Tyrrell County land development plan

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

.TYRRELL COUNTY
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

MAY 1976

HD Ka-"k@By TYRRELL COUNTY IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE NORTH
211 AiCNOASTAL MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1974.
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1976

RESOLUTION 34

A RESOLUTION ADOPTI.NG THE TYRRELL COUNTY LAND USE PLAN.

WHEREAS, the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 establishes a
cooperative program of coastal area management between l.ocal.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 determined
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 establish a comprehensive plan for the
protection, preservation, order-ly 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 adopted in
accorda.nce with the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974, and the
guidelines established by the Coastal Resources Commission, for
the purpose set forth above, and it is hereby declared to be
public policy.

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

Board.of Commissioners

Lem A. Cohoon, Chairman

Joseph Lan.dino Dan Davis
George Dawkins Floyd Hollis
Ray McClees, County Coordinator

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

Citizens' Resource Committee
Margaret A. Griffin Chairwoman -ooper
Joseph Landino Durwood C
Claude Jones Joseph Liverman

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

May, 1976 U DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOA A
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOKON AVENUE
CHARLESTON , SC 291 .05-2413

CM of LibrarY
ropnrty

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Introduction

A. Purpose and History of the Plan 11

B. Geographical Setting 2

C. Climate 2

II. Description of Present Conditions,@

A. General Population Trends 5

B. 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 39

Ground Water 32

Steep Slopes 83
Frag i 1. e, Areas 33

Coastal Wetlands
33
Estuarine and Public Trust Waters 33
Wildlife 37
Fish 38
Rare and Endangered Species 38

Areas With Resource Potential 44
lie Agric .ultural Lands .44
Mineral Resources 45-

Forest Resources 45.

Community Facilities 51

Water and Sewer Service Areas .51

Roads and Schools 51

III. Current Plans, Policies, and Regulations 55

A. Local 55

B. State and Federal 53

IV. Public Participation Activities 59

A; Land Use Is.sues 59

Population 59

Housing Characteristics and Conditions 60

Economy 65

Natural Resources 65

Historic and Cultural Resources 67

B. Goals and Objectives 68

V. Estimated Demand 74

A. Popu lation 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 Classifi cation 31

The Land Classification System 31

The.Five Classes-of Land 82

.B. Allocation of Population 88

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

VIJ I. Impl ementati on 98

IX. Summary (Synopsis) UNDER SEPARATE COVER

X. City-County Plan Relationship
Interpretations of Town/County Plans 101

XI. Columbia Land Use Plan. 102

A. Present Conditions 103

Population 103,

Economy 106

Existing Land Use 106

B. Constraints on Development 106,

Land Potential 106

Soils 106

Hazards 107

Fragile Areas 107

Community Facilities 107

C Current'Plans and Policies 108

D. Publi. c Participation Activities 108

Estimated Future Demand 108
Population. 108
Economy 109
Future Land Needs & Community Facilities Demand 109
Plan Description 1:10
G. Potential Areas of Environmental Concern 110
H. Implementation 110

XII. Appendixes

A. Questfonnaire Results
B. Public Participation Report to Coastal Resources Commissio n 121,
C . Bibl iography 125.

INTRODUCTION

Purpose & History of the Plan

B. Geographical Setting

The Coastal Area Management Act, passed in 1974, is more forceful than

enabling legislation: it requires all coastal counties to accept the

responsibility of purposefully planning for thewisest and best use of all

resources. Land use planning on such a scale 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 refinements and more specific studies i.n.several p1anning are as.

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

pile of paper unless both citizens and elected re.presentativescommit 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 reso urces and provides for the citizen,

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

Coastal Resources Commission, composed of app ointed representativ es from the

twenty coastal counties, has furtherworked to develop guidelines which have

specified both the planning procedure an.d the planning document.

This document is the first step toward satisfying the req-uirements 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 accepta-

bility 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 this plan rests almost entirely

on the willingness of the citizens to enact further.land use regulations where
they see fit. However, within the areas of environmental concern (AEC's) land
use shall be re gulated according to the guidelines set forth by the Coastal

Resources Commission.

GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING'

The Swanquarter area, a part of.the east-centr,al coastal plain ef

North Carolina, includes Dare, Hyde, Pamlico, Tyrrell and Washington

Counties. Tyrrell County is bounded on the north by 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 terrace i.s one of a series of marine terraces formed by successively

lower stands of the sea during Pleistocene tim es. 'Much of the county is

less than five feet above sea level. Lake Ph-elps is a prominent feature

in the south-west Corner of the county. Oddly enough the lake is higher

than the surroun'ding land. Pocosi-ns,occupy much of Tyrrell.

The county is drained by slow moving streams, drainage ditches, and
Canals which empty into the Scuppern ong and.Alligat or Rivers.and the

Albemarle Sound.,

Tyrrell is underlain by sedimentary rocks that range in age from

Cretaceous 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 f'orm a layer

25 to 100 feet thick.*

CLIMATE

The climate is mild with a 184 day.growing season, average January

temperature of 43.7 degrees, and average July temperature of 77 degrees.

The average annual precipitation is 5.1.15 inches.**,

Geology and Ground Water Resources of the Swan Quarter Area, North
Carolina. Division of Ground Water, Ground WaterBulletin Number 4, 1964.

A New Geography of North Carolina. Bill Sharpe.
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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 p-rotect people through

careful management of natural resources. Man's presence is a major force
affecting natural resources.,. No.matter how we view people in the enviro.n-
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.

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

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

has been decreasing at an ever increasing rate. Be tween 1960 and 1970 the

county lost over 15% of its popul.ation--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 theyalso make up a

greaterlprop6rtion (%) of the popula tion. 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 yearsyounger than the combined population med.ian. Tables.
9 and 110 also show the Negro,and white populations for 1960 and 1970 according

to age groups. The Negro population age-group 5@14'is the only age group

that -is not losing members faster than the white population group-. More.

imp ortantly, the Negro age groups 20-24 have continued to lose members while

the white age group 20-24 has experienced a 29% increase.

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

Ile
TABLE I

TYRRELL COUNTY. POPULATION 1940-197b

YEAR POPULATION CHANGE PERCENT

1940 5,556
1950 5,048 -503 9.1
1960 4,520 -528 @-10.5
1970 3,806 -714 .-15.8

"State University, 1975'.''
SOURCE: Statistical Analysis System, N' C,

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 19 427 375 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
lie TYRRELL .COUNTY
County Population by Age Groups 1950-1970

1150

@1100

1050 1950
100,0 1960

950
L. I J. 1970

850
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750
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600

550

500

450

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300

250 ......

200
0-4 5-14 @15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 .55-64 65+
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AGE GROUPS

TABLE 4

.POPULATION BY COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP

TYRRELL COUNTY POPULATION BY TOWNSHIP

YEAR COUNTY ALLIGATOR COLUMBIA GUM NECK SCUPP.ERNONG SOUTH
FORK
1940 5,556 607 2544 11.98 1074 1133
1950 5,048 2482 883 1002 92
1960 4,520 613 2212 732 901 63
1970 3,806 482 1910 523 838 56

SOURCE: N. C. State University Statistical Abstract System, 1975.

Table 5
TYRRELL COUNTY

COMPARISON OF TOWNSHIP POPULATION 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 Twp. 838 901 - 63
7.0
South Fork Twp. 53 62 9 -14.5
Alligator Twp. 482 613 -131 -21.4

SOURCE: N. State University Statistical Analysis System, 1975.

TABLE 6

TYRRELL COUNTY

WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE

1960 1970 Change Percent

938 446 -492 -52.6%

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

TABL'P7

TYRRELL COUNTY
TOTAL POPULATION BY AGE AND SEX

1960

1970

"02
65+

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55-65

35-44

N'o
25-34

Mw'l mg,
WIN&
15-24

5-14

11MM 0-4

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 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
1960-1-970

Females Males. Total
Negro White White Regro Population'

1960 18.1 35.4 34.4 16.8 25.7
1970 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 -1.9 222 193 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 11 - 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-white and
non-Negro.

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

TABLE 10

TYRRELL COUNTY

lati
White Popu on By Age Groups

Age Group 1960 1970 Change Percent
0 4 216 130 86 -39..8
5 - 14 506 340 -162
15 - 19 .205 182 23 -11.2
20 - 24 94 122 28 +29.8
25 - 34' 251 193 58 .-23.1
35 - 44 339 229 -110 -32.4
45 - 54 345 295 -50 -14.5
55 64 257 306 +49 +19.1
65+ 331 352 +21 + 6.3

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

TABLE 11

REGIONAL POPULATION COMPAR ISONS

.COUNTY 1900 1910 1920 1930' 1940 1950 1960 1970

Camden 5,474. 5,382 5,461 5,440 5,223 5,598 5,453

Chowan 10,258 11,303 10,649 11,282 11,572 1.2,540 11,729 10,764

Currituck 6,529 7,693, 7,26@8 6,710 6,709 6,Ml 6j601. 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 93278 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

Perquilmans 10,091 11,054 11,137 10,668 99773 9,602 9,178 8,351

Tyrrell 4,98 .0 5,219 49849 5,164 59556 5,048 4,520 3,'806

Washington.10,608 119062 11,429 119603 129,323 13,180 13,468 14,038

R 85,048 92,800, 92,4.22 54,334 96-907 -97,580 97,698. 97,302

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

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.

44% 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 scarce with

practically 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 economical-ly 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 emplo ys.a large percentage of.th6 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 employs about 20%.

Agricultural Trends

Fewer farms, larger farms, shifts in tenure pattern and a large increase

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 increased

by 10% from 97 to 106.6 acres.

Value of farm land and buildings increased by 45%. Average sales of

farm products per farm increa-sed 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 pprcentage-of farms with

sales exceeding $5,000 was 401percent in 196:4 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.

Tyrre 11 County employment in agricultur6 decreased by 40% between
1960 and 1970.

*Source: Tar Heel Etonomist, November, 1972.

TABLE 12

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

Family Income Distribution

Income Number of Families 936jamilies

11000 55 355 below poverty
level;
11000 --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
51000 - 5,999 52 Mean Income $5,808
6,000 6,999 81
@7,000 7,999 64
8,000 8,999. 72
91000 -.91999 15
10,000 - 11,999 54
12,000 - 14,999 21
15,000 - 24,999 48
25,000 - 49,999 5
5MOO 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

.17

TABLE 13

1970 OCCUPATIONS OF EMPLOYED PERSONS

Number

Total Employment 1220

Professional, Technical, 132
Managers, Administrators 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 =,24Y.)

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
Currituck 20 5 307 226.2 79,084 44,907
Gates 614 620 145.1 36,137 Z3,537
Hyde 294 336 270.3 227.9 75,816 33,709
Pasquotank 379 446 178.1 164.6 77,625 53,853
Perqu-imans 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

TABLE1 6

CASH FARM RECEIPTS 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 8.0.8 19.2 44.6 .27.2 239.3

Chowan 7,292,226 62.9 37.1. 88.0 60.9 163.0

Currituck 4,323,619 70.0 30.0 14.6 4.2 49.3
Dare N/A N/A N/A N/A NIA N/A

Gates 7,657,181 53.0 47.0 9 7i3 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

Per.quimans .69153,846 68.1 31.9 51.6 40.2 83.2

Tyrrell 2,718,965 61.9 38.1 112.9 96.0 147.5

Washington 6,198,665 79.1 20.9 80.1 78.7

Region.R 49,937,776 69.3 30.7 62.7 43.8 132.0

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

TABLE 17

VALUE OF FARM PRODUCTS SOLD
Farms Selling:

$5,000-$9,999 $10,000 and Over
Area & County 1969 1964 1969 1964
(percent)
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 18 26
Tyrrell 8 16 25 12
Washington 17 19 32 23

TABLE 18

TENURE OF FARM OPERATORS (Percent)
Full-Owners Part Owners Tenants
Area & County 1969 1964 1969 1964. 1969 1964

Beaufort 52 28 38 20 20
Camden 47 39 35 46 18 15
Chowan 47 42 33 36 20. 22
Currituck 43 46 39 39 is 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 17 17
Tyrrell 60 53 27 34 13 13
Washington 57 45 25 29 18 25

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

First Colony Farms

With, a 375,000 acre spread in Washington, Tyrrell, Dare and, Hyde Counties,
ge farm may be one of the largest in the country. Alt -h.ough the farm's

potential.,for major probl-ems is wel'l-known, it is not we1l documented,. Environ-
..mentally, the farm's effect has been less than feared. Sociologically the

impact on the various.counties also 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/s.ervices)

may fall unequally among the surrounding counties,as employees settle in

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

out the 4 counties. The impact on Tyrrell and Hyde may be quite different

than that on Dare and Washington Counties. In general, there should be li mited

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

irst 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 esta6lish 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 genera ted by land conversion in Tyrrell County added some $74,000 to the.
county's 1975-76:budge,t 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 massive land conversion

may be negatively affecting wildlife habitats or other recreational resources.

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EXISTING LAND USE

.General.Development.Pattern
The County meets the census definition of a rural*area--it has no "place"

or incorporated town of more than 2,500 inhabitants. Little acreage is deve-

loped in moderate to.hi.gh density residence or for commercial orindustri al uses.

Columbia is the.only 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 the county.

Commercial establishments are located primarily in Columbia. Some remain

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

64 by-pass.,

.Small industrial enterprises--lumber yard, sawmill, farmer's supply are

located on U.S. 64 west of Columbia.

Residential development occurs along the roads 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 vaca-

tion, retirement, permanent homes, and mobile homes. Mobile homes which have
neIarly quadrupled in number from.1970-75 or 84,to 309. Most new development

of any sort occurs in Columbia, 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 sites as described in the State Comprehensive

Recreation Plan are: Bulls Bay Boatel, Gum Neck Landing boat ramp, Columbia

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

Marina, Sawyer's Marina, Scuppernong Community Center, Travis Playground,

d Scuppernong TravelTrailer Park.-

Problems From Unplanned Development

Several problems have resulted from the-. unplanned development.w.ithin

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

and throughout Scuppernong Township. Uncontrolled driveway access h.as permitted

every individual resid,6nce or place.of business to have its own direct drive-

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

coming on to the highway. Speed is drastically lowered and the e ffectiveness

of the highway reduced. This loss can be counted in tax payer's dollars wh en

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

measures instituted.

Ill-pl.anned 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 roa.d systems, the: lack of re creation areas artd 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 o n U.S. 64,

between Columbia and rreswell, 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 1,970. One

well located subdivision would probably create considerable changes.

Massive land clearin-g@',and drainage operations for large scale farming are

the chang es occurr ihg throughout Gum Neck T.jDwnship Gr ain storage, shipping

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

Farms can be expected in the near future. Barge 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 possibly increase. Such development. unless

strictly regulated can be expected to degrade water qua.lity by septic tank
effluent or accelerated shore erosion.
The Scuppernong.River is a natural area providing primefish spawning areas

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

can be expected to modify downstream characteristics.

CONSTRAINTS

An analysis has. been made of the general suitability,of landfor 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 (Dower Pier). Boating is prohibited in the area although

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

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

rounding land.

One oil tan k storage facility is situated on Columbia's..waterfront in.a

residential neighborhood,.another is in.a commercial.area and a third is in a
loesidentia-1 neighborhood near the high school.

Coasta,l flood prone area.s.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 Uftited States Geologic Service and Department of

Housing and Urban Development 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 Alligator River

because suchareas servo 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
Oervice for 121 points along the Albemarle Sound and Alligator River. An
average 25-year erosion.rate has been calculated.

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TYRRELL COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA

SHORE LINE

EROSION
REACH

SHORELINE LOST TO EROSION 1947 1969
&each No. I Reach'No. 8...
Erosion = 22.5 acres or 168,395 tons Erosion 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 Lott Per.Year = 1,878,
Ave. Height of Bank 3-8 ft. Av. Height of Bank = 1.5@Ft.
Distance - 3.0 Miles Distance 3.8 miles
Reach-No. 2
Erosion = 98.3 acres or 403,083 tons SUMMARY:
Av. Wid 'th of Eroded Area = 42.8 Ft. Total Erosion 485.5 acres or 1,521,295 tons
Tons Lost Per Year = 18,322 Av. Width of Eroded Area 44.7 Ft.
Av. Height of Bank = 2.1 Ft. 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 283A17 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
Ov. 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.
Distance 5.7 miles

Reach No. 6
Erosion.= 77.5 Acres or 151,920 tons
Av. Width of Eroded Area = 40,0 Ft.
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.constit ute a general soil area or a "soil association." Soil associations

ar e.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 asso-

ciation name.

A generalized soils map showing the locations and extent of six associations

in Tyrrell County has been prepared. This map, along with the accompanying text

and interpretations, provides the general soils data necessary for planning the

efficient use and orderly development of the county's land resources. 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 locations of areas suitable

for agricultural, industrial, or other broad land use potentials within the county.

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

broad.plan ni ng purposes o.nl y. It do es, not accurately depict specific so i 1 types on
individual tracts of land and is not suitable for detailed planning of such tracts.
A more detailed soil surveyis necessary for detailed,planning and should be
[email protected] 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 Conserva-

tion Service assisting the Pamlico Soil and Water Conservation District.
.As one can easily see from the tables and map, the drainage issue is a serious

matter for Tyrrell. At best, the soils have moderate limitations, at their worst

the soils are nearly underwater. This is hot to say, Ihowever, that the soils are

unuseable-but rather that any use would require some s ort of soil modification.

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BERTIE-LUMBEE-JOHNS ASSOCIATION: Moderately
well drained, somewhat poorly drained and poorly drain-
ed soils with friable sandy clay loam subsoils; on nearly
level to gently sloping areas on the higher landscapes.
MYATT-COXVILLE ASSOCIATION: Poorly drained soils
with friable to firm fine sandy clay loam or sandy clay sub-
soi IS; on broad flat plains of the Coastal Plain.
710 HYDE-BAYBORO ASSOCIATIO N: Very Ipoorly drained 0 1 2
soils with firm to very firm clay loam or clay subsoils: M I L E
on extensive broad "flats". or depressions.
Approximate Scal,
TORHUNTA-PORTSMOUTH ASSOCIATION: Very poorly
drained soils with friable loamy sand or sandy loam to Map prepared at 1:,126,720
sandy clay loam su Ibs.oils; Ion the "pocasin-like" areas regard to scale for maximun
in the low areas.

PASQUOTANK-WEEKSVILLE ASSOCIATION: Poorly and
very poorly drained so Is with.friable SilL to @u lbsoils
underlain by sandy s1stratum; on broad, flaaareas of the
lower Coastal Plain. GENERAL 'S(
F
BELHAVEN-DARE-DOROVAN ASSOCIATION: Very TENTATIVE: SUBIEC
poorly drained organic soils which are inundated through. TYRRELL C
out most of the year; on low flat first bottom lands along
0- N 0 R TH'C A F

Th.is 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 w,ith.wa.ter table management. If the housing shortage

is to be eased, water a.nd.sewerage systems must be very carefully planned. In
short, soil conditions-may be the strongest factor working against development in

Tyrrell.

Grou nd 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 consoli-
'dated coquina that are generally separated by beds of clay or sandy cl ay. Yields

of 5 to 20 gpm arecommon in most small diameter wells in the Yorktown aquifer.

Yields of 75 to 100 gpm may possibly be obtained from carefully constructed wells

of lar ge.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. Thewater

is commonly moderately hard to.hard but is generally acceptable for most domestic

purposes throughout the area.

Sdrficial 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 and surface storage, and where it immediately overlies artesian

aquifers, actsas 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

nd 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 fraction of the available ground water in Tyrrell County is

now being used. Because of the relatively shal,low depth to saline water
(120-160 ft.) development of large ground water S'upplies.at most.places-must

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

to prevent contamination of the aquifer.

Steep Slope s

There are no steep slopes in Tyrrell County.

FRAGILE AREAS

Coastal Wetlands

Coastal. wetla nds containing.the species of vegetat ion included in the
statutory defin.itions-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 Long Shoal Point. In total, about 850
acres of wetland are located on 15 sites. The majority.of the wetlands are
in-little dange r from development. Most occur in completely unpopulated

areas but remdin 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 which provides access to all states.on the eastern.seaboard
es 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 m,a y create water quality

problems, at Lake Pehlps or along th,e Albemarle Sound unless sanitation

regulations are strictly enforced,

The North Carolina Stream Classification System-catagorizes 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 under-

standing HOW stream classifications are determined. Streams are classiffed

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

necessarily reflect the actual water quality.

The following list shows the classification of m ajor wa ter bodies in

Tyrrell County:

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

SB Bull Bay

SC Albemarle Sound

Sc Swamp Alligator River

Class AI and AII
Source of water supply for drinking, culinary, or food-processing
purpose or any other usage requiring.water of lower quality.

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

Class D

Agri.cu.lture,.industrial coo-Iing, and process water supply, fish
survival, navigation and any other uses. except Class A, B, or C uses.

S stands for salt water.

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

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TYRRELL. COUNTY
SC SWAMP
NORTH CAROLINA

STREAM
C SWAMP.
CLASSIFICATION
SC

Wi I dl i fe

A moderate population of the white-tailed de&.oc.curs 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

county is considered to be suitable for bear habitat. Currently, however,.

large acreages of forested lands'are being cleared for agricultural purposes.

This practice will seriously reduce the carrying capacity of the cleared

areas for the black bear. Hunting for bear is presently prohibited by county

law. All small game species. are present, including quail, squirrel, rabbits,

dove, woodcock, snipe, raccoon and opposum, Highest populations are found in

those portions of the county which contain agricultural lands. @Wildcat and

foxes are common. Mink, raccoon and otter are common furbe.arers; muskrats,

however, are not as abundant as in other countIes in the northern Coastal

Plain.. The higher populations occur in drainage ditches. Waterfowl do.not.
accur in large numbers.. Some wood ducks are Ipresent throughout the county,

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

River and Albe marle Sound. A moderate population of Canada geese is present

on these larger bodies of water.

Maps of Certain Wildlife Habitat Types_and Freshwater.Fisheries

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 c onsideration in land use planning, The types

shown are bog and pocosin, wooded swamp, and shallow fresh marsh. 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 relatively short supply and are commonly found only

in the Coastal.Plain. They are of high value as they provide essential

habitat for certain forms of wi.ldlife--waterfowl and black bear being two.
examples in point. A,lso, these habitats afford sanctuary or some other key

habitat component which contributes to the survival and abunda nce of those

wildlife forms which are common to other adjoining habitats.

The watercourses and lake that ar e 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 som e 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.

Characteristi.cs of each ecological type stream are summa.rized 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 firs t in preference as a gamefish, comprises only about

4 percent ofthe 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 records for the bald eagle; however, it has been
reported for, adjacent Hyde and Washington Counties. Habitat for the eagle-
appears suitable.

Non Existent Resources
No sand dunes, ocean beaches or shorelines, complex natural areas, unique
geolog-ic formations, registered national landmarks, archeological'or historic
sites are known at this time.
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LEGEND TYRRELL COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
BOGS & POCOSINS
14
WOODED SWMIP
FRAGILE
SHALLOW FRESH MARSH HABITAT
N. C.. Wildlife Resources Comission
April 1975
39

TABLE 19

TYRRELL COUNTY

WILDLIFE

ESTIMATED MAN DAYS
OF RECREATIONAL PURSUIT
PROVIDED
GAME SPECIES (1972-1973)

Big Game

Deer 29,416
Bear '11100*
Turkey 0

Waterfowl

Ducks 462
Geese 5,500

Other Game

Squirrel 1,973
Rabbit 4,784
Dove 760
Quail 326
Raccoon 13,780
Fox 1,720
Woodcock 1-5311
Opossum 4,548
Wildcat 200
Clapper Rail 0

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

Source: Wildlife and Land Use Planning with Partitular Reference to
Coastal Counties. N. C. Wildlife Rbsources Commission, 1975.

8L LL 11.11

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TYRRELL COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
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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

I Dace Shallow Sand,gravel Dace, Most Headwater
Trickle 0-51 few pools 0-1 cfs Varies Clear boulders Varies Shiners Piedmont and
Coastal'streams

4 Largemouth Over. Mod.deep O-ver 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
Over Sand, muck, Bass, Cat- Coastal streams
*70 Tidal 20" Deep Over 10 Warm Varies silt Varies fish, W. influenced by
Perch, tide
various
anadromous
species

Shallow, 0-100 Sand, Shiners, Coastal Plain
12 Dredged 0-50 no pools efs Warm Varies silt small and some
centrarehids Piedmont streams

*Tyrrell County Streams

Source: Wildlife Resources Commission

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FISH MIGRATION 10,
ANADROMOUS

wo-ALEWIFE AND BLUEBACK HERR(ING SPAWNING

FRESHWATER FISHERY IMPO ANCE
VT
4 ECOLOGICAL TYPE CLASS17ICATION f
TYRRELL C-OUNTY
4 FAVORED FISHING WATER/ NORTH CAROLINA

- - - --------
ECOLOGICAL

CLASSIFICATION
43

Areas with Resource Potential
lie,
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 agr icul-

tural lands.

Productive farmland is generally defined as land suited and available.for

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

are cropland, pasturela nd, rangeland, forest land and other land that is not urban
buil t-up or water. Productive farmland has the s'oil quality, growing season and

moisture supply needed to economically produce significant and sustained crop

yields when treated and managed.according to modern farming methods, including

water management.

Unique farmland, in addition to othe r produc tive farmlan d is land that i s

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

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

vegetables.

Once drained, much of Tyrrell County yields good farmland or-forest acr .eage.
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 operation. An

excellent example of suchan investment is the Gum Neck drainage project where the

whole community has been di ked and drained in order to control the water ta ble.

The Soil Management Map shows that the best agricultural land is.in the
northern section of. the county 4-nd 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,

includes all of Lake Phelps. Development around the lake is imminent'.

Mineral Resources

A mineral resource is a concentration 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

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', marle, and obviously sand is available. The
Department of Transportation has 2 borrow pits along N. C. '64 (2 others have
been sold). The pits Ihave been used for fill material during road construction.

Forest 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). Although

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

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

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

.Teader in forestry.

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

the Northern Coastalflain of N. C, 1974, United Stated Department of Agriculture

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

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

completedin May, 1974. T.hree previous inventories, completed in 19 37, 1955,.

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 timberresource to help provide'

a basis for the forest policies and programs and the orderly development a,nd,U'se

of the resource. Becausethe 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 is a summary of the regional changes since 1963.

Area of commercial forest, land has decreased by more than 3%.
61% 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%.
- Annual removals have increased by more than 50%.

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 viewpoint.

TYRRELL COUNTY FORESTRESOURCES

Area By Land Class 1974

Forest Land
Nonforest
All Total Commercial Unproductive Productive Land-
Land Forest Forest :Reser ve

Acres 249,600 216,555 213,411 2,6051 539. 33,045

Area of Commercialjorest Land By Ownership Class 1974
All National Misc. County Forest Miscellaneous Private-
Ownership Forest Federal State Municipal Industry Farmer i-Corporate In.div.idual

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

Area of Commercial Forest By Forest Type Group 1974

Forest Type Group
@
I Type White Pine Spruce Longleaf Loblolly Oak Oak Oak Gum Elm/Ash Maple
oups Hemlock Fir Slash Shortleaf Pine ]Hickoryl [email protected] Cottonwood Beech

3,411 @87,276 30,589 8,698 86,848

Area of Commercial Forest Land By Stand Size Class 1974

All 'Stand Size Class
Stands Sawtimber Poletimber Seedling Non-Stocked Areas

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

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

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

.48
21r

Area of Commercial Forest Land By Stocking Classes-of

Growing Stock Trees 1974

Stocking Percentage

All Less.Than
Classes Over 130 100-130 60-99 16.7

213,411 11,600 66,978 72,782 53,787 8,264

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

Volume of Sawtimber and Growing Stock on Commercial Forest Land By Species Group 1974
Sawtimber Growing Stock
All 'Other Soft Hard All Other Soft. Hard
.Species Pine, Softwood Hardwood. Hardwood Species Pine Softwood, Hardwood Hardwood

890,962 449,193 89,404 246,153 56,3212 2 �7 140,124 24,281 115,316 15,776
95,4

-J

Net Annual Growth of Sawtimber and 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

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

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

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

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

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Communit 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 outside,

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

gallon per minute (gpm) well and there is one back-up well. Thetreatment

plant operates at 300 gmp but has a desi,gn capacity of 432 gpm.. Elevated

storag e 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

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
f oxygen per million parts of water, plus 7,500 GPD of fish.processing waste
at the same POD. The plant is running at little more than half capacity and

wa s 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.3.64and N.C.94.

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

movements from Columbia to Hyde County. Both carry trattic 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.

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CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS

CURRENT PLANS, POLICIES, ANO REGULATIONS
Local
Plans and policies often have significant 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 local 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 tour.ist 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 newskills for antici-
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.)

Priorities of Tyrrell County's Goals

Listed,below, in numerical order of the priority.
@re 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 res tor nursing home).
*5. Establisha community owned hospital.
6.:,.Develop overall flood control, drainage and
shore erosion control project for resource
conservation and development.
7.1. Develop adequate facilities for consolidating
county offices..
8. A complete standard soil survey of Tyrrell County
is needed as a. 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.6f 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 conditions.
Theproject developed a master plan for economic improve-
ment by focusing the.attention of 25 state agencies on
the county for 3 intensive days of field work. The final
recommendations were 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, declini ng
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-
jibn having.potential foKdevelopment in Tyrrell,
County are summarized as follows:

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

Picnic and field sports areas have low potential for
futuredevelopment.

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

Natural, scenic, and historic areas have medium
''potential for development.

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

Hunting areas for 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" enforcement is 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 been
organized and the county has not hired abuilding inspector.

Septic tank regulations are administered by the District health department

and sanitarian. Because_.of the poor drainage characteristics of the soil
Oroughout the county, septic tanks. do not work very,wel 1 anywhere. However,

if enough fil.ter.line is Used, most septic systems are operational. Gum.Neck

and.Goat Neck have severe problems due to the high water table and ponded

effluent frequently occurs.

Two grants which 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 multi-

purpose center for public health, social. services, medical clinic offices and

space for other-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.

&ate and Federal Plans, Policy and Regulations

(These wi.11 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 p roposals for future. recreation

facilities in Tyrrell County,

Tyrrell County has no utilities extension policies, prior 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 T
,yrrell suggest the old question of whether
the glass is half empty or half full. Problems.to one perIson 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
Thecounty 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 abil,ity of the county to provide-basic services may be.seve.rely

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 standard 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 resources 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. TIhe 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 housinginfluences the economic and social character.of an area.,

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

poor oru na.vailable.

Substandard housing perpetuates negative, defeating community feelings of

worthlessness and apathy. Such housing is evidence of.t.he people's inability to

.solve a very bas-ic 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 fifty7five 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,

deficient.

.60

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

many of the un.its existing M1960 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 dilapid Iated

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

number of houses were foun d 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

so me manner; i.e. 52% of the housing was defidentaccording to the 1960

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

Several characteristics should be considered when determining adequacy

of housing. Overcrowded conditions and plumbing facilities are

objective types ofinformation (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 facilit,les--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 be indications of poor housing. This.
ladicator should be used more cautiously than the others. The value of a house

reflects workmanship and quality of materials: the lower the va lue (re lative

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 all 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 genera.te similar costs -to local government: the education of

children, police protection, and social service.s.

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/ro6m)
161 units (of the above 169 units) have all plumbing

TABLE 22

TYRRELL COUNTY
VALUE OF.HOUSING

Owner--@@ Renter Occupied
Value o,f Unit #.Of Units Rent of Units
51000. 247
$30 54
$5,OM-9,999 127 30@39 17*
10,0.00-14,999 73
40-59 31
15,000-19,999 32 60-79 9
20,000-24,999 11
.25,000734,999 .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, 1.970.

TABLE 23

TYRRELL COUNTY
GENERA (HOUSING CHARACTERI STIPS-
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.

Economy

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

cbunty!s very low per capita income (98th of the 100counties 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 distribu.ted to county boxholders the people have shown

development to be the most 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 evi,dent by the number of people below

poverty level:and the run down appearance of houses thr oughout the county, including

Columbia. New enterprises are not attracted to the area because of the 1 ack 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' ar e well aware of their reliance upon the agri-

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

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

65:

Recreation based.business (marinas, vacation cabins and campgrounds, hunting
I-edges) and private camps.or vacation homes may expand in Tyrrell as people
I
become disillusioned by oceanfront crowds and prices. Of cours .e, deterioration,

of wildlife habitat, water quality and scenic amenities would jeopardize

existing re so urce oriented businesses an d discourage n ew entrepreneurs.

Many of the citizens have already expressed during committee meetings
concerns abou.t.the massive land clearing@operation and the effect on fishing

and on the black bear habitat.

Poorly managed.hous ing development not only diminishes scenic quality but

also lowers property values. Already developments along the Albemarle Sound

Shore have been ill 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 wi.th residential lots

ong U. S. 64 creating congested traffic patterns and a--high rick of accidents.

Because land drainage is absolutely essentialinutilizing the full

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

ofdrain age programs is a dominant issue in Tyrre 11. Furth6rmore,.most of

the houses have individual Wel-ls 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 waterpollution from chemical treatments of the land (e.g. fertilizer,

pe5ticides, etc.).

.66

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

e.county. Such development, if
may encourage process,ing plants to locate in th

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

.or further secondary development probl.ems.

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

The planning procedure has been quite different underthe Coastal Area

Management Act. Finding the most.land.use plans sat on ashelf, the General

Assembly decided to inform and involve as many citizens as possible in the

process of developing a plan. The legi slature felt that, if a wide spectrum of

people became dedicated to seeing -the process 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 efforts 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 opin ion, county

oals were developed and further refined by the Board of Commissi oners.

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 public meetings a good sampling

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

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

.was prepared and mailed to all boxholders in the county. The results from the

returne ingswere u
d survey and from the meeti sed 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

original 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

The 10 most severe problems: Responses as % of 161 questionnaires.
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 39.5 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 67.4
3. Health and Medical Care 5.4 30.6 63.9
4. Solid Waste Disposal 5.1 33.8 6l.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.l 31.9 56.0
10. Public Recreation Program 12.7 31.3 56.0

After identifyinq major problem a-reas, ten goals were developed. Included

with each goal are objectives--possible ways ofachieving the end results (the

A
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 ofthe Tyrrell County Plan and.for the various

programs that will implement 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 thewillingness of the people to

be informed and involved. Explicit goals help the citizen judge the decisions
of the government. The people need to know that go.vernmental decisions are
leading to a desirable "somewhere"; th,at they are not.duplicating or.nullifying
other actions, nor merely "keeping houlse 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 would the "average" citizen and this detail.ed

information may often result in actions not directly inline with the goals.

Such decisions should be carefully explained so that the public can determine
the appropriateness of the decision. 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 Commi.ssioners.

TYRRELL COUNTY GOALS

1. TO WEIGH EVERY GOVERNMENTAL DECISION IN THE BALANCE OF THESEGOALS AND
IN THE LIGHT OF THE PLANS.WHI,CH 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 interferring us,es.
C. Encourage the development of year-round recreation
based.businesses.

3. TO, RECOGNIZE THE IM PORTANCE 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. Establis.h 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 di'tch maintenance
and new drainage programs.
Provide additional water supoly fordomestic, agricul-
tural, and industrial needs.
Establish ample water-based recreation opportunities.
- Protect streams, lakes, rivers and sounds.
- Promote waterways for commercial, and recreational
navigat ion needs.
- Properly manage and protect the sh,oreline.and flood
plain lands.

B. Limitunnecessary destruction of vegetation.
C. Clean up eye-sores such as dumps: 'and Junk cars,
and trash.
D. Require industry and b usiness 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 E.FF:ICIENT 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 pooltng of.resour.ces 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 FUNCTIONALAND ATTRACTIVE TRANSPORT ROUTES
A. Discourage strip commercial orresidential development
and billboards.
Encourage the use of the intra-coastal waterway.

Alternatives

Consideration was given to various alternative act ions which the county

@might take., For instance the questionnaire shows some people.think the county
should encourage a,16rge 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 population will probably.

continue*to decline and the economy will continue to be tight.. Other people
would liketo start county-wide garbage collection and recreation programs

but don't want taxes to increase.

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

bediscussed, the resolution usually involves some compromise. In Tyrrell's

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

private property,rights mus't be regulated to protect the public good; some ta .xes

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

overboard in any direction.for these programs. This plan is an attempt to outline
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

Source s: 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-

Over, over the last 30 years the population has dropped 30% and peoplefeel that

is just too much. Most residents would behappy with a stabilized popu'lation..

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

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

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

land acreage and ground Water, although se ptic tank feasibility is limited,.

The carryi.ng 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 hot nearly so

important as in those counties with fragile salt water resources and greater

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

Tyrrell. for the foreseeable future.. Howrever@ redeve lopment 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 vu-lnerable.areas are those along the

Sound,Shore and, near water bodies. Rigid enforcement of existing
sanitation codes is mandatory if water quallity is to be protected. The District

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

were.occupied continuously.

What seasonal population exists seems to.be intra-county movementrather
than a large ihmigration. There are no migrant w orker camps in..Tyrrell.

Economy

Long-term projections of Tyrrell's population are not overly opt,imistic.
Although many people would.like to see more economic,development encouraged (and

more people) without aggres.sive action by either public or private agencies, such

development will be slow. As stated earlier, First Colony Farms doesnot appear

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

economy.

TABLE

POPULATION PROJECTIONS

TYRRELL COUNTY

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 YEAR

5,000

(2)

I Statistical Ana 'lysi. s Sys
49000
2 OBERS Projection
3,800 3 Series "E" Projection
4 Unpublished Projections

32000

(4)

2,000
Population

TABLE 21
COMPARISON OF FOUR POPULATION PROJECTIONS

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

Reproduced.from Reqion R
Water and Sewer@_@ud
Basei on OBERS Projections 3.4 .3.3 3.6 4.0 4.5

Reproduced from Region RWater
and Sewer Study,
BasFd 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

Unpublished Projections
Sqppl. ied 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
fy 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

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 sewerfacilities are of major importance in terms of demand and
Ost. 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. T.h.is facility.would be financed partly by grants and partly.by
a local bond re ferend.um. Unfortunately, having a water system.does not

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

codes must be stri.ctly 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 i.nclude recommendations for financing

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

following map.

BULL BAY

d-4

990011,
lZ71,

c- tlj

SWAMP L

A pi

SAY

SWAMP.

TYRRELL COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA

COLUMBIA 201

'FACILITIES MAP

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

licy is to extend water-and sewer-.l.ines on request at the expa'nse of the

customer. The town.is currently conducting an Annexation Study which should
discuss predicted expenses in the' area to be annexed and the town.*'s'abil.ity to

cover these costs.

The superintendent of,schools has stated that the county's school plan

predicts an increase of fewer than 20 students by 1980;. However, a new,

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

facilities-need to be expanded.

Other facilities-arenot 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,@
@griculture building, school and hospital will be a great improvement.
Further consideration of recreation programs.and facilities is an
Wportant issue acco,rding to the citizen meetings' responses and the question-
naire results. Solid waste management including landfill -sites selection
also rates as a high priority item. Theseprograms 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:

developpd,, transit.ion, 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

use of all land. 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

futur6 use).

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

Occur and where the county.'s resources will be conserved.

As a statement of local policy consistent with statewide needs and goals,

the county land cl.assification.map will serve as a basic tool for coordinating
umerous 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 framewor k for budgeting and planning for

construction ofcommunity facilities such as water and sewer systems, schools,

and roads. Attention will be focused on valuable n@turalzresources. Finally,
the system can h,elp.provide guidance for a more equ.itable- distribution of the

land tax burden.

The classification system allows a variety of land uses so that frequent-
changes in maps are not necessary. However, the county's"'land class .ification

map must still be updated every 5 years.

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 providedwi th essenti'al public services. Consequentl y, the developed

class is distinguished from Transition areas where significant growth, and/or new

service requirements will occur. Continued development and redevelopment should

be encouraged- to provide for the orderly growth in the developed area.

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

of 2 000 peopl:e per square mile. At a minimum, these lands contain existing

p.ublic services including water and sewer systems, educational systems, and road

systems -- all of which are able to support the presen .t populationand its accom-

panying land uses including commercial, industrial, and institutional

@Location: Columbia is the only area which functions as-a developed cent er.iq

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

Columbia does support the required minimum density within its jurisdiction and

has the required public services althoughthe full capacity of.those services

has not been used.

Relationship to Goals and Objective Columbia is recognized as the county's ce.n-

ter of business and government'. Redevelopment and revitilization of the town is

considered important to the economic and social well-being of the county,.(goals-

2 and 3)., Moderate to high density development and the accompanying services

'will lessen the human development impact on natUra.l.environments.while providing

safe and sanitary living conditions (goals 5 and 6).
Transition
Purpose: The Transition class identifies'lands where new moderate to h-igh*density
growth is to be encouraged and where any such growt h that is permitted by local
regulations will be provided with the necessary,public services

There are no transition lands inJyrrell County,
82

@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 dIevelopment wi.thout 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

M Prime wildlife habitat

(g) Unique natural areas and historic and archaeological
sites

Hazards areas

(a) Floodways

(b) Ocean erosive areas

(d) Es iuarine erosive areas

3) Other

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

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

(c) Publicly owned water supply watershed areas
'.(d) Undeveloped key parts. of existing water supply.watersheds
(e) Potential water impoundment sites
In addition to the above named types.of land, the county may include other
areas to. be maintained in an essentially natural state which are needed to imple-

ment their stated policy objectives.

Location: All of the conservation 1 .ands in'Tyrrell County are associated with

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

RelationshJ2 to Goals and Objectives: Attention to resource capability is

addressed in threeTyrrell County Goals (6, 7, 10).

Community

Purpose: The Community Class identifies existing andnew clusters of low

density developmentnot requ.iring.-,@'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 willprovide for al*l 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 publ,.ic services such as public

road.access and electric power should be prov.ided-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. 1 .223 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 a@rea 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 1,226),,Al.bemarle

Shores and Rhodes Haven (SR 1212), Va-Lee Beach (SR 1213), Del.shelvia

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 adequate 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 governmen t initiated
s.ervices,, specifically@designed for that area. (Goal 6 and 8).

Rural

Purpose: The Rural Class identifies lands for Iong,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.

Description: The Rural Class includes all lands not in the'Developed, Transition,
Community and Conservat ion 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.

In determining how each parcel of landwas to be classified in

Tyrrell County. The present use of land is used.to. determine if the

property is Developed, Transition,',Community, Rural, or Conservation.

Because thepopulation 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 Co'lumbia.
Waterfront development will.continue to be attractive. More detailed.

population allocations wo"uld be inappropriate and misleading.

Vii

POTENTIAL

AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

POTENTIAL
AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

The most important part of the Coastal Arta 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-

mental Concern are delineated- Following these guidelines the counties are to

identify and.describe each area within the couftty@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 willdesignate 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 at well as to the county'sland 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.Col umbia. Neither shall any

development be allowed in any AEC,which would have a substan'tial likelihood of

causing pollution of the waters of the State to the extent that such waters would

be closed to the tak ing,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.naturalareas; 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

marshland.s and (2) other coastal marshlands which have different significance

and policy implications) are defined as "any salt marsh or other marsh subject

to regul ar or occasional flooding b y tides, including wind tides (whether or, not

the tide waters reach the marshland areas through natural or artificial water.-

courses), provided this shaTl not include hurricane or tropical storm tides. Salt

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

neces.sari.ly all,. of the following salt marsh and marsh plant species: Smooth or

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 out the purposes of this Section." (G. S- 113-230 (a))

Location and Extent:

The majority of.the wetlands occur along,the Alligator 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 are in little danger from development.-

.Most occur in completely unpopulated areasbut remain subject to the pressures of

drainage, clearing for farmland,- or forest management.

Land Classification: Conservation

Appropriate Land.Use:

The highest priority for these areas is to guard thebiological, 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 faci'l.ity consider coastal, physical and biological systems.

In no case shall the allocation exceied 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 agree Iment adopted by the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Department.o.f
Conservation and Development filed with the Secretary of State entitled 'Boundary
Lines, North Carolina Comm ercial Fishing-Inland Fishing Waters, revised March 1@,

1965,111 or as it may be subsequently revised by the General Assembly.

Sign-ificance. Estuaries.are,among the most productive natural environments

of North Carolina. They not only support valuable commercial and-sports fish eries,,

but are also utilized for commercial navigation, recreation, and- aesthetic purposes.

Species dependent upon,es.tuaries 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

Coasta.1 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 shal.1 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 blocklor impair 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'Alligator and Rural, Community or -Conservation along'thei

Scu.ppernong River and Albemarle Sound. The surface waters themselves are classified

as Cons er'va, ti. on..

State Parks

Description: Pettigrew State.Park, including.Lake Phelps, lies partially

within Tyrrell County along the WashingtonJyrrell 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
sp'ecifically for Lake Phelps.

Land Classification, The lake and park are classified as Conservation and

the surrounding land is classified as rural.

Areas.that Sustain Remnant Species

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 a,nd.-.scientific resource.

Unfortunately, delifleatio n of specific habitat for the American Bald

Eagle and American alligator'.i-s not beyond the qualitative description stage.

The best information is available through the N. C. Wildlife Resources

Commission which has delineated prime.wi.ldlife habitat for North Carolina

(see Fragile Habitat map p- Before this proposed Area of Environmental

Concern can become final, more specific information is needed.

Location'and Extent: The American alli gator 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. devel.opment 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 Atl antic 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 watermark as the case may

be, except privately owned lakes to which the public has no right of access; all

waters in artificially created bodies of water in which exists 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 ri:ghts in artificially created bodies of water, the-following

factors s.hall be considered: (i) the use of the body of water by the public; (ii)
the len gth of time the public has used the area; (iii),the value of public resources
in the body of water; Ov) whether the public resourc Ies in the body of water are

mobile to.the extent that they can move into natural bodies of water; (v) whether

the creation of theartificial body of water required permission from the State;,

and (vi) the value ofthe body of.water to-the public for navigation from one

public area to another.public area.

Loc ation and Extent: Tyrrell County has a. lake, streams, rivers, canals, and

sounds whichare 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, whic,h the public may be found to have*

in these waters, sha-11 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
provid-ed.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, incr ease shoreline erosion, deposit

spoils below mean high tide, cause adverse.water circulation patterns, violate,
water qua.li ty standards, or cause degradation@of shellfish waters are generally

Me
.consi red 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 Co unty Shore-Erosion Inventory.*

Location and Extent: @Albemarle Sound Shore,.Alligator River and Creek Shores,

and the Frying Pan Shores,.are all considered-erosion areas. This totals approxi-

mately-90 miles of shoreline.

Appropriate Land Uses: The main objective in managing erosion 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,..recre ation,

rural, and conservation are the only appropriate land uses.

Where the shoreline has been stabalized 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.couhty. However, the erosion area has been classified

as Conservation.

viii

IMPLEMENTATIOR

IMPLEMENTATION

The county has at least six possible ways of putting this plan, into

action:

1. 'Using the Land Classification System.

2. Controlling develpment'in areas of environmental
concern.

31. Purchasing land.

4. Providing services and programs.

5.. Taxing.
6'. Regul.ations.

Using the Land Classification System and'controlling,deve.lopment 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

he 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 parkis 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, is happening 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 gues's that most new houses will be built
al'ong 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 farme
r s taxes are too

high, he may not be able to make a pro-fit; instead of farming, he.turns
his land.into a subdivision and retires. The county ca'n grant farmers - 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.. There
are many other laws the county could use including one requiring an

environmental impact statementfrom large developers, a zoning o.rdinance,which

would help protect farmland, and- minimum housing codes which would make land-

lords repair their houses.

it -is up to the cit izens and elected officials.to decide which of these

methods.are best for Tyrrell. It is important to understand that all four
are being u sed.rig.ht now but without considering their effect on land uses,

The following actions will ass,ist 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 use plan whenImaking land use decisions.

3. Prepare a Capital I mprovements.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 consist ent
I with-the plan, especially the land classification map.

5. Maintain close communication with larg'e enterprises in order to.
update the assess long-range plans.
6. Hire a building inspector to enforce the Building Code and otfier
ordinances as adopted (Minimum Housing Code, Zoning Ordinance).,

7. Consider,a zo.ni Ing 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 and revise.the.plan every five, years.

100

CITY-C.OURTY PLAN RELATIONSHIP

INTERPRETATION OF TOWN/COUNTY PLANS

it is nearly i.mpossible 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 residentialcommunity. County

polity directly affects Columbia's appearance and economy. For instance,

placement.of the new multi-purpose center or building. a w.ater system that

by-passes Columbia will certainly affect the town.

Citizen Participation meetings were hold 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.

101

COLUMBIA LAND USE PLAN

A. Present.conditions

Population

Economy

Existing Land Use

B Constraints

Land Potential

Community Facilities

C. Current Plans and Rolicies

D. 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 1.801. 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 realtively new buildings

the townstill looks tired and though it seems a friendly little place, it

offers few incentives to newcomers or high school graduates in entouragihg

them to remain in the area.

A. PRESENT CONDITIONS

Population

Columbi.a'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% ofits 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 (43.31%).

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
5 14 89 89 178 19.73
15 20 48 53 101 11.20
21'-24 19 312 .51 5.6.5
25 34 28 26 54 5.99
3.5 44 35 34 69 7.65
45 -54 58 76 14.86
55 -64 56 59 115 12.75
..6 5t 49 87 .136 15.77

der 21
343 (38.027%) Total Population Un
136 (15..078%) Total Population .65 and Over

472 (52.328%) Negro Populatlion

104

TABLE 27

TOWN OF COLUMBIA HOUSING STATISTIC$

Average number of persons per household 2.9.73

Average number of persons@ per Negro household 4.4Z8

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 1acking complete plumbing 68

Number of occupied units lacking a toilet 58 (19.420%)

Economy.

Columbia is.largely residential along.with a few government offices, small
businesses, and one fish pr'ocet'sing plant. The businesses are service oriented;

general merchandise stores, service stations, a bank, grocery stores, hotel, rest-

aurants, 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.,

Existing Land Use

Most of -the town is. developed as single family residential. There are two

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
sch ools are.located ou@side the town limits as ar-e the industries (1 umber 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 we,t,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

lown has experienced difficulty in maintaining its sewer lines which often col lapse

106

due to pockets of "quick sand" or Kighly 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 fac'ilities are located in Col'umbia.

Fragil-eAreas

The town is located onthe east bank of the Scuppernong River which 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 issupplies to all town residents and to

a limi.ted.extent, northsouth, and, east of the town. Thegeneral policy seems

to.be to extend services when requested with the customer paying all b'uilding

costs.*

Columbia owns and operates its own water and.sewer facilities. The water

treatment plant operates at.300 gpm but is designed for 432 gpm. Elevated
storag,e 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 equival..ent of

1,500 which includes approximately 142,500 gpd of domestic waste at a

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of approximately 200 parts per milli-on (ppm)
-and 7,500-GPD from the fish processing plant. The sewage treatment plant was

designed to be easilylexpanded to double.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 11studied"

before. Few changes have resulted from such studies.

The town has none of the plans, policies, or regulations.which the Coastal.

Resources Commission is concerned.with.

201 Facilities Planning is reportedly beginning soon.

D, PUBLIC PARTICIPATI-ON ACTIVITIES

Public participation activitie,s were conducted jointly with town'and county

residents.

For the identification of major.land use issues, please refer to the previous

section,, page I ol

The previously discussed population and economic. trends are most Vfsible in

Col.umbia. -Poor appearances, deteriorating housing, unpaved streets, empty houses,

all indicate a declining population and pooreconomic situation.

Conservati.on 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

EconoTy

Columbia depends on a service related economy which will be adversly affected
by the'-8eclining 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 expa ion of facilities or
nsi

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 thearea 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 in any manner.

The need for land to al.low urban expansion is not as great as is the need for
proper management and upk'eep-of already developed land. The town should concen-.
trate on planni-ng to encourage good development and redevelopment within its present

service area. This planning should attempt to upgrade appearances, facilittes,

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
lecolumbia is.classified as "developed", under the Land Classification System.

G. AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN.,-

Columbia borders on the Scuppernong River which 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 constrai-nts which have.previously hampered 'its healthy,

development.

Further coordination between the county and thetown would help all

citizens, especially in the areas of economic development, housing, recreation,

and com munity appea.ran ce

110

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 questionnaireand return it
by mail in.the enclosed, stamped envelope by June 6 or dropit 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 the 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
ou.r present course of action).@

47% 3. Small increase (to about S,000)

39% 4. Large increase Cover 8,000)

-Have you written to the aldermen, county commissioners, or planning,board members
in the last year? 8% yes 92% no

Would youlike to attend one of the above meetings? 12% yes 281 no

If you had $70,000 to invest in Ty-rrelli what type of investment do you think
would be profitable?

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 im mediate family, including yourself, are living
in your house all the time? nmiber 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?
U., 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
3
J ) $4,000 to $5,999 20% 7 ( ) over $15,000
13% 4 ) $6,000. to $7,999
59% 9% 23%
12. Are you presently (circle one) 1. employed 2. unemployed 3. retired
6%
4. full time homemaker S. full time student .6. other (specify) 3%
13. Do you work in Tyrrell 75% or another 'county? (specify) '25%

113

SECTION 11

Check the place you would like to live:

8%
Near downtown
2. 90% Away from downtown but within the town limits
3. 40% Outside the town limits but within a short drive to town
4. 28% Outside the town limits with morethan a 5-minute drive to town
S. 13% As f ar away from a town as possible

SECTION III
(1) No (2) Sliglit (3) Mad.
Please check one. 2-rabtem Problem -Problew K'blem'

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

S. Are sewerage services adequate? 38 18 .15 29

6. Is garbage collection'adequate? 25. 16 14 46

7. Is garbage disposal adequate? 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 theelementary school adequate? ..46 23 18. 13

11. Is the high school adequate? 42 19 26 13

12. Are the vocational education
programs adequate? .58 18 13 10
13. Is thepublic library adequate? 60 21 13 6

14. Is the appearance & condition of
the houses acceptable to you? 25 30 26 21

is. Are-the cultural opportunities
(drama, music, art, etc.) adequate? 46 18 14 22

16. Are the kindergarten programs adequate? 53 19 15 14
*17. Are the adult education programs adequate? 44 19 22 15

18.. Are the tourist facilities adequate? 18 16 24 43

114

19. Is the availability of adequate
housing a problem? 8 15 20 56

20 Are there adequate employment opportunities?
11 10 17 63

21. Is unemployment a problem? 13 8 15 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 25 46

25. Is there community pride and spirit? 24 20 27 28

26. Are medical facilities and staff adequate? 10 17 22 51

27. Is assistance to elderly people adequate? 17 22 27 35

28. Are child care 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 20 28

31. Other (specify)

SECTION IV

Please check the column where you feel local (1) Public (2) Less (3) Same 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

5. Retirement benefits 7 2 44 47

6. Water pollution 2 2 45 50

7. Solid waste disposal 2 3 34 61

8. Solid waste collection 4 4 33 59
Public kindergarten 5 6 57 32

10. Public education, 1 4 47 49

oil. Community colleges& technical institutes 15 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 91 4 31 57

15. Regulations to control land use 1@ 11 39 35

16. Planning 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 15 1 17 67

20. Purchase new land for public parks 21 .5- 46

21. Further development of forests and
parks for public use .15 .4 31@ 49

2. Development of public recreational
facilities and programs 1 or 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. Enforc6ment of good building standards 10 2 31 57

28. Housing assistance -.-13 3 56

29.. Other (specify)

116

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. Qualify 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.

11. Racial integration

12. Recreational facilities

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 communiy 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 site of Washington, N.C.)

4. 7% In,or near a small city (10,000 to 50,000 people or about the size of
Greenville, N.C.)
5. 1% In or near a medium sized city (50,000 to 200,000 people or about the size
of Raleigh, N.C.)
1% In or near a metropolitan area (over 200,000 people or about the size of
Charlotte, N.C. or Norfolk, Va.)

SECTION VII

Please check whether.you AGREE OR DISAGREE with
each statement about economic development and
environmental development.and environmental (1) (2)
protection-in this county. AGREE DISAGREE

1 This county,has enough economic development 15% 85%

2.@ More industry brought into the county will improve
the quality of life in the county. 73 27.

3@ New indust-ry 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 affectshis neighbors. 14 86

6. A danger exists when development occurs very rapidly. 76 24

7. Economic.development is more important 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 an d
water, I would choose more jobs. 32 68

13., If industry produced goods at higher cost and did Tiot
pollute, 1 would be,willing to pay for those goods. 71 -29

14.. Pollution from agriculture should be regulated.. 89

15. Other (specify).....

118

SECTION Vill

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% I would really like to leave this community if I had the opportunity.

SECTION IX

1. In your opinion, which of the folling suggestions for locating structure bile,

homes on waterfront property do you agree with if any:

53% 1. Require that all construction or location of mobile homes on waterfront property
take place 100 feet inland from waters edge.
16% 2. Require that all construction or location of mobile home on waterfront property
take place 50 feet inland from waters edge.
18% 3. No requirements pertaining to setback from waters edge.
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 trees 50 feet inland from watersedge be retained.
11% 3. Require that (circle one) 75% or SO% of all healthy trees 100 feet inland
fromwaters edge be retained.
20% 4. Require that (circle one) 75% or 50%.of all healthy trees 50 feet inland
from watersedge beretained.
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
2. Scattered throughout the county
11% 3. Existing communities (Gum Nock, Scuppernong, Sound Side, etc.)
5% 4. Other suggestions (specify)

S. Where should residential development be located in Tyrrell County? (Circle)

29% 1. Located in Columbia and fringe area
55% 2. Scattered throughout 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
3. Existing communities (Gum Neck, Scuppernong, Sound Side, etc.)
4. Other suggestions (specify)

7. In general are there any other comments or concerns you have about future development
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 localpl anner for direction
or does citizen involvement offer direction?

Particular em phasis and direction comes 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 teacher's 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
0
ommittee selected to have a representative from each township. The committee
iscussed the.PublicParticipation handbood suggestions--and modified, them to
fit Tyrrell situation.

D. Do you consider yout public involvement a success? Please explain.

Having started at point z,ero we have taken the first two steps: people are
informed and.some,are doing something., But a "success" can only be judg ed
over the long run and the county program will be successful only if the effort
is encouraged, continued, and expanded under local leadership and initiative.

Many people 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,questionnair& and they won't come to meetings because
they hope that if-they ignore the situation it will all go away." Mildred
Walker4

Richard Reed, "It 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 sur Ivey 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" variouscounty co .mImissioners on. a current crisis. Until CAMA came
long, land-use management was simplynot seen as an issue. Even now those
Wo have,become concerned about land-use.issues still have trouble convincing

12.1

others of problems which may (or may not) come in the future. The prob lem in
Tyrrell stem most often from lack of growth and not from too much growth.
Little has happened in this county - and.people expect little to happen in the
Ofuture, 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
populati.on, their housing shortage, and the high rate Iof 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 gotten involved he re 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 involved
at least in refining the'final document.

E. List some key citizens in your public participation program: names,
phone numbers.

Margaret Ann Griffin, Chairman, Citizen's Resource Committe@! 796-8911
Bert Davenport, Chairman, County Planning Board 796-6241
Floyd Patrick,'Vice-Chairman,, County Planning Board 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 i 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 stationlocated in the
unty). 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.
co

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 clubs and by frequent articles in the monthly newsletter.

The major information program was carried out through meetings with clubs,
organizations, and through general county-wide sessions. The planner attended
approximately 26 meetings (as' indicated in monthly reports) to explain.the
purpose and requirements of the Act, Further effort was organized according.to
townships. But the townshipcommittees.have been only partially effective.
Good results have come from Scuppernong 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 the Tyrrell Citizens which stated the issues the county would be
Included in this letter (mailed to approximately 1235 boxholders)
facing.
were dates' for township meetings. After the towns@hip-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
commissioners stationery.

3. Opportunities for citizens to provide input into land use planning

A. Personal interviews

ning process the planner has conducted numerous personal
Throughout the plan
interviews with citizens of the county.

B. Surveys

A qtiestionnaire on county issues was mailed to approximately 1235 boxholders.
It was to be returned.in a stamped, enclosed envelope.

.C. Workshops and public meetings

Betsy Warren and David Stick held a special workshop with County Commissioners,
,department heads,,and other government people in.Tyrrell, to explain CAMA,
All county-wide meetings have been publicized by posters, newsletter announce-
ments, and articles in The Coastland Times.

4. 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.
'Approximate ly-2% are involved regularly in meetings.

B. Are all ethnic groupsand 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.i,nclude the black community and good representation was obtained from
Scuppern .ong township.

C. Resident non-vo ters 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.

123

E. How are you reflecting the responses you are receiving-into the land
OT use plans?
he actual land classification rests not only on the capability of land but

-
also on the desires of the people. These people have been ve'@y straight.
forward on what they want (open county-side) and what they don't want
(high density development). Citizen response from the nominal group
process has been incorporated pr actically verbatim in,the issues and goals
section of the plan.

Best thing that has resulted from these meetings is.. that peoplehave gotten
together to talk about problems in general.

124

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baker, Simon, Ed., Coastal Devel-oRmeht and Areas of Environmental Concern, Chapel
Hill, University of.North.Caro.lina 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, Raleighj 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 Wate'r
Quality Standards Application to the Surface Waters of North Carol,ina,
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, JohnI 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 Carolina9 DNER, Raleigh,
f975.
Coastal Resources Commission, State Guidelines for. Local Planning in the Coastal
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127

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