SWAMP CLASSIFICATION

C SWAMP

SC 36

Wildlife

A moderate population of the white-tailed deer occurs throughout the
county, and a very few-number of black bear are present in the dense swamp-

land in the vicinity of N.C. 94 between Kilkenny and Columbia. Most of the
0 county is considered to be suitable for bear habitat. Currently, however,

large acreages of forested lands are being cleared for agricultural purposes.
This practice wi-11 seriously,"-@rodu-c@e,,'@t4ie carryingI cap acity of the cleared

areas for-the black bear. Hunting for--bear-is presently prohibited by-.*@ unty

law, All small game-specf@@-Arevtesent, including quail, squirrel, rabbits,,

dove, woodcock, snipe, racco6n.and-,.opposum, Highest populations are fo'und in
0
those portions of@the county.which contain agricultural lands. Wildcats an'd

foxes are common. Mink, raccoon and otter are common furbearers; muskrats,

however, are not-as abundan t as in other counties in th@ northern Coastal

Plain., The higher populat! ons occur in drainage ditches, Waterfowl do not
occur .in large numbers, Some wood ducks are present throughout the codinty,

and small numbers of several other species of ducks occupy the Alligator

River and Albemarle.Sound. A moderate.0opulation of Canada geese,is present

on these larger bodies of water.

Maps of Certain Wildlife Habitat Types and-Freshwater4Fis4eries.
The wildlife habitat types as delineated on the 'County map-are only

those vegetative types which are considered.to be of particular importance

and which warrant special consideration in land use planning. The types

shown are bog and pocosin, wooded swamp, and shallow fresh m'arsh,. Special

consideration of these habitats is.indicated for several reasons. These

areas are "fragile" in that they are subject.to alteration by man's
activities, They are in. relati vely short supply and are commonly found only

in the Coastal Plain. They are of high value as they provide essenti'al

0 '37

habitat for certain forms of wildlife--waterfowl and black bear being two

examples in point. Also, these habitats afford sanctuary or some other ke y

habitat component which contributes to the survival and abundance of those

wildlife forms which are common to other adjoining habitats.

The watercourses and lake that are shown on the map are not intended

to represent all of the fishery habitat which exists. Only the more important

areas of fisheries habitat are shown, including both inland.and estuarine

waters which are of primary-importance to the freshwater and anadromous

species for spawning, spawning runs, or day-to-day occupancy. Some indication

of such "multiple use" is demonstrated by application of more than one
symbol to some watercourses. Areas of high usage by fishermen are also

plotted. Most of these waters have been inspected and characterized by the

Wildlife Resources Commission's fish biologists. Three ecological types of

streams exist in Tyrrell County as shown by the numbers on the map.

Characteristics of each ecological type stream are summarized in Table 20

Fish

White perch and other panfishes comprise over 70 percent of the catch.

Catfish, crappie and'redbreast.are next in fisherman-take. Largemouth bass,

although it ranks first in preference as a gamefish, comprises only about

4 percent of the catch, while striped bass makes up only about 3 percent.

Rare and Endangered Species

The American alligator occurs along the Alligator River. Proximity to

Albemarle Sound would indicate that the Atlantic and short-nose sturgeons

occur. There are no recent reco rds for the bald eagle; however, it has been
reported for adjacent Hyde and Was'hington Counties. Habitat for the eagle
appears suitable.

Non Existent Resources
No sand dunes, ocean beaches or shorelines, complex natural areas, unique
geologic formations, registered national landmarks, archeological or historic
sites are known at this time.
38

... .........

&A V

&A VANAUX

A-

Gompewma
: aAr
2rll

A j@

LEGEND. TYRRELL COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
0 BOGS & POCOSINS ........
@MDED SWRvT r7o
FRAGILE
SHAU0W FRESH NARSH N.. C., Wildlife Resources-Commi,@.5ion HABITAT
April 1975
39

TABLE 19

TYRRELL COUNTY

WILDLIFE

ESTIMATED MAN DAYS

OF RECREATIONAL PURSUIT

PROVIDED
GAME SPECIES (1972-1973)

Big Game

Deer 29,416
0 Bear 1,100*
Turkey 0

Waterfowl

Ducks 462
Geese 5,500

Other Game
0 Squirrel 1,973
Rabbit 4,784
Dove 760
Quail 326
Racoon 13,780
Fox 1,720
Woodcock 1,311
Opposum 4,548
0 Wildcat 200
Clapper Rail 0

*Estimate of potential. Bear hunting currently prohibited by statute.
0

SOU RCE: Wildlife and Land Use Pl anning with Particular Reference to Coastal
Counties. N. C. Wil-dlife Resources Commission, 1975.

9=4

AA Y
Ime.

'@LMMMA

_10.0p

FlY

Bear Sanctuary
TYRRELL COUNTY

Unrestricted
NORTH CAROLINA

GAMELANDS
(.130,121 total acres-)
41

TABLE 20
ECOLOGICAL TYPE CLASSIFICATION
OF NORTH CAROLINA STREAMS

WIDTH DEPTH FLOW TEMP. TURB. BOTTOM ALk..pH. FAUNA OTHER

1 Dace Shallow Sand,gravel Dace, Most Headwater
Trickle 0-5' few pools 0-1 cfs Varies Clear boulders Varies.,. Shiners Piedmont and
Coastal streams

@*4 Largemouth Over Mod.deep -Over 5 Cool Clear Predomin- L.M.B. Mod. sized
Pickerel 10, pools antly sand,, 10@6 Suckers, upper Piedmont-,
Bullheads and some
Coastal Plain
streams

*10 Tidal Over Sand, muck, Bass, Cat- Coastal streams
20' Deep Over 10 Warm -Varies silt Varies fish, W. influenced by
Perch, tide
various
anadromous
species

12 Dredged 0-50 Shallow, 0-100 Shiners, Coastal Plain
no pools cfs Waft Iaries Sand, silt small and some
centrarehids Piedmont
streams

*Tyrrell County Streams

SOURCE: Wildlife Resources Commission

Lo
&ILL AAr
sww4p

1:0 t,

s4v@@

12
ly

r
C., ji.
PA

'CRAPMNS
fiA Y

sWAM
ANADROMOUS FISH MIGRATION 10

4
ALEWIFE AND BLUEBACK I-E-RR'ING SPA -
WNING j

FRESHWATER FISHERY IMPO ANCE
440
ECOLOGICAL TYPE CLASSIVICATION
TYRRELL COUNTY'
FAVORED FISHING WATER/
NOR,rH CAROLINA

EPOLOGICAL
-CLASsIFICATION

Areas with Resource Potential

Agricultural Lands

The areas with resource potential include productive and unique agricultural

land that consists of prime agricultural soils, potentially valuable agricultural

lands with moderate,conservation efforts, and other productive or unique agricul-

tural lands.

Productive farmland is generally defined as land suited and available for

producing food, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Examples of productive farm-

land are cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land and other land that is not

urban built-up or water. Productive farmland has the soil quality, growing sea-

son and moisture supply needed to economically produce significant and sustained

crop yields when treated and managed according to modern farming methods, in-

cluding water management.

Unique farmland, in addition to other productive farmland, is land that is

suited and available for the production of specific high-value food and fiber

crops. Examples of such crops are citrus, olives, cranberries, fruit and

ve,getables.

Once drained, much of Tyrrell County yields good farmland or forest acre-

age. Although unique soils do not exist in the county, a great deal of time,

effort, and money has been invested in bringing the productive lands into opera-

tion. An excellent example of such an inVestment is the Gum Neck drainage

project where the whole community has been diked and drained in order to control

the water table.

The Soil Management Map shows that the best agricultural land is in the

northern section of the county and that other productive agricultural land is

located in central and southern sections.

Outdoor Recreation Lands

Pettigrew State Park, located on the.west border of Tyrrell County, in-

cl4des all of Lake Phelps. Development around the lake is imminent.

Mineral Resources

A mineral resource is a conc entration of an element, a chemical compound,

or a rock such that a usable mineral commodity can be extracted from it without
regard to profit. Mineral resources include undiscovered 'deposits as well as d

identified deposits that cannot be recovered now.

The types of mineral resources in this region with recognized economic

value today are limestone, phosphate, and sand. One or more of these exists

in nearly every county to some degree. However, for most of the coastal plain,

detailed geologic data has not been developed.

Today in Tyrrell County, no mining is going on and none is expected. There

are poor deposits of shell, marl and, obviously, sand is available. The

Department of Transportation has 2 borrow pits along N. C. 64 (2 others have
been sold). The pits have been used for fill material during road construction.

F..,orest Resources

The 1970 Census estimates that 18% of the employed people in the county

work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing (see previous section, p. 13). Al-

though it is difficult to estimate the exact impact of the forestry industry on

the county, the industry certainly is not going to go under. If current trends

continue, the industry might even pick up. The South is expected to become the

leader in forestry.

The most current information on forestry is in the Forest Statistics for

the Northern Coastal Plain of N. C. 1974, United States Department of Agricul-

ture Forest Service Resource Bulletin SE-30. This report highlights the prin-

cipal findings of the fourth inventory of the timber resources in the 23-county

Northern Coastal Plain of N. C. The inventory was started in July, 1973, and
completed in May, 1974. Three previous inventories, completed in 1937, 1�55,

and 1963, provide statistics for measuring changes and trends over the past 37

years. The report emphasizes the trends since 1963.

The inventory is to measure and evaluate the timber resource to help provide

a basis for the forest policies and programs and the orderly development and use

of the resource. Because the sampling procedure was intended primarily to

furnish"inventory data for the region, individual county estimates have limited

and variable accuracy. As county totals are broken down by various subdivisions,

the possibility of error increases and is greatest for the smallest item.

The information shows extent and condition of the forest lands, volume of

timber and,rates of timber growth and removal.

The following list i.s a summary of the.regional changes since 1963.

- Area of commercial forest lahd has decreased by more than 3%.

- 6;1% of the total land area is classified as commercial forest land.

- Both the areas of commercial forest land owned by farmers and
forest industries have declined by 15% or more.

Only 20% of the commercial forest is less than 60% stocked.

Area occupied by saw timber stands has decreased by one million
acres.

Volume of softwood growing stock has decreased by 3% due to
increased removals.

Removals of softwood growing stock exceeded growth by 19%.
0
Annual removals have increased by more than 50%.

4.6,
0

In Tyrrell County about-85% of the forest land is commercial forest,

and the forest industry owns about 18% of that. Removals of timber have not

exceeded growth (as of 1974). At appears that Tyrrell is in a good position

to continue its forestry operations from either a county or regional view-

point.

TYRRELL COUNTY FOREST RESOURCES
Area - By Land Class 1974

Forest Land
All Commercial Unproductive Productive NonTorest
Land To tal Forest Forest Reserve Land

Acres 249,600 216, 555 213,411 2,605 539 33,0451-

Area of Commercial.Forest Land by Ownership Class.- 1974
41
All National misc. County-& Forest Miscellaneous Private
Ownership: Forest Federal State Municipal Industey Farmer Corporate Individual

213,411 39,428 17,398 5,800 150,785

Area ofCommercial Forest By ForestType-Group -1-974

Forest Type Group

All Type '..White Pine, -Spruce.'e Longleaf.: Loblolly@ OAkI:_-._. Oak-, Oak,- Gum E.I.m/As.h- _-Mapl e
Grou s @@'@.Hemlock Fir Slash Shortleaf Pine.-Hickor@-,:.-Cypress; Cottonwood Beech

2133411 87,276' 30,589 8,698 86,848:

Area of Commercial Forest Land By Stand Size Class 1974

Stand Size Class
Al 1:
Stands Sawtimber Poletimber Seedling -Non-Stocked Areas

213,411 79,014 61,619 64,514 8,264

Area of Commercial Forest Land@ By Site,Class 1974
All Site Class
Classes 1, 2 3 4 5

213,411 2,900 16,527 125,264 68,720

Area of Commercial Forest Land By Stocking Classes of

Growing Stock Trees - 1974

Stocking Percentage

Less Than
Classes Over 130 11001-130' 60-.99 16.7-591,@. 16.7 d

218,411 11,600 66,978 72,782@ 53,787, 8,264

SOURCE:: Forest,Statistics for the Northern Coastal Plain of'N. C.', 1974. AM

Volume of Sawtimber and Growing Stock on Commercial Forest Land By Species Group 1974
Sawtimber Growing Stock
All Other Soft Hard Al I'' Other Soft Hard
Species Pine Softwood Hardwood Hardwood Spec ies Pine Softwood Hardwood Hardwood

890,962 449,193 89,404 246,153 56,212 2195,497 140,124 24,281 115,316 15,776

Net Annual Growth of Sawtimberand Growing Stock on Commercial Forest Land By Species Group-1973

Sawtimber Growing Stock
All Other Soft Hard All Other Soft Hard
Species Pine, Softwood Hardwood Hardwood Species Pine Softwood Hardwood Hardwood

r-n 41,185 24,931 3,475 10,737 2,042 10,684 5,186 908 4,055 535
CD

Annual Removals of Sawtimberand Growing Stock on Commercial Forest Land By Species Group-1973

Sawtimber Growing Stock
All Other Soft Hard All Other t- Hard
Species Pine Softwood Hardwood Hardwood Spec ies Pine Softwood. Hardwood Hardwood

11,120 5,497 5,623 3,171 1,232 1,939

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Community Water and Sewer Systems

Columbia has the only central water and sewer services. The service areas

are shown on the following maps. The town and development immediately outs,ide

the town are the only service areas. The water supply is obtained from one

300 gallon per minute (gpm) well and there is one back-up well. The treatment

plant operates at 300 gmp but has a design capacity of 432 gpm. Elevated

storage is provided by a 200,000 gallon storage tank. The system was built in

1964 and as-of 1971 35-40,000 gallons per day were being used. The plant is d

capable of producing 180,000 gallons per 10 hour day and is therefore being

used at only 20% capacity.

Columbia also operates the only sewerage system. It was designed for a

population equivalent of 1,500 including approximately 142,000 gallons per

day (GPD) of domestic waste with a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 200 parts

of oxygen per million parts of water, plus 7,500 GPD of fish processing waste

at the same BOD. The plant is running at little more than half capacity and

was designed'for ease of expansion.

A county-wide water system has been proposed recently. Wells and treat-

ment plant would be located near Woodley.

Roads and Schools

There are but two "primary" highways in Tyrrell County: U,S,64 and N.C.94.

The former is an east-west artery while the latter provides north-south

movements from Columbia to Hyde County. Both carry traffic volumes far below

their capacity. Both roads were built before modern road design standards

were developed in N.C.; however., both still need upgrading for safety.

Increased development in Dare County may eventually overload Route.64.

Both the high school and elementary school expect 1980 enrollments to

change very little. Present facilities are adequate for the student popula-

tion. However, a new auditorium seems to be a high priority as there is no

comparable structure in the whole county,and kindergarten facilities need to

be expanded.

SCUPPERMO,,jr

-n
2 CD
@p
C)
z m

wu
NYE
1414

AVE
4 PGIN' m
NOQT. ST

@oo 055
3@ mx
Z ST SIR
= SIDE f IZO9
0
r-
m z

TOWN LIMITS

cy
't' Amm-

0 C-)
0 0
c La
z o
01
0
c U)

CO
>

Treatment &
200 [email protected] tank

G.,

I ST
tit

C',
pc'j

ST 4
Ln

3'4

s It

WAT

SCA

III

CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS

CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS
Local
Plans and policies often have signif.icant implications,for land use. The

following items are related to the planning process.

1964. Overall Economic Development Program,
Area Redevelopment Planning Board

Tyrrell County was designated a depressed.
area by the Area Redevelopment Administration.
The County set up a Planning Board of eleven
people which investigated economic problems facing
the county.' The board made specific recommenda-
tions on needed adjustments in Tyrrell County in-
cluding:

1. A concerted effort must be made to develop to
its fullest potential the resources available
to this area.
2. Limited sources of loca,l risk capital for new
ventures.
3. Limited existing facilities for small industry
are inadequate.
4. The area does not have a large pool of trained
skilled workers.
5. No adequate facilities for tourist transients.
6. The physical appearance of the area must be im-
proved to present a more pleasant atmosphere for
prospective industry looking for a desirable
location.
7. The need for training in new skills forantici-
pated industry must be met.

The board investigated potential resources and
developed a program for achievement including specific
action steps and the following goals (starred items
have been accomplished.)
I
Priorities of Tyrrell County's Goals'

Listed below, in numerical order of the priority,
are the different segments of our county economy which,
in our opinion, if the recommendations made therein are
enacted and carried through would revitalize the entire
county economically.

1. Appoint a county manager to implement this and
other programs.

2. Develop industry to utilize our national
resources of timber. In this connection,
we request technical assistance to deter-
mine the feasibility of this and other
industry.
3. We request technical assistance to determine
potential for tourist and recreation development.
4. Develop adequate housing facilities, including
medium price range housing. (Senior citizens
housing, slum clearance and urban renewal, low
cost public housing, and rest or nursing home).
*5. Establish a community-owned hospital.
6. Develop overall flood control, drainage and
shore erosion control project for resource
7. Develop adequate facilities for consolidating
county offices.
8. A complete standard soil survey of Tyrre11 County
is needed asva basis of sound planning.
9. A ground water survey of Tyrrell County needs to
be made.
*10. Education. We-believe that the number of "drop-
outs" and the outward-flow of our young people
would decrease if a greater emphasis by our public
schools was extended and broadened to include
"Trade Training" and "Industrial Arts."

1971 Economic Data on-Tyrrell County - VEPCO
(Virginia Electric Power-Company)

A short summary of labor force statistics and
pertinent data on county facilities.

1971 Operation Discovery, East Carolina University Regional
Development Institute.

This was a unique program organized to alleviate
the county's deteriorating population and economic con-
ditions. The project developed a master plan for eco-
nomic improvement by focusing the attention of 25 state
agencies on the county for 3 intensive days of field
work. The final recommendationswere reported to the
County Commissioners. No action has been taken to date.

1972 Reconnaissance Survey - Division of Community Assistance

A short report showing the need for comprehensive
planning to address the problems of housing, declining
population, wastewater treatment, etc., and proposing
a 3-year planning program for the county. No action
taken.

1972 Outdoor Recreation Potential, Soil
Conservation Service.

Appraisal of Tyrrell County resources indi-
cates there are opportunities for developing
.recreational enterprises. The types of recrea-
tion having pot,ential for development in Tyrrell
County are'summarized as follows:

Vacation cabins, cottages and homesites have medium
potential for future development.

Picnic and field sports areas have low potential for
future development.

Camping grounds for vacation campers have medium
potential and fransient campgrounds low potential
for future development.

Natural,,scenic, and historic areas have medium
potential forldevelopment.,

Vacation farms have medium potential for development,
with the potential expected to decrease.

Hunting areas or small game, big game, and water fowl
all have high potential-for future development.

Fishing waters have medium potential for future develop-
ment.

Water sports areas have a medium potential for development.

-Shooting preserves have a low potential for development.

Riding stables have low potential for development.

Golf courses have low potential for development.

In 1973 the Tyrrell County Planning Board was organized "to undertake a compre-

hensive and continuous planning program@" Although the Board's budget is small, a

subdivision ordinance is, being administered. However,because there is no inspect-

ion program,- "on the ground" enforcementis not assured..

The Federal Flood Insurance Program is in effect throUghout.the county. The

State Building:Code was adopted as required;but no.inspection program has be en

organized,and the county has not hired a building inspector.

.Septic tank regulations are administered byAhe district health department

and sanitarian. Because-of the poor drainage characteristics of the soil

throughout the county, septic tanks do not work very well anywhere, However,.
if enopgh filtqr line is used, most septic--tystems are operational. gum Neck,;'-
and Goat Neck have seYere pro blems due to the high water table,and ponded

effluent frequently occurs.

Two grants @hich may affect land use have recently been awarded to the

county, The community development grant will be used for program planning and

management, for removal or upgrading of substandard homes, and for a mul.ti-

purpose center for public health, social services, medical clinic offices and
space for otheit-multi-purpose community needs such as workshops and meeting

rooms. Under Title X of the 1975 Public Works and Economic Development Act,

money has been allocated to repair, rehabilitate and renovate the hospital,

school, and county offices.

State and Federal Plans, Policy and Regulations

.(These will be supplied to the County,by the N, C. Department of Natural

and Economic Resources,)

The county has no transportation plan, of@ its own:, but the State Seven Year

Improvement Program includes widening and improving U.S. 64 in parts of

Tyrrell County.

.The county does not have its own recreation plans,and the Statewide

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan makes no proposals for future recreation

facilities in Tyrrell County,

Tyrrell County has no,-.'.-.utilities extension policies, pMor land use plans

or policies, zoning ordinances, flood ordinance,.historic districts, nuisance

regulations, dune protection ordinances, sedimentation codes, or environmental

impact ordinance.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES

A. Land Use-Issues

B. Goals and Objectives

LAND USE ISSUES

The major land use issues in Tyrrell suggest the old question of whether

the glass is half empty or half full. Problems to'one person are possibilities

for another. The county is simultaneously experiencing many of the development

problems a larger, growing county would have,as.well as other problems resulting

from a small, declining population and a poor economy.

Population

The county is the smallest in.population in the state (3,806) and is too

small to enjoy the benefits of economies of scale. This hampers the school

budget, the solid waste disposal program, water and sewerage services, police

protection and a myriad of other affairs. With a further decline in population

predicted, the ability of the county to provide basic services may be severely

restricted. Although fewer people may'reside in the county, the expenditures

and facilities needed for each person can be expected to increase in response

to people's expectations of a higher stand ard of living. Furthermore,the number

of acres of land needed to supply each person's requirements will probably rise

as a result, of increases in buying power and corresponding increased consumption

of res ources.per person, i.e.,indoor plumbing, washing machines, dryers, cars,

and other appliances. These in turn require more power plants, sewerage and water

treatment plants, better roads, expanded government facilities, more land for

garbage disposal and recreation. In short, each person will indirectly need more

land to supply his or her needs. Such situations already exist in the county

in the form of open dumping and sewage disposal problems and will not be improved

by a population change in either direction. However, the situation is not unique

to Tyrrell.

The population is expected to continue its 30-year decline. The higher

portion of senior citizens has implications for the health facilities besides

all the associated problems of people on fixed incomes. The loss of those between

35 and 45 years of age means a loss of the county's best wage earners.

Housing Characteristics and Conditions

Adequate housing stock is an important community resource. The condition

and supply of housing influences the economic and social character of an area.

Newcomers or visitors are discouraged from settling in the area if housing is

poor or unavailable.

Substandard housing perpetuates negative, defeating community feelings of

worthlessness and apathy. Such housing is evidence of the people's inability to

solve a very basic problem--that of adequate shelter.

Adequate shelter--those houses offering protection from severe weather and

providing decent living conditions--is in short supply in Tyrrell.. At a minimum,

50% of the housing is deficient in some manner.

Income is an important factor in determining sufficiency of housing stock..

People can afford to buy housing that costs about twice their yearly income, or

rent housing at approximately 25% of their monthly income. In Tyrrell County

the median income is $4,307. This means fewer than half the people can spend as

much as $8,614 on.buying homes or $71.00 per month for rent. These figures are

for people making exactly $4,307. Three hundred fifty-five families in Tyrrell

County are below poverty level and are even more severely limited in their

selection of housing.

Taking into consideration overcrowded conditions and the lack of plumbing,

housing in Tyrrell County is at the very minimum 54% deficient,

Between 1960 and 1970, 260 new units were built. However, because

many of the units existing in 1960 were in poor condition, at least some of

these were no longer in existence as of 1970 (fallen down, burned, torn down,

etc.). Thus, the net housing stock increased less than the 260 new units

would at first seem to indicate.

The 1960 census figures, showing sound, deteriorated, or dilapidated

housing, should be used carefully. After the 1960 census was compiled, a

number of houses were found to be wrongly classified as in better condition

than they actually were. Taking the 1960 figures as they appear would show

that at least 608 units (deteriorating and dilapidated) were deficient in

some manner; i.e., 52% of the housing was deficient, according to the 1960

census. This figure must be taken as an absolute minimum.

Several characteristics should be consided when determinng adequacy

of housing. Overcrowded conditions and lack of plumbing facilities are

objective types of information (compiled for the 1970 census) which can be

used to arrive at minimum estimates of housing conditions in the county as

of 1970.

If a house lacks, plumbing--be it toilet facilities, hot and cold running

water, or bathing acilities--the house,is not truly providing adequate

shelter. In addition, such a house is likely to be in a poor state of

repairs. Low-values may be an indication of poor housing.

Overcrowded conditions create more wear and tear on a house, causing

faster deterioration and higher maintenance costs. Overcrowding is often

associated with large families of low income who cannot afford maintenance.

Such a building does not provide adequate shelter.

Low values and low rent may beAndications of poor housing, This

indicator should be used more cautiously than the others. The value of a house

reflects workmanship and quality of materials: the lower the value (relative

to others in the area),the-,poorer the quality, Poor quality results In rapid

deterioration and higher maintenance costs--costs often borne by people whose

income is generally low already.

Standard housing is al.1 but unavailable for purchase or rental. Mobile
homes have therefore increased dramatically over the past five years. Such

units do not generate tax dollars. to the extent that'conventional homes do,

yet they generate similar costs to local government: the education of
children, police protection, and social services.

TABLE 21
TYRRELL COUNTY

GENERAL HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS

1970

1322 Year-Round Units
873 owner occupied
566 lack some plumbing
169 units are overcrowded
(more than 1.01 person/room)
161 units (of the above 169 units) have all plumbing

TABLE 22
TYRRELL COUNTY
VALUE OF HOUSING

Owner Occupied Renter Occupied
Value of Unit of Units Rent of Units
5,000 247 $30 54
$5,000-9,999 30-39 17
10,000-14,999 73 40-59 31
15,000-19,999 32 60-79 9
.20,000-24,999 11 80-'99
25,000-34,999 4 100-149
35,000 + 6 150 +
No Rent 76
*Figures do not include homes on lots larger than
10 acres, or on lots also having businesses.

SOURCE: U, S, Census of Housing, 1970.

TABLE 23

TYRRELL COUNTY

GENERAL HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS
1960

1322 Housing Units
1161 Occupied Units
809 owner occupied
352 renter occupied

714 Sound Units
452 units with complete plumbing
8 lack only hot water
254 lack other plumbing

364 Deteriorating Units
17 have all plumbing
347 lack some plumbing

244 Delapidated Units

242 Units have overcrowded conditions
(more than 1.'01 persons/room)

Source: U. S. Census, 1960.

A a

Economy

A poor economic environment lowers everyone's standard of living. The

county's very low per capita income (98th of the 100 counties in the State)

encourages a continuing population loss. If people cannot make a decent living,

they will move elsewhere,if possible. Even within Region R, an economically

poor region, Tyrrell ranks far below other counties in median income, percentage

of families below poverty level, and percentage of persons below poverty level.
On a questionnaire distributed to county boxholders, the people have shown
development to be the mbst severe problem in the county and the most important

area for public spending. With 44% of the population below poverty level, it

is difficult to justify inaction on economic development programs.

The lack of economic development is evident by the number of people below

poverty level and the run down appearance of houses throughout the county, including

Columbia. New enterprises are not attracted to the area because of the lack of

transportation facilities and the usual infrastructure needed to support new

business.

Natural Resources

Conservation of productive natural resources and protection of important

natural environments are major concerns to all people in Tyrrell.

Tyrrell County-citizens are well aware of their reliance upon the agri-

culture, forestry, fish.and recreation resources. Any depletion of the resource

base would be a blow to the county's unvaried economy.

Recreation-based business (marinas, vacation cabins and campgrounds, hunting

lodges) and private camps or vacation homes m ay expand in Tyrrell as people

become disillusioned by oceanfront crowds and prices. Of course, deterioration

of wildlife habitat, water quality and scenic amenities would jeopardize

existing resource oriented businesses and discourage new entrepreneurs.

Many of the citizens have already expressed during committee meetings,
concerns about the massive land clearing operationland the effect on fishing

land on the black bear habitat.

Poorly managed housing development not only diminishes scenic quality but

also lowers property values. Already developments al-ong the Albemarle Sound

Shore have been il 1--planned with inadequate roads, very small, poorly drained

lots, and no provision for parking or open space.

Unregulated residential and commercial development have marred the country-

side. Strip commercial development is incompatibly mixed with residential lots

along U. S. 64 creating congested traffic patterns and a high risk of accidents.

Because land drainage is absolutely essential in utilizing the full

potential of the,soil for both farming and forestry, management and regulation

of drainage programs 6rei dominant fssues in Tyrrell. Furthermore, most of

the houses have individual wells and septic tanks and because of the poor

drainage characteristice of the soil, contamination of the county's water

resource may be occurring. Drainage programs may have negative side effects,

such as salt water intrusion into the water supply aquifer, land subsidence,

and water pollution from c hemical treatments of the land (e.g. fertilizer,

pesticides, etc.).

Future large scale agricultural production of truck crops, cattle and hogs

may encourage processing plants to locate in the county. Such development, if

unsupervised, may create some unpleasant problems such as traffic hazards, odors,

or further secondary development problems.

Historic and Cultural Resources

Because there are no state or national historic sites nor any known sites of

significant cultural value, these were not considered to be'major,land issues.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Public Participation 4

The planning procedure has been quite different under the Coastal Area

Ma,nagement Act, Fi ndi ng that most 1 and use pl ans sat on a shel f , the General

Assembly decided to inform and +nvolve as many citizens as possible in the

process of developing a plan. The legislature felt that if a wide spectrum of

people became dedicated to seeing the pro'r_ess through, then the plan would

work, For this reason citizen participation was a major emphasis,of this

.initial planning effort.

For Tyrrell County, continuous citizen participation e fforts had never

before been organized. The county Planning Board appointed a seven-member

committee to develop a citizen participation program for the county. This

committee wrote news articles, sent letters and helped organize county-wide

meetings. From these meetings and from a survey of public opinion, county
goals were developed and further refined by the Board of Commissioners,

If any plan is to work,it must be based on good information and the hopes

and needs of the people. During the series of pub.lic meetings,a good sampling

of Tyrrell's people came together several times to express their feelings on

what direction the county should be taking. Also, the public opinion survey

was prepared and mailed to all bdxh,olders in the county. The results from the

returned survey and from the meetings were used to define and arrange in

priority the major problems facing the.county. The following tables show the

ten most severe problems and areas for funding as expressed in the questionnaire.

The full results of the questionnaire are included in the appendix,and the

orig,@.nal questionnaires are on file at the county courthouse in.Columbia.

The citizen.participation report sent to the Coastal Resources Commission

is included in Appendix;B,

SELECTED QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS

0
The 10 most severe problems: Responses as % of'161 questionnair.,s.
No Slight or
Problem Moderate Severe

1. Is Industrial Development Adequate? 14.4% 20.5% 65.1%
2. Is Unemployment a Problem? 13.1 23.5 63.4
3. Adequate Employment Opportunities? 10.9 26.5 62.6
4.. Are Recreation Facilities Adequate? 11.1 30.5 58.3
5. Is Housing Available? 8.3 35.4 56.3
6. Is Garbage Disposal Adequate? 20.9 23.0 56.1
7. Are Medical Facilities & Staff Adequate? 9.9 3119.5 50.7
8. Do Citizens Participate? 11.1 43.1 45.8
9. Is Garbage Collection Adequate? 25.0 29.3 45.7
10. Are Tourist Facilities Adequate? 17.6 39.7 42.6

No Some More
The 10 most important areas for funding: Funds Funds Funds

1. New Employment Opportunities 8.5 14.2 77.3
2. Industrial Development 25.6 17.0 0.4
3. Health and Medical Care 5.4 30.6 63.9
4. Solid Waste Disposal 5.1 33.8 61.0
5. Solid Waste Collection 8.0 32.8 59.1
6. Help to Find Jobs 12.2 30.7 57.1
7. Assist to Old and Poor 5.6 37.3 57.0
8. Enforce Building Standards 12.3 31.2 56.5
9. Job Training 12.1 31.9 56.0
10 10. Public Recreation Program 12.7 31.3 56.0

Goals 4

After identifying major problem areas, ten goals were developed.. Included
with each goal are objectives'--possible ways of achieving the end.results (the

goal). These goals and objectives, as adopted by the County Commissioners,

are intended to guide policy--they are not a legally binding set of rules.

The goals are the,foundation of the Tyrrell County Plan and for the various

programs that will i mplbment the plan. Goals set the tone and direction for

action. These goals are statements with which most people in Tyrrell would

agree.

The usefulness of these goals depends on the willingness of the people to

be informed and involved. Explicit goals helpthe citizen judge the decisions

of the government, The people need to know.that governmental decisions are
leading to a desirable "some4ere"; that they are not duplicating or nullifying

other actions, nor merely "keeping house". Goals are,the standards that help

the citizen make this judgment,

However, careful judgment must also be exercised in following the goals

and objectives. Elected representatives are expected to bring more information

to-the 'decision process than woul.d the "average@" citizen,and this'detailed

Information may often result in actions not directly in line with the goals.

Such decislons@should be carefully explained so that the public can determineT

the:ap.propriateness of thedecision. Economic constraints will'also, affect

the Implementation of these goals-

The following goals have been adopted by the Tyrrell County Planning

Board-and Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners.

TYRRELL COUNTY GOALS

1. TO WEIGH EVERY GOVERNMENTAL DECISION IN THE BALANCE OF THESE GOALS AND
IN THE LIGHT OF THE PLANS WHICH FOLLOW FROM THESE GOALS.

2. TO STOP THE POPULATION DECLINE BY ENCOURAGING THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
COUNTY, ESPECIALLY AS A PLACE OF TRADE, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND
RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.

A. Establish an economic development commission.
B. Protect prime agricultural land from interfering-uses.
C. Encourage the development of ye6r-round recreation
based businesses.

3. TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING COLUMBIA IN AN EFFORT TO REVITALIZE
THE TOWN AS THE COUNTY'S CENTER OF BUSINESS.

4. TO SEEK MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION BY TYRRELL COUNTY CITIZENS IN THE DECISIONS
WHICH WILL AFFECT THEIR LIVES: SPECIFICALLY, TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS WHICH
WILL INFORM CITIZENS IN A TIMELY MANNER OF ISSUES FACING THE COUNTY.

5. TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH EVERY RESIDENT MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SECURE ADEQUATE, DECENT, SAFE AND SANITARY HOUSING.

A. Direct residential growth into specific areas.
B. Limit the density of homes in rural areas.
C.' Enact a housing code.
D. Establish a housing authority to provide low-income
housing.
E. Improve deteriorated areas by strict enforcement of
State Building Codes and Housing Code.

6. TO PROMOTE THE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF ALL NATURAL RESOURCES ACCORDING TO THE
CAPABILITY OF THE RESOURCE.

A. Prepare and use a water resource development and management
plan so the county can
-Improve drainage conditions,including ditch maintenance
and new drainage programs.
-Provide additional water supply for domestic, agricul-
tural, and industrial needs.
-Establish ample water-based recreation opportunities.
-Protect streams, lakes, rivers and sounds.
-Promote waterways for commercial and recreational
navigation needs.
-Properly manage and protect the shoreline and flood
plain lands.

B. Limit unnecessary destruction of vegetation.
C . Clean up eye-sores such as dumps', junk cars,
and trash.
D. Require industry and business to protect the natural
resources.
E. Encourage the continued protection of wildlife habitat.
F. Encourage the gamelands system.
G. Preserve the rural character of the county.

7. TO IMPROVE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

A. Provide a system of parks, beaches, playgrounds, and
boat ramps.
B. Develop recreational facilities and organized recrea-
tional programs.
C. Organize a recreation commission to oversee programs.
D., Encourage recreational enterprises.

8. TO PROVIDE THE MOST EFFICIENT QUALITY GOVERNMENT SERVICES

A. Manage water and sewer services to encourage quality
development.
B. Increase police protection for county and town.
C. Begin a solid waste management program.
D. Develop programs which will identify the health, medical,
and welfare needs of the county.
E. Encourage cooperation and pooling of resources between the
town and county.
F. Seek state and federal programs to assist the county in
attaining each of these 10 goals.

'9. TO PROVIDE FUNCTIONAL AND ATTRACTIVE TRANSPORT ROUTES

A. Discourage strip commercial or residential development
and billboards.
B. Encourage the use of the intra-coastal waterway.

Alternatives

Consideration was given to various alternative a ctions which the county

might take. For instance, the questionnaire shows some people think the:county

should encourage a large population increase and should not be concerned at all

with regulating private property-to protect-natural resources. Many people

deplore the number of people-on welfare, while-.-at.,the same time taking a stand

against new business. But without-new--employment.,--the:;populat%ion will probably

continue to decline, and the economy wil I continue to be! tight. Other people

would like to start county-wide garbage-collect-ion and recreation-programs

but do-not want"taxes to increase.

Although black and white issues such as "more people vs fewertpeopl-&" can

be discussed, the resolution usually fnvolves some compromise. In Tyrrell's

situation some.economic development-is needed to stabilize the population; some

private property rights must-be regulated to protect the@-pub]Ic good..;; some'taxes

must be raised to provide garbage collection. But,there is'no-reason to go

overboard in any direction for these programs. Th-is plan is an attempt to out-

line a moderate program for the county which takes into:account the highly-

valued rural life style enjoyed by Tyrrell citizens.

ESTIMATED-DEMAND

A. Population and Economy

B. Future Land Needs

C. Community Facilities Demand

POPULATION AND ECONOMY

Population

The Planning Board.chose the population projection which predicts a slightly

lower population for the next ten years.

Projected Tyrrell County Population

1970 1980 1990 2000

3806 3600 3700 4000

Sources: 1970 Census of Population. Statistical Analysis System
NCSU for N. C. Office of State Planning,,1975.

Tyrrell County citizens heartily appreciate the uncrowded countryside. How-

ever, over the last 30 years the population has dropped 30%,and people feel that

is just too much, Most residents would be happy with a stabilized population.

Considering that the county citizens at one time numbered about 5,500 people,

it would seem likely that 4,000 people (at today's standard of consumptive living)

could be accommodated in Tyrrell County once more. There is certainly available

land acreage and ground water, although septic tank feasibility is limited,

The carrying capacity issue should be considered here. Carrying capacity

refers to the capability of the land or water to handle human development without

damage to the natural resources, In Tyrrell County the issue is not nearly so

important as in those counties with fragile salt water resource s and greater

populations, This is because little, if any, population growth is anticipated in

Tyrrell for the foreseeable future. However, redevelopment and improvement of

present living conditions will continue, Any new development requiring water and

sewer will need to locate near Columbia where the facilities are capable of handling

considerably greater demands, With the trend towards rural living and vacation or

retirement-recreation homes, clearly the most vulnerable areas are those along the

Sound Shore and near other water bodies. Rigid enforcement of existing 00

sanitation codes is mandatory if water quality is to be protected. The District

Sanitarian believes,water quality degradation would occur today if vacation homes

were occupied continuously. 0

What seasonal population exists seems to be intra-county movement rather
than a large in-migration. There are no migrant worker camps in Tyrre 11 .

Economy

Long-term projections of Tyrrell's population-are not overly optimistic.

Although many people would like to see more economic development encouraged (and

more people) without aggressive action by either public or private agencies, such

development will be slow. As stated earlier, First Colony Farms does not appear

to be greatly affecting the number of people in Tyrrell County or the local

economy.

TABLE

POPULATION PROJECTIONS

TYRRELL COUNTY

1980' 1990 2000 2010 2020 YEAR
51000

(2)

4,000
(1) 1 Statistical Analysi s Sys.
3,800 2 OBERS Projection
3 Series "Ell Projection
4 Unpublished Projections

3,000 (3)

(4)

2,000
Population

TABLE 21

COMPARISON OF FOUR POPULATION PROJECTIONS

TYRRELL COUNTY

Projected County Population (in thousands)
SOURCE 1980 11990 2000 2010 2020

Reproduced from Region R
Water and Sewer Study
Based on OBERS Projections 3.4 3.3 3.6 4.0 4.5

Reproduced from Region R Water
and Sewer Study
Based on Series "E" Population
Projections 3.4 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0

Statistical Analysis System by
N.C.S.U. for the Office of
State Planning 3.6 3.7 4.0

Unpublished Projections
Supplied by the Office of State
Planning 3.3 2.8 2.3

FUTURE LAND NEEDS

In view of -the historic population decline, land demand wil-1 be determined

Dy increased consumption per person, resulting from our higher standards of

living. Greater consumption- rather than more people - means that land demand

will not be for residential housing as much as it.will be for development and

redevelopment of public service facilities. The few additional people are

expected to settle mostly in the Rural and Community class areas. If any

industrial development occurs, it will probably be natural resource oriented

and therefore located in the Rural class.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES DEMAND
0 Any new demands for services in Tyrrell County will be generated by a higher

standard of living, not by growth. Therefore, the costs of any-new or improved

services will be borne by the present taxpayers,

Water and sewer facilities are of major.importance in terms of demand and

cost. In Tyrrell County the very poor soil conditions and low quality water

supply have encouraged people to investigate the possibility of a county-wide
water system. This'facil'ity would be financed partly by grants and partly. by

a local bond referendum. Unfortunately, having a water system does not

alleviate the problem of poorly working septic tanks. Therefore, sanitation

codes-must be strictly enforced to prevent water pollution.

The Columbia water system is.more than adequate but sewerage facilities

have been plagued by breakdowns. A sewage treatment facilities plan is being

conducted by Williams and Works Associates. This study when completed will

determine the feasibility of expanding the sewerage system and improving it

and the treatment plant. The plan will include re-commendations for-financing

the proposed improvements. The area being-considered is shown in the

following map.

BULL &AV
S."p

uv,.NAN
114,

-@w "ND

WA.P

THE
COO

.19 GRAMVINE

SWA-

X TYRRELL COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA

COLUMBIA 2,61

'FACILITIES MAP

The water system in Columbia is working far below capacity. Expansion.

policy is to extend water and sewer lines on request atthe expanse of the

customer, The town is currently conducting an Annexati'on Study which should

discuss predicted expenses in the area to be annexed and the town's ability to

cover these costs.
The superintendent of schools has stated thatthe county's school plan
predicts an increase of fewer than 2b students by 1980. However, a new

auditorium is needed; funds for which appear to be scarce. Kindergarten

facilities need to be expanded.

Other facilities are not expected to experience heavy demands over the

next ten years.. However, basic repairs and better maintenance are universally

needed. Currently planned and financed renovation of the courthouse,

agriculture building, school and hospital will be a great improvement.

Further consideration of recreation programs and facilities is an

important issue according to the citizen meetings' responses and the question-

naire results. Solid waste management including landfill sites selection

also rates as a high priority item. These programs appear to be of such

priority that they will most likely be initiated soon.

PLAN DESCRIPTION

A. Land Classification

B. Allocation of Population

LAND CLASSIFICATION

The Land Classification System

The North Carolina Land Classification System covers five types of land:

developed, transition, community, rural, and conservation. Each of these

classes is defined in the CAMA Guidelines and all land in the county meets one

of the five definitions.

The five classes are used to identify the current use and the anticipated

us e of al 1.1and. However, in Tyrrell County, few changes in land use are

expected over the next ten years. Therefore the land has been classified

according to the existing use of land (which is expected to be much like the

future.use).

By using the Land Classification Map the county shows where growth will

occur and where the county's resources will be conseryed.
As a statement of local policy consistent with statewide needs and goals,

the county land classificat-ion map will serve as a basic tool fo r co.ordinating

numerous policies, standards, regulations, and other governmental activities

at the local, state and federal level. The classification system provides a

guide for public investment and a framework for budgeting and planning for

construction of community facilities such as water and sewer systems, schools,

and roads. Attention will be focused on valuable natural resources. Finally,

the system.can help provide guidance for a more equitable distribution of the

land tax burden.

The classification system allows a variety of land use s so that frequent

changes in maps are not necessary. However, the county's land classification@

map must still be updated every 5 years.

0 81

The Five Classes-of Land

Developed

Purpose: The Developed class identifies developed lands where existing popula-

tion density is moderate to high and where there are a-variety of land uses which

are presently provided with essent@tal public services-: Consequently, the-developed

class is-distinguished from Transition a@eas where significant growth and/or new

servi ce requi rements wi 11 occur. @ Conti nue& devL-Iopment- an-d-redevel opment shoul d

be encouraged to provi-de for-the orderly growthIn the developed area.

..-Description: Developed lands are areas with a minimum gross population density

of 2,000 people per square mile. At a minimum, these lands contain 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 accom--

panying land uses including-commercial, industrial, and institutional.

Location: Columbia is,the only area whi'ch@-functions as@a developed center in

Tyrrell County. Although the Town"s population is small (890)@and declining,

Columbia does support the-required m,inimum density-withinlits jurisdicti.on and

has th-e,-req-0red publi-c services, although-thefull capacity of those services

has not been-used.

Rel ati on,shi p-, to-, Goal sand-Objectives: Columbia is r.ecognizedl-as the:coun-ty's cen'

ter of--bus,iness and government. Redev-e-lopment,:and-revitc@lization of thetown is

consid6red-important to the etonomic and-.social well-being of the county-(goals

2-and 3). Moderate-to-high-density'devel@opment,and,,the.-accompanying services

will lessen the human development impact on natural environments, while providing

safe and sanitary living conditions.(goals 5 and 6).

Transition

Purpose: The Transition class identifies-lands@where-n,ew-moderate-to-high density

growth is,to be,encouraged and where any such growth-that--is permitted by local
regulations will be provided with the necessary -public services. There are no
transition lands in Tyrrell County.

Conservation

Purpose: The Conservation Class identifies land which should be maintained

essentially in its natural state and where very limited or no public services

are provided. These lands are necessary to maintain a healthy environment and

needed to provide for the public health, safety or welfare.

Description: Lands to be placed in the Conservation class are the least desirable

for development because:

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 develop-
ment.

Such lands at a minimum should include:

1) Fragile areas

(a) Wetlands

(b) Steep slopes and prominent high points

(d) Beaches

(e) Surface waters including
- Lakes 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) Hazards areas

(a) Floodways

(b) Ocean erosive areas

(d) Estuarine erosive areas

3) Other

(a) Publicly-ownedforest, park, and fish and game lands and
other non-intensive outdoor recreation lands

(b) Privately-owned sanctuaries, etc., which are dedicated
to preservation

(d) Undeveloped key-parts of existing water supply watersheds

(e) Potential water impoundment sites

In addition to the above name types of land, the county may include other

areas to be maintained in an essentially natural state which are needed to im-

plement their stated policy objectives.

Location: All of the conservation lands in Tyrrell County are associated with

water bodies. These lands include surface waters, wetlands, and erosion.

Relationship to Goals and Objectives: Attention to resource capability is

addressed in three Tyrrell County Goals (6, 7, 10).

Community

Purpose: The Community Class identifies existing and new clusters of low

density development not requiring major public services.

Description: 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).

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 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. Other limited public services,such as public

road access and electric powershould be provided in the community class.

Location: Several community areas exist, mostly along the Albemarle Sound Shore

where soils with moderate limitations are found.

Goat Neck on S.R. 1223 is classified as community but further development should

not be encouraged. Goat Neck technically falls under the definition of "community."

However, the community is located in a severely swampy area. Privys are very

frequent.,and septic tank fields are often flooded. These potential health problems

are further compounded by the closely-spaced houses. Designation of this area as

11community" implies that extensive public services are not necessary. Such is not

the case.

Other areas classified as community include Colonial Beach (SR 1203), Bull Bay

(SR 1202), Travis (SR 113 and U.S. 64), Scuppernong Village (SR 1226), Albemarle

Shores and Rhodes Haven (SR 1212, Va-Lee Beach (SR 1213), Delshelvia subdivi-

sion (east of SR 1219), and Rider's Creek.(south of SR 1301), and that part

of Sound Side Community near Delshelvia and along SR 1209.

Relationship to Goals and Objectives: In protecting the rural character of the

county (Goal 6) by directing residential growth to certain areas (Goal 5), the

county hopes to protect the natural resources while assuring adeuate building

sites. In order to do this, designation of "community" areas will serve as a

statement to all potential builders that these areas are safe to build in,

appropriate for septic tanks, and will NOT be receiving much more in the way

of government initiated services specifically designed for that area. (Goal 6

and 8).

Rural

Purpose: The Rural Class identifies lands for long-term management for produc-

tive resource utilization, and where limited public services will be provided.

Development in such areas should be compatible with resource production.
4)

Description: The Rural Class includes all lands not in the Developed, Transition,

Community and Conservation classes.

Location: The vast majority of land in Tyrrell County has been designated rural

in conformance with the class descriptions and the county goals.

Relationship to County Goals and Objectives: Retaining the rural character of the

county is of primary concern to the majority of citizens in Tyrrell who have

expressed their thoughts in Goal 6.

Allocation of Population

Population density (how many people per square mile), present, and pro-

jected land use are all factors in establishing land classifications for

Tyrrell County. Because, however, the population is expected to continue its

historic decline, assigning population densities to the different classes is

difficult. However, in view of the recent changes in migration trends which

show people moving back into rural areas, it may be safe to say most people

will prefer first to live scattered throughout the countryside; next, to

live in the community areas; then, perhaps, to live in or near Columbia.

Waterfront deve1opment will continue to be attractive. More detailed popu-

lation allocations would be inappropriate and misleading.

VII

POTENTIAL

AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

POTENTIAL
'AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

The most important part of the Coastal Area Management Act is the designation

of and management program for Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC). The Coastal

Resources Commission has developed guidelines according to which Areas of Environ-
40
mental Concern are delineated. Following these guidelines,the counties are to

identify and describe each area within the county which may be an AEC, describe

the land uses to be allowed within each AEC, and describe the relationship between

the AEC and the surrounding land. The Commission will then review the county's

findings and will designate the final Areas of Environmental Concern so that all

coastal counties will have plans compatible with each other.

After these first steps, a permit letting system will be instituted to regu-

late each AEC. Within these areas any development must conform to the particular

requirements for that AEC,as well as to the county's land use plan,before a permit

can be issued and construction can begin.

Where two or more AEC's overlap, the more restrictive requirements shall determine

which land uses are acceptable. In no case shall any uses be allowed which would

result in any contravention or violation of any rules, regulations, or laws of

the State of North Carolina or of Tyrrell County or of Columbia. Neither shall any

development be allowed in any AEC which would have a substantial likelihood of

causing pollution of the waters of the State to the extent that such waters would

be closed to the taking of shellfish under standards set by the Commission for

Health Services pursuant to G. S. 130-169.01.

This section describes each kind of area of environmental concern which is

found in Tyrrell County, the AEC's location and extent, appropriate land uses,

and how the AEC is considered on the Land Classification Map.

Tyrrell County does not have the following Areas of Environmental Concern:

low tidal marshlands; small surface water supplies; special aquifers areas;

complex natural areas; unique geologic formations; historic places; registered

natural landmarks; sand dunes; ocean beaches and shorelines; coastal inlet

erosion lands; or ocean erodible areas.

Coastal Wetlands Other Coastal Marshlands

Description:
Coastal Wetlands (which are considered in two categories@ (1) low tidal

marshlands and (2) other coastal marshlands which have different significance

and policy implications) are defined as "any salt marsh or other marsh subject

to regular or occasional flooding by tides, including wind tides (whether or not

the tide waters reach the marshland areas through natural or artificial water-

courses), 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 followi.ng salt marsh and marsh plant species: Smoothor

salt water Cordgrass (Spartine 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
(Typha spp.); Salt-Meadow Grass (Spartina Patens); and Salt Reed Grass (Spartina

cynosuroides)." Included in this statutory definition of wetlands is "such con-

tiguous land as the Secretary of NER reasonably deems necessary to affect by any

such order in carrying outi'the purposes of this Section." (G. S. 113-230 (a))

Location and Extent:

The majority of the wetlands occurs along the All igator River and its tri-

butaries. The major wetland is located on Long Shoal Point. In total, about

850 acres of wetlands are located on 15 sites.

The majority of the wetlands in Tyrrell is in little danger from development.

Most occur in completely unpopulated areas but remain subject to the pressures of

drainage, clearing for farmland, or forest management.

Land Classification4 Conservation

Appropriate Land Use:

The highest priority for these areas is to guard the biological, economic,

and aesthetic values of the marshes.

Second priority is given to development which requires water access and cannot

function elsewhere, such as ports, docks, and marinas. Any such development will

be allowed only if each of the following conditions have been met.

1. Need for the project can be justified by the projected land use demands

and by community development objectives as stated in this plan.

2. Feasible alternatives regarding location and design have been adequately

considered and judged to be unacceptable.

3. Location of the facility considers coastal, physical and biological systems.

In no case shall the allocation exceed the capacity of the marshland system

to sustain losses without harm to the estuarine ecosystem unless the losses would

be offset by a clear and substantial benefit to the public.

All of the wetlands have been mapped as "conservation" areas on the Land

Classification Map.

Estuarine Waters

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

Con'servation and Development filed with the Secretary of State entitled Boundary
Lines, North Carolina Commercial Fishing-Inland Fishing Waters, revised March 1 ,

19653, 111 or as it may be subsequently revised by the General Assembly.

Significance. Estuaries are among the most 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, flounder, 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.

Appropriate Land Uses. Conservation of estuarine waters is to be the highest

priority.

Second priority shall be given to the development of navigation channels, the

use of bulkheads to prevent erosion, and the building of piers or wharfs provided

that:

1. No other feasible alternative exists

2. The uses will not be detrimental to the biological and physical estuarine

functions and public trust rights. "Detrimental uses" are those which directly

or indirectly:

a) blo'ck or imp air existing navigation channels,

b) increase shoreline erosion,

c) deposit spoils below mean high tide,

d) cause adverse water circulation patterns,

e) violate water quality standards, or

f) cause degradation of shellfish waters.

Land Classification: Lands adjacent to estuarine waters are classified as

Conservation along the All igator,and Rural , Commt4ni,ty, or Conservation along the

Scuppernong River and Albemarle Sound. The surface waters themselves are classified

as Conservation,

State Parks

Description: Pettigrew State Park, including Lake Phelps, lies partially

within Tyrrell County along the Washington-Tyrrell boundary. Although the park

is in a rural farming section of the county, development along the Lake Shore

may adversely affect the park, The canals leading from the lake to the Scuppernong

River are important to the fishing industry.

Appropriate Land Use; The State of North Carolina is responsible for all

uses of land and water within the State Parks and is developing a management policy

specifically for Lake Phelps,

Land Classification: The lake and park are classified as Conservation,and

the surrounding land is classified as Rural.

Areas that Sustain RemnanL_�2ecies

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.

The continued survival of certain native plants and animals cannot be

assured unless the relatively few,well defined areas providing.-,necessary.habitat

conditions are protected from development or land uses that might alter these

conditions.- These habitats and the species they.support provide a valuable

educational and scientific resource.

Unfortunately, delineation of specific habitat for the American Bald@

Eagle and American alligator is not beyond the qualitative description stage.

The best information is available through the N. C. Wildlife Resources

Commission which has delineated prime wildlife habitat for North Carolina
(see Fragile Habitat map p. 341;11;,',;@@ )Before this proposed Area of Environmental.
Concern can become fi.nal, more s@ecific information is-,needed.
p

Location and Extent: The American alligator and possibly the bald eagle

may be found along the Alligator River. Protection of the wooded swamps along

the shoreline and perhaps other prime,wildlife habitat areas will be necessary

to preserve these remnant species.

Appropriate Land Uses: 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.

Land Classification: Conservation and Rural

Certain Public Trust Areas

Description: All waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the lands thereunder

from the mean high water mark to the seaward limit of State jurisdiction; all

natural bodies of water subject to measurable lunar tides and lands thereunder

to the mean high water mark; all navigable natural bodies of water and lands there-

under to the mean high water mark or ordinary high water mark as the case may

be, except privately owned lakes to which the public has no right of access; all

waters in artificially @reated bodies of water in which exist significant public

fishing resources or other public resources, which are accessible to the public by

navigation from bodies of water in which the public has acquired rights by pre-

scription, custom, usage, dedication or any other means. In determining whether

the public has acquired rights in artificially created bodies of water, the following

factors shall be considered: (i) the use of the body of water by the public; (ii)

the length of time the public has used the area; (iii) the value of public resources

in the body of water; Ov) whether the public resources in the body of water are

mobile to the extent that they can move into natural bodies of water; (v) whether

the creation of the artificial body of water required permission from the State;

and (vi) the value of the body of water to the public for navigation from one

public area to another public area.

Location and Extent: Tyrrell County haSa lake, streams, rivers, canals, and

sounds which are public trust areas. Some of these water bodies are the Scupper-

nong River and the Alligator River and its major tributaries. These waters are

to be preserved and managed to protect their biological, economic, and aesthetic

values and the public rights of navigation and recreation.

Appropriate Uses: Any land use which interferes with the public right of

navigation, or other public trust rights which the public may be found to have

in these waters, shall not be allowed. The development of navigational channels,

drainage ditches, the use of bulkheads to prevent erosion, and the building of

piers or wharfs are examples of land uses appropriate within 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 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 public trust waters.

Land Classification: All surface water is classified as Conservation.

Natural Hazard Areas - Estuarine and River Erodible Areas

Description: Such areas are defined as the area above ordinary high water

where excessive erosion has a high probability of occurring. In delineating

the landward extent of this area a 25-year recession line has been determined

using the Soil Conservation Service, Tyrrell County Shore Erosion Inventory.

Location and Extent: Albemarle Sound Shore, Alligator River and Creek Shores,

and the Frying Pan Shores are all considered erosion areas. These total approxi-

mately 90 miles of shoreline.

Appropriate Land Uses: The main objective in managing ero .sion areas is to

insure that development will be compatible with the dynamic nature of the erodible

lands, thus minimizing the likelihood of significant loss of property,

Where shoreline protection construction has not been completed, recreation,

rural, and conservation are the only appropriate land uses.

Where the shoreline has been stabilized permanent or substantial residential,

commercial, institutional, or industrial structures are acceptable.

Land Classification: The erodible areas along the Albemarle Sound are prime

lands for development in the county. However, the erosion area has been classified

as Conservation.

XIII

IMPLEMENTATION

0
IMPLEMENTATION

The county has at least six possible ways of putting this plan into

action:

.1. Using the Land Classification System,

2. Controlling development In areas of environmental
concern.

3. Purchasing land.

4@ Providing services and programs.

5. Taxing.

6. Regulations.

Using the Land Classification System And controlling development in

areas of environmental concern are two actions which the State of North

Carolina requires the county to take, Both of these are described in

the previous sections of this article. The other four are discussed

here.

Government purchases of land may affect how other land is used,

An example of this is a state.or local park. Once a park is'bought,

recreational businesses may be encouraged - horse stables, rental equip-

ment, campgrounds, etc.; or perhaps new vacation homes will be built

near the park as it happehing.on'Lake Phelps. The location of the

county's new multi-purpose center may affect traffic, parking and noise,

or may encourage more building.

When the government provides services and programs, land uses can

be affected. For example, if Tyrrell County decides to build a water

system, you can pretty well guess that most new houses will be built
along the water lines. When the county organizes an economic development

program, many changes can. happen In Tyrrell: new businesses, more people,

new homes, and so on.

Taxes also affect how land will be used, If a farmer's taxes are too

high, he may not be able to make a profit; instead of farming, he turns

his land into a subdivision and retires. The county can grant farm ers - and

some others - tax breaks to encourage them to keep their land in production.

Finally, the county can directly control land use by enacting certain

laws. In 1972 Tyrrell County adopted a Subdivision Ordinance.which helps

the county make sure that roads are safe, that.lots are large enough and

properly laid out, and. that the rights of a buyer are protected, ThOre
are many other laws the county could use,including one requiring an

environmental impact statement from large developers, a zonIdng ordinance which

would help protect farmland, and minimum housing codes which would make Tan'd-
lords repair their houses.

it Is up to the citizens and elected officials to decide which of these

methods are best for Tyrrell. It is important to understand that all four

are being used right now but without considering their effect.on land uses.,

The following actions will assist the county in continuing a comprehen-

sive planning program:
1. Qualify as an agency for letting of permits for minor'developments;
in AECs in accordance with the.CAMA.

2@ Consult the land:,u,selplan when making land use decisions.

3@ Prepare a Capital Improvements Budget,update it annually and key it to
the land use plan, particularly the land classification map.

4. Construction of water and sewerage systems should be consistent
with the plan, especially the land classification map.

5c' Maintain close communication with large enterprises in order to
update the assessed...199a:,,r@tnge- 11 plans.

6. Hire a building inspector to enforce the Building Code and other
ordinances as adopted (Minimun Housing Code, Zoning Ordinance).

7. Consider a zoning ordinance to manage development along the U. S. 64
corridor and the Albemarle Sound Shore.

8. Further investigate the importance of selected natural systems in
Tyrrell, especially wooded swamps and floodplains.

9. Formally review andrevise the plan every five years,

100

IX.

SUMMARY

(SYNOPSIS)

UNDER SEPARATE COVER

CITY-COUNTY PLAN RELATIONSHIP

1 1

INTERPRETATION OF TOWN/COUNTY PLANS

It is nearly impossible to analyze Tyrrell County without considering

Columbia as well.. Columbia acts as the focus of the whole county serving as

government seat, business center, and main residential community. County

policy directly affects Columbia's appearance and economy. For instance,

placement of the hew multi-purpose center or building a water system that

by-passes Columbia willcertainly affect the town.

Citizen Participation meetings were held in Columbia and were open to

all interested people. Problems of land development were discussed with the

town,as well as-the county,in mind.

_01,

COLUMBIA LAND USE PLAN

A. Present Conditions

Population

Economy

Existing Land Use

B. Constraints

Land Potential

Community Facilities.

C. Current Plans and Policies

Public Participation

E. Estimated Future Demand-

Population

Economy

Future Land Needs and Community Facilities Demand

F. Plan Description

G. Potential Areas of Environmental Concern

H. Implementation

102

Columbia, the seat of government for Tyrrell County, is situated on

the east bank of the Scuppernong River. "Elizabeth" was the name of the

town from 1793 to 1801. In 1863, Union troops sacked and burned Columbia,

but it was not until the 1930's that the citizens finally tore down the stop-

gap buildings thrown up after the invasion. Despite relatively new build-

ings, the town still looks tired; and although it seems a friendly little

place, it offers few incentives to newcomers or high school graduates in

encouraging them to remain in the area.

A. PRESENT CONDITIONS

Population

Columbia's 1974 population was estimated at 890 people by the Office

of State Planning. This is a slight decline from the 1970 census count

of 902 people. The 1960 population was 1099, which indicates the town has

experienced a loss of 18% of its population during the last decade.

During the same period, the county experienced a decline of 15.8%. The

town has a higher percentage of Negro residents (52.3%) than does the

county (43.3%).

103

TABLE 26

TOWN OF COLUMBIA

NUMBER OF PERSONS BY AGE & SEX 1970

AGE MALES FEMALES TOTAL PERCENT OF TOTAL

Under 5 29 35 64 7.10

5 - 14 89 89 178 19.73

15 - 20 48 53 101 11.20

21 - 24 19 32 51 5.65

25 - 34 28 .26 54 5.99

35 - 44 35 34 69 7.65

45 - 54 58 76 134 14.86

55 - 64 56 59 115 12.75

65+ 49 87 136 15.77

343 (38.027%) Total Population Under 21

136 (15.078%) Total Population 65 and Over

472 (52.328%) Negro Population

104

TABLE 27

TOWN OF COLUMBIA HOUSING STATISTICS

Average number of persons per household 2.973

Average number of persons per Negro household 4.428

Number of occupied & vacant year-round housing
units 345

Number of owner occupied units 201 (66.777%)

Number of occupied housing units with 1.01 or
more persons per room (overcrowded) 44 (14.618%)

Number of occupied housing units with 1.51 or more
persons per room (severely overcrowded) 21 (6.977%).

Number of occupied housing units lacking complete
plumbing 87 (28.904%)

Negro housing units-lacking complete plumbing 68
Number of occupied units lacking a toilet 58 (19.420%)

105

Economy

Columbia is largely residential along with a few government offices, small

businesses, and one fish-processing plant. The businesses are service oriented;

general merchandise stores, service stations, a bank, grocery stores, hotel, res-

taurants, etc.

The downtown area is losing establishments. Many buildings stand empty.

Waterfront buildings are presently a liability to the whole town because of their
unkept condition,but renewal of the area could produce a real asset. 4

Existing Land Use

Most of the town is developed as single-Family residential. There are two C

.small apartment houses. A central business district is located near the water-

front and includes the courthouse and other government offices. Business estab-

lishments are attracted to the U.S. 64 By-pass. Both the elementary and high

schools are located outside the town limits as are the industries (lumber yards,
farmers exchange, garment plant). The town is drained by two major open

ditches which drain into the Scuppernong River. Because of the proximity to the

River, the town has several sections which are much too wet for development.

B. CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT

Facing Columbia are several natural and man-made constraints on development.

These constraints pose practical and economic limits--not absolute constraints--

considering society's engineering expertise.

Land Potential

Soils

Columbia has poorly drained soils which create construction problems. The
town has experienced difficulty in maintaining its sewer lines which often collapse

106

due to pockets of "quick sand" or highly shifting subsoils.

Hazards

All,of Columbia is designated as within the 100-year flood prone area of

the Scuppernong River. This means the town has one chance in one hundred of

being flooded each year.

Three oil storage facilities are located in Columbia,

Fragile Areas

The town Is located on the east bank of the Scuppernon g Riverwhi ch is

both public trust water and estuarine water.

Community Facilities

Columbia relies on groundwater and.has two 300-gallon per minute (gpm)

wells within the town limits. Water is suppljed@to all town residents and to.

a limited'extent, nort[t-south, and east of the town. The general policy seems

to be to extend services when requestedwith the customer paying all building

costs.

Columbia owns and operates its own wa ter and sewer facil ities. The water

treatment plant operates at 300 gpm but is designed for 432 gpm. Elevated

storage Is provided by a 200,000 gallon storage tank. The plant is running at

about 20% capacity. The distribution system utilizes 6" and 8" mains.

The sewage treatment plant is-designed for a population equivalent of',

1,500 which includes approximately 142,500 gpd,of domestic waste at a

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).of approximately 200 parts per million (ppm)

and 7,500 GPD from the fish processing plant. The sewage treatment plant was

designed to be easily expanded todouble its present capacity..

School facilities are a county function,

107

C.- CURRENT PLANS AND POLICIES

The town has no previous-firsthand planning experience. By virtue of

regional planning and county initiated planning, Columbia has been "studied"

before. Few changes have resulted from such studies.

The town has none of the plans, policies, or regulations'whic h the Coastal

Resources Commission is concerned with.

201 Facilities Planning is reportedly beginning soon.

D, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES

Public participation activities were conducted jointly with town and county

residents.

For the identification of major land use issues, please refer to the previous

section, page jol .

The previously discussed population and economic trends are most visible in

Columbia. Poor appearances, deteriorating housingi unpaved streets, empty houses,

all indicate a declining population and poor economic situation.

Conservation or protection of natural resources does not rate top priority.

However, it seems people are interested in the town but are stimied or frustrated

in trying to do something.

E. ESTIMATED FUTURE DEMAND

Population

Columbia has been losing population since 1940. This decline is expected to

continue for 3 reasons: response to the lack of basic job opportunities, a high

percentage of the population past child-bearing age, and a very small percentage

of young children.

108

Economy

Columbia depends on a service-related economy which will beadverselY affected

by the declining population.

Actions taken by the county are certain to affect Columbia. The housing

program should benefit the town as could the location of the county's multi-

purpose center.

Future Land Needs and Community Facilities Demand

Unless the population trend is reversed, little expansion of facilities or

residences can be anticipated. However, Columbia is a developed area and, in

spite of poor soils, the obvious place for new urban development is adjacent to

the town because of its ability to service the area with water and sewerage systems.

Such development would probably benefit both the town and the county,provided

any growth that does occur is properly managed to guard against overburdening the

town or county fn any manner.
The need for land to allow urban expansion "is not as great as is the need for

proper management and upkeep of already developed land. The town should concen-

trate on planning to encourage good development and redevelopment within its present

service area. This planning should attempt to upgrade appearances, facilities,

and the economy.

The town should consider the ramifications of ill-planned development at its

doorstep. The coming annexation study should provide more information on such

development.

109

F. PLAN DESCRIPTION

Columbia is classified as "Developed"' under the 'Land Classification System.

G. AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

Columbia borders on the Scuppernong Riverwhich is both estuarine and public

trust.water. Redevelopment of the waterfront, despite its AEC status, should

take priority.

H. IMPLEMENTATION

.The town has already begun a planning program,- 'With the hiring of a town

manager, the annexation study, and the capital improvements budget, the town

has begun to address the constraints which have previously hampered its healthy

development.

Further coordination between the county and the-@town would help all

citizens, especially in the areas of economic development, housing, recreation,

and community appearance.

XII

APPENDICES

A. Questionnaire Results

B. Public Participation Report

C. Bibliography

TYRRELL COUNTY
Board. of Commissioners

To: The Head of Household

Please thoughtfully fill out this questionnaire and return it
by mal:l in the enclosed, stamped envelope by June 6 or drop it off
at the County Coordinatorl.s Office in the Columbia Courthouse.

Coastal Area Management is an extremely important issue and
your views are very much needed. If there is another person in
the household over 18 who wishes to fill out a separate questionnaire,
he or she may pick up another copy in the County Coordinator's Office.

Thank You.

QUESTION

What is the one biggest problem or issue facing Tyrrell now?

In your opinion, which of-Ithe following should the county adopt as its goal
for county population growth during the next'10 years? (circle one)

14% 1. Remain the same size (3,700)

.7% 2. Reduce population (we will continue to lose population if we continue
our present course of action).

47% 3. Small increase (to about 5,000)

39% 4. Large increase (over 8,000)

Have-you written@to the aldermen-J, [email protected],` or planning-board
members in the last year? 8% yes 92% -no

Would you like to attend one of the above meetings?: .72% yes 28% no

If you had $70,000.to.invest in Tyrrell, what type of investment do you think
would be prolfitable?

112

SECTION I

1. Which place do you live in?

-Frying Pan Bulls Bay Kilkenny

Scotia Cross Landing Sound-Side

Creeks Goat Neck River Neck

Colonial Beach Newfoundland Town of Columbia

Fort Landing. Other

2. What is your occupation?

3, Which Township do you live in?

11% Alligator 51% Columbia

14% Gum Neck 0 South Fork

24% Scuppernong

4. Are you a male or female? 68% male 32% female

5, Are you white 80% black 20%- other 0

6. How old are you? years old

7. Do you live on a farm? yes no

8. How many people in your immediate family, including yourself, are living in
your house all the time?. number of people.
(Do not include-boarders, renters, temporary guests, etc.)

9. How long have you lived in Tyrrell County? years.

10. What was the last grade.or class you completed in school?

11. Please check the blank which comes closest to your total household income
before taxes last year:

16% 1 ( ) under $2,000 14% 5 ( ) $8,000-to $9,999

12% 2 ( ) $2,000 to $3,999 17% 6 ( ) $10,000 to $15,@000

10% 3 ( ) $4,000 to $5,999 20% 7 ( ) over $15,000

13% 4 ( ) $6,000 to $7,999
59% 9% 23%
12. Are you presently.Ccircle one) 1. employed 2. unemployed 3.. retired

4. full time homemaker 5. full time student 6. other(specify)@ 3%

13. Do you work in Tyrrell 75% or another county? (specify) .25%

113

SECTION II

Check the place you would like to live:

1@ 8% Near downtown

2. 90% Away from,downtown but within the town limits

3. 40% Outside the iown'limits but within a-short drive to town

4. 28% Outside the town limits with more than a 5 minute drive to town

5'. 13% As far away from a town-as possible

SECTION 111 (1) No (2) Slight '(3) Mod.. (4) Severt
Please check one. Problem Problem Problem- Problem

1. Is police protection adequate? 23% 26% 25% 25%

2. Is fire protection adequate? .49 24 18 10

3. Is water pollution a problem? 26 25 26 22

4. Are water services adequate? 52 14 18 16

5. Are-sewerage services-adequate?@ 38 18 is 29

6. Is [email protected]? 25 16 14 46

7. Is garbage-disposal-adequ-ate? 21 .14 9 56

8. In general is county government
responsive to your needs? 22 29 22 27

9. Is the Town of Columbia government
responsive to your.needs? 31 21 20 29

10. Is the elementary school adequate 46 23 18 13

11. Is the high school adequate? .42 19 26 13

12. Are the vocational education
programs adequate? S8 18 13 10

13. Is the,public library-adequate? 60 21 13 6

0 14. Is the.appearance &@condition of
the houses acceptable to you? 25 30 26 21

15. Are the cult,ural.opportunities
(drama, music, art, etc.) adequate? 46 18 14 22

16. Are the kindergarten programs adequate? @53 18 15 14

17. Are the adult education.programs-:-adequate? 44 ... 19 22 15

18.. Are the tourist facilities-adequate? 16 24 43

114

19.. Is the availability of adequate
housing a pToblem9 8 is 20 56

20. Are there adequate employment opportunities? 11 10 17 63

2L Is unemployment a problem? 13 8 is 63

22. Is industrial development adequate? 14 8 13 65

23. Are recreation facilities adequate? 11 10 20 58

24@ Do citizens participate in community.
decisions? 11 18 2S 46

25.. Is there commV@ity pride and spirit? .24 20 27- 28

26@ Are rnedical facilities and staff adequate? .10, 17 22 51

27. Is assistance to elderly people adequate? 17 22 27 35

28. Are child care or kindergartens adequate? 40 19 22 19

29. Are youth counseling services adequate? 19 23 28 31

30@ Is assistance to the poor adequate? 32 20 20 28

31. Other (specify)

SECTION IV
(1) No
Please check the column where you feel local Public (2) Less,(3) Same (4) More
government should spend public money, Funds Funds Funds Funds

1. 'Crime prevention and control 2% 1% -42% 54%

2. Control of organized crime 9 3 43- 45

3. Health and medical care 8 8 31 64

4@ Assistance to old and poor 1 4 37 57

S. Retirement benefits 2 44 47

6@ Water pollution 2 2 45_ so

7@ Solid waste disposal 2 3 34 61

8. Solid waste collection 4 4 33 59

9. Public kindergarten 5 6 57 32

10. Public education 1 4 47 49

11. Community,colleges & technical institutes is 2 36 47-

12@ Development of new employment opportunities 6 2 14 77

13. Job training for adults 8 4 32 56

14. Help in finding jobs 9- 4 31 57

15. Regulation's to control land use is ill. 39 .35

16. Plannin g for preservation of wildlife areas 6 6 40 -49

17. Development of tourist attractions 13 7 28 51

18. Develop agricultural production and
marketing 8 3 37 52

19. Industrial development is 1 17 67

M Purchase new land for public parks 5 28 46

21. Further development of forests and
parks for public use is 4 31 49

22. Development of public recreational
facilities and programs 10 3 31 56

23@ Support for libraries and museums 7 6 46 41

24. Preservation of historic sites 13 6 45 36

25. Public water system 9 5 38 48

26. Waterfront renewal 17 4 30 50

27. Enforcement of good building standards 10 2 31 57

28. Housing assistance 13 3 28 56

29. Other (speci fy)

116

SECTION V

If you had the opportunity to choose the community in which you would live, how important
would the following characteristics be in making your decision?

None Slight Moderate Great

1. A good place to raise children

2. Quality of water and air

3. Quality of medical facilities

4. Quality of schools

5. Job opportunities

6. Friendliness of the community

7. Religious worship

8. Climate

9. Shopping facilities

10. Size of population

1.1. Racial integration

12. Recreational facili ties

13- Near to family and relatives

14. Opportunity for a voice in community affairs

15. Wide variety of clubs and organizations

16- Cultural opportunities

SECTION VI-

Check the blank that indicates what size community you would like to live in.

1. 23% In the country away from-any city or village

2. 32% In or near a small town under 1,000 like-Columbia.

3. 36% In or near a small town (under 10,000 people or about the size of Washington,
N. C.)

4. 7% In or near a small city (10,000 t0 50,000 people or about the size of
Greenville, N. C.)

5. 1% In or near a medium sized city (50,000 to 200,00O people or about the size
of Raleigh, N. C.)

6. 1% In or near a metropolitan area (over 200,000 people or about the size of
Charlotte, N. C. or Norfolk, Va.)

117

SECTION VII

Please check whether you AGREE 0R DISAGREE with
each statement about economic development and
environmental development and environmental (1) (2)
protection in this county. AGREE DISAGREE

l. This county has enough economic development 15% 85%

2. More industry brought into the county wil1 improve
the quality of life in the county. 73 27

3. New industry locating in the county should be
required to protect natural resources. 89 11

4. Some type of control should be placed on mobile homes. 67 33

5. A person should be able to do anything he wants on his
land regardless of how it affects his neighbors. 14 86

6. A danger exists when development occurs very rapidly. 76 24

7. Economic development is moreimportant than
environmental protection. 19 81

8. We would be better off if we controlled growth so
it occurred at a slow pace. 62 38

9. We have enough people living in the county now. 21 79

10. Some industries are not worth the problems they
bring with them. 79 21

11. We must plan our development so as to leave something
for future generations. 95 5

12- If I had a choice between more jobs and clean air and
water, I would choose more jobs. 32 68

13. If industry produced-goods at higher cost and did not
pollute, I would be willing to pay for those goods. 71 29

14. Pollution from agriculture should be regulated 89 11

15. Other (specify)_

118

SECTION VIII

Check the blank that indicates-how-you-feel about moving away if you had the opportunity.

1. 23% 1 would never consider leaving.

2@ 64% 1 would move if I had;to but would be reluctant to leave here.

3. 7% It makes no difference.to me-whether I live here-or in@another community.

4. 4% 1 would probably be more satisfied living in another community.

5. 2% 1 would really,dike-to leave this-community if I had the opportunity.

SECTION IX

1. In your.opinion, which of the following suggestions.-for locating'structures on-
mobile homes 'on-waterfront property do you agree-with-,if.any:

53% 1. Require that all construction or location of-mobi-le homes on waterfront
property take place 100 feet inland from waters edge.
16% 2. Require that all construction or-location of:@mobile,homeon waterfront
property take place 50 feet inlandfrom waters edge.
18% 3. No requirements pertaining to setback from,waters ed ge.
14% 4. Any suggestions you may have pertaining to this question

2. Which of the following suggestions for retention of-existing trees along waterfront
property do you agree with if any:

20% 1. Require that all healthy trees 100 feet inland from-waters edge be retained.
19% 2. Require that all healthy.-t-ree:s-50 feet@-inland from.waters edge be retained.
11% 3. Require that (circle one) 75% or 50% of@all healthy trees 100 feet inland
from-waters edge be retained.
20% -4. Require that (circle one) 75% or 50% of all healthy trees 50 feet inland
from waters edge be retained.
17% 5. No requirements for retention-of any@existing-trees along waterfront property.
13% 6. Suggestions you-may have-pertaining-to this question

3, If in your opinion you feel the county would benefit from industry locating here,
what type would..you,like to see. (specify)

119

4. Where should industrial sites be located in Tyrrell County? (Circle)

45% 1- Located in Columbia and fringe area
33% 2. Scattered throughout the county
11% 3. Existing communities (Gum Neck,Scuppernong, Sound Side, etc.)
5% 4. Other suggestions (specify)

5. Where should resident development belocated in Tyrrell County? (Circle)

29% 1. Located in Columbia and fringe area
55% 2. Scattered thoroughout the county
11% 3. Existing communities (Gum Neck, Scuppernong, Sound Side, etc.)
5% 4. Other suggestions (specify)

6. Where should commercial development be located in Tyrrell County? Circle)

46% 1. Located in Columbia and fringe area
36% 2. Scattered throughout the county
12% 3. Existing communities (Gum Neck, Scuppernong, Sound Side,etc.)
6% 4. Other suggestions (specify)

7. In general are there any other comments or concerns you have about future develop-
ment in your community which was not covered in this questionnaire. (Please
specify)

If you have any questions concerning this questionnaire or if we can assist you
in any way, please call the County Coordinator or Planner's Office at 796-7051
or 2551.

120

APPENDIX
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SUMMARY

TYRRELL COUNTY

l.' Evaluation of your Public Participation Program
A. Does your land use planning depend on the local planner for direction
or does citizen involvement offer direction?

Particular emphasis and direction come. from the citizens, but organization
and structure are provided by the planner. "The planner does much of the work
because few others have the time needed to get such a new project underway."
Floyd Patrick, Planning Vice-Chairman,

B. Unique features of your public participation program that might be
useful to other communities.

A teachers' workshop was conducted with John Buck from ECU to inform high
school educators of the issues and of the chance to involve their students,

The nominal group process was used as a method to help the lay person go
through the steps of,problem definition and solution, This process was used
to arrive at issues and goals statements.

C. How did you develop your Public Participation Program?

The county commissioners and planning board appointed a citizens resource
committeq selected to have a representative from each township, The committee
discussed the Public Participation handbood suggestions and modified them to
fit Tyrrell situation.

D. Do.you consider your public involvement a success? Please explain.

Having started at point zero we have taken the first two steps: people are
informed and some are doing something, But a "success" can only be judged
over the long runand the county program will be successful only if the effort
is encouraged, continued, and expanded under local leadership and initiative.

Many peopl e still feel a good deal of resentment towards the planning effort,
"They feel what they do with their land is nobody else's business, They
wouldn't fill out the questionnaireand they won@t come to meetings because
they hope that if they,ig4ore the situation it will all go away," Mildred
Walker,

Richard Reed, Fla seems that 166 people have gotten involved by.answering
the questionnaire. That's about 7% for this county. When San Bernadino,
California conducted a questionnaire survey they were very happy with a 3%
return."

Participation in general government has never before been an organized movement
in,Tyrrell. Usually it is limited to individuals or small groups "button-
holing" various county commissioners on a current crisis. Until CAMA came
along, land-use management was simply not seen as an issue. Even now,those
who have become-conce,rned about land-use issues still have trouble convincing

121

others of problems which may (or may-not) come in the future, The problems in
Tyrrell stem mostloften from lack of growth and not from too much growth,
Little has happened in this county - and people expect little to happen in the
future. So they do not participate in the numbers which one would expect from
a county like Dare. Yet, they are concerned: concerned about their declining
population, their housing shortage, and the high rate of unemployment. Because
of these concerns, many people have said they welcomed the chance to-become
more aware of governmental tasks and responsibilities,

The people who have become involved here criticized others' lack of involvement,
and they feel this stems from people's (and society's) tendency to react
rather than act, Those people who have been actively involved feel the
extension of the deadline and the draft plan may help to get others involveds
at least in refining the final document.

E. List some key citizens in your public participation program: names, d
phone numbers.

Margaret Ann Griffin, Chairman, Citizens' Resource Committee 796-8971
Bert Davenport, Chairman, County- Planning Board . 796-6241
Floyd Patrick, Vice-Chairman, County Planning Bpard 796-8781
Joseph Landino, County Commissioner 796-3901
Claude Jones,,Citizens Resource Committee 796-8541
Mildred Walker, Township Committee Member 796-8861

2. Steps taken to inform local citizens.about the CAMA program
A, Newspaper
B. Radio
C. Television
D,@ Bulletins, Leaflets, Newsletters
E. Other Methods

The absence of any county-based media has been a large obstacle facing the
CAMA program in Tyrrell (no newspaper, radio, or TV station located in the
county). Thus, there is no way to keep the people informed of new develop-
ments short of direct person-to-person contact or massive mail campaigns.
The Coastland Times (Tyrrell circulation about 280) has frequently run
articles submitted by the planner, but there is enough information available
to have articles included in every issue (bi-weekly).

The Agriculture Extension program has worked well to inform people in extension
homemakers Iclu bs and by frequent articles in the monthly newsletter,

The'major information program was carried out through meetings with cl6bs,.
organizations, and through general county-wide sessions, The planner attended
approximately 26 meetings,(as indicated in monthly reports) to explain-the
purpose and requirements ok the Act. Further effort was organized according to
townships. But the township',committees.have been only partially effective.
Good results have come fro0scuppernong and Gum Neck Townships and,,in the
absence of any response from the remaining .three townships, we must rely on
the suggestions from Scuppernong and Gum Neck,

122

Peggy Griffin, Chairman of the Citizens'Resource Committee, wrote an open
letter to thelyrrell Citizens which stated' the issues the county would be
facing. Included in this letter (mailed td@@,approximately 1235 boxholders)
were dates for township meetings. After the township meetings, a questionnaire
was mailed to all boxholders,and another series of meetings was held. Posters
and,news articles announced all meetings,, All mailings went on county

i4iipLut- -into land use planning

A. Personal interviews

Throughout the planning.process, the planner has conducted numerous-personal.
interviews with citizens of the county.

B. Surveys

A approximately 1235,b hi
guestionnaire on county issues was mailed to roxW"R
0 be returned in a stamped, enclosed envelope.

CO Workshops and public meetings

Betsy Warren and David-Stick held a special workshop with County Commissioners,
department heads,@'a;n'd"other government people in rrell,,j,'.to.explain CAMA,
TY
All county-wide meetings have been publicized by 6-tjers', newsletter announce-
ments, and articles intae Coastland Times.

49 Quality and quantity of feedback from the public

A. Approximate percentage of community providing input

Approximately 7% of the adult population (2262) answered the,questionnaire.
Approximately 2% are involved regularly in meetings.

B. Are all ethnic groups and social strata involved?

,Economic Improvement Council and Senior Citizens' organizations were contacted
and involved in the issues and goals statement process, A special'effort was
made to-include the black community,and good representation was obtained from
Scuppernong township.

C. Resident non-voters were given the same opportunities.to participate
in the planning process as were voters.

As non-residents constitute a rather small percentage of county property
owners, no specific efforts were made to gain.their participation,

D. Future participation activities planned

Future public participation activities will include more use of:high school
students and more open@meetings to discuss the draft plan.

E. How are you reflecting the responses you are receiving into the land
use plans?

The actual land classification rests-not only on the capability-of land but
also on the desires of the people. These people have been very straight-for-
ward on what they want (open-country-side) and1what they don't want (high
density development). Citizen response from-.the nominal group process has
been.incorporated practically verbatim in the issues and goals section of the
plan.

The best thing that.has..resul,ted.-from,these-meetings is that people have come
together to talk about problems-in general.

124

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baker, Simon, Ed., Coastal Development and Areas of Environmental Concern, Chapel
Hill, University of North Carolina Sea Grant Program, 1975.

Barrick, Frank B., Critcher, T. Stuart., Wildlife and Land Use Planning With
Particular Reference to Coastal Counties, North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission, Raleigh, April, 1975.

Barry, A. J., and Goodnight, J. H., Statistical Analysis System, Department of
Statistics NCSU, for N. C. Dept. of State Planning, Raleigh, N. C., 1975.

Board of Water and Air Resources, Rules, Regulations, Classification and Water
Quality Standards Application to the Surface Waters of North Carolina,
Raleigh, Department of Natural and Economic Resources, 1972.

Carolina Population Center, Statistical Services Center, County Population Trends
in North Carolina, 1790 - 1960, UNC and the N. C. Department of Adminis-
tration, Raleigh, 1969.

Clark, John, Coastal Ecosystems, Ecological Considerations for the Coastal Zone,
The Conservation Foundation, Washington, D. C., March, 1974.

Coastal Resources Commission, Handbook on Public Participation in the Development
of Land Use Plans in the Coastal Areas of North Carolina, DNER, Raleigh,
1975.
Coastal Resources Commission, State Guidelines for Local Planning in the Coastal
Area Under the Coastal Area Management Act, Raleigh, 1975.

Coastal Zone Management in North Carolina, An Educational Program., N. C. Agri-
cultural Extension Service, NCSU, Raleigh, 1975.

East Carolina University. Regional Development Institute, Preliminary Data for
Tyrrell County'Master Economic Development Plan, Workbook, Greenville, N.C.,
1971.

East Carolina University Regional Deveopment Institute, Participating State Agency
Reports for "Operation Discovery," Tyrrell County, North Carolina, Greenville,
N. C., 1971.

Endangered Species Committee, DNER, Preliminary List of Endangered Plant and Animal
Species in North Carolina, DNER, Resources Management Section, RaleigFF, -June,
1973.

Freeman, W. F. & Associates, Region R. Water Resources Management Plan, High Point,
N. C., June, 1974.

Freeman, W. F. & Associates, Water Resource Management Region R., Office of State
Planning, Dept. of Administration, Raleigh, 1975.

Heath, Ralph C., Hy drology of the Albemarle-Pamlico Region, North Carolina, A Pre-
liminary Report on the Impact of Agricultural Developments, U. S. Geological
Survey, Water Resources Investigations, Raleigh, N. C., 1975.

195

McMillian, Martha N., A Study on Recreation and Park Planning in Northeastern
N. C., N. C. Dept. of Natural and Economic Resources, Division of
Community Assistance, Washington, N. C., 1975.

Nelson, Perry F., Geology and Ground-Water Resources of the Swan Quarter Area,
N. C., N. C. Dept. of Natural and Economic Resources, Ground-Water
Bulletin No. 4, Raleigh, 1964.

North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act, N. C. General Statute 113A-100,
1975 as amended.

N. C. Department of Agriculture, North Carolina Agricultural Statistics, 1959,
U. S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C., 1960.

N. C. Department of Transportation, Seven-Year Highway Plan, N. C. Department
of Transportation, Raleigh, N. C., 1975.

N. C. Department of Administration, North Carolina State Government Statistical
Abstract, Second Edition, Raleigh, N. C. 1973.

N. C. Department of Administration, Profile of North Carolina Counties, Raleigh,
March, 1975.

N. C. Deportment of Natural and Economic Resources, Division of Community Assis-
tance, Reconnaissance Survey Tyrrell County, North Carolina, Washington,
N. C., December, 1972.

North Carolina Forestry Council, North Carolina Forestry Council Report, Long
Range Program.

N. C. Land Policy Council, A Land Policy for North Carolina, N. C. Land Policy
Council, Raleigh, 1976.

North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation and Needs Committee, North Carolina
Conversation Needs Inventory, N. C. USDA SCS, Raleigh, N. C., December,
1971.

North Carolina State University, Report on Master Plan Preparation First Colony
Farms, NCSU, Raleigh, April, 1974.

N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Survey and
Classification of the Alligator-Scuppernong Watershed, North Carolina
and Appendix, Raleigh, N. C., 1965.

Albemarle Regional Planning and Development Program, Overall Economic Development
Program, ARPDC, Edenton, N. C., November, 1971.

Ospina, E., and Danielson, L., North Carolina Land Use Data, N. C. Agricultural
Extension Service, Raleigh, N. C., 1973.

Population Research Unit, Office of State Planning, Population Estimates for N. C.
Counties and Municipalities, N. C. Dept. of Administration, Raleigh, 1975.

126

Riggs, S. R., and O'Connor, M. P., Geological_Bibliography of North Carolina's
Coastal Plain Coastal Zone and Continental Shelf, UNC Sea Grant Publi-
cation, Raleigh, June, 1975.

Rivers and Associates, A Comprehensive Water and Sewer Study, Tyrrell County,
Greenville, N. C., 1971.

Sharge, Bill, New Geography of North Carolina, Edward & Broughton, Raleigh,
N. C., 66.

Soil Conservation Service, USDA, Outdoor Recreation Potential for Tyrrell County,
N. C., Columbia, N. C.

Soil Conservation Service, Shoreline Erosion Iventory of North Carolina, Raleigh,
August, 1975.

Tyrrell County Area Redevelopment Planning Board, Overall Economic Development
Program for Tyrrell County, Columbia,.N. C., January, 1964.

U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Statistics for the Northern Coastal Plain
of North Carolina, 1974, Forest Service Resource Bulletin SE-30, Raleigh,
September, 1974.

U. S. Dept. of Commerce Bureau of the Census, 1970 Census of Housing - Detailed
Housing Characteristics, N. C., HC(1)-B35NC, USGPO, Washington, D. C.,-1972.

U. S.*Dept. of Commerce.Bureau of the Census, 1970-Census of Housing Characteris-
tics, N. C., HC(l)-A35 NC USGPO, Washington, D. C., 1971.

U. S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census, 1970 Census of Population
Characteristics, PC(1)-B35NC, USGPO, Washington, D. C., 1972.

U. S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census, 1970 Census of Population
PC (1)C35NC, General Social and Economic Characteristics, USGPO, Washington,
D. C., 1972.

U. S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Cen'sus, 1970 Census of Population-General
Social and Economic Characteristics, NC,,PC(_1_@_35CNC, Washington, D. C., 1961..

U. S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census, 1960 Census of Population-Number
of Inhabitants, NC, PC(1)35ANC, USGPO, Washington, D. C., 1960

U. S. Department of Commerce Natural Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National
Marine Fisheries Service, Anadromous Fisheries Research Program Northern
Coastal Region, St. Petersburg, Florida, March, 197-5.

U. S. Water Resources Council, Obers Projections, Series E., Bureau of the Census,
Washington, D. C., 1972.

Virginia Electric and Power Company, Area Development Department, Economic Study of
Tyrrell County, North Carolina, Williamston, N.@C., 1971.

127

This report was financed in part by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the State of
North Carolina, and meets the requirements
of the North Carolina Coastal Area
Management Act of 1974.

DATE DUE

GAYLORD No. 2333 PRINTED IN U.S.A.

3 6668 14108 6514