Dare County land use plan / in accordance with the coastal zone management act

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

DARE COUNTY
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

MAY 1976

UnDERTAKEN By DARE COUNTY IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA
COASTAL MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1974.

"The preparation of this report was financially assisted by
a grant from the State of North Carolina, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, and the Coastal Plains Regional
Commission."

DARE COUNTY SYNOPSIS

The Synopsis of the Dare County CAMA Land Use'Plan is included as pages 151

through 169 of this report. The Dare County Commissioners intend to have a

copy of the approved Synopsis mailed to every household in the county and.to

have it published in the local newspaper, THE COASTLAND TIMES.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 1

Section I, Present Conditions . . . . . . . . . . 2
General Physical Characteristics . . . . . . . 3
Population Characteristics . . . ... . . . .. . 7
Economic Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Transportation . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 33
Existing Land Use . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 37
Current Plans, Policies and Regulations 45

Section II, Public Participation Activities . . . . 47
Planning Alternatives Considered . . . . . . 48
Identification of Major Land Use Issues 50
Development Objectives, Policies and
Standards . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Process Used to Determine Public
Participation .. . ... .. . . . . . . . . . 61

Section III, Constraints on-Development . . ... . . . . . 64
Physical Limitations on Development .. . . 66
Hazard Areas . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 66
Fragile Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Areas with Resource Potential . . . . . 105
Capacity of Community Facilities . . . . 107

Section IV, Estimated Demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Economic Forecosts . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Population Forecasts . . . .. . . . . . . . 123

Future Land Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Community Facility Demand . . . . . . . . . 133

Section V, Plan Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Section VI, Summary and Major Conclusions . . . . . . . . 149

Section VII, References and Appendices . . . . . . . . 170

SECTION I

PRESENT CONDITIONS

GENERAL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DA RE COUNTY

Location and Geographic Data

Dare County is part of the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, a low and
partially submerged area varying in width up to 125 miles and confined between
the Piedmont Plateau on the west and the continental shelf on the east. The
County is composed of two distinct areas: (1) The Outer Banks, including
Roanoke Island, and (2) the mainland. Both regions are flat and low-lying,
and with the exception of the duneselong the Outer Banks, land elevations
seldom exceed fifteen feet above mean sea level.
The mainland is almost entirely covered with thick impenetrable forest
and is sparsely populated. The Outer Banks (with the exception of Roanoke
Island) are generally open and devoid of forest cover, except for the broader
sections of the Northern Banks and at Cape Hatteras. Roanoke Island is
approximately ten miles in length with a total area of approximately 20 square
miles. It is separated from the Bodie Island sector of the Outer Banks by
Roanoke Sound and from the mainland by Croatan Sound. Alt.hough the Islaind
is blocked from the Atlantic Ocean by Bodie Island, the area is still within
the sphere-of influence of the ocean coastline as prevailing conditions of
winds and other natural factors are somewhat similar to those on the coast
exposed to the ocean.
The Outer Banks portion of Dare County consists.of Bolie Island and
Hatteras Island. Bodie extends from the Dare County Line on the north to
Oregon Inlet on the south, a distance of about thirty-three miles. The
Island varies in width from one-half mile to approximately 2 miles. Hatteras
Island has a beach frontage of 52 miles and is separated from Bodie Island
by Oregon Inlet. The Island is generally narrow on most sections, having a
width of less than one-half mile except in the Cape Hatteras area.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area extends on the Outer
Banks from Whalebone Junction at the southern boundary of Nags.Head about 70
miles southward through Ocracoke Island. The Seashore which is operated by
the National Park Service, preserves forty-five miles of beach land and
covers the entire area of the Outer Banks except for the unincorporated towns
and villages.

There*are three incorporated towns in Dare County. Manteo (pop. 547) is
40 the county seat and is located on Roanoke Island. Nags Head (pop. 434) and
Kill Devil Hills (pop. 357) are on the Outer Banks. There are three unincor-
porated communities on the Mainland; East Lake, Stumpy Point, and Mann's
Harbor. On the Outer Banks, t 'he two unincorporated communities north of
Kill Devil Hills are Kitty Hawk and Duck. South of Oregon Inlet on the Outer
'Banks are the unincorporated villages.of Rodanthe-, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton,
Frisco and Hatteras.

Sounds
The sounds in the county (Albemarle, Currituck, Roanoke, Croat Ian, and
Pamlico) vary in depth and salinity. To thenorth are Albemarle and Currituck
Sounds which have no direct outlets to the ocean and essentially are composed
of fresh water with an average depth of eighteen and seven feet respectively.
Pamlico Sound, to the south, has three inlets to the Atlantic Ocean through
which waters of four major rivers flow. Although Pamlico averages twenty
feet in depth, it is also extremely shoaly in specific sectors. Roanoke
Sound, which separates Bodie Island-and Roanoke Island,,is-shallow and narrow,
averaging approximately three feet in depth. Croatan Sound averages eight
feet in depth and provides the main outlet for the waters of the Albemarle
Sound.

Currents
The Gulf Stream flows to the northeast during all months of the year
and merges with the Labrador current only ten miles east of Cape Hatteras.
There is substantial seasonal character of off-shore currents from Cape Hat-
teras to Chesapeake Bay. In the fall, surface drift is southerly and has an
on-shore component. In winter, the pattern is basically indistinct, with
flow conforming closely to the prevailing northwest winds. In the spring, a
transition to summer conditions is experienced with-a somewhat southerly
surface drift. In summer, the surface drift is somewhat variable with no
discernible pattern.
Waves approaching the beaches at an angle generate alongshore currents
called littoral currents. Observations made along the Dare Beaches have
revealed that wave-induced littoral currents have a southward flow.

C I imate
Dare County, in particular the Outer Ban ks sector, experiences a maritime
climate with cooler summers and warmer winters than inland areas of the same
latitude. Cape Hatteras is the northern natural limit of palmetto and citrus
trees. The ten-year mean annual precipitation measured for the Dare Beaches
area is 43.2". The wettest months are July and August which average approxi-
mately nine thunderstorms per month. On Roanoke Island and further inland,
average annual precipitation is a significant six inches higher while the
average temperature is only slightly higher (61 0 to 62 0).
The shoreline of the County is exposed to waves induced by winds onshore
and alongshore from the northeast, through east and south to southwest. Pre-
vailing wind is from the south-southwest and cons.ists mostly of winds with
speeds of less than nineteen m.-p.h. Stronger winds are more frequent from
the north, south, and southwest. The portion of the coast north of Cape
Hatteras is generally@exposed to waves induced by winds from the north through
east to south.
The years 1914-1953 showed 195 storms of all kinds, tropical and extra-
tropical, with winds over 45 m.p.h. Changes in the Dare Beaches are brought
about principally by these powerful forces of wind and water which act on
the North Carolina Coast. There are more storms in March than an y other
month while the period August through October represents the greatest threat
of hurricanes. Northeasters, which occur mainly in October-April, account
for great damages in the form of beach and dune erosion.

DARE COUNTY

WEATHER RECORDED REFLECTS THE
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AND PRE-
.CIPITATION FOR THE PAST 12
YEAR PERIOD

Temperature Jan. Feb. March Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec
Average Max. 51 51 53 67 75 82 37 86 30 72 63 53
Average Min. 35 34 40 49 58 67 72 71 .617 53 47 37
Precipitation 4.8 4.6 .2.9 3.1 3.3 4.5 6.3 6.0 5.2 3.3 3.1 3.5

'SOURCE: National Park Service

Geology
The N. C. Coastal Plain is a series of marine -,deposits, attesting to
several cycles of uplift and submergence, which were deposited upon the ancient
rocks of the area. The fluctuation in sea level In past geological times ap-
pears to be correlated with Pleistocene glacial and interglacial stages, during
which great quantities of water were alternately withdrawn and returned to the
sea by the freezing and thawing of the great continental ice sheets. With
each emergence and submergence, larger areas were left above the sea. During
the flooding resulting from the last interglacial stage, the seaward part of
the Coastal Plain was covered by a thin mantle of the lowest of these terraces
the Pamlico. This layer composed almost entirely of sand., was deposited
by waves and currents. The sea level never rose higher than the present one
when it receeded during the last glacial stage. During the last glacial. max-
imum, the sea was between 250 - 450' below what is now the Outer Banks.
Dare County's barrier island chain is a relatively recent geologic phen-
omenon, having been formed about 5,000 years ago. Theories concerning forma-
tion of the barrier islands conflict, but it is generally agreed that some o f
the islands were formed when rising seas surrounded mainland ridges and others
Were formed, by the elongation of coastal sand spits. These barrier islands
represent a delicate physical system which is undergoing continual change.
The lagoons and sounds inland of the barrier islands accumulate sediment
slowly from erosion of adjacent mainland and overwash from the ocean side
creating marsh areas.

Soils
Dare County is unique in North Carolina in that it is composed of three
distinct and separate land forms which reflect distinct and contrasting soil
types and use potentials. The soils of the mainland are generally organic
in nature. Roanoke Island soil types vary from deep, well drained sandy
soils supporting maritime forests to fertile marshes. These marshes provide
a source of nutrients and habitats for numerous species of shellfish, as well
as many other marine and wildlife species. The soils of the Outer Banks sector
vary from marshes to large, shifting sand dunes. Indications are that the,
Outer Banks chain is slowly shifting westward as a result of wind and water
action from the Atlantic Ocean.

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS*

Age
Age structure is an important variable in estimating requirements for
facilities and services such as Schools,-health care, housing and recreation.
Sex and age*characteristics are the basic causative elements in natality,
mortality, and migration trends.,

The median age is a statistical measure of age composition which may be
defined as the age dividing the population into two equal-size groups, one
older and one younger than the median ago. Those counties with medians under
.twenty may be described as "young" while those with medians of thirty and
over are described as "old".

MEDIAN AGE OF NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES

County Median Age

Beaufort 29

Camden 27.7

Currituck 31

Dare 33.6
Hyde 29.8
Pasquotank 25.9
Tyrrell 31.3

SOURCE: U. S. Bureau of Census

According to data from the 1950, 1960 and 1970 censuses, Dare County's
population has;fallen into the "old age" bracket-for the last twenty years.
.(1950 30.3; 1960 - 32.4; 1970 - 33.6). A declining birth rate and a
theoretical in-migration in the older age groups for recreation and retire-
ment purposes are major factors which must be considered when attempting to
account.for this age increase. Dare's 1970 median age is usually high as
revealed in the above table.

*The population and economy section of this Land Use Plan is based primarily
on information found in Stephen Associates' Dare County Economic Development
Plan of 1974.

Changes in Age Profile of Dare County Populatio,n, 1950-1960 & 1960-1970

Under 18 18-64 65+ Tot al
Number of Persons

1950 1806 3132 467 5405
1960 1936 3312 637 5935

.1970 2060 4035 900 6995

Changes in No.
1950-60 180 130 170

1960-70 74 723 263 1060

Changes in %
1950760 10.0% 5.7Z 36.4% 9.3%
.1960-70 3.7% 21.8% 41.3% 17.9%

The youngest age group in Dare County (under 18.years of age) increased by
ten percent in the period 195.0-1960 but dropped below four percent in the
1960-1970 decade. This decrease is primarily a product of a reduction in
,the birth rate as well as in-migration in older families.
.The middle age group (13-64) constitutes the majority of the labor force.
The number of persons in this group has remained relatively constant over the
1950-1970 period as a percent of total population--28.8% to 29.4%. However,
with an increase in the median age of population, this age group should be-
come proportionally smaller and the.economy will have to support a greater
concentration of older people unless economic growth provides job opportuni-
ties to attract and hold younger groups.

The-aging trend in Dare County has two major implications for the planning
program:

(1) it will produce specialized demands on the county's services and facili-
ties, particularly in the area of health care delivery systems and
recreation since older persons require more-medical care and more
specialized recreation programs than the rest of the population;

(2) with a larger number of families receiving fixed incomes, fluctuations
in the national economy will have a greater impact on the county.

Sex

The investigation into the balance of the sexes provides information on the
social roles and employment patterns within the community. Dare County's
population sex ratio-'defined as the number of males-per 100 females, indi-
cates that the county is developing an exceptionally large pro.portion of
females.

DARE COUNTY SEX RATIC

Year Male Female Total Male Sex Ratio (Dare Co.) Male Sex Ratio (State)

1950 2683 2722 5405 98.57 93.6

1960 2952 3010 5935 97.18 97.3
1970 3403 3592 6995 94.74 95.9

Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 1950, 1960, 1970

The major econo mic planning implication of Dare's large female population is
illustrated by the relationship between families with female heads and the.
county'*s income statistics. 'According to the 1970 Census, 10% of,the county's
1908 families had female heads. Mean family income was $8350 but for families
with female heads, mean income was $6371. Of the 254 fam 'ilies considered
below the poverty level, 29% were female heads. These statistics indicate
that Dare County not only has a concentration of-females, but also as a
group, females are more economically depressed-.

By examining the basic shape of the Dare County population pyramid, it is
possible to identify the population's combined age-sex characteristics:

(1) The middle section is concave which indicates,a relatively small
proportion of the county's population is 30 to 50 years old; a vestige
of out-migration during the 1950's.

(2) The base curves inward; a result of reduction in birth rates.

(3) The bulge at the top represents an in-migration of older people.

(4) An excess-of females occurs in the older age groups. This lessens to
some degree the need for specialized employment opportunities for women.
However, consideration must be given to providing more job opportunities
appropriate for fQmales in the County's long-range economic development
goals. Also emphasis should be placed in providing for cultural and
recreational programs designed for older women.

Race

The nonwhite population of Dare County has maintained a r elatively constant
proportion of tile total population for the-past twenty years, ranging from
6.3% in 1960 to 7.3% in 1970. Nonwhites increased in.numbers from 1950 to
1960-from 330 to 406 (6.8%). This increase can be totally accounted for by
natural increase because there is an estimated outmigration of almost 6% of
the 1950 nonwhite population. Over the same period, the total county popu-
lation increased by almost 10%, causing a decline in the proportion of non-
whites from 7.0% in 1950 to 6.8% in 1960.

During the most recent census period (1960-1970), the nonwhite population grew
more rapidly than the total county. population, registering a 25.1% increase
to the county's 17.9% increase.-

RACIAL COMPOSITION & TRENDS, DARE COUNTY

Year White .% Total % Increase Non-White % Total % Increase

1950 5023 93.0 380 7.0

1960 5529 93.2 .9.2 406 6.8 6.4

1970 6487 92.6 17.9 508 7.4 25.1

Source: U. S. Bureau of Census

Education

The educational levels attained by Dare County residents have consistently
paralleled those of-all North Carolina residents. In 1950, the median school
years completed by persons 25 years of age or older was 7.9. This means that
half of Dare County's residents had received less than eight years of formal
education. This level equalled that of North Carolina and was higher.than
the neighboring counties of Currituck and Tyrrell. However, both the state
and Dare County were considerably lower than the median United States
achievement of 9.3 years of education.

By 1970, this level had increased by 2.6 years so that fifty percent of Dare
.County residents had completed over 10.5 years of school. This increase is
comparable to the statewide increase of 2.7 years but is slightly behind the
United States 20 year change of 2.8 years, which climbed to a national median
of 12.1 school years completed. While the educational level of Dare County
residents has increased over the past twenty years to remain on a par with
statewide levels, it has increased more rapidly than other counties in the
immediate region.

There has been a steady increase in the percentage of Dare residents with 4
years or more of hi'gh school as well as in the number of college graduates.
While Dare County has a higher percentage of'residents in this category than
either Currituck or Tyrrell Counties, it still remains below the levels of
North Carolina and the United States. The in-miaration of retired persons
to Dare County has probably raised the. educational level , while some of the
more educated people have left Tyrrell County since in-migration occurs more
frequently among highly educated people.

MEDIAN NUMBER OF SCHOOL YEARS COMPLETED

BY PERSONS 25 YEARS AND OLDER
Change
1950 1960 1970 1950-70

Dare 7.9 8.9 10.5 2.6

Currituck 7.3 8.4 9.6 2A

Tyrrell 7.2 7.8 8.4 1.4

North Carolina 7.9 8.9 10.6 2.7

United States 9.3 10.5 12.1 2.3

Source: U. S. Census of Population, 1950, 1960, 1970.

Size of Families

The population per household figure for Dare County in 1970 was 2.67. This
figure is "a 16% decrease over the 1960 figure. The population per house-
hold in Dare County was lower than the state size of 3.23. This lower figure
can again be attributed to the in-migration of older persons to the county.

POPULATION TRENDS

Analyses of county growth trends are useful in several respects. First,
growth trends are an indicator-of the pr@@s-sure.on the county's land resources
and its public services and facilities. If the pressure is great, without
proper management, it is possible t.hat the county will begin to lose control
of the land development process and be unable to keep pace with the demand
for public services. Second, growth trend analysis permits identification
of growth differentials within the county since all areas within the county
seldom experience uniform growth rates. Third, analysis of historic growth
trends provides a basis for forecasts of the county's future population
-1 evel s.

COMPARATIVE GROWTH RATES 1950-60 to 1960-70

1950-60 1960-70
Dare County 9.8 17.9
Currituck County 6.4 5.7
Tyrrell County -10.4 -15.8
North Carolina 12.2 11.5

South Carolina 12.5 8.7
Virginia Beach 101.6 102.0
Virginia 19.5 16.6
South Atlantic Area 22.6 18.1
United States 18.5 13.3

Note: Dare County ranked 25th out of 100 North Carolina Counties in
19@0-1960 and 17th in the 1960-1970 period.

Source: United States Census of Population

Township Growth

While Dare has experienced a rapid population growth over the past two decades,
a closer examination of this growth at the township level reveals that some.
.areas are growing rapidly while others have declining populations.

The most significant intra-county growth trend is that the beach areas of
Dare County are growing while the mainland areas are experiencing a popula-
tion decline. Atlantic and Nags Head Townships include the Dare,Beaches
area, as well as Roanoke Island. Over the 40 year period 1930-1970, the
share of Dare County population living in these two townships has increased
from 48.9% in 1930 to almost 64% in 197.0. At the same time, the population
of Manteo, which comprises a large percentage of the non-beach population
of these townships, has decreased by almost 14% since 1950.

Hatteras Township has increased in population by 17.8% over four decades and
has held a relatively stable share of county population while the other .
three townships have all declined both in absolute numbers and in shares of
total population.

COMPARATIVE GROWTH RATES:. 1950-1960 and 1960-1970

1950-1960 1960-1970

Dare Beaches 27.6*% 32.4*%

Dare County 9.8 % 17.9 %

Estimated

Source: Stephens Associates

For the past twenty years, the growth of the Dare Beaches ha s surpassed that
of the County, registering ten-year increases of 27.6% for 1950-1960 and
32.4% for the decade 1960-.1970. In 1950, 17% of all county residents lived
on the beaches; by 1970, this figure had increased to over 22%.

1.3

Considering the past sixty years, the growth rate for the past two decades
represents a great quickening in population increase for Dare County. If
the 691 temporary workers present for the 1940 census are'excluded from the
figures, a steady but small rate of growth occurs, ranging from an adjusted
1.0%, rate for the period 1940-50 to a 5.6% increase from 1910 to 1920. The
decade 1950-1960 saw an increase in the growth rate to 10% which is roughly
comparable to that experienced by the state as a whole. Over the past two
decades, North Carolina's population increased by approxim'ately 25% while
Dare's grew by almost 30%. However ' Dare's 17.9% increase from 1960 to
1970 was almost 50% greater than that-experienced by the state.

According to population forecasts made by the North Carolioa'Department of
Human Resources, Dare County's population as of July 1, 1974, is 9000 persons.
This represents a 22% increase since the 1970 census which'is greater than
the percentage increase during the entire decade 1960 to 1970.

Population Trends - Dare County,
Change from % Change from
No. of Persons Previous Census Previous Census

1910 4841 -

1920 5115 274 5.6

1930 5202 87 1.7
1940 6041 (5350)* 839 (148)* 16.1 (2.8)*
1950 5405 -636 -10.5 (1.0)*
1960 5935 530 9.8

1970 6995 1060 17.9

In 1940, there were 691 WPA and CCC temporary workers residing on
the Outer Banks. Subtracting these persons giv'e5 a net change
1930-1940 of 148 persons, indicating a1O yr. growth of 2.8% and
a 1940-1950 growth rate of 1.0%.

Source: U. S. Census of Population

The rapid growth of Dare County is not typical of other Northeast North Caro-
lina counties. For example, neighboring counties Curritu(k, Hyde and Tyrrell
all declined in population over the past twenty year period. The net popula-
tion increase of the Cu,rrituck-Albemarle-Pamlico Economic Region was;only
0.3 percent. The economies of most of Dare's neighboring counties are pre-
dominantly agricultural with a predominant out-migration Of people as@ op-,
posed to Dare's recreation-based economy. For the past decade, Dare County's
equalled that of the South Atlantic Area of 18% and surpassed the 13% growth
rate of the United States.

141

Components of Population_Change

In studying population change, it is important to look at its causes. The
two basic factors are natural increase (the excess of live births over
deaths in the period being studied) and net migration (those moving into or
out of the area under consideration). After the natural increase.is deter-
mined for a period of time, it is added to the base year population to de-
termine the expected population 10 years hence. Any differential between
the expected population and the actual census count at the end of the decade
under study is attributed to net migration; a flow of persons into or out of
the county.

In the decade 1950-1960, natural increase accounted for all of Dare County's
9.8% growth as the county experienced a net out-migration of 2.3% of its
1950 population. The out-migration of younger males i,n the working age
group, especially among Blacks, is a well documented.trend in 1950-1960
in Dare and the rural South.

Analysis of Dare's population growth over the past two decades has revealed
two important trends. First, the county is in the midst of a rapid growth
phase. While the county's economic region grew by 0.3 percent between 1950
and 1970, Dare's population increased by 29.7 percent. With an estimated .
increase of 1300 residents since the last census, the county's recent growth
has been even more rapid. Although the population has been increasing 'at
the county level, at the township level some areas of the county have been
growing while others have experienced population declines'. In general, the
county's eastern-oriented townships have been growing, and the mainland
townships have been losing population. This second trend illustrates a re-
orientation of the county's settlement patterns toward the beach areas which
has accompanied.the development of the county's recreational industry. The
changing settlement patterns indicate increased demand for public services
and the need for careful land management in the county's beach areas.

COMPONENTS OF DARE COUNTY POPULATION CHANGE: 1950-1960 and 1960-1970

1950-1960 1960-1970

Beginning Population 5405 5935
Change: Births 1245 1260
Deaths 591 819
Natural Increase 654 441
Net Migration , -124 +691
Total Increase 530 1060

Ending Population 5935 6995
% Migration* -2.3 +10.4
*Rates are expressed as % of beginning population.

Source: W. B. Clifford & A. C.. Davis, Population Change for N. C. and N. C.
Counties 1950-1960 and 1960-1970: Estimates of Net Migration and
Increase; N.C.S.U.@ 1971.

In the decade 1960-1970, the rate of natural increase dropped from 12.1% to
7.4%. During the decade, Dare experienced an 18 percent overall growth rate
which is largely attributable to a ten-year net in-migration of 10.4% of the
1960 population. The population distribution within the county indicates
that a large number of the in-migrants are locating on the beach areas.

.NET MIGRATION RATES:' 1950-1960 and 1960-1970

1950-1960* 1960-1970

Dare -2.3% 10.4%

Currituck -7.0 1.3

Tyrrell -24.0 -20.3

North Carolina -8.1 -1.6

,Rates expressed as % of population at the beginning of
each decade.

Source: William Clifford - 1971 - Population Change for N. C.
1950-60 and 1960-70, N.C.S.U.

Net out-migration of the 1950-60 period was lower in Dare than in the other
counties show'r in the Table or the state. In 1960-70 Dare showed sharpest
gains in in-migration, while Currituck also showed a significant turnaround.
Dare ranked 9th in the state in 1960-70 net migration. Dare attracted this
large in-migration at a time when out-migration rates for the region were
increasing.

From 1950 to 1960, Dare's rate of natural increase was significantly lower
than that of North Carolina and somewhat lower than the neighboring counties
of.Currituck. Although Dare's rate of natural increase dropped during-the
past decade and North Carolina's increased, Dare did not drop as low as
either Tyrrell or Currituck Counties.

COMPARATIVE'NATURAL INCREASE 1950-60 and 1960-70

% of 1950 % of 1960
1950-60 Population 1960-70 Population

Dare 654 21.1 441 7.4
Currituck 831. 13.4 257 3.9
Tyrrell 686 13.6 203 4.5
North Carolina 822,213 20.2 1,011,772 22.2

Source: Wm- Clifford, 1971. Population Change for N. C. 1950-1960 and
1960-1970.

Summary of Population Growth

The change in Dare's migration trend is the result of the 'increasing pppu-
larity of the county as a retirement area and the increasing economic oppor-
tunities associated with the county's recreation industry. Also, age character-
istics of the in-migrating population have had a major impact on the county's
birth rate. In effect, this net in-migration in the older age groups in the
1960's has Produced an aging population which has resulted in a reduction
of the county's birth rate and'a slight increase in the death rate. All
factors point toward an increasingly older population in the county.

Income Characteristics

Evaluation of the economic well-being of Dare County's population is extremely
difficult due to an absence of definite economic indicators and.the county's
unique life-style given that there are variations in needs, desires, and
tastes among various sectors of the population, the accessibility of goods.
and services is perhaps the best available measure of Dare's basic economic
well-being. Thus income, as a rough measure of accessibility of goods and
services, is used as a crude measure of'Dare's overall economic well-being.

Average Income

Average income is one of the most common measures of a population's income
characteristics. Typically, the mean and median are the "average" measures
used in the analysis of income characteristics, but it is important to make
a distinction between the two measures. Most people when speaking of-the
11average" are actually referring to the arithmetic mean, and in the case of
incomes, the mean is simply the sum of all family incomes divided by the num-
ber of families. Since this measure does not account in any way for the
distribution of income, it may be considered a summary average which reflects
the total income available in an area.

The median, as a measure of average income, is the income level at which half
the families make more, and half make less. Median incomeis a measure of
.income distribution and, as such, it might be considered a typical average
which gives a rough idea of the typical income of families in an area.

Thus, in an area where there exists a considerable disparity between the
number of families in the lower income groups and those in the upper,income
groups, the median income may be considerably below the mean income. How-
ever, only in the case of a perfectly even income distribution will they be
equal.

Due to the unique features of each county-needs, tastes, expectations, type
of economy, population level, and so forth--int'er--county comparisons of mean
and median incomes are not highly significant. However, the disparity between.
Dare's mean income of $9,354 and its median income of $6,823 does represent
an important income characteristic. As discussed above, in an even income
distribution, the mean and median are equal. Therefore, with a median
effective buying income substantially smaller than the mean, the county has
a disproportionately large number of families in the lower income groups.

Income Di.stribution

The distribution of income for households in Dare County is found below.
Approximately 35 percent of the county's households-bave annual incomes
less than $5,000 and 70 percent make less than $10,000 per year.

Househol'd Effective Buying Income Distribution

Percentage of
.Income Group Households

0 - $ 2,999 20.1
3,000 - 4,999 15.37 35.4
$ 5,000 - $ 7,999 23.3 34.6
8,000 - 9,999 11.3

$10,000 - $14,999 17.1
15,000+ 12.9 30.0

Source: Sales Management, "Survey.of Buying Power," 1973.

This analysis of Dare's i ncome characteristi cs indicates that higher income
levels are an obvious target for the county's economic development program.

ECONOMY

An Understanding of the structure and function of Dare's economy is a founda-
mental element of the county's planning and management program, providing
economic information essential for decisions concerning the future.

Economic History

Until recent years, the predominant theme in the development of Dare County
has been isolation. Althoughthe first permanent white settlers are thought to
have come to the area in the late'1600's, the resident population has remained
sma-1, due primarily to the fact that the county was not tied to mainland
North Carolina by any convenient transportation links. Prior to 1931 when
Wright Memorial Bridge was built between lower Currituck.County and Kitty
Hawk, the only means of transportation to Dare County was by water.

During isolation, the economy of Dare County was dependent upon the utilization
of natural resources. Stock raising and resultant overgrazing caused problems
in regard to beach stabilization. By the 1800's, fishing technology improved
and made commercial fishing the dominant sector of the Outer Banks economy.
Overall, fishing has declined in recent years but commercial and sport fishing
remain as important segments of Dare's economy.

Concern in the 1800's for the protection of shipping brought opportunities for
new employment to Dare County. Residents were employed to-work in lighthouses
and life saving stations. By 1920, the Federal Governmeht provided approxi-
mately one-fourth of the employment in theCounty and.coastguarding was a
promising cash career for a Dare County boy.

The popularity of the county as a-resort area first came in the early 1800's
as a retreat from the sun, humidity and insects. These early "tourists" built
a,hotel at Old Nags Head. However, the tourist economy was at a disadvantage
du.e to a lack of access. In the early 1900's the Outer Banks area was acces-
sible only by steame.r from Elizabeth City while other resort areas such as
Virginia Beach, Morehead City and Wrightsville Beach were served by railroads.

Construction of the Roanoke Island Bridge in 1928 was the first li,nk in a
transportation net tying Dare County with the mainland of North Carolina. This
net-was complete with the.construction of Wright Memorial Bridge in 1931. Con-
struction of the Croatan Sound Bridge in 1956 and the Alligator River Bridge
removed a major constraint on the development of a recreational economy. In
retrospect, it is fortunate that access came so late to Dare County, because
the delay prevented some of the more undesirable types,of growth which have
been experienced by other similar areas. The county has been left with a
highly diversified environment which has appeal for almost every segment of the
recreation population. Outstanding facili0es are available for recreationists,
including fine hotels, rental cottages, camping areas, sport-fishing fleets,
restaurants, and gift shops. With proper planning and public investment, the
future of the recreation industry on the Dare beaches is bright.

Labor Force Characteristics

Characteristics of Dare's labor force are a major factor in the development of
the county's economy. Utilizing factors such as labor force, job characteristics
of the workers, annual and seasonal unemployment, and commutation patterns, it is
possible to define the county's manpower probl'ems and resources which become the
focus of long-range economic development programs.

Total Employment

The age-sex specific activity rate is one of the most useful measures of labor
force participation. These rates are calculated for each sex in the active
(16-65) age group and they are a device for relating the economically active
population in a particular age group, to the total population.of that group.
The most obvious point in the comparisonis that both the county's
activity rates are substantially below those of the economic region as a whole.

There are several factors which probably contribute.to these low rates:
(1) Dare's tourist industry employment is seasonal in nature;
(2) The large percentage of both male a-nd female retirees residing
in the county;
(3) The lack of diversified economic opportunities.
Therefore, making available appropriate job opportunities should.be an important
consideration in the county's economic development program.

AGE.-SEX-SPECIFIC ACTIVITY RATES 1970

Age-Specific Age-Specific
Population Employment Activity Rate
Male Female Male Female Male Female

Dare County 2,040 2,100 1,496 837 73.3 39.8

Currituck-
Albemarle-Pamlico
Economic Reg.ion 24,754 26,810 19,880 11,698 80.3 43.6

Source: U. S. Census; Stephens Associates.

A summary of Dare's employment in major industrial groupings for 1950, 1960
and 1970 is found in the following table. The pattern of employment clearly
illustrates the evolution of the county's economy over recent years. In
1950; when the current recreation "boom" was in its infancy, the leading
industries in the county's economy were agriculture, forestry, and fisheries,
with fisheries employment dominant in the group. Retail trade and service
industries were significant elements in the county's economy; however, the
concentration of employment in these two categories was typical for counties
similar to Dare.

Between 1950 and 1960 there was a sharp decline in the number of workers
.employed in Dare natural resource based industries (28.2 percent to 18.8
percent). At the same time, the concentration of employment in the service
industries increased sharply from 12.3 percent to 23.2 percent, marking the
.initial growth phase in the county's recreation industry.,

Employment activities related to the National Park Service are also reflected
in Dare's changing employment patterns. In 1980, 6.8 percent of the county's
labor force was employed in government, which is typical for counties of
Dare's size. By 1960, however,.government employment had increased to 9.4
percent, which is well above other Northeastern North Carolina counties.

Between.1960 and 1970, the Dare'economy became dominated by the recreation
industry. Employment in the natural resource based industries--agriculture,
forestry, and fisheries--declined to 7.8 percent of the total. In response
to recreation demand, the retail trade industries--food stores, restaurants,
motels, and hotels, and so forth--became one of the leading employers of the
economy, increasing from 16.3 percent in 1�60 to 25.6 percent in 1970. Ser-
vices, the largest employer in the county, increased its share of total
employment from 23.2 percent to 27.7 percent.

Employment Summary by Major Industry Groups

Industry Groups 1950 % 1960 % 1970 %

Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries 395 28.2 280 15.8 181 7.8
Construction 239 17.0 234 13.2 316 13.5
Manufacturing 64 4.6 99 5.6 132 5.7
Transportation, Communi-
@ cation and Utilities 117 8.3 174 9.7 158 6.8
Wholesale Trade 44 3.1 28 1.6 78 3.3
Retail Trade 233 16.6 288 16.3 598 25.6
Services 172 12.3 411 23.2 647 27.7
Government 96 6.8 166 9.4 233 9.6
Not Reported 43 3.1 94 5.3 0 0

1,403 100.0 1,772 100.0 2,333 100.0

Source: U. S.. Census

Unemployment

Unemployment statistics are important economic indicators which permit assess-
ment of the overall strength and vitality of Dare County's economy and, perhaps
more importantly, identification of the magnitude of the economy's seasonal
fluctuations. The most current unemployment statistics,are reported by the
North Carolina Employment Security Commission. The Employment Security Com@
mission's statistics are based on the concept of work force and reflect employ-,
ment by place of work and are therefore not exactly comparable.with Census
Bureau statistics which are reported by place of residence.

Unemployment is defined as all persons who did not work at all during the
reporting period but were able,, available, and looking for work. The rate of
unemployment is simply the number of unemployed as a percent of the tota work
force. Given today's highly mobile work force, for all practical purposes it
is impossible to achieve a "zero" rate of unemployment. In fact, economists
at the national leve-1 consider aA percent unemployment rate as "full employ-
ment."

This provides a comparison of the 1974 unemployment rates of Dare County
and North Carolina, as.well as the monthly unempl,oyment.figures. In total, Dare's
rate is slightly above that of the state; however, examination of the county's
monthly unemployment rate reveals marked seasonal fluctuations. In February,
the county's unemployment was at 20.6 percent, it declined steadily to 0.7 per-
cent in August, and rose again to 9.3 in December.

DARE COUNTY AND NORTH CAROL*INA UNEMPLOYMENT RATES

Unemployment Rate Dare County North Carolina

1974 Total 6.0%* 4.5%*

1974 Monthly
January 15.2 4.8
February 20.6 4.0
March 16.9 3.8
April 9.2 3.3
@ay 4.1 3.1
June 1.9 3.8
July 1.0 4.5
August 0.7 3.4
September .9 4.0
October 1.8 4.6
November 4.4 6.6
December 9.3 4.6

Source: N. C. Employment Section Commission, Sept., 1975.
All figures are preliminary and subject to change.

Seasonal fluctuations are a long-recognized characteristic of economies based
primarily on the recreati"on industry. These fluctuations.are the result of
changing demand which can be traced to three factors:

1. The product of the recreation industry--recreational exper-
iences--must be consumed within the county by the purchasers,
leading to highly seasonal demand because the consumer may
choose the time to travel to the county;

2. The demand for recreation has a high income--elasticity,
meaning that vacations are one of the first expenditures
to be cut when a family's disposable income drops and
that the industry is h,ighly susceptible to fluctuations
in the national economy;

3. Recreation demand is subject to changes in the weather.

While it would be unrealistic to suggest that the fluctuations in Dare's
unemployment could be dampened to the extent that it woul.d resemble' trends
of more conventional economies, it is possible, through innovative economic
programming, to capitalize on the county's apparent off-season labor resources
and thereby reduce the high off-season unemployment.

-Commuting Patterns

According to 1970 Census statistics shown on Page 24 approximately 18
percent of Dare's labor force commutes in-to the county for employment. The
commuters are primarily from Currituck, Pasquotank, Tyrrell and Hyde Counties.
By contrast, in 1970 only 4 percent of the work,force commuted out of the
county for employment.

The commutation patterns illustrate two important factors relating to the
county's economy:
1. They show the tremendous increase in*economic opportunities
within the county;

2. They show that Dare County's recreation industry is. becoming
I
an economic resource for surrounding areas as well as the
residents of the county.

In addition to job opportunities, comrhuti,ng patterns are a function of resi-
dential preferences and are difficult to modify to any great extent. However,
considering that the 12 percent of the county's workers live outside the county
and spend most of their incomes in these other areas, the county should attempt
to attract these commuting workers into the county. Such programs should in-
clude a concentrated effort to provide suitable housing in appropriate prir!e
ranges, year-round recreational-and cultural facilities, and medical services.

Dare Commuting Patterns

Area Out-Commuting In-Commuting

Currituck 15 216

Tyrrell. 21 43

Norfolk-Portsmouth 42 0

Hyde 0 38

Beaufort 0 7

Washington 0 8

Camden 0 6

Pasquotank 0 63

Elsewhere 19 51

TOTALS 97 427

Net Commuting +330 Workers

Source: U. S. Census, 1970.

ECONOMIC BASE ANALYSIS

The analysis of Dare County is economy has two purposes. The primary purpose
is to identify valid economic goals and objectives and to provide.an informa-
tional base.for the formulation of an economic development plan. The second
and more technical purpose is to provide quantitative estimates of future
employment and population which can serve as very general guides to the formu-
lation of plans for land use and capital facilities.

Economic Base Technique

In recent years economists have devised several techniques for urban economic
analysis, but the technique most frequently employed'in comprehensive planning
studies is the "economic base analysis." The popularity of the economic base
technique stems from.its flexibility in accommodating several types of readily
available data and the fact that the economic base analysis provides a com-
plete "snapshot" of.the community's economy.

In concept, the economic base analysis views the county's economy as two
segments: (1) firms and individuals serving markets outside the county; and
(2) firms and individuals serving markets inside the county. The activities.
producing goods and services for sale outside the county are considered export,
or basic. The remaining activities are viewed as producing.strictly forthe
county, and are termed service, or non-basic activities. In non-technical
language, the county's basic activities may be considered "income earners"
and the non-basic activities as "spenders."

Economic base analysis recognizes that not .all activities will fit neatly into
the basic or non-basic categories because firms may sell their products in
both markets. For example, a good store in Dare County may make part of its
sales to tourists (basic) and part to local residents (non-basic). Thus, a
firm.may.be partly basic and partly non-basic, and therefore for each industry,
employment is placed in the basic or non-basic category or divided between the,
two. Then, totals are added up for both basic and non-basic employment.

C'lassification of the county's employment as basic.or non-basic provides direct
benefits to the planner, government officials, civic leaders, businessmen, and
development groups. It provides a complete understanding of the county's sources
of income. The base study pinpoints weaknesses in the economy; for example,
an export sector predominantly tied to one industry. For government officials,
the base study provides information for evaluating economic policy and for
making decisions.

The county's basic/non-basic employment ratio is an important forecasting tool
For example, if Dare County's ratio of basic employment were 1 to 2, then an
addition of 100 basic jobs would create an additional 200 non-basic jobs. Thus
by forecasting increases in employment in the county's basic sector, it is
possible to derive long-range estimates of total employment which can also be
converted to population estimates.

Measurement of Economic Base

Employment is the mo'st common measure of the economic,base, and the location
quotient is the most widely used technique for allocating employment to the
basic and non-basic sectors. The basic concept of the location quotient
technique is simple. If a given county is highly specialized relative to a
reference economy (usually the nation) in the production of a particular good
or service, the product is assumed to be an export item and employment above
the location quotient is classified as basic.

The'location quotient for a particular industry is derived by the following
formula:

x Reference Area Employme-nt in Industry (i)
Total Local nt Total Reference Area Employment

Solving for X determines the numbers which would be employed in industry (i)
in the county if it had just enough to supply its own needs. Dare's location
quotients have been calculated on the basis of the employment in the eight-
county Currituck-Albemarle-Pamlico Economic Region. These counties are similar
in life-styles, geography, economic orientation, and economic history, and
they should reflect more closely the tastes, needs, and productivity of Dare
residents than the nation as a whole.

Basic Industries.'

Using the county's location quotients calculated from employment in the
Currituck-Albemarle-Pamlico Economic Region, Table .1 classifies employment
in Darq's 32 industry grouping .s into basic/non-basic sectors. These calcula-
tions indicate that the county's basic non-basic ratio is 1.89, with 807
basic employees and 1,526 non-basic employees.

However, to facilitate analysis of the county's economic base, the information
in Table l has been summarized in Table 2 , using the eight major indust@y
classifications. Following the county's employment patterns, the major
industries producing income from outside Dare are services, retail trade and
construction.

Within the services category, lodging (motels, hotels and cottage courts) and
Insurance-Real Estate-Finance are the dominant basic ;mployers, emphasizing
the recreation orientation of the economy. Dominance of these i.ndustries is
a unique characteristic of a recreation economy because in almost all other
economies, the services industries would be classified non-basic.

The leading industries -in the retail trade classification are restaurants, food
stores, and service stations. These three industries account for more than 90
percent of the basic trade employment; however, with 60 percent of the total
basic employment, restaurants are the largest employers.

Through the construction of vacation homes and other housing accommodations, as
well as other commercial facilities to-serve the county's recreation trade, the
construction industry is a third major basic employer. While smaller than ser-
vices and retail trade, the construction industry does account for slightly over
14 percent of Dare's basic employment.

TABLE I
ANALYSIS OFBASIC AND NON-BASIC INDUSTRIES

Total Location Basic Non-Basic
Industry Employment Quotient Employment Employment.
Agriculture, F.orestry & Fisheries 131 183 .0 181
Construction 316 2,02 114 20,2
Manufacturing 132 460 0 114
Machinery 5 10 0 5
Transportation equipment 19 69 0 19
Concrete products 30 22 8 22
Food and kindred products 15 32 0 15
Textile products 6 130 0 6
Printing and publishing 18 8 10 8
.Paper and leather products 39 47 0 39
Transi't, Water &.Air Transportation 102 40 62 40
Communications 4 32 0 4.
Utilities and Sanitary Services 52 25 27 25
Wholesale Trade 78 86 0 78,
Retail Trade 598 397 211 387
Food, bakery & dairy store 117 80 37 80
Restaurants 179 55 124 55
General merchandise retailing 40 50 0 40'
Motor vehicle retailing and
service stations 96 32 64
Other retail trade 166 148 18 148
Banking and Credit Agencies 14 28 0 14
Insurance, Real Estate and Other
Finance 75 36 39 36
Business and Repair Services 34 42 0 34
Private Households 12 78 0 12
Other Personal Services 279 98 .181 98
Entertainment & Recreation Services 13 10 3 10
Hospitals 3 52 0 3
Health Services 12 .36 0 12
Public Schools 70 157 0 70
Private Schools 5 19 0 5
Other Education & Kindred Services 10 8 2 8
Nonprofit Organizations 54 25 29 25
Legal, Engineering & Professional
.Services 66 44 22 44
Public Administration 223 124 99 124

TOTAL 2,333 2,333 807 1,526

Source: Stephens Associates

Table 2 SUMMARY OF BASIC AND NON-BASIC INDUSTRIES

Basic Non-Basic
Industry Group Employment % Employment % Employment

Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries 181 7.8 0 0 181

Construction 31.6 13.5 114 14.1 202

Manufacturing 132 5J 18. 2.2 114

Transportation, Communica-
tion and Utilities 158 6.8 89 11.0 69.

Wholesale Trade 78 3.3 0 0 78

Retail Trade 598 25.6 211 24.9 387

Services 647 27.7 276 34.2 371

Government 223 9.6 99 12.3 124

TOTALS 2,3@3 100.0 807 100.0 1,526

Source: Stephens Associates

Referring to Table 2 it i5 interesting t o note that while construction is a
major income producer, employment in this industry has actually shown a small
relative decrease over the past .90 years. Increased in-commutation of con-
struction workers appears to be responsible for this trend; however, based on
wage characteristi,cs, failure of the construction industry to keep pace with
expansion of the trade and service industries represents an economic loss to
the county. The trade and service industries are characterized by relatively
low wages in a recreation economy, while employees in the construction industry
receive high wages. Therefore, on a "per employee" basis, the construction
ind,ustry generates.more income for the county.

Table 2 also identifies several other less import 'ant basic employers. However,
they all appear to be directly linked to the recreation industry. For example,
the major basic employer within the manufacturing category is the concrete
products industry, which provides materials for recreation construction.

The Recreation Industry

Dare County, like many areas located near recreational amenities such as the
ocean, relies heavily on tourism as the main source of outside income. The
main economic impacts of the recreation industry stem from the direct effect
of tourist expenditures.

National Park Service estimated that the Dare Beaches had 1,525,228 visitors
in 1974. This 'estimate indicates the enormous impact summer visitors have
on resort areas which is felt both physically and economicallv.. Travel
spending in Dare County in 1974 amounted to $57.5 million, making the county
the fifth highest in the state according to figures published by the North
Carolina Travel Survey. This figure represents an increase of 14% over 1973.
The trend is continuing in 1975 as figures of,July 30, 1975 indicate that
vacation travel to the Dare Coast is ahead of the first six months of 1974.
this increase is occurring in spite of the gradual slowing of the national.
economy.

it is obvious that proximity and total population contribute to the market
area of North Carolina's coastal region (see Table 3 ). The great majority
of visitors to Dare Beaches are from the eastern seaboard with Virginia having
24% of that total. North Carolina has 17% of these visitors due to the large
population centers in the Piedmont. Pennsylvania and Maryland combine for
20% of the total visitors. These four states are the residence for 62% of
all visitors to the Dare Beaches.

The primary market area extends approximately 350 miles to the north, inc-luding
most of the New York City metropolitan area. It approximates the configura-
tion.of the "Megalopolis Corridor" extending somewhat more to the west in
Philadelphia and Virginia. In North Carolina, it extends only 100 miles to
the southeast due to the effects of other coastal resorts outside this area.
In 1970, t'he market area had a population of 30,897,072 people or roughly
15% of the total population of the United States.

TABLE 3 ORIGIN OF VISITORS TO THE DARE BEACHES
AND VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

Percent of Total Visitors

Dare.Beaches Virginia Beach
State 1970 1972 1972 1971 Overnight Visitors
Study SUrvey Hote.1 Registration
Guests

Virginia 24 24 19 24.2

North Carolina 17 17 9 2.0
Pennsylvania 12 12 14 13A

Maryland 9 9 14 10.1

Ohio 6 6 8 8-.7

New York .5 5 7 14.4

New Jersey .4 4 6 7.3

West Virginia 2 2 3 1.9

South Carolina 2 2 -- .1

Dist. of Col umbia 2 1 3 2.1

Delaware 1 .2 .6

Others 17 17 15 15.5

TOTAL 100 100 100 100.0

SOURCE: 1970 Greater Nags Head Chamber of.Commerce Visitors Study; Tourist
Survey by North Carolina Offir-ce of-Travel and Promotion; 1972;
Survey of Labor Day Visitors to Sea Oatel and Carolinian, 1972;
Tourist Development Division, City of Virginia Beach, Registration
Data, 1971.

Analysis of Dare's economic base substantiates its reliance on recreation as
its primary source-of outside income and emphasizes the short-term as well
as long-term problems inherent in a narrowly-based recreation economy:

1. Dare County's major product is recreational experiences; however,
their consumption is seasonally oriented leading to extreme
fluctuations in demand and under-utilization of labor resources.

2. Employment in recreation does.not compare favorably with other
resource-based industries. Wages are characteristically very low.

3. The'recreation industry is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in
the national economy.' Under adverse economic,conditions, recrea-
tion is one of the first items removed from the family budget.

4. The recreation resource is extremely sensitive to public policy.
Poor land management policies on the part of public officials can
severely damage the economic potential of recreation resources.

On the positive side, the recreation industry is favored by a growing popula-
tion, increases in disposable income, and increased leisure.

Non-Basic Industry

Just as employment greater than the'cotinty's location quotient is considered
to be basic, employment substantially below the location quotient can be
considered a deficiency, or a source of leakage'. Detailed analysis of Table 1
reveals three deficiencies in Dare's economy. In health-related industries--
hospitals, and health services--employment is more than 80 percent below the
county's quotient, indicating a very serious leakage.of income for high-cost
medical services. More importantly it reveals a low level of health services
in the county which could be detrimental to the long-range development of
the recreation industry.

A second employment deficiency is in the wholesale trade industries. Whole-
sale operations, such as warehousing, distribution, industrial supplies, and
commercial laundries, are almost totally lacking in Dare County. The result
is substantial amounts of money flowing to other communities and ultimately
lower quality service to the county's visitors.

Lack of wholesale operations is partly a function of the state of the county's
economic development. However, the absence of suitable areas set aside for
these functions appears to be a contributing factor.

A third area of deficiency is manufacturing. Overall, the county's location
quotient for manufacturing employees is 460; however, it has only 132.workers
employed in manufacturing industries. This area would normally receive major
emphasis in a development program, but considering Dare's geographic location,
its lack of transportation, and the sensitivity of its recreation resources, it
is felt that any programs for development employment opportunities in manufac-
turing should concentrate on small business supplying the recreation industry
and designed to capitalize on high off-season unemployment.

Retail Sales

Retail sales are another indicator of Dare's economic growth. With recent
population growth, rising incomes, development of the recreation industry,
and inflation, the level of retail sales is expected to increase. However,
the rate of increase is dependent primarily on the county's economic activity.
As shown in Table 4 , retail sales have increased over 500.percent since 1960,
reflecting the rapid expansion of the county's recreationally-oriented indus-
tries.

The,growth of Dare's retail trade industries, as measured by sales, has been
very strong over the past 15 years. Even under adverse national economic
conditions during the 1967-69 period, the county's retail sales increased by
almost 25 percent. Retail sales trends in Dare also verify the development
of the recreation industry which was identified by the analysis of the
county's employment.

Table 4 RETAIL SALES 1960-1975 DARE COUNTY

Retail Sales
Fiscal Year Current Dollars Percent Increase

1960-61 8,921,844
1961-62 10,021,531 12.3
1962-63 10,798,805 7.8
1963-64 12,156,285 12.6
1964-65 13,291,330 9.3
1965-66 14,920,985 12.3
1966-67 16,692,703 11.9
1967-68 17,577,479 5.3
1963-69 .20,783,047 18.2
1969-70 23,490,677 13.0
.1970-71 23,290,561 20.4
1971-72 32,,222,254 13.9
1972-73 37,881,600 17.6
1973-74 44,676,070 17.9
1974-75 48,731,661 9.1

Source: N. C. Department of Revenue; Stephens Associates.

TRANSPORTATION

The character of local and regional transportation systems is one of the
dominant factors controlling an area's growth and development. The history
of isolation and slow growth on the Outer Banks serves to illustrate this
relationship. An area in which a major portion of the economy is tied directly
to recreation is even more heavily dependent upon access for economic develop-
ment. Three major factors which determine the success of a recreation area are:

1. Travel time from geographic centers of population to the
recreation Area;

2. The comfort or discomfort of travel conditions; and

3. Total cost per visit.

,Regional Access

Transportation systems serving the county are composed of many elements;
including highways, air, water, and rail. Highways are the most important
element providing access to Dare County at the present time. However, in-
creasing disposable income and leisure time, as well as advances.of air and
water transportation in the future development of Dare County.

Highways

For all practical purposes, access to Dare County is limited to U.S. Highway
158 from the North and U.S. 64-264 from the west. Highway 158 enters the ,
county from lower Currituck County via the Wright Memorial Bridge over Curri-
tuck Sound. The highway is two lanes and was first constructed in 1931.
Highway 64-264 is two lanes crossing the Alligator River, the Croatan Sound
and the Roanoke Sound. Dare County is completely dependent on this regional
highway system.

Traffic Volumes

Average daily traffic (ADT) is defined as the average 24-hour traffic volume
for a given period of time. Highways are designed to accommodate a certain
peak ADT. The North Carolina State Highway Commission has collected volume
data (64) at the Alligator River Bridge and Highway 158 at the Wright Memorial
Bridge. These data in ADT form are presented in Table 5 for each month of
the year.

it is estimated that approximately 75%@of the traffic on U.S. 64 is composed
of passenger cars and that the remainder is commercial vehicles. Although
traffic composition counts were not made on U;S. 158, commercial usage would
be approximately the same as that on U.S. 64.

Table 5 Dare Beaches Monthly Traffic Volume

AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC
HIGHWAY-64 HIGHWAY 158
MONTH 197Q 1971 1972 197 3 1974 Mean 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 Mean
January 290 382 441 .542 525 436 1233 1327 1718 2119 1809
February 348 427 448 578 432 447 1: 1487 1691 1821 2417 1694 1822
-March 481 503 601 680 518 557 2049 1812 2509 2571 2232 2235'
April .526 890 864 1031 883 839 2459 3271 3435 4173 3861 3440
N
May 775 1046 998 1225 1246 1058 4037 4037 4064 4290 4818 5015
June 1078 1442 1536 1649 1634 1468 4843 5227 5516 5955 5610 5430
July 1194 1687 1790 '19171 1848 1687 5711 6332 6741 7152 6853 6558
August 1491 1,522 1883 1901 1918 1743 5892 6169 6782 7256 7096 6639
September 993 1060 1267 1375 1284 1196 3785 4257 4472 4973 4618 4421
October 871 856 1088 1219 1314 1070 2709 2632 3150 3995 2794 3236-.
November 687 715 837 885 985 822 2084 2492 2567 3045 3009 2639
December 409 507 534 516 580 521 1583 1889 .2054 1968 2060 1910
MEAN 767 920 1024 1120 1100 987 3156 3422 3465 4200 3970 3701

Source: N. C. State Highway Commission

Highway Capacities

The Highway Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences National
Research Council has published standards for judging traffic vol.ume capacity
ofvarious types.of highways. These 'capacities are based primarily on the
width of the pavement.
Routes U.S.'64-264 and U.S. 158 are both two laned highways with a@pavement
width of approximately 24 feet. Under the standards developed by the High-
way Research Board, these highways Can accommodate a maximum of 7,300 vehicles
per day.

The data on average daily traffic presented in Table 5 indicates that the U.S..
64-264 facility entering the county from the west will be adequate well into
the future.. Route 153 enteringthe Dare Beaches from the north is already-
dangerously close to capacity during the peak summer months of July and August.
Average daily traffic on Route 158 for the month of July increased about 22
percent per year from 1970 to 1973, reachi-ng a 1973 peak of 7256. The ADT
decreased slightly in 1974 but an increase is again expected which should be
reflected in the 1975 figures.

Prior to the construction of the bridges and highways in the Dare County area,
access was a major factor inhibiting the growth of the area. Similarly,
current trends seem to indicate that highway congestion may again limit access
to the Dare Beaches, placing a major constraint on development.

N. C. 12 carried the majority of a n estimated 1,525,000 visitors.to Cape
Hatteras National Seashore through September of 1975. This highway is in
need of widening to a standard width of 24 feet' and. resurfacing.

Air Transportation

Air travel, which had its birth in the Dare Beaches area, cannot be discounted
in the future development of the Dare Beaches area. At this point, however,.
the future of air travel and its impact on the county is not clear. Past
trends in the advance of ai,r transportation technology and the increase in
the number of people utilizing air transport leads to the general conclusion
that air travel will be a major mode of transport in the future. Thus, future
,land use plans should provide space for this presently undeveloped use.

Currently, the only locality providing regular commercial air service is Nor-
folk, Virginia, a.distance of about 70 miles. Within a 60 Mile-radius of the
county, there are five airports capable of handling private air traffic. These
airports are located at Edenton, Elizabeth City, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras,
and Manteo. The airport at,Kill Devil Hil,ls is located on the site of the
Wright Memorial and is operated by the National Park Service. Although this
airport offers no facilities other than the runway, it appears to be the
logical, site for the development of private and light commercial air facili-
ties to serve the Dare Beaches.

Water Travel

'Water travel will never again be as important to the growth and development
of the county as it was in the period prior to the construction of the bridge
systems. It should, however, be vie *wed as an important recreational experience.
Consideration should be given to providing space for land uses, such as
marinas, which are related to water travel.

Local Transportation System

Internal vehicular circulation in the beach is dependent primarily on cor-
ridors, route 1,58 Business and 158 Bypass runningin a north-south direction
between Kitty Hawk and Whalebone Junction. The area south of Whalebone is
served by route.12. The Southern Shores and Duck.communities n'orth of Ki,tty
Hawk are served by State Route 1200.

Due to the linearity of the beach area, efficient internal movement of
people and goods is difficult to achieve. This problem is destined to become
more difficult if current development practices continue. Route 158 Business,
which is located on the ocean side of the beach area, is heavily developed
with,commercial, commercial-residential, and.residential uses, each having
individual access on the two-.lane highway. During the peak summer season,
congestion resulting from large numbers of.au,tomobiles entering and leaving
the highwaymakes rapid movement impossible.

Route 158 Bypass is located on the soundside ofthe Dare Beaches area and
is intended to route through traffic around congested 158 Business area.
Location of business uses on the Bypass threaten this vital function.

EXISTING LAND USE

Existing uses of land within Dare County were mapped according to
the following generalized categories.

(1) Commercial - includes all retail and minor wholesale operations,
commercial recreation facilities, and commercial.services and
businesses, i.e., laundromats, barber shops, realty offices,
motels, hotels, rental cottages and all other commercial;

(2) Residential - includes all residential uses;

(3) Governmewand Institutional, Cultural, Entertainment,
and Recreation - Government and Institutional, and Rher
uses generally available to the public at large.

(4) Industrial - manufacturing and processing uses.
(5) Transportation, Communication, & Utilities

(6) Undeveloped Land

(7) Agriculture

(8) Forestland

(9) Water

(10) Wetland

(11) Barren - including beaches, surface extraction and cleared
transitional land..

This information is displayed on the exi'sting land use map which accompanies
this report.

Commercial
A majority of-the commercial development in Dare County is recreationally
oriented with restaurants, fast food servi,ce, gift shope, entertainment
facilities, and gasoline service stations comprising a large portion,of the
total. Other commercial uses consist primarily of grocery stores, fishing
piers (with bait and tackle shops) and commercial services such as realty
,offices, laundromats,,and barber shops. Appliances, hardware and building
supplies and other secondary commercial uses are found in Manteo, Wanchese,
Buxton, Hatteras and some of the more permanent communities.
A large percentage-of all developed land in the area of the Beaches is
occupied by motels, hotels, and other commercial residential uses.* With few
exceptions, most of the land uses in this classification are located between
the Route 153 By-Pass.and the ocean beach,extending from the Kitty Hawk area
southward to the Whalebone'Junction area of Nags Head, along U. S-64-264
through the Manteo area and along N. C. 12 in the villages of Hatteras Island.
It was impossible to make*a distinction between rental cottages and
permanent residences while conducting the land use survey, even though such
a distinction would be useful. It should be noted, however, that many of
the rental cottages.are occupied by persons engaged in temporary employment,
such as construction, during the "off season." As this occupancy trend
becomes more widespread and the recreation season becomes longer*, the dis-
tinction between permanent and rental cottages on the beaches will be less
significant.
it should be noted that the land uses in this classification vary in
the degree to which they are used for commercial purposes, ranging from the
motel which is used exclusively for commercial purposes, to the-si,ngle-
family resort home which is perhaps used two,or more weeks by the owner and
rented to other persons fo-r the remainder of the time.

Residential

Throughout the county but predominantly in the area of the beaches there
is a general mixture of permanent and seasonal residences. Concentrations of
permanent residenc occur in the Duck area, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk Village,
Colington areas in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head west of the Route 158 By-
Pass, in South Nags'Head, on Roanoke Island in Wanches.e a nd North.and West of
Manteo, in the areas off the highways on the mainland and South of Oregon
Inlet.
In general, the housing conditions in the county are good, but a number
of unsound structures were:noted. Most of the deteriorated and dilapidated
structures exist as single units among other better constructed and Maintained
dwellings. There are large numbers of mobile homes among the more permanently
settled areas.of the county.
According to information obtained from "Social Indicators - Census Data
Service" of the University of North Carolina and 1970 census data, there were
4,728 housing units in Dare County. Of this total, approximately,12% or 5 84
houses were found to be substandard. These figures indicate that approxi-
mately 4,144 units exist that are standard.

HOUSING CONDITIONS, DARE CO., 1970

Owner Occupied Total 1909
Renter Occupied Total 543
Vacant for Rent. 1.66
Vacant for Sa,le Only 56
Vacant Other Vacant.Year Round 528
Count of Vacant Seasonal and Vacant Migratory Units 1526

Total Housing Units Substa ndard Housing % of Total Housing
4,723 584 12.4

GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL, CULTURAL, ENTERTAINMENT AND-RECREATION

Outside the re-latively insignificant amount of land in uses such as
churches, post offices, county and town owned property, and fire stations, the
major public lands are held.by the Federal Government,,consisting of approxi-
mately 21,771 acres of roughly 246,000 acres within the county.
At this time the only available public beaches in Dare County are those
provided by the Park Service in the.southern portion of Bo-die Island. These
beaches are not readily accessible to tourists in the northern portion of the
Dare Beaches. Although the small amount of public beaches apparently is not
.a problem at this time, iat will become more serious as the amount of develop-
ment increases.
A related problem is the lack of non-water oriented recreation develop-
ment in the county. It is true that the primary recreational attraction has.
been the ocean, but as the year-round resident population increases with the
expansion of the recreation industry, the need for more diversified recrea-
.tional developments will increase. The existing private golf courses are
examples of the types of facilities which should be provided.

Industrial
Only a few parcels.of land in the county are currently used for indus-
trial purposes. One parcel, located in Nags Head, i's used for the manufacture
of concrete, another parcel located in the Kitty Hawk area west of the 158
By-Pass, is used for generation of electricity for peak load requirements.
The s-eafood processing facilities at Wanchese and scattered small boat build ing
operations and construction equipment yards on Roanoke Island and the mainland
constitutes the other industrial areas in the.county. 'These are generally
mixed with.residential and commercial uses.

Significant Land Use Compatibility Problems

Throughout the county the most significant compatibility problems are
those of conflict between permanent neighborho'ods and more intensive land

uses such as relatively high density residential uses with seasonal occu-

pancy and the scattering of commercial uses along the highways of t he county.

As a result of this uncontrolled-mixture of land uses some residents of per-

manent neighborhoods are not afforded adequate protection from the offensive

characteristics of these operations. At the same time,'the operator of a

commercial use cannot fully' develop the potential of his property if his c-us-

t.omers must fight for parking spaces, make unsafe turning movements across.

traffic lanes and be forced to make multiple stops for different commodities

or services.

Major Problems From Unplanned Development With Implications For Future Land Use

The phys ical environment and its.relationship to development in Dare

County is an important factor for consideration. Some problem areas are:

vegetation covering and protecting the sand dunes, the protective function of

the barrier dune system, and hazards of active beach area, and the unrecog-

nized economical importance of the marsh areas and sub-standard subdivision.

The results of indiscrimin-ant destruction of vegetation in Dare County
especially along the Outer Banks are clearly visible. Removal of dune grasses

in the barrier dune area for the purposes of development has resulted in the

destabilization of the dune and the eventual destruction of the protective

function of the dune system. This continuing practice has the effect of

increasing development costs through in-creased expenditures for soil stabili-

zatio.n. More importantly, destruction of the barrier dune places lives and

property in jeopardy during extreme weather events.

T-he destruction of vegetation through development, lumbering, and grazing
on the inland dune has had a similar effect. The moving sands from once stable

dunes are gradually swallowing up parts of the most desirable locations for
development and recreation in Dare County will be destroyed.

The active beach area it the most dynamic portion of the Outer Banks.

The continual deposition and erosion of sand by the action of wind and water

make this area unsuitable for development; yet, some new construction is being

permitted in many active beach areas. The potential forloss.of life and

property is great.

The marsh areas of the Dare County have come under the close control of

state and federal agencies. Development on lands contiguous to the marsh

areas also presents a problem. Since at this time the only means of,sewage

treatment in the Dare Beaches is by individual septic tanks, the seepage of

waste water into the marsh areas could endanger their continued support of

many fish and wildlife species.

Some subdivisions with lots of insufficient size to support a septic tank

system will requi-re close monitoring to insure they do not endanger public

health or safety through pollution of groundwater supplies or shellfish waters.

This type of development occurred before the present county ordinances*were

adopted and serve as an example for the necessity of conscientious enforce-

ment of good development standards.

Areas Likely To Experience Major Changes In Predominant Land Use

A. Dare Mainland

The First.Colony Farms Operation covers the major portion of the Dare County

Mainland. This area has been predominantly used for timber production in the

past. Development plans call for the conversion of approximately 102,000.
acres of this land to pasture or row crop production with' the reservation

of around 75,000 acres as a wilderness area. In a study on the hydrology of

this region made by the U. S. Geological Survey the authors caution. that since

this conversion requires the construction of a dense network of*drainage

channels and may, in time, require large quantities of water-for irrigation

and other purposes that some important problems seem likely to result from

the developments in the region. In their relative order of occurrence in

time, they are:

1. Changes in water quality of the sounds and estuaries resulting
from the rapid runoff of storm waters containing dissolved
material and bacteria harmful to the fishery resources.

2. Relatively rapid subsidence of the land surface in an irregular
pattern in the extensive areas underlain by thick organic soils
as a result of biochemical oxidation, past fires, and wind storms-

.3. Acceleration of salt-water encroachment in both shallow and deep
aquifers as a result of land drainage and increased withdrawals
of ground water for irrigation and other uses.

Although none of these problems can be completely avoided, some of their

adverse effects can be significantly reduced by the application of presently

avail.able technology. The development and enforcement of sound policies

can assure the application of the technology. The development of policies

applicable to the region must be done with full realization of the economic

benefits of the agricultural,developments and of the fishery and other

resources of the area to both the State and the Nation. Because it is not

possibl.e to protect any one resource without due consideration of the others,

solutions to the problems will require cooperation of both public agencies

and private interests.

.B. Wanchese
The developme nt of the major fishing port with dock 'facilities and sea-

food processing plants will mean a great intensification of existing land use

within the Village of Wanchese. The commercial, fishing complex is being

developed by the State of North Carolina and the Federal government at a

cost approaching $15 million.

The State Ports Authority will operate the Wanchese Harbor complex, to be

built on a 20-acre tract donated by landowners and Dare County.

The port will be the most completely integrated seafood facility in the

country and is considered by top State.officials to be the key to development

of North Carolina's seafood industry.

Included in the master plan are grading and earthwork, concrete sheet

pile bulkhead, hardstand surface, access road, storm drainage, electrical

distribution and overhead lights, reconstruction of existing fuel,dock, water

system, sewerage system, administration building, finger piers, and seafood

unloading and transfer facilities.

The center is designed to comply with rigid environmental water and air

standards, including individual vessel discharge outlets to a central dis-

posal.system.

The port at Wanchese will provide space on which private industry may

construct much needed seafood receiving and processing plants, and other enter-

prises to support the seafood indu stry on land leased from the Authority and

created by the Authority as a result of the harbor development. All the basic

facilities will be provided such as: water, sewer, street access, shore power,

bulkhead, docking facilities, potable water supply, sewerage collection,* and

treatment facilities.

An analysis of the economic impact on northeastern North Carolina

resulting from the development of Wanchese Harbor and the*deepening and

sta bilization of Oregon Inlet recently prepared by the Division of Commerce

and Industry, estimates $30 million in capital,investment and inexcess of

600 new jobs during the five year period following construction.

CURRENT PLANSj POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

1. The following plans, policies and regulations are.currently in effect:

Dare County General- Development Plan (1974)

A land use plan which designates future land use in various are as as

Residential, Recreation, Agricultural Production, Forest Production or

Conservation. The Plan proposes a County Center, Community Center and

Neighborhood Center Concept through the county. The plan was prepared by

Envirotek.

Engineerin'g Report on Water and Sewer Facilities (1973)

The study projects requirements for water and sewer facilities through

2020 for the Roanoke Island and North Dare Beaches area. A previous study

outlines the service area and requirements for the Hatteras Island portion

of the county. Current engineering studies,are underway.to provide the

facilities discussed in those plans.

Flood Insurance Regulations (1972)

The County Building Inspector enforces the provisions of the Dare County

Flood Insurance Regulations for structures located in flood prone areas of the

County. All of the susceptible unincorporated lands of the County and are

covere d under the emergency program and the Sout'hern Shores Area is designated

under the permanent program.

Zoning Ordinance-

The most recent revision of the zoning text and map were adopted in

November, 1975. The Kitty Hawk Beaches Area, the Southern Shores Area and

the North End of Roanoke Island are included in the county's zoning juris-

diction. The zoning ordinance divides the county into districts and regulates..

And restricts the use of land, buildings, structures within these zoning

districts. The ordinance is enforced by the Zoning Administrator.

Subdivision Regulations

The current subdivision regulations were adopted in 1972 and the'Planning

Board has recently recommended subst antial revisions. The subdivision regu-

lations govern the arrangement of lots and streets in new subdivisions, the

provision of improvements as neces-sary and sets standards for developable

property. New subdivisions must'be reviewed by the County Planning Board and

approved by the Board of Commissioners.

Dune Protection Ordinance (1971)

The ordinance requires a permit from.Coun'ty or Town Building Inspectors

before altering any sand dune or the vegetation thereon and requires a set-

back of 150' from mean high water of the Atlantic Ocean.

Building Permits

The County Building Inspector enforces the N. C. Building Code in Dare

County.

Improvements (Septic Tank) Permi.ts

Septic tank permits.are issued by the County Health Department. A

Sanitarian checks the soil characteristics, water table and drainage of each

lot before a permit is issued. Septic tanks, distribution boxe's and drain

lines are inspected in place beforeithey are covered.

SECTION II

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES

Alternatives Considered in the Development of Objectives
Policies and Standards

The Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 requires that land.use plans be

adopted for each of the twenty coastal.counties named.in the.Act. If any

county fails, to develop its own plan, it is to be done.for that county by an

agency of the State. The Dare County Commissioners notified the State that

the citizens of Dare intended to develop their own plan. Immediately, Dare

residents became aware that they were going to be required to face the future

squarely by planning not only for the very near future but for generations

to come.

A questionnaire was used as a basis to offer planning alternatives as to

how Dare should grow and develop, identify issues which were seen as. problems

by citizens, and determine objectives of the Land Use Plan.

Citizens were asked to indicate the degree of encouragement or discourage-

ment which they felt should be given to the following topics: agriculture;

fishing industry; tourism; forestry-; construction; research/development industry;

light industry (warehou-sing assembly etc.); heavy industry; residential develop-

ment; single family residences; high rise residences; low rise multi-family

residences; preservation of open space; new and improved cultural facilities

(libraries, art galleries, theaters etc.); increased accessibility to Dare

County; improved tourist facilities (convention centers, etc. urban growth;

protection of residential areas from encroachment by co-mercial or industri.al

enterprise; preservation of.wildlife.habitat; regulation of dunes and shore-

line; and soil conservation.

In responding to the questionnai re, citizens were asked to indicate their

degree of concern with such problem areas as water supply, traffic congestion,

sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, high rise construction, lack of medical

services, limitations on building height, pollution of oceans and sounds, over-

population, commercialization, small lots, lack of open space, lack of recrea-

tional facilities, destruction of dunes and beaches, lack of job diversifica-

tion, lack of comforts and convenienceso lack of drainage, erosion by wind

and water, lack of economic development, lack of industry, lack of planning,

infringement upon individual rights, lack of county services, controlled

growth, and control of natural resources.

The interests and concerns expressed by the citizens of Dareduring

this process became the basis-for the goals and policies which will guide

future growth in Dare County. Appendix A contains a copy of the citizen

survey questionnaire and a summary of the results.

1.19

IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF mAibR LAND USE ISSUES

The citizens of Dare County have identified some major problems which

directly affect the quality of l'iving in the County. These issues are

interrelated but will be treated in separate categories for the purpose of

stating the objectives of this plan.

A. Population and Economic Trends.

Dare County is faced with an expansion of its population at a rate which

is beyond the present capacity for util'ities and services to accommodate.

The population of Dare County is increasingly older which reflects a declining

birth rate and the influx of retirees. The Outer Banks of the County are

its major attraction and it is there that the growth isoccurring. The

Outer Banks are also-among the'most fragile areas of the County and therefore

the impact of any improper development is most apparent.

The heavy dependence upon tourism as the ec onomic base for Dare County

places the County in an unstable position with regard to employment and in-

come from sales and services which reflect the seasonal nature of tourism.

Historically, Dare County residents earned their living from the sea, sounds,

and forests. It is only in recent years that these stabilizing influences

have declined in relative importance.

.B. Housing and Community Services

Development in Dare County is presently dependent largely upon indivi-

dual wells for water supply and septic tanks for sewage tanks for sewage

disposal. As long as population density is low, the well and septic tank

system is acceptable.

When the number of wells and septic tanks increase on the predominantly

sandy soils found in Dare County, the quality of the ground water supply drops
to an unacceptable level and the quality of water in the soundsis affected so

that vital shellfish producing areas are endangered. An adequa-te water supply

and a safe method of sewage dieposal are the keys to thoughtful development.

The health and social services needs of Dare Countybecome more critical

as the population increases. The lack of readily available medical treat-

ment is a major concern to Dare County residents.

> Other services which are necessary for orderly growth include the

sanitary disposal of trash and garbage, adequate law enforcement, and fire

protection, a balanced education system to meet the needs of youth and the

increasing numbers of residents who seek education beyond high school, and

expanded cultural and recreation facilities to serve permanent residents.

Residential neighborhood-characteristics important to the pe ople of

Dare County are those which typify the existing communities with single

family residences set in quiet areas free from the encroachment of commercial

or industrial development. Structures which are not in scale with the low

profile of vegetation and land features of Dare County have an undesirable

affect on the community character and life-style traditional to the Outer

Banks.

C. Productive Natural Resources

The waters surrounding Dare County are among the most productive in the

world. The breeding grounds for shellfish and fin fish in the sounds yield

impressive catches which are sought not only in the sounds but by the com-

mercial fisheries of other nations in the Atlantic within sight of the Outer

Banks. The land area of Dare County is also richly productive. Forestry

and agriculture contribute to the natural wealth of.the County. The use of

.the land as a base for recreational activities has recently overshadowed

fishing, forestry, and farming however.

The land and water are so closely.related in Dare County that the use

of the one directly affects the other. In order to conserve the producti-

vity of both the land and the water it is necessary to examine these effects

carefully and determine the best way to manage their use.

D. the Natural Environment

Man is a part of the natural environment of the Outer Banks. Histori-

cally, man's impact on the Outer Banks has been small. In few numbers, man

has been able to live in balance with nature along a coast which is ever

changing in reaction to the forces of wind and wave. As the numbers increase,

so does the impact. We are now in a critic al period of the development of

Dare County when,the adverse impact of,human activity is becoming apparent

in the closing of shellfish waters because of pollution, the loss of valuable

wildlife habitat to accommodate construction and other detrimental activities.

The citizens of Dare County seek to encourage wise development of their

land and water environment but not at the cost of destroying the natural

things that attract people to the area.

E. Cultural and Historic Resources

"The Land of Beginnings" is an appropriate motto for the County that saw

the first English colony in America and man's first powered flight. Dare

County has played an important part in the development of this country and

has a rich cultura.1 heritage that is one of her greatest assets.

The recognition of the significance of the County's more recent past

may point the way to the kind of development and growth which could

stabilize the economic base of the County and instill a sense of community

among the resident s. The tradition of villages located in stable, sheltered

areas along the Outer Banks, on Roanoke Island, and on the mainland is

characteristic of that breed of Dare C ounty residents who fished her waters

and saved lives on her shores during the past two hundred years. This

village tradition should be encouraged and reinforced through development

standards.

F. Transportation

The rapid growth of tourism is already causing transportation problems

in the County. Further, continued development of the Currituck Outer Banks

Will pose the growing threat of a transportation corridor to the north of

Dare County. Unlimited access to and from the tidewater cities in Virginia

would create a north-south thoroughfare along the Dare Banks with deves-

tating impact on the natural environment and on the qualities of living in

the area.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

The intent of this policy statement is to set the framework for a

balanced plan to protect and preserve those cultural and physical features

unique to the coastal environment and guide the orderly development of the

land and water resources of the County in a manner which Will insure their

continued enjoyment-by future generations of Dare County residents and visi-

tors.

In the Public Participation Program, the citizens of Dare County expres-

sed their concern with the qualities of living in Dar e C.ounty which seem to

them most important and most endangered by present trends. These qualities

are:

1. The freedom from pollution and population pressures,

enjoyed by Dare County today.

2. The natural environment of. the County and the various

recreational activities associated with it.

3. The slow pace of living in Dare County.

4. The privacy available in Dare County.

The preservation and enhancement of these qualities which make Dare

County attractive to its permanent residents and visitors alike will be

the major objectives sought in the Dare County Land Use Plan.

POLICIES FOR DEVELOPMENT

In.keeping with the expressed desires of its citizens,'the following

policies have been adopted to guide the physical, cultural ahd.economic

development of the County:

a. To undertake a pattern of land use which places high importance

on the protection and conservation of Dare County's unique environmerit.
b. To undertake a pattern of land use which will provide a broad range

of living, working and recreational opportunities for permanent and seasonal
residents.

c. To undertake a pattern of balanced residential and commercial land

use based on the availability of adequate utilities and services.

d. To undertake a pattern of land use to provide for the concentration.

of commercial services and facilities in suitable growth centers such as

the establishe.d towns and areas permitting such development.

e. To maintain tourism and the recreation industry as a major contri-

butor to the economic well being of the County.

f. To mai,ntain Dare County's heritage as a fishing center and to

encourage the provision of modern seafood processing facilities in the County

to help insure its viability and growth.

9. To encourage the County's tradition of independent craftsmen and

of trades such as boatbuilding and netmaking, to more fully utilize labor

resources available in the area.

h. To encourage the establishment of a center for wholesaling, ware-

housing and distributi.on of goods and services in support of the tourist

industry in a suitable location in Dare County.

i. To encourage intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in

Dare County in the interest of working jointly toward the accomplishment of

goals.

j. To undertake to work with neighboring Counties and with State and

.Federal agencies toward the objective of making the Outer Banks a destina-

tion area instead of a major traffic throughway.

k. Community services and facilities will be established only in

suitable areas.

1. The towns of Kill Devil Hills, Manteo and Nags Head are designated

as growth centers and will provide a nucleus of the services an d util.ities

necessary'to support desirable development. Within each town detailed land

use categories will be assigned through the development codes of each juris- ,

diction.

The County has adopted and will continue to enforce regulations to

control the subdivision of land, to prevent the destruction of barrier dunes

along the ocean, to control the quality of water supplies, to control the
installation and maintenance of sewage disposal systems, to control con-'

struction of flood-prone areas, and to control. the use of land where the

intensity,of development is greatest.

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

The development of land and water areas wi,thin Dare County should be under-

taken in accordance with sound resource management principles in order to.

make the mos t economic use of public funds invested in services and to en-

hance private investment in the long term future of Pare County. jhe follow-

ing standards will guide the location of development in appropriate areas

and identify certain measures necessary to insure safety and convenience

for residents of and visitors to Dare County.

A. General Standards

(1) Development should be located on stable, well-drained soils with

a relatively low water table.

(2) Structures should be located on the development site to avoid
the destruction of natural vegetation wherever possible.

.(3) Structures should be located on site to avoid the alteration of

natural land form and drainage where possible.

(4) Development should be located to minimize interference with

established patterns of surrounding land use and to prevent con-

flict between incompatible uses of land and water.

(5) Development should be located to avoid the destruction or

irretrievable alteration of fragile or valuable natural or

cultural resources.

(6) Development should not occur in areas where there is a demonstrated

danger of the loss of life or property due to natural or man-made

processes.

(7) Development in areas subject to coastal flooding should be

designed and located to minimize the damage caused by such flooding.

(8) Development should b e located and.timed to make the most efficient

and economical use of existing or proposed public services including

water, sewer, solid waste disposal, public safety, schools, libraries

and social services.

B. Residential Standards

(1) Permanent neighborhoods should be located in sheltered areas pro-

tected from-encroachment by major transportation routes and in-

compatible commercial development.

(2) Permanent neighborhoods should maintain low density levels and

large amounts of useable open space to.preserve the privacy and

aesthetic appeal which characterize the traditional settlements

in Dare County.

(3) Seasonal and vacation residences-should be located with conven-.

ient access to transportation routes and recreational activities.
(4) Residential deve lopment which*requires septic tanks for sewage

disposal should follow current health requirements as to soil

type, height of water table and area to prevent pollution of

ground water supply, aquifer recharge areas or estuarine waters.
(5) Development which results in residential densitie.s over 3 families
per acre should be served by public or community sewage disposal

systems.

C. Commercial Standards

(1) General commercial activities, business and tour ist services require

locations adjacent to major thoroughfares. The uncontrolled

development of commercial sites at scattered locations along high-

ways does not promote good business, is inconvenient for shoppers

(especially tourists unfamiliar with the area), promotes inefficient

use of valuable developable land, creates dangerous traffic.conflicts

at each driveway entrance, and seriously impairs the capacity and

function of the highway. Therefore, commercial development should

be concentrated in groups of complementary uses where possible.

(2) 'Small commercial enterprises of less than one acre are encouraged

to locate where suitable sites exist among existing,commercial uses

in order to take advantage of combined drawing power and to increase

customer convenience.

(3) Large scale commercial developments involving one acre or more are

encouraged to concentrate complementary.uses on sites large enough

to provide ample parking, controlled access to hi.ghways, and suit-

able buffering for adjacent residential use.

(4) Convenience.retail facilities designed and limited to serve neigh-

borhood level trade areas-only may be appropriat e adjacent to some

residential neighborhoods if properly buffered to minimize impact

on adjacent residences.

(5) Since the natural beauty of Dare County is one of her greatest

attractions to tourists and permanent residents, advertising

struc tures should be located only where they do not obscure or

detract from that natural beauty. Suitably located tourist infor-

mation centers will provide the travelling public with an oppor-

tuni ty to sample the hospitality of Dare County and provide the

necessary information as to accommodations, rates, availability,

services, entertainment, and points of scenic, historic and cultural

interest without distracting motor vehicle operators and detracting

from the scenery.

(6) Water related commercial.activity such as marinas.and piers should
be located in naturally protected.areas as near deep water as pos-

sible where the least amount of alteration of vital marsh and'

estuarine bottom is required.

.D. Industrial Standards

(1) Industries locating in Dare County will be required to provide an

assessment of the impact of primary and secondary development

caused,by the industry and should use the best available.technology

to avoid pollution of the water or air during construction and

in production.

(2) Industries which are not entirely dependent upon waterfront loca-

tions should be located elsewhere.

(3) The development of the Port of Wanchese will set'sitandards for

the control of processing waste,',site drainage and other industrial

parameters which should be met by other industrial development..

PROCESS USED TO DETERMINE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The Dare County Commissioners assigned the.task of overseeing the

preparation of a CAMA Land Use Plan to the Dare County Planning Board. The

County Planning Board consists of five members who represent the five major

geographic divisions of the county; the- mainland, Roanoke Island, Kitty

Hawk and the North end of the Outer Banks, Bodie Island, and Hatteras Island.

In October of 1974 the Chairman of.the Dare County Planning Board called

a meeting between the County Planning Board and the Planning Boards of the.

three municipalities in the county, Kil 1 Devil Hi.lls, Nags Head and Manteo,

to review and to make recommendations on the proposed Guidelines for Local

Planning that had been published by the Coastal Resources Commission. A

steering committee was appointed to determine how the public participation

requirements of the guidelines could be met in Dare County.

The steering committee proposed that an individual from each of the

recognized communities in the county be appointed to serve as a contact

person for that community. Each community contact person had a knowledge

of his area and its residents. The contact person was responsible for

disseminating information to the citizens about CAMA and for gathering

their input to the Land Use Plan.

The steering committee prepared a questionnaire and a slide presen-
tation for citize'ns' groups such as civic clubs, fraternal organizations,

garden clubs, and any other organized gathering.

The questionnaires were used to identify issues which are seen as

problems by the citizens and to provide a basis for defining the goals for

the Land Use Plan.

No formal group,structure was suggestedfor the community contact

people due to the diverse nature of the communities and the need for.an

approach which was flexible enough to do the job as well i-n a tourist

center like Nags Head as in the fishing village of Wanchese or'one of the

retirement communities on the Banks. A list of existing organizations

within the county was compiled and each was contacted with the offer of a'

program consisting of one of the members of the steering committee as a
speaker and the sl.ide show/questionna.ire package.
Over 18% of the population of Dare County responded.to the questionnaire

and the majority of them included thoughtful'additional comments concerning

the development of this County. The interest and concern of local residents

is reflected in their desire to participate in the continuation of the

planning program.

The success of this program in-Dare County represents the personal

involvement by many citizens-and the local news media. An article appeared

in almost every issue of the Coastland Times since January, 1975, concerning

some aspect of the CAMA. A weekly broadcast on radio station WOBR featured

local officials and citizens speaking on the CAMA and Land Use Planning in

Dare.County. In addit,ion, television appearances by county officials,

bulletins, leaflets and newsletters were used to inform the public.

The interests and concerns expressed by the citizens of Dare County

during this process became the basis for the goals and policies which will

guide future growth in Dare County.

SECTION III

CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT

DARE COUNTY CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT
The following outline and discussion identify-the areas within Dare County
which could be recognized as constraints on undeveloped land as required in
the State Guidelines under the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974.

.I. Physical Limitations for Development
A. Hazard Areas
1. Man-made
2. Natural
a. Ocean Erodible Areas
1. Location and Extent of Dare County Beaches
2. Shoreline Changes
3. Littoral Drift
4. Inlet Changes,
5. Storm Recession Forecasts
b. Estuarine Erodible Areas

B. Areas with Soil Limitations
1. Soil Associations in Dare County
2. County Soil Map and Soil Interpretation Chart

C. Sources of Water Supply
Groundwater
2. Surface Water
D. Areas With Steep Slopes

II. Fragile Areas
A. Coastal Wetlands
B. Sand Dunes Along the Outer Banks
C. Ocean Beaches and Shorelines
D. Estuari-ne Waters
E. Public Trust Waters
F. Complex.Natural Areas
1. Natural Areas Designations in "Potential for Outdoor
Recreation in Dare County, N.C."
2. Maritime Forests and Fresh Water Ponds
a. 'Nags Head Woods
1. Flora
2. Fauna
@3. Durant Island
4. Dare County Pocosin

G. Areas that Sustain Remnant Species
1. Rare and Endangered Animals
2. Rare and Unique Plant Species
H. Registered Hatural. Landmarks
I. Historic Areas

III. Areas With Resource Potential
A. Productive Agricultural Lands
B. Potentially Valuable Mineral Sites
C. Publicly Owned Parks
D. Wildlife Sanctuaries

1. PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ON DEVELOPMENT

Physical Limitations on Development are areas likely to have conditions
making development costly or causing undesirable consequences if developed.
As seen in the preceeding outline, a discussion on physical limitations should
include.Hazard Areas, Areas with Soil Limitations., and Sources of Water Supply.

-A. Both Man-made and Natural Hazard Areas-should be considered. Man-made
hazard are@_as @within Dare County include the airport located in Manteo, the
airstrips located in Kill Devil Hills and Hatteras, as well as 'the bombing
range located on the mainland. Natural hazard areas include Ocean Erod-ible
Areas and Estuarine Erodi,ble Areas which are discussed in.the_T_o_1_1o_-wTng
@_aragraphs_.

.Ocean Erodible Areas

These areas are defined in the State Guidelines as the area above mean
high water where excessive erosion has a high probability of occurring.
Ocean erodible areas are extremely dynamic lands highly susceptible to
becoming completely displaced by' water.

The active beach area consists of the beach and'the outer barrier dune..
During normal wind and tide conditions, the beach'front absorbs the energy of
the waves, and it is regularly inundated by tides. During extreme weather
conditions, the outer barrier dune serves as the island's first line of
defense against the sea.

Two important processes occurin the a ctive beach area--one is the normal
process of deposition and erosion of sand by winds and waves, and the other
is the occasional breaching of the barrier dune and the resulting overwash
caused by storms. Studi 'es have shown that the combinationof erosion and over-
wash produce a slow westward movement of the island. Under natural conditions,
the beach is erodi 'ng inland, and the soundside shore is extending into the
sound at approximately the same rate.

An article on the Outer Banks by Collier Cobb of UNC in the National
Geographic Magazine stated that at one time the area was thickly forested
up to the water's edge. After the Civil War, Bodie and Hatteras Islands
were deforested for ship timbers, hence, initiating the erosion that has
affected the area up to the present.

Alteratio n through improper development in.the active beach area appears
to produce an acceleration of the natural processes. Development in th ,e active
beach area must be considered from the standpoint of high potential loss of
life and property, the destruction of the natural landscape, and destruction
of the island's barrier against the forces of the sea. Both forms of destruc-
tion will have major economic consequences.

Location and Extent of the Dare County Beaches

Bodie Island - The island is lined on the ocean side with a 33-mile
stretch of beach from Dare-Currituck County line to Oregon.Inlet. The island
varies in width from about one-half to two miles. The area from the southern
boundary of Nags Head to Oregon Inlet is under the care of the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreation Area and the National Park Service., The princi-
pal communities in the island are Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk.
Hatteras Island - The shoreline west of Cape Hatteras is a 13-mile stretch
which is rather @traight towards to the west to Hatteras Inlet with a small
concave portion close to the Cape.. To the north of the Cape is a 39-mile
stretch of coastline consisting mainly of two straight sections and a convex
section towards the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Rodanthe. The i sland
is very narrow except in the area near the Cape.

The principal towns or communities are Rodanthe, Waves', Salvo, Avon, and
Buxton north of Cape Hatteras, and Frisco and Hatteras in the western segment.
The resident populati'on live within the limits of these communities; the re- ,
mainder of the island in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area
is practically uninhabited except for the Coast Guard Stations located therein.

Shoreline Changes*

Two changes in the ocean shoreline of the area have been determined by
comparing surveys made by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey until 1860,
aerial photographs of the area, and a survey made by the Corps of Engineers
in 1958. Findings gathered by Langfelder et. al. (1M) and Whals (1973)
on the coastal erosion of the N. C. Coastline were also employed.

Athearn and Ronne (1963) in their study of shoreline changes in the
vicinity of Cape Hatteras, pointed out that erosion of the south beach at the
Cape was. quite impressive. At the southwest section, the loss between 1945
and 1953 amounted to 1,500 feet measured roughly along the high water line.
The orientation of the beach changed substantially. The former trend was
west-northwest to east-southeast; since 1953, the trend has been west to east.
Most of the erosion was said to be confined to a pie-shaped wedge near the
point, apparently with little change occurring farther west.- Another 300
feet was lost between 1953 and 1953; however, the dune stabilization program
of the National Park Service somewhat stabilized with some accretion observed.

House Document No. 763, 80th Congress (1948) reported from d ata gathered
between 1343 and 1934 an average annual accretion of 0.3 foot over the 56 miles
of shoreline from the Virginia State line southward. The area of erosion was
noted at a section where the coast changes direction between 50 and 80 miles
from the Virginia State line. Between Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Inlet, an
average erosion of 2.2 feet per year was observed. At-Cape Hatteras itself,
a progressive erosion has been experienced from 1843 to 1934 with the eastern
face averaging 21 feet per year. The southwestern face of the Cape has ac-
creted at an average of 24.2 feet per year. The net change indicated a loss
of 127 acres for the immediate vicinity of the Cape.
From Coastal Erosion by Jerry Machemehl.

The study made in 1947 by the Corps of Engineers of shoreline changes
in the Nags Head area from 32 to.66 miles from the Virginia State line
showed a mixed pattern of erosion and accretion. Erosion occurred at most
stations prior to 1935. From 1935.,to 1937 accretion prevailed. Likewise,
from 1937 to 1939 more sections experienced accretion than erosion. However,
the net result for all the area except for that close to inlets was erosion
of from 5 to 95 feet, or a maximum rate of nearly 12 feet per year. From
1931 to 1939, there was a recession of 1.,020 feet at the area near the north
side of Oregon Inlet, but an accretion of 165 feet at the south side. The
area north of New Inlet accreted 35 feet during the.same period.- An exami-
nation of figures I and 2 reveals the amount of erosion or accretion which
has occurred during the period 1949-1971 along the Dare County barrier chain.

Littoral Drift

The predominant littoral drift was as expected in the shoreline north
of Cape Hatteras, would be southward. Wave action accounts mostly@fpr the
marked predominance of the southward drift. The predominance of the south-
ward drift has been further confirmed by southward migration of inlets and
southward trailing of underwater spits at Cape Hatteras. The closure of
most of the breaches through the barrier beach early in their development
could also explain the fact that the volume of littoral material, bei-ng.moved
is quite large.

The direction of the littoral drift is easterly from Hatteras Inlet to
Cape Hatteras per the findings of Langfelde 'r et. al. (1963). This accounts
for the considerable accretion of material around Cape Hatteras where this
easterly drift meets the southerly drift coming from the north of the Cape.
The amount of accretion in this portion ranges from 30,000 to 400,00 cubic
yards, increasing in the direction of the Cape.

Inlet Changes

The north tip of Ocracoke Island receded southwesterly covering a
distance of 8,100 feet, an average annual rate of about 30 feet. The south
tip of Hatteras Island advanced southwesterly a-bout 3,200 feet, an average
annual rate of 30 feet. The width of Hatteras Inlet increased from 3,500
feet in 1852 to about 8,400 feet Jn 1958. Welch (1885) did some research
work on the account of the cutting through of Hatteras Inlet where he found
that there is substantial evidence from many reliable sources that this
inlet was opened during a great gale on September 7, 1846.

From available records, Oregon Inlet is the other inlet besides Ocra-
coke and Hatteras that has remained open at all times in the area. Numerous
other inlets along the co 'ast have closed, or opened and closed during this
time. New Inlet was artificially opened in 1924, closed and then opened
alternately and finally closed again in 1947 joining up Pea Island with
10 Hatte .ras Island. Oregon Inlet is an opening in the barrier beach 40 miles
north of Cape Hatteras and 80 miles by ocean from Ocracoke Inlet.
0

SCALE: I inch 8 miles
DARE COUNTY CURRITUCK COUNTY
-Z, r _j
E
0,
Knotts
090 Manteo CURRITUCK -SOLIND lsland@-@
o, C::
& us --Z Y
N 12 40 1,,*
.9, VIRGINIA
11%
E 00f

Erosion
Dune -3.4 -3.2 -5.1 -5.1 -3.7 -1.9 -1.0
Line 2.9 1.2
Accretion

Erosion
High -2.0 1 -0.3 -2.3 -3.6 -2.8 -0.1 1 J
Water 0.7
Line 0.5

Accretion
1949-1971 Data 1952 - 1971 Data

FIGURE I

COMPOSITE MEAN ANNUAL RATES OF CHANGE
(FEET PER YEAR) FOR DUNELINE AND
HIGH WATER LINE IN CURRITUCK AND
NORTHERN DARE COS. FOR 1949-1971
04 tM t @eo
V
o, C::

V
0
A

SCALE: 1 inch 8 mites
0,
N,

HYDE COUNTY DARE COUNTY

Ocracoke
0 llp

01,
'PAMLICO SOUND 0

Hatteras

0
Due%, 0S
timb - - own
--j 2.9
C)
A-1
3@2 .41!

Ck
Ou

NiRh .6
wat"
Line

3,S Eros.
for?

\Nater
Line
Accretion
Data
Data

FIGURE 2
-ICO @r-ou

COMPOSITE MEAN ANNUAL RATES OF CHANGE
(FEET PER YEAR) FOR DUNE LINE AUG
HIGH WATER LINE IN HYDE AND S="B@
DARE COS. FOR 1962-1971

Records have shown that the width of Oregon Inlet was 2,770 feet at the
baseline sometime in 1931. It had widened to 4,300 feet in 1935 and varied
in width from 4,000 feet in 1936, 4,300 feet in 1937, and 4,350 feet in 1939.
The increase in width was nearly equal on both sides of the inlet during the
period, so it was concluded it has no tendency to migrate except for its
previous history, that it moved southward about 1-1/2 miles in 65 years prior
to this period.

The existence and histories of inlets in the area were determined from
maps, surveys, charts and reports previously made. The oldest reliable
record is a map of the coastal section from the Virginia State line to Cape
Fear entitled "Chart of his Majesty's Province of North Carolina," signed
by James Wimble in 1738. It.has been shown that since that time both
Ocracoke and Hatteras,Inlets migrated in a southwesterlydirection.

Storm Recession Forecasts

Storm erosion of beaches and dunes of the Dare County coast has always
occurred, but it has not been a serious economic problem until recently
when increased development of beachfront property has taken place. In some
locations, structures have been built seaward of the beach storm recession
line and have sustained considerable damage. In 1973, Knowles et. al
presented the results of a study to determine the expected storm induced
beach erosion for storm occurrency of one in twenty-five, one in fifty, a.nd
one in a hundred year frequencies. This erosion study provides preliminary
information needed for coastal land management. The calculated storm rec-
essions for each of the piers analyzed in Dare Co.unty are presented in Table

The storm induced recession prediction presented here is considered to
be useful for determining the distance from the toe of the primary dune in
which any structures might be considered to be in danger. However, if a
building setback line is to be established, additional factors such as long
time erosion, continuity of the dunes, size and shape of the dunes, potential
for overwash and other existing features should be considered.

RESULTS OF BEACH RECESSION STUDY FOR NORTH CAROLINA COASTLINE

County and Dune Height Toe of Dune Recession from toe of dune (ft)
Pier Name (ft. above Height(ft) Dist. from for,three storms with specific
MSL) from MSL MHW(ft) return frequencies in years

Dare County 1/25 1/50 1/100

Kitty Hawk 19.6 12.1 215 11 34 54

Avalon 18.5 9.3 150 40 94

Nags Head 22.9 7.6 112 94 .107 126@

Outer Banks* 30.0 4.1. 75 69 73 78

Hatteras Island 21.7 2.2 102 99 104 108

Cape Hatteras* 24.0 8.8 61 57 66 74

Source: "A Preliminary Study of Storm Induced Beach Erosion For N. C."

Estuarine, Sound Erodible Areas

These areas are defined as the area above ordinary high water where
excessive erosion has a high probability of occurring. The estuarine and.
sound and river erodible areas are natural hazard areas especially vulnerable
.to erosion. Development within this type landis subjected to the damaging
process of erosion unless'soecial development standards and preventive measures
are employed.

In determining the landward extent of this area, 25 and 100 year reces-
sion.figures are projected for certain reaches of the Dare County.mainland.
This inventory was undertaken by the State Soil Conservation Service and is
available at the present.time only for the Dare mainlands.

The reaches identified on Page 75,,Fig.. 3represe .nt segments of shore
which have similar erosive characteristics. The average width loss to erosion
was established by observing aerial photos over a twenty-two year period.
This figure represents the total.loss to erosion during that time. Estuarine
recession figures for Roanoke Island and the west portions of the barrier
islands will be available when further information is supplied by the State
Geologist.

ESTUARINE, SOUND AND RIVER EROSION IN DARE COUNTY

Reach No. 1
Average width lost to erosion 44.4 feet
Total length of shoreline .3.3 miles
Average,width lost to erosion per year 2.0 feet
25-year shore recession forecast 50 feet
100-year shore recession forecast 200 feet

Reach No. 2
Average width lost to erosion 44.0 feet
Total length of shoreline 4.1 miles
Average width lost to erosion per year 2.0 feet
25-year shore recession forecast @.50 feet
100-year shore recession forecast 200 feet

Reach No. 3
Average width lost to erosion .44.0 feet
Total length of shoreline 22.6 miles.
Average width lost to erosion per year 2.0 feet
.25-year shore recession forecast 50 feet
100-year shore recession forecast 200 feet

Reach No. 4
Average width lost to erosion 44.0 feet
Total length of shoreline 10.8 miles
Average width lost to erosion per year 2.0 feet
.25-year shore recession forecast 50 feet
100-year shore recession forecast 200 feet

Reach No. 5
Average width lost to erosion 44.0 feet
Total length of shoreline 8.7 miles
Average width lost to erosion per year 2.0 feet
.25-year shore recession.forecast 50 feet
100-year shore recession forecast 200 feet

Reach No. 6
Average width lost to erosion 44.0 feet
Total length of shoreline 9.3 miles
Average width lost to erosion per year 2.0 feet
25-year shore recession forecast 50 feet
100-year shore recession forecast 200 feet

Reach No. 7
Average wi'dth lost to erosion 44.0 feet
Total length of shoreline 23.2 miles
Average width lost to erosion per year 2.0 feet
25-year shore recession forecast 50.0 feet
100-year shore recession forecast 200.0 feet

Ile

LEGEND ESTUARINE EROSION
7k

REACH FIGURE 3
NORTH U

B. Areas with Soil Limitations*
Areas with soil' limitations are also considered as physical limitations
on development. Soils which occur together in a characteristic and repeating
pattern on the landscape constitute a general soil area or a Soil Association.
Soil Associations. are named for two or more of the most extensive soil types
found on a particular landscape. The less extensive soil types may not be
included in the Association name.

A.generalized soils map showing the locations and extent of six assoria-
tions in Dare County has been prepared. This map, along with the accompanying
text and interpretations, provides the general soils.data necessary for plan-
ning and 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 emphasized that this general soils map has been prepared for
broad planning purposes only. It does not accurately depict specific soil'
types on individual tracts of land and is ot-suitable for detailed planning
of such tracts. A more detailed soil survey is necessary for detailed planning.

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 six soil associations in Dare County are discussed in the following
pages. (The accompanying maps, legends and tables were prepared by the Soil
Conservation Service assisting the Pamlico Soil and Water Conservation District.)

1. PACTOLUS-WAKULA-WAGRAM ASSOCIATION:

Moderately well and well drained soils with gray to dark gray loamy sand sur-
face layers and loamy sand to sandy clay loam subsoils.

This association comprises about one percent (1%') of the county's total area.
It occurs*as a small isolated area around Mann's Harbor on the mainland and as
larger acreages on Roanoke Island around Wanchese and Manteo. Large acreages
of the association are also located on the northern end of the Outer Banks
around Kitty Hawk, Sound Landing, and Collington.

The majority of the acreage in this association is devoted to recreational
enterprises and urbanization. Agriculture is limited to small acreages and,
generally, is devoted to small garden plots.

*From "Soil Map and Interpretations, Dare County'. N. C,."

2. NEWHAN-COROLLA-DUCK ASSOCIATION:

Excessively drained moderately well and poorly drained gray sandy soils that
contain marine shells.

This association comprises about thirteen percent (13%) of the county's total
acreage. Soils of the association are found exclusively on the Outer Banks
and primarily on the eastern side of the chain from the Currituck line to
Hatteras in the South.

Soils of this association are unsuited for agriculture or forestry. They
generally have severe limitations for most potential uses and should be
considered as "high risk" areas for housing and industrial development. This
rating is based on soil characteristics as well as on their close proximity
to the ocean and susceptibility to wind and.water damage resulti.ng from storms
and hurricanes.

3. DARE-PUNGO-PONZER ASSOCIATION:

Very poorly drained soils with thick to moderately thick organic surface over
mineral subsurface layers ranging from sand to clays.

Soils of this association, along with other closely related organic and mineral
soils, comprise approximately seventy percent (70%) of the county's total area.,
This association represents even a larger percentage-of the total acreage.of
the Dare County mainland.

Organic soils, as differentiated from mine ral-sbils, are those in which 16
inches or more of the surface layer is composed predominantly of organic mat-
erials. In Date County,these organic soils represent a large.cross-section
of surface and subsurface conditions. Along with the unique nature.of these
organic soils comes a large variety of associated and complex management
problems.

The soils of this association are extremely wet year aroundi are extremely acid
unless limed, have large amounts of wood throughout the profile, contain high
percentages of unstable organic materials and are extremely susceptable to fire
when dry. The characteristics for organic soils of this association indicate
a limited potential for agriculture and forestry and essentially no potential
for industrial development. Agricultural development is taking place on these
soils but sound management practices and large capital investments are required.
Although corn, soybeans and small grains are potential crops for these soils,
indications are that these acreages may be best utilized for pasture or
forage crop production.

4. WASDA-BLADEN ASSOCIATION:

Very poorly and poorly drained soils with thin organic loam to silt loam
surface layers over firm clay loam or clay subsurface layers.

This association comprises approximately ten,percent (10%) of the county's
total acreage. It occurs as two large fairly homogenous areas on the main-
land of Dare County.* One large area is located in the west-central portion
of the county and the other area extends from East Lake community along Hig,h-
way 64 and runs in a northeast-southeast band to highway 264.

Only a very small percentage of this association is now under cultivation; this
acreage is located in the East Lake Community. However, plans for development
of tremendous acreages of this association are in progress. These soils
respond well to applications of lime and fertilizer but a complete drainage
System must be installed and maintained in order to off-set the high water
table and periodic flooding. Potential uses of soils in this association
are, therefore, limited to agriculture.and forestry.

5. CAPERS ASSOCIATION:

Very poorly drained soils with dark gray silty clay loam surface layers over.
silty clay subsoils.

This association comprises about five percent (5%) of the county's total acreage.
Capers soils make up approximately ninety percent (90%) of the association.
The Capers soils are associated almost exclusively with Tevel tidal flats and
estuaries bordering the Pamlico, Croatan, Currituck, and Albemarle Sounds.
These soils are flooded by saline or brackish water at least once per month
and in many areas, twice daily. Elevations for these soils range from sea
level'to approximately three feet abo've sea level. Their chief use is that
of a natural habitat for shore and water birds and animals. They are also
chief nutrient source for shellfish and other important estuary marine life;
Vegetation.consists chiefly of smooth cordgr'ass, black rush, glass wort, sea-
shore saltgrass, sea-oxeye, and other marsh related grass and-shrub species.

6. DUNE SAND ASSOCIATION:

Unstabilized and partially stabilized sand dunes.

This association comprises about one percent of the county's total acreage
and is found exclusively on Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks from Nags Head
to the Currituck Countyline. Jockey'-s Ridge is included in the association.

The Duneland areas are highly susceptible to wind erosion and in their natural
state are continually being shifted generally in a westward direction. Because
of the unstable character of these dunes, they generally support little or no
vegetation. Occasional clumps of bitter panicgrass and bayberry may be found
on the lower slopes. Slopes.generally range from 8 to 35 percent.

78'

C. Sources of Water Supply*

Areas Which contain the sources of water supply for the County could be
considered as physical limitations on development. The following.discussion
is concerned with the County's groundwater and surface water supplies.

Groundwater

Information on the subsurface geology of Dare County is primarily limited
to the study of well cuttings made throughout the area. It is generally ac-
cepted that the area was submerged during the Tertiary and Pleistocene periods.
Generally sandy materials of the Pleistocene-Pliocene Periods are encountered
to varying depths of approximately 180 feet. The materials are underlain by
sediments from the Miocene Period to depths of about 1600 feet.

Water bearing formations are found in both the surficial sands and deeper
units such as the Yorktown format.ion-found in the upper miocene sediments.
This non-artesian aquifer is the principal source of water supply inDare
County. Most wells on the mainland yield water from this aquifer. Test.data
indicate that the,area south of Mann's Harbor is ideal for the development of
large water supplies. This area includes or is adjacent to the center of
recharge and also the greatest thickness of the aquifer.

The principal aquifer extends beneath all of Roanoke Island and has been,
the source of water supplies for many years. Test wells show the southern
half of the.island to be very favorable for the development o.f relatively
large water supplies.
All fresh groundwater in the Dare Beaches area at least to the depth pe'ne-
trated by test wells, is derived from precipitation falling on the area.
According to data collected by the U. S. Geological Survey, aquifers that crop
out on the mainland to the west and extend beneath the Outer Banks contain
saline water. Present groundwater supplies on the "Banks" are obtained from
shallow wells, most of which are less than 40 feet.deep.

Surface Water

The obvious surface water features in the County are the A.Iligator.River
and the tidal waters of Roanoke Sound, Croatan, Albemarle and Pamlico Sound
at the Atlantic Ocean, which is close enough to have a definite salt spray
effect on the front line beach vegetation, and obviously affects weather condi-
tions. The numerous but peculiar freshwater ponds have a significant if not
total effect on the water supply in the Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills.area.
These lakes occur in the.Nags Head Woods area and are water-ta,ble lakes believed
to,be the product of wind-scooped depressions in this ancient dune section.

The lakes have large storage capacities. The volume of the largest lake
,(Fresh Water Lake) was measured at a time when the lake surface was at 9.4 feet
above mean sea level and the average maximum depth of the lake was 15 feet.
At that time, Fresh Water Lake contained approximately 90 million gallons of
water and its surface covered approximately 35 acres. The other unnamed fresh
water lakes in this area are smaller than Fresh Water Lake but their aggregate
water volume would be'sizeable. The lakes are recharged by rainfall and by in-
flow from the upper aquifer.

*From Van Oesen R@@qional Water System

D. Areas Which Exceed 12% Slope
The incidence of areas which*exceed 12%' slope comprise a very small percent-

age,of total acreage within the county. With the exception of the liv e dune

areas of Jockey's Ridge and certain sectors of the frontal dune system, the

steep slopes within the county are stabilized with natural vegetation. Areas

which exceed 12% slope within the County are:

(1) The relict dune system facing Roanoke Sound on the * Northeast
section of Roanoke Island. The dunes are stabilized with
vegetation. This area is subdivided and most of the land is
in residential use;

(2) The Jockey's Ridge live dune system;

(3) The maritime forest areas of Buxton Woods.and Nag@ Head Woods;

(4) The Wright Memorial at Kill Devil Hills;

(5) A small area of inland dunes south of Frisco; and

(6) The frontal dune system wi-thin the County.
Previously, it was emphasized that the.soils. map and text fo und in this
Land Use Plan were prepared for broad planning purposes only and of the need

for a more detailed soil survey for more detailed planning. This detailed

survey is presently being prepared by the Soil Conservation Service. The

Service has evaluated soil characteristics and related grading slope features

of property for development potentials in Dare County.

The texture of all soils types in areas which exceed 12% slope is sand.-

There are two major distinguishing features of these sandy beach soils which

.rel.ate.directly to their potential for quality urban development. These two

features are degree of wetness and degree of stabilization. Duneland, Newham

Fine Sand, and Fripp are the soil types found in steeply sloping areas within

the County.

Duneland is-defined as areas of well drained, sparsely vegetated (less

than 15%) and rapidly shifting sands. Therefore, the major consideration of

this soil is the lack of stabilizing vegetation. The high potential of shifting

sand can undermine or cover up structures and roads.

Newhan Fine Sand are deep,.well drained and excessively drained sands.

The permanent water table or seasonal high water table is well below 36 inches

and is generally greater than six feet. These soils are considered to be fairly

well stabilized as they have more than 40% of the surface vegetated. The soil

has good potential.for development and a graded angle can be steeper than on

Duneland due to natural vegetation.

Fripp soils are found in areas of 25 to 60% slopes on undulating to rolling

dunes commonly adjoining beaches and waterways along the coast. Most sites are

5 feet to.50 feet above mean sea level. Flooding is rare and only on the lower

slopes., This soil is excessively drained.with rapid permeability. Native veg-e-

tation for this soil consists of wax myrtle, live oak, slash pine,'loblolly and

longleaf pine, sand pine, sea oats, sea coast bluestem and beach grass. In

Dare County, this soil type is found in the Nags Head Woods area, with steep

slopes up to 60%, but covered with what appears to be virgin timber.

FRAGILE AREAS
Fragile areas are those areas which c'ould easily be destroyed by inappro-
priate or poorly planned development. The following discussion involves areas
which could be considered as fragile within Dare County.

A. Coastal Wetlands

Coastal wetlands are defined as any salt marsh or other marsh subject to
regular'or occasional flooding by tides, including wind tides (not to include-
hurricane or tropical storm tides). Salt marshland or other marsh shall be
those areas upon which grow some, but not necessarily all of the following.salt
marsh and marsh plant species. Smooth or salt water Cordgrass (Spartine alter-
niflora); Black Needlerush (Juncus romerianus); Glaswort (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 (Sparti.na cynosuroides).
South of Chesapeake Bay salt marshes typical of those along the'entire
South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts occur. These represent, in general, the best
development of salt marshes in the United States. In the southeastern states,
salt marshes are formed primarily in estuaries where major rivers, draining
large expanses of upland, deposit heavy silt burdens. They also form behind
barrier beaches (as along the North Carolina coast north of Cape Lookout), and
up bays and tributary rivers as far as there is an@influence of salt water.

In Dare County, the soundside shore.is. general ly covered by marshgrass.
The importance of these productive marsh areas has been emphasized and re-
emphasized over the past several years. Many species of fish and wildlife
which are an intricate part of the Dare economy are tied to these soundside
marsh areas for at least a part of their life cycles. Within the County there
are approximately 15,500 acres of irregularly flooded salt marshes and 500
acres of regularly flooded marshes.

Development on land continguous with mars.h areas also presents problems.
Presently the only means of treatment is septic tanks. Seepage of.wastewater
into the marsh areas could endanger the continued support of many fish and
wildlife species.

B. Sand Dunes Along the Outer Banks*

Sand dunes along the Outer Banks are considered fragile areas and,defined as
sand deposits of windblown (eo.lian) origin, whether or partly or wholly
vegetated with grasses, herbs, vi nes or woody plants.

The dunes comprise a major portion of the Outer Banks and represent a protec-
tive barrier for the sounds, estuaries, and the mainland. These sand deposits
represent a dynamic sy5tem that does not-afford long term protection for incom-
patible development. Development with inadequate design or construction may
be subject to substantial damage due to the adverse effects of wind and water..

The stabilizing factor in the beach environment is vegetation. The grasses,
shrubs, and trees common the Outer Banks area.tend to capture the moving sand,
while the roots of these plants tend to hold the sand in place, preserving
the protective dune system.

There is a zonal distribution of vegetation on the barrier islands, owing to
variations in wind exposure, water supply, soil salinity and soil nutrients.
The primary dune system is covered by hardy dune grasses which are able to
survive the typically harsh conditions of the active beach area. The presence
of these dune grasses is essential to maintenance of the primary dune system '
and its protective function. It is significant to note that these dune grasses
are able to withstand adverse wind and salt conditions, but like many plants,
they are unable to withstand trampling.

The secondary or inland dune system, is covered with mixed grasses and trees
with the backdune area primarily in forest cover. Like the dune grasses, the
vegetation on the secondary dune is highly important to the beaches. First,-
the vegetation covering this dune system is responsible for its stability.
@Second, although the relationship between the vegetation and the secondary
dune system and the groundwater supply has not.been quantified, it is'clear
that the two are interrelated.

The forests of the Outer Banks utili,ze a significant quantity of water, but
they prevent a much greater loss.of water through evaporation from the bare
sand. Also, depletion of the ground water supply through withdrawal or
diversi.on would have the effect of destroying the forests by robbing them of
water. Thus, the vegetated secondary dunes of the Dare beaches are a fragile
and important resource for the continued development of the area.

From the Dare Beaches Sketch Development Plan and Chapter 10, Coastal Erosion.

On the Bodie Island sector of. the Dare County Ou ter Banks, the area from the-
southern boundary of Nags Head to Oregon Inlet is under the care of the
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area and the National- Park Service
where extensive sand dune stabilization projects with the use of sand fences
and beachgrass planting programs are in progress. Dunes 15 to 20 feet in
height are continually built in the seashore under this program.which tends to
make the area somewhat stable in spite of the continuous action by natural
erosion processes. Extensive commercial and residential developmentszre
found in thearea north of Whalebone outside the park area. Continuous dunes
about 15 to 20 feet high protect this area northward up to Nags Head. Natural
dunes are not existing in the vicinity of Nags Head, Kill Devil H *ills, and
Kitty Hawk. These were probably leveled by erosion or in course of the
development of the area.'(tiany structures were built close to the shoreline
with no apparent protection from encroachment of the ocean in the event of
storms.or inclement conditions., Further north in the vicinity of Duck, little
beach development.exists. The beach is bounded by continuous dunes about 15
feet high, up to the Dare-Currituck County line. The area is rather 1 'th
ow wi
the road showing evidence of being flooded at times making it difficult.to
travel. All these areas are sparsely developed with isolated areas of resi-,
dential developments.

The shoreline from Oregon Inlet to the area north of the Cape Hatteras light-
house is relatively uniform with fairly wide beaches and artificial dunes
built with the aid of sand fences. The dunes are continuous, about eleven
feet high. Changes in the shoreline have occurred in the area north of the
lighthouse where heavy erosion is continuing in spite of protective measures.
Dunes were overtopped and eroded while damaging floods were experienced
behind the dune line. The beach at the southwest end of the island is wide
with adequate dunes back from the ocean about 3 to 12 feet high and covered
with vegetation. The beaches become more narrow toward the Cape with dunes
closer to the ocean.

Beach dunes north of Duck and the Jockey Ridge sand dunes are of statewide
significance@ The Duck dunes contain a variety of salt spray grasses including
several species at their southern limit. These dunes are threatened by com-
mercial-residential development. Jockey Ridge was designated a National Land-
mark in 1974.

C. Ocean Beaches and Shorelines (see Ocean Erodible Areas, p. 66)

D. ESTUARINE WATERS*
_P
The State of North Carolina, in its Dredge and Fill Law-of 1970 (G. S.
113-229 (n) (2)), defined estuarine waters as "all waters of the bays, sounds,
rivers, and tributaries thereto seaward of the dividing line between coastal
fishing waters and inland waters, as set forth in an agreement adopted by the
Wildlife Resources Commission and the Department of Conservation and Develop-
ment filed with the Secretary of State, entitled 'Boundary Lines, North
Carolina Commercial Fishing-Inland Fishing Waters, revised March 1, 1965'."
In other words, estuaries are semi-enclosed coastal water bodies having free
connection with the open sea.and within which seawater is measurably diluted
with fresh water drained from the adjacent land.

According to the National Estuarine Pollution Study, there are 10 distinct
estuarine regions of the United States which contain 884 separate estuarine
systems encompassing 29.3 million surface acres of water (Chapman 1973). The
South Atlantic Estuarine Region, stretching approximately 800 miles from Cape
Hatteras to Fort Lauderdale, contains 33 separate estuarine systems (9% of
the total) and 4 million surface acres (14% of the total). Of this, North
Carolina has an estuarine area of roughly 2.2 million acres or approximately
55% of that in the South Atlantic Estuarine Region (Shalowitz 1964); and in.
size it. is exceeded only by the systems of Alaska and Louisiana.

Estuaries have developed and evolved over geological time, and the plant
and animal communities dependent upon these systems.have evolved to high
levels of productivity and diversity in response to the relatively large
changes in the natural environment. Man is a newcomer, gbolocially, to
estuaries, and since our country was first settled the Nationis estuaries have
served him Well. Man has placed a multiplicity of demands upon estuarine and
coastal environment as producers of food, as avenues of transportation, as
receptacles of wastes, as living space, and as sources of recreational or
esthetic pleasure.

Because of the multiplicity of demands made by both man and the organisms
dependent upon these systems, it is imperative that we evaluate properly the
respective roles of the various parts of the system so that we can manage this
environment wisely and derive the maximum user benefits from each of the com-
ponent parts.

In the state of North Carolina the 1973 commercial fishery harvest brought
a dockside value to fishermen of about $16 million. Since less than one-half
of the dockside landings were processed in the State, the economic value was
about $50 million while the potential was over $100 million.

Recreation-al activities in and around estuarine areas also provide a
significant revenue to coastal regions. For example, in 1963 an estimated 112
million people spent approximately $14 billion seeking recreation in the
coasta,l strand. In 1975 it has been projected that approximately $5.4 billion
will be spent on sport fishing alone. About 16 million people will engage in
sport fishing in 1975 and this numger is growing at a rate of one-half million
per year (Teal, Jameson and Bader 1972).
*From "The Estuary An Area of Environmental Concern" by Thayer.

Seasonal visitors to the estuarine zone also include waterfowl hunters
and vacationers; those who come.for boating, canoeing, water skiing, and
swimming. Many business enterprises, large and small, cater to all of these
recreational seekers, such as hotels, beach cottages, restaurants, sporting
goods shops, marinas, bait and tackle dealers, and others. And, many seasonal
visitors, entranced with the beauty and,loneliness of the estuarine area, buy
property there and build upon it.

What makes these estuaries so important? The most Important biological
characteristic of estuaries, which forms a basis for much of our economy, is
the high productivity. High plant production has resulted in a very diverse
estuarine animal assemblage. The plants and animals die and during their
decomposition nutrient elements and dead tissue fragments are liberated into
the water. Tidal action and currents spread the nutrients which in turn are
utilized by the plants. Other organisms feed upon the plants and dead debris
and in turn are consumed by still larger species. This is a self-sustaining
process but one which is very susceptible to intervention. by man.

Thus, our estuaries-and their associated transition zones-salt marshes,
sounds, intertidal areas, etc. form a valuable natural-resource. These
estuaries, which play an important life-support function have' lost more than.
7% of their fish and wildlife habitat to commercial and.housing development
over the past few decades (Tihansky and Meade 1974), and are being lost for
fishery production at a rate of about 1% per year.- Becausethese estuaries
are located between the oceans and the land and because a high percentage of
our population lives near the coast, a majority of the estuarine destruction
is a direcf result of man's activities. Pollution, land-fill and dredging,
building, draining of mars,hes, and increasing use of fresh water have all
taken their toll of estuarine areas.

Estuarine waters located in Dare County are the Roanoke, Croatan, Curri-
tuck, Albemarle, and Pamlico Sounds.

E. Public Trust Waters

Public trust waters are described as all waters of the Atlantic Ocean
from the mean high water mark to the seaward limit of state jurisdiction;
all coastal waters subject to the ebb and,flow of lunar tides shoreward to
their mean high water mark; all navigable rivers, lakes and streams, sounds
and artificially created water bodies to their ordinary high water mark pro-
vided that any artificially created navigable water bodies must have navigable
connect.ions to navigable natural water bodies or must have public areas or
must be publicly owned. The public has rights in these waters including navi-
gation, fishing and recreation. The protection and maintenance of the area is
necessary in order to preserve the public rights therein. (see list of surface
waters in Dare County)

INVENTORY OF SURFACE WATERS, DARE CO.

Identity of Area
Location
Township Highway No.
Name Type of Area (Name) and Miles or Description of Area
Other Landmark

Atlantic Ocean Scenic (Water Not Eastern and Ocean side of Outer Banks (barrier
and Shores) Applicable Southeastern islands). Present use, recreation,
boundary of swimming, fishing, bathing. Southern
county section of Bodie Island and Hatteras
Island are in the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Area.

Albemarle, Scenic (Water Not Northern, Coastal waters and shores protected
co Croatan, Currituck, and Shores) Applicable Eastern, and from Atlantic Ocean by the Outer
L.0
Pamlico and Roanoke Southern sec- Banks (barrier islands).
Sounds tions of
county.

INVENTORY OF SURFACE WATERS, DARE CO.

Name Location Description

Long Shoal River From U.S 264 to the Pamlico 1.3 miles long to .3 miles wide,
Sound. 3 deep. Brackish waters.
Excellent fishing, trout, mullet.
bluefish, flounder. Fair duck
hunting. Good boating.

Deep Creek 11.2 miles south of Lake Worth. 1.2 miles long to .1 mile wide
Opening into Long Shoal River. 6' deep. Surrounded by marsh.
Good fishing, some hunting.

Pains Bay 4.7 miles south of Stumpy 4.6 miles long, to 1.2 miles
Point. Opening into Pamlico wide, 6' deep. Surrounded by marsh.
Sound. Good fishing. Good access.

Parched Corn Bay East of Long Shoal River Small bay. Good fishin.g, trout
bluefish, mullet. Excellent
boating. Limited hunting.

Whipping Creek Lake 4 miles southeast of Stumpy 1.3 miles long. Surrounded by
Point. Off Alligator River. marsh. Shallow waters. Limited
access.

Back Lake 1 mile west of Stumpy Point. I mile long, .3 miles wide,
surrounded by marsh., Limited
fishing. Good duck hunting.

INVENTORY OF SURFACE WATER, DARE CO.

Name Location Description

Stumpy Point Bay South of Stumpy Point. Opening 2 miles long and 2 miles wide.
Pamlico Sound. East of Lake 7' deep. Good fishing, shad5- rock,
Worth. trout, perch, bass. Good boating.
Great potential for development.

Sawyer Lake East of Buffalo City site. 1 mile long, to 3.00' wide. Sur-
Off Milltail Creek. rounded by marsh. Limited fishing.
Ideal hunting, bear and deer.
Limited access.

Callaghan Creek 3 miles south of Manns Harbor. 3.3 miles long, to 100' wide. Mar-
Opening into Spencer's-Creek. shy areas. Excellent fishing,,
white perch, rock, and bass. Some
duck hunting.

Spencer Creek 1.3 miles south of Manns 3 miles long, to 300' wide. Good
Harbor fishing, rock, bass and perch.
Some duck hunting.

Long Wretch Creek 5 miles south of Manns Harbor. .5 mile long, 4.1 miles wide.
Bordering Croatan.Sound. Surrounded b y marsh. Good fish-
ing, bass*, bream, perch. Good
crabbing. Limited access.

South Lake Southern branch of East Lake 4.5 miles long, to 8' deep. Good
fishing, bass, rock and perch.
Good hunting, ducks, bear,. deer.

INVENTORY OF SURFACE WATER, DARE CO.

Name Location Description

East Lake Northern point of Dare County. 7.7 miles long, to 10' deep.
peninsula. Between Alligator Surrounded by marsh. Excellent
River and Albemarle Sound. fishing, bass, rock and perch.
Good hunting, bear, deer, duck.

Tom Mann Creek Bay on North side of Durant .4 miles long, 1.9 miles wide, to
.Island. Opens into.Albemarle 4' deep. Surrounded by marsh.
Sound. Good fishing, rock, bass, perch.
Some duck hunting,

Peter.Mashoes Creek 2.1 miles north of Manns Harbor 1.9 miles long, .4 mile wide and
bridge. Junction Albemarle to 5' deep. Good fishing, bass,.
and Croatan sounds., rock, and perch. Private boat ramp.

Billy's Ditch From highway 64 to South Lake 1.5 miles lon'g. Surrounded by
marsh. Limited fishing. Good hunt-
ing, deer, bear. Access for out-
boards to South Lake.

Hidden Lake 1/2 mile eastof Alligator 500' wide, 1500'-16ng. Surrounded
River. I mile south of East by marsh. Limited fishing. Limited
Lake Landing. access.

Spence Creek Part of Peter Mashoes Creek 1.8 miles long, to 300' wide.
Surrounded by marsh. Good fishing..

Milltail Creek 1.8 miles south of Bay Point 15 miles long, deep water for large
off Alligator River boats for 12,miles. Limited fish-
ing.bream and jacks. Limited access.

Shallowbag Bay East of Manteo Good fishing, boating. Channel and
harbor. Limitedduck hunting. Good
potential for development.

INVENTORY OF SURFACE WATERS, DARE CO.

Name Location Description

Broad Creek 2.6 miles south of Manteo. 2.2 miles long, .3 mile wide, 4'
Opening to Roanoke Sound. deep. Good fishing, crabbing,
boating. Limited duck hunting.

Mill Creek South of Wanchese. Off .5 mile long, 200'wide. Deep
Roanoke Sound. waters to accommodate fishing
trawlers. Good fishing, boating,
access to.Mill Landing Docks.

Baum Creek .3 mile west of Baumtown.' .2 mile long, 50' wide. Limited
Off Croatan Sound. fishing and crabbing. Good boat-
ing duck and goose hunting.
Great potential for development.

Oyster Creek .5 mile west of 'Wanchese. .3 mile long, 50' wide. Surround-
Off Croatan Sound. ed by marsh. Good fishing, trout,
bass, perch. Some duck and goose,
hunting.
Cedar Bush Bay .5 mile southwest of Wanchese.. .5 mile wide, .8 mile long.
Off Croatan Sound. Marshy area. Good fishing, bass,
perch, trout, croakers.

Kitty Hawk.Bay North of Collington Island, Excellent Bass fishing * Good duck
and Wright Memorial Bridge. hunting. Marina, boat ramp. Large'
residential development.,
Collington Creek From Kill Devil Hills Bri-dge .4 mile long, .2 wide. Good
to Buzzard Bay. fishi.ng, duck hunting.

Lighthouse Bay .2 mile south of Bodie Island ..4 mile long, .2 wide. Good
Lighthouse. fishing. Excellent hunting.

INVENTORY OF SURFACE WATERS, DARE CO.

Name Location Description

Motts Creek South end of Bodie Island. .2 mile long, .1 wide. Good fish-
West side of Bonner Bridge. ing. Excellent boating. Boat
landing, Oregon inlet Marina.

Eagle Nest Bay North of Pea Island in .7 mile long. .5 mile wide. Sur-
National Seashore Park. rounded by swamp and shifting
sand dunes. Good boating and
fishing.

Goat Island Bay North of Pea Island, in .3 mile long, to .3 wide. Good
National Seashore Park fishing of all types. Good boating.

The Trench In Pea Island Refugel, off. .3 mile long, to .4 wide. Good
Pamlico Sound boating and fishing.

Pea Island Bay In Pea Island Refuge, off .5 mi* le long, to .2 wide. Good
Pamlico Sound. �oating and fishi.ng.

Terrapin Creek Bay 1.2 mile northwest of Pea .4 mile long, to 1.4 wide. Good
Island Coast Guard Station. fishing and boating.

Beach Slue .9 mile southwest of Pea .8 mile long, to .4 wide. -Good,
Island Coast Guard Station. boating and fishing.

Wreck Creek 1.5 miles southwest of Pea .6 mile long, to .1 wide. Sur-
Island Coast Guard Station rounded by marsh. Good fishing
and boating.

Brooks Creek 4 miles southwest Of Buxton, .8 mile long, to .2 wide. Good
in Pamlico Sound. fishing, boating, and crabbing.
Good duc,k and goose hunting.

INVENTORY OF SURFACE WATERS, DARE CO.

Name Location Description

Joe Saur Creek 3 miles north of Hatteras Village. .5 mile long, .3 wide. Limited
Off Pamlico Sound fishi,ng. Good boating. Fair
development potential.

Sandy Bay Northwest of Hatteras Village. .3 mile long, 1-mile wide.
Off Pamlico Sound Brackish water. Good fishing,
bass, flounder, trout.

Duck Pond .5 mile south of Hatteras Village. .4 mile long, 200.'-wide, 2' deep.
Limited fishing., boating. Good
development potentia)..

Isaac Pond South of Duck Pond .2 mile long, 200' wide, 2' deep.
Good development potential.

Clubhouse Creek South of Isaac Pond .3 mile long, 10' to 800' wide..
Limited fishing, good boating,
Good area for development.

.Hatteras Inlet Inlet between Dare Countv and .3 miles long, .8 mile wide.
Hyde County on the southern.. Excellent fishing. Opens to
end of the Outer Banks Atlantic. Accommodates large
boats.

F. Complex Natural Areas

Complex*naturlal areas,are defined as lands that support native plant and
animal communities and provide'habitat conditions or characteristics that
have remained essentially unchanged by human activity. Such areas are sur-
rounded by landscapes that have been modified but do not drastically alter
the conditions within the natural areas of their scientific or educational
value.

Complex natural areas provide the few remaining examples of conditions
that existed within the coastal area prior to settlement by Western man.
Often these natural areas provide habitat.conditions suitable.for rare or
endangered species or they support plant and animal communitfies representa-
tive of presettlement conditions.

(1) The following areas in Dare County were suggested as natural areas in
"Potential for Outdoor Recreation in Dare County, N. C., 1974." (see following
list, pages 97 & 93)

Additional Dare County areas which may be considered as complex natural
areas:*

(2) Maritime Forest and Fresh Water Ponds
Forests develop where there is elevation for protection from flooding salt
waters and where distance from the surf reduces.wind-blown-salt spray.
Scattered, small wooded areas occur sporadically along the Outer Banks, usually
on the sou,ndside of the islands in the vicinity of villages, but theNags Head
Woods contains approximately 50 acres and is located near Kill Devil Hills
west of Rt. 158. The Nags Head Woods-Jo 'ckey's Ridge area is acharacteristic
system of active and inactive dunes in various stages of migration and plant
succession. By far the most prominent feature or features are the twin sand
dunes, reputed to be the highest in the eastern United States, which are refer-
red to collectively as Jockey's Ridge. These huge piles of sand, reaching
heights*up to 140' are active and considered to be live dunes, yet their phy-
sical appearance and location has not changed drastically since 1949 (based
on aerial photographic interpretation). This is not to say that a state of
equilibrium has been reached as the peaks themselves shift their position
on the main body of the dunes in response to wind variations. This apparent
stability is in direct contrast with other active (live) dunes which gradually
migrate soundward.

This section receives heavy use from the public, who have not been denied
access as they continuously climb up and over the dunes. The moving sands
nightly erase the thousands of daily footprints.

*From "Environmental Assessment Jockey's Ridge State Park"

INVENTORY OF NATURAL AREAS

Identity of Area Location
Township Highway No.
Name Type of Area (Name) and Miles or Description of Area
Other Landmark

Alligator River Natural East Lake Western section of 1/2 to 1 mi. wide and 20
Swamp (Swamp) county, adjacent miles long. River swamp of
to Alligator River Southern baldcyresss, tupelo
gum, pond pine and other wet-
site species. Present use,
woodland, hunting.

East Lake Natural East Lake, Northwestern sec- 100' to 1 1/2 mi. wide and 6
(Water and tion of county, miles long. Open fresh coas-
Swamp) adjacent to Alli- tal water with Southern bald-
gator River. cypress, Atlantic whitecedar,
tupelo gum, pond pine growing
along shores. Present use,
fishing, hunting.

Lake Worth Natural Stumpy Southeastern section 1 mi. long, 1/8 mi.wide.
(Black Lake) (Water and Bog) Point of county 3.5 miles Inland fresh water lake
west of Stumpy Point, with pond pine, Southern
N. C. baldcypress, switchcane
wax myrtle, and other bog
vegetation. Present use,
fishing and wildlife sanc
tuary,

Pamlico Natural Stumpy Western shore of 5 mi. long, 100' to 112 mi.
Sound (Marsh) Point Pamlico Sound. wide; Irregularly flooded
Marsh salt marsh. Vegetation-black
needlerush,.salt meadow
cordgrass and sawgrass. Pre-
sent use, waterfowl habitat.

INVENTORY OF NATURAL AREAS

Identify of Area Location
Township Highway No.
Name Type of Area .(Name) and Miles or Description of Area
Other Landmark

Roanoke Natural Manns Northeastern 7 mi. long, 100' to 2-1/2 mi. wide
Marshes (Marshes) Harbor section of county. Irregularly flooded salt marsh.
Western shore of Vegetation-black needlerush, salt
Croatan Sound. meadow cordgrass and sawgrass.
Present use, wildlife habitat.

South Lake Natural (Water East Lake Northwestern 6 mi. long 100' to 1/2 mi. wide.
and Swam-p) section of county, Coastal open fresh water with
S. of Albemarle Southern baldcypress. Atlantic
Sound. whitecedar, tupelo gum, and pond
co pine growing along shores. Pres-
ent use, fishing and wildlife
habitat.

Whipping Natural (Lake East Lake Southwestern sec- 3/4 mi-longlOO' to 1/4 mi. wide.
Creek Lake and Swamp) tion of county Inland fresh water lake with
about 2 mi. E. of Southern baldcypres-s, tupelo gum
Alligator River.. @and Atlantic whitecedar growing
along shores. Present use, fish-
ing and wildlife habitat.

Milltail Natural (Lake Manns About 10 miles 7 mi. long. 20' to 400' wide,.
Lake and Swamp) Harbor Southwest of Fresh water lake with.Southern
Mantis Harbor baldcypress, tupelo gum and pond
pine growing,along shores. Pres-
ent use fishing and wildlife habi-
tat-.

Nags Head.Woods is a prime example of relict dunes which have been stabilized
by forest cover. This cover fdrms a peculiar type of forest which appears
to be a combination of maritime and m'ixed hardwood-pine inland forest. The
forest type of loblolly pine, sweet gum, hickory, sour gum, beech, oak, and
holly is not represented in the present public lands of the National Seashore.
Within them occur many plants which are very near their northern limits
including live oak, Spanish moss, resurrection -fern, and wild olive, to name
a few.

As would be expected, the topography wit 'hin the Woods is undulating with
elevations ranging from 10' to 60' above sea level. The depressions in this
area contain dozens of unique freshwater ponds which were possibly created ,
by rainwater collecting in non-porous, wind scoured basins. These-ponds are
of varying productivity and chemical composition and are the subject of much
ongoing scientific investigation and research. 'The smaller dune past of the
woods, and the large active dune at the northern end (hear the Wright Brothers
Memorial) are slowly and persistently marching toward the remnant woods, and
in some sections have overrun the forest and are beginning to slough off into
the Roanoke Sound, creating interesting sand bluffs.

This area presents an interesting and fairly uncommon admixture of saltwater
ocean, tidal water sound, and freshwater pond. Add to the water and atmos-
pheric mix, the peculiar dune.establishment and you have a truly unique site.

The botanical results of this association or mixture are apparent in a wide
range of plant communities such as;
(l) salt-spray tolerant dune grasses and herbs;
(2) tangles of salt-spray tolerant shrubs, vines, and small trees;
(3) a pe.culiar maritime forest of magnificent loblolly pine, sweet
gum, hickory, sour gum, beech, oak and holly;
(4) a peculiar aquatic population within the many freshwater ponds, and
(5) tidal marshlands.

Many plants found here are very n ear their northern limits. Among these are
live oak, Spanish moss, resurrection fern, and wild olive.

The abundance-of plant'species indicates diverse habitat which should house a
diverse fauna. No research has been uncovered regarding.animal populations but
there is plenty of evidence to indicate large populations. Song birds should be
plentiful in the woods and thickets, while great numbers of water fowl and wading
birds can be seen along the sound. Ki,ngfishers, h&wks, owls and possibly ospreys
could find nesting agreeable in and around the vast Nags Head Woods.. While few
animals were seen, it is probable that there are large populations of small and
medium sized rodents (mice and squirrels), rabbits, opossum, racoon, and pos-
sibly that a fox or bobcat is roaming around the woods. No evidence was seen
of any large mammals such as deer. The reptilian and amphibian populations
should also have good representation due@to the abundance of ponds and shore-
line. It is a known fact that.there is some good fishing for bass and bream
in many of the ponds.

A large stand of forest trees on the Dare County barrier islands occurs in
the Buxton Woods. The woods covers about 3,000 acres,'1,000 of which it
within the boundaries of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It covers the
slopes and crests of old dunes that rise to nearly 60 feet in several places.
Narrow interdunal areas are occupied by swampy woods, vine jungles, shrub
thickets and blackwater ponds. Wider interdunal areas are fresh marshes with
ponds included. These are discussed with the forest habitat because of their
close association. Dominant tree species include Loblolly pine, live Oaks,
laurel oaks, hollies, dogwood, hornbean and red bay. Common shrubs,comprise
youpon wax myrtle, blueberry, American beautyberry, southern prickly ash,
Devil's walking stick and palmettos. The latter may be the 'northernmost wild
palms in the eastern United States. Near them grow the northernmost Carolina.
laurel-cherries. The woods have been drastically exploited by man4, lumbering
pasturage and wild fires have taken their toll.; as have storms with their
blistering salt winds.

Animals are abundant but hard to see in dense cover. The woods contribute
greatly to the variety of the fauna. Five mammals, about two dozen birds
(mostly songbirds) and about a dozen reptiles and amphibians are known' in the
park only from Buxton Woods and vicinity. The opossum, once believed extinct
on Hatteras Island, appears to be returning. The gray fox may have already
invaded by crossing Oregon Inlet Bridge. The eastern mole, deer mouse and
cotton mouse might continue if the forest were largely removed, but the gray
squirrel and white-tailed deer will depend on preservation of the park forest
for survival.

Ospreys have recently been declining rapidly throughout the eastern.states,
but several still nest each year in the Buxton Woods. Cottonmouths are
a-bundant in much of Buxton Woods and environs; canebrake rattlers are much
more scarce and local.

(3) Durant Island

Durant Island is a 3500-acre island at the mouth of the Alligator River.
Located in the area is an extensive fresh-water marsh and cypress swamp. No
development exists on the island except for a hunting club lodge on the north-
east point of Tom Mann Creek. Access is limited to boat. The isolation of
the island would possibly lend itself to natural area protection.

(4) Dare County Pocosin

Dare County Pocosin is a vast bog- like area of stunted pines, wax myrtle,
ev.ergreen shrubs, pitcher plants and numerous grasses which grow on a floating
mass of peatmoss. It has been suggested that several thousand acres should be
set aside. The Pocosin occupies the area lying west and northwest of U. S.
264 from the Dare County line to Mann's Harbor.

100

G. Ar eas That Sustain.Remnant Species

Areas that sustain remnant species are those places that s upport native plants
or animals, rare or endangered, within the coastal area. Such places provide
habitat conditions necessary for the survival of existing populations or com-
munities of rare or endangered species within the county. The continued sur-
vival of certain native plant and animals cannot be assured unless the relati-
vely few well-defined areas providing necessary habitat conditions are pro-
tected from development or land uses that might alter these conditions.

Rare and Endangered Species*

Endangered species which occur include the bald eagle, peregrine fal con, and
American alligator. The red-cockaded woodpecker and the Atlant.1c sturgeon
could occur but current records do not substantiate this assumption. Simi-
larly, more definite information.is needed concerning occurrence and nesting
of the loggerhead turtle which is known to occur in coastal waters in the
Oregon Inlet area. The endangered Outer Banks king snake is reported to
occur on Hatteras Island.

Rare plant species were referred to in the Nags Head Woods and Buxton Woods
discussion.

H. Registered Natural Landmarks

Registered natural landmarks are so desig nated by the Secretary of Interior.
They are true, accurate, essentially'unspoiled examples of natural areas
which posses exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting
the natural heritage of our nation. Examples in Dare County are Jockey's
Ridge and Nags Head Woods which have previously been discussed.

*From Wildlife and Land Use Planning with Particular Reference to Coastal
Counties.

101

I. Historic Sites*

As authorized by,the General Assembly, historic sites are among the

categories of fragile properties which the Coastal Resources Commission could

designate as interim areas of environmental concern. In defining the cate-

go.ries of historic sites, three already established programs were used: the

National Register of Historic Places; National Historic Landmarks; and the

state historic site and grant-in-aid programs.

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 established the National

the nation's irreplaceable cultural resources. It is maintained by the

National Park Serv ice, Department of the Interior. Following is'a listing

of the historic properties located in Dare County.

*From "Historic Sites" by Seapker.

102

HISTORIC SITEIS
DARE COUNTY

Historic places that are listed (NR), or have been approved for listing by the North Carolina Historical
Commission (ANR) in the National Register of Historic Places pursuant to the National Historic Preserva-
tion Act of 1966.

Historical, archaeological, and other places and properties owned, man aged or assisted by.the State of
North Carolina pursuant to G.S. Chapter 121;

Properties or areas that are or may be designated by the Sec. of the Interior as Registered Natural
Landmarks (NQ or as National Historic Landmarks (NHL):

Name Location Category Ownership

Wright Brothers National
Memorial Kitty Hawk *NR Federal

Nags Head Woods Between Nags.Head and ***N L Unknown
Kill Devil Hills

CD Fort Raleigh National 4 miles N. of Manteo on
Historic Site U. S. 158 *NR Federal

Jockey's Ridge On W. side of U.S. 158 by-
pass at 12.5 mi. post, ***N L State
Nags Head

Caffey's Inlet Life Saving
Station Duck vicinity ***ANR

Kitty Hawk Life Saving
Station Kitty Hawk .***ANR

Kill Devil Hills Life
Saving Station Kill Devil Hills ***ANR

Chicamacomico-Life Saving
Station Rodanthe ***ANR

Creeds Hill L'ife Saving
Station Frisco vicinity ***ANR

HISTORIC SITES (Continued)

Name Location Category Ownership

Durants Life Saving Station Hatteras vicinity ***ANR
Drinkwater's folly Manteo vicinity ***ANR

Fearing House Nags Head ***ANR
Beach Cottage Row Nags Head ***ANR

First Colony House Nags Head ***ANR

III. AREAS WITH RESOURCEPOTENTIAL

(A) Productive Agricultural Lands

Some productive agricultural soils are being identified on the Dare County
Mainland by First Colony Farms, Inc. Most of these'soils.require exten-
sive drainage and clearing to make them productive, however, so they are
presently more valuable for the timber and pulpwood they support.

(B) Potentially Valuable Mineral Sites

Dare County contains some commercially valuabl.e deposits of sand, clay
and marl. However, mineral resources are not at this time a significant
factor in the economy of the County. There have been numerous explora-
tory attempts to locate oil and gas resources within the county in the
past but these have yielded no positive results.

There are trace amounts of potentially valuable minerals present in well
cores from the Dare County Area but none have been identified as being
available in economically feasible quantities with currently available
technology.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area is one of the 181 areas
in the'country administered bythe National Park Serv.ice under the
Department of the Interior, which comprise outstanding scenic, scientific
and historical areas of the United States., Cape Hatteras was the first
National Seashore Park in the National Park System. Extending from
Whalebone Junction at the southern boundary of Nags Head about 70 miles
southward through Ocracoke Island, the National Seashore preserves 45
square miles of beach land. It is divided into three sections: Bodie
Island, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. It covers the entire
area of the Outer Banks, except for the eight unincorporated towns and
villages. The park area is included in the National Park Plan known
as "Mission 66." Museums have been established at Cape Hatteras and
Bodie Island. The Nati6nal Park has constructed various recreational
and community improvements in the area in addition to the extensive
erosion and sand dune rehabilitation projects.-

(D) Pea Island Wildlife Refuge is a part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore
on the Outer Banks. The refuge was established in 1938 as a refuge and
breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. It is located
on the northern most 13.5 miles of Hatteras Island. Refuge lands also
include several small islands immediately off the main part of the
refuge in Pamlico Sound.

We need to consider wildlife in.land use planning because:
(1) wildlife serves as an "environmental barometer" and constitutes
an early warning system against environmental contamination
hazardous to human health;

105

(2) the observation of wildlife and its pursuit through hunting and
fishing constitute a form of highly therapeutic outdoor recrea tion
for a substantial portion of our population;

(3) the recreational pursuit of fish and game generates expenditures.
that contribute in a substantial way to local and state economies;

(4) the study of wildlife in its natural setting provides insight on
man's place in the natural.order and valuable clues to analysis
of human behavior and social organization, as well as derivation
of medical and industrial products of value to human welfare; and

Deer occur throughout the county in moderate numbers. Most of the county is
considered to be occupied range for the-black bear, however, fewer than 100
are thought to exist. Their numbers are considerably reduced from the popula-
tion of.two decades ago. Bear hunting is'prohibited by law. All small game
species occur; however, due to li 'mited agricultural operations,-populations'
of certain species are considered below average for the Coastal Plains area.
Marsh rabbits, woodcock,, raccoon and wildcat are plentiful; cottontail
rabbits, opossum, foxes, snipe and rails occur in moderate numbers; quail,
dove and squirrel are uncommon. Furbearers, including muskrat, mink, raccoon,
otter and nutria, are in plantiful supply. Waterfowl, including,most species
which occur in the State, are present in.ample numbers. The coastal marsh-
lands, and the shallow coastal waters of Currituck, Roanoke, Croatan and
Pamlico sounds provide great diversity of habitat to support ti-ping, diving,
and sea ducks; mergansers; Canada and greater snow geese; whistling swan and
American brant.

106

CAPACITY OF COMMURITY FACILITIES

Information in this section is based on previously pOblished engineering

reports by Henry Von Oeson and Associates, Inc. and by Moo re-Gardner and

Associates, Inc. as well as interviews with municipal and county officials.

1. WATER AND SEWER SERVICE AREAS

(A) The Cape Hatteras Water Association is a private co mpany which

provides water to about 823 customers in the village of Hatteras,

Frisco, and Buxton. The system is designed to deliver I MGD and

at present peak load in August of 1975 delivered 400,000 gallons. of

water on the peak day. The permanent resident demand is approxi-,

mately .19 MGD while seasonal loads increase the figure by about

.21,MGD. Main sizes.in the system are 6" and 8" and are sufficient

for fire protection.

(B) The Towns of Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills-both constructed and

began operation of their systems in 1964. The Nags Head system began

operation with approximately 555 customers and currently has around

850 customers. T he Kill Devil Hills system went into operation with

about 500 customers and currently serves slightly over 1000 customers.

This total of approximately 1850 customers represents service to

slightly less than fifty percent of the potential customers i,n the

service area, not including another 1100 or more trailer park and

campground sites that are not being served.

The source of supply for these systems is a fresh water lake which

is located on the boundary between the towns about 3200 feet westward to

the ocean and whi ch is surrounded on the southwest.and north by vacant

lands owned by the municipalities. This lake is recharged by rainfall

107

in the area and has provided ample supply until 1969 when an apparent
drop in the lake water level indicated the rate'of withdrawal was

greater than the area.s recharge capacity. Since that time a growing

demand for water has caused greater water level drops and. increasing

concern. Some shallow wells have been installed to supplement the

lake supply. They have increased the supply by about 110,000 gallons

per day. A second group of wells was recommended and-is now being

contemplated that would increase,this augmentation supply to 300,000

gpd. The lake was dredged in the spring of 1975 to increase its'storage

capacity. Peak demand on these systems comes during the 'tourist season

when rainfall is least. The peak service day for Kill Devil Hills

in 1975 was on July 5 when 833,000 gallons were pumped. For Nags

Head the 1975 peak day was July 6 with 866,000 gallons pumped.

not less than 100,000 gpd. The plant capacity is 225,000 gpd with

ground storage for 225,000 gallons and elevated storage for 75,000

gallons. Their average daily usage is 90,000 gpd and the town's peak

demand was about 175,000 gpd in the summer of 1975. The town's system

provides water to customers within the-town limits and in some areas

outside the town. They have sufficient capacity to provide the de-

mands of domestic users at the present time. The sewage treatment

plant has a design capacity of about 300,000 gallons per day and a

normal load of 90,000 to 100,000 gallon.s.per day. The peak day during

the, 1975 tourist season was 225,000 gallons. This plant is operating

well within its design capacity and should be sufficient to serve

expected growth.

108

In the spring of 1975 the citizens of Dare County approved a $5.8

mill-ion bond referendum for the construction of a central water system to

serve all of Roanoke Island and the Dare Beaches Complex from Oregon Inl.et

North to Duck. This system is in the design phase at the present time but

it should be sufficient to serve the expected growth of the service area

for a fifteen to twenty year period.

A sewage treatment facilities plan under the Environmental Protection

Agency 201 Planning Program is underway for the same-servi ce area.. The

resulting system should serve the needs of the area adequately for the same

time period.

An additional 201 Wastewater Facilities is being undertaken for the

portion of the county from Oregonjnlet, South to Hatteras Inlet which is

the potential service area for the-Hatteras Water Association

The Village of Avon is presently in a critical position with regard to

water supply due to salt water contamination of wells as a result of r ecent
storms. Avon was included in the preliminary study for the tape Hatteras

Water-Association System and could be served from that source. Extension of

a water line from Buxton to Avon has been given a high priority by the Dare

County Commissioners.

109

(D) OTHER SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS

Ocean Acres Utilities - operates a 0.06.mgd contact stabilization type

waste treatment faci -lity that discharges to Buzzard Bay, a class "SC" water.

This facility is being properly operated and maintained. The company plans

to expand the existing facility to a total design.capacity of 0.265 mgd with

subsurface disposal. Assimilati-ve capacity calculations indicate that if

this facility maintains the minimum requirements for secondary type treatment,

as defined by EPA, it should protect water quality in the receiving water.

The Villas - operates a 0.03 mgd extended aeration type waste treatment

facility that discharges to Buzzard Bay, a class "SC' waters. This.facility.

is being properly operated and maintained. Assimilative capacity cal.culations

indicate that if this facility maintains theminimum requirements for secondary

type treatment, as defined by EPA, it shou ld protect water quality in the

receiving waters.

Wash Basket Laundromat operates a 0.0075 mgd primary type waste treat-

ment facility that discharges to Cape Creek, a class "SA" stream. This

facility is presently being upgraded to provide tertiary type treatment which
will be attained by February, 1976. Assimilative capacity calculations indi-

cate that if this facility is upgraded to maintain the minimum requirements

for BPCT type treatment, as defined by EPA,.it should protect water quality

in the receiving stream. An NPDES Permit for this discharge was issued

January, 1974

Cape Hatteras Naval Facility - operates a 0.018 mgd septic tank sand

filter type waste treatment facility that discharges to a drainage ditch.

This facility is being properly operated and maintained. Assimilative

capacity calculations indicate that if this facility maintains the minimum

requirements for secondary type treatment, as defined by EPA, it should protect

water quality in the receiving stream. An NPDES Permit for this discharge is

scheduled for issuance in July, 1976.
110

Hatteras Inlet Coast Guard Station discharges untreated bilge water intermit-

tantly to the Pamlico Sound, a class "SA" water. Assimilative capacity calcu-

lations indicate that the Coast Guard Station should implement sufficient

treatment to maintain the minimum requirements for BPCT typ&tr .eatment, as

defined by EPA, in order to protect water quality in the receiving waters.

Ocracoke Coast Guard Station discharges untreated bilge water to Silver Lake,

a class "SU water. The Ocracok e Guard Station should implement sufficient

treatment to maintain the minimum requirements for BPCT type treatment, as
defined by EPA, in,order to protect water quality in the receiving waters.'

Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station discharges untreated bilge water to Oregon,

Inlet, a class "SW stream. Assimilative capacity calculations indicate that

the Coast Guard Station should implement treatment sufficient to meet the

minimum requirements for BPCT type treatment, as defined by EPA, in order to

protect water quality in the receiving waters.

SCHOOLS

The Dare County Board of Education operates all public schools within

the county. All facilities are in excellent condition and all sites
are adequate for necessary expansion with the exception of th,e Manteo'

High School site. It is anticipated that within 10-15 years a new

Junior High School site must be located somewhere on..Roanoke Island

to accommodate grades 7 through,9.

(A) Hatteras: The site consists of around 17.8 acres with the Elemen-

tary School built in 1960 accommodating 350 pupils and the High School

built in 1965 with about 150 pupils. The service area for these schools

is from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras In.let.

(B) Kitty Hawk: The site consists of 15.3 acres with-an Elementary

School K-8 serving 280 pupils on the North Outer Banks area. The

school was built in 1960 with 5 additional classrooms added in 1975.
(C) Manteo: The Manteo Ele' mentary School was built in 1965 on a 10

acre site and serves 540 pupils K-6 from the Nags Head area, Roanoke

Island and the Mainland communities. Manteo High School was originally

constructed in 1960 with additional classrooms added in 1965. It

serves 600 students in grades 7 through 12 from Roanoke Island, the

Mainland and from Oregon Inlet, north.

112

III. PRIMARY ROADS

The only project within Dare.County included in the Statewide Seven

Year Highway Improvement Program is the widening and straightening

of U.S. 64 from the Alligator River Bridge to Manns Harbor.
1975 peak traffic counts indicate a deterioration of the capacity

and design speed of the U.S. 158 bypass in the Nags Head and Kill

Devil Hills area and on N.C. 12 toward Hatteras from Whallebone

Junction. The State Department of Transportation uses average

annual daily traffic counts as,a basis for design and,improvement

requirements which cannot take into account the tremendous load put

on the system by tourist traffic.from June through September. The

most recent peak figures for these highways indicate that they are

sometimes dangerously overloaded.

N. C. 12 especially carried the,majo.rity of an estimated 1,525,000

visitors to Cape Hatteras National Seashore through September of

1975. This highway is in need of widening to a standard width of

24 feet and resurfacing.

IV. SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

Dare County operates a sanitary landfill for the disposal of all

solid waste within the county including the Towns of Manteo, Kill
Devil Hills and Nags Head, all waste generated by the more than 1.5

million annual visitors to National Park Service facilities and Solid

Waste from Ocracoke Island in Hyde County.

The present nine acre site is being filled at a rate of about 1.25

acres per year and has about two years capacity left. The county is

how seeking appropria te sites.for expansion. The search could be

113

eased considerably if it were.possible to use land within the boun-

daries of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is ironic that

federal law requires the disposal of refuse in an approved sanitary
landfill.yet prohibits its disposa'l, on the property which generates

the major load.

The residents of Southern Shores and Kitty Hawk have voted a tax to

cover door-to-door solid waste collection by the county in their

communities. The county maintains bulk solid waste containers in the

Roanoke Island and Mainland areas and a private contractor holds the

franchise for collection on Hatteras Island.

Dare County owns a TD-175 front-end loader and a TD-15 bulldozer packer

for maintaining the landfill. The county has three hand loaded packer

trucks for door-to-door pick-up and two container trucks to service

the bulk container sites.

V. FIRE PROTECTION

Dare County outside the municipalities of Kill Devil Hills and Nags

Head is served by six volunteer fire departments.

(A) Roanoke Island,including the Town of Manteo and Wanchese, and

on a call basis, the mainland communities of Mann's Harbor, East Lake

and Stumpy Point, are served by the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire

Department with stations at Manteo and Wanchese. The department con-

sists of 52 men and holds a fire insurance rating of 10 which will be

reduced to 9AA upon delivery of two 1,000 GPM pumpers which are on

order. Present equipment includes a 1955,750 GPM pumper, a 1965

750 GPM pumper, two equipment trucks and a 4,000 gallo n tanker. The

volunteers are on a telephone alert system. The community of Stumpy

114

Point has recently organized a volunteer department but until they

are manned and equipped will continue to rely on assistance from

the Roanoke Island Department or the C.,Forest Service.

(B) The area on the Outer Banks north of Kill Devil Hills is

served by a volunteer department of 50 members with stations at

Collington Island, Southern Shores, and a newly completed headquarters

in Kitty Hawk. There is a 1972 750 GPM pumper and a 1500 gallon

tanker at Southern Shores, a 1973 750 GPM pumper and maintenance

truck at Kitty Hawk and a 1973 750 GPM pumper at Collington Island.

The department relies on a telephone alert system.

Fire Department with a station at the Town Hall.. The town has an.

excellent fire insurance rating of 8. Their equipment consists of
a 1970 American La France'pumper, a 1964 Ford pumper and two half-ton

equipment trucks. The volunteers are on a telephone alert system.

(D) The Nags Head Volunteer Fire Department is composed of 39 certi-

fied volunteers who operate from two stations. One station is located

near the center of town and the other in South Nags Head. The town

also owns a lot near Whalebone Junction for construction of an addi-

tional station when this becomes necessary. The department has a 1974

Ford 1,000 GPM pumper and three 1962 Ford 500 GPM pumpers. The town

has an excellent fire rating.of 8.

(E) The area South of.Oregon Inlet is served by four volunteer fire

departments with a telephone,alert system in each community. The Salvo
Department of 22 members has a 1975 Bean 750 GPM pumper and a,1954
Chevrolet 750 GPM pumper.
115

The Avon.Department with 30 members has a 1948 American La France

pumper. The Buxton Department has 15 members with a 1964 American

La France 500 GPM four-wheel drive pumper.
In Hatteras the 37-man department has a 1960 Dodge 500 GPM pumper
with f Iour-wheel drive., a 101 equipment van and has a new pumper

on order.

VI.- LAW EN FORCEMENT AND RESCUE

The Dare County Sheriff's Department maintains a 24-hour radio

dispatch center which links Law Enforcement, Emergency and Rescue

Services throughout this county and in the towns. The Department.

is manned by ten deputies and three Certified Emergency Medical

Services technicians. The county has two fully-equipped ambulances

and six station wagons equipped as ambulances. The Department has

a helicopter based at Man.teo Airport for use in air-evacuation

and for search and rescue operations.

There are also three N. C. State Highway Patrolmen stationed in

Dare County.

116

SECTION IV

ESTIMATED DEMAND

117

ECONOMIC FORECASTS

Forecasts of,Dare County's future economic growth and ultimately its

population growth, are an important derivative of the study of its economic

base and employment projections. Since economic factors'.are closely related

,to population growth, economic forecasts are widely accepted as the most,

accurate basis for making population projections. By making appropriate

employment/population ratio ass.umptions, employment projections can be

converted to forecasts of total population.

Econ omic Growth Factors

A broad range of techniques'are available for forecasting growth in Dare's

basic employment. The simplest of these involve projections based upon

historic growth trends. However, these techniques are most applicable in very

stable growth situations where pas-t trends will likely mi'rror the future, not
in very dynamic counties like Dare where'recent growth has been *rapid,and where

future growth is more directly related to external demand factors. Therefore,

the kdy to forecasting the county's future economy is to determine those

external factors which are relevant to future basic employment levels.

Since the majority of Dare's basic employment is in recreationally-

oriented industries, visitors are 'the most important factor in the growth of the

county's basic sector. However, techniques for forecasting growth in visita-

tion are poorly developed.

Envirotek Incorporated, in their publication, Dare County Planning Program,

identified certain national trends which will have an impact on Dare's future

economy:

(1) Increasing.Affluence. By 1980, the experts expect median family
income to increase to $10,400 and per capita disposable income
to increase to $3600

(2) Economic.Stabilization. It is'predicted that the economy will
stabilize and that unemployment will fluctuate in a narrow range
between 3 and 4.5 percent

(3) Changing Attitudes Toward Work and Leisure. Total l.eisure will
increase. The four-day week.will become the norm indicating a
dramatic increase in the demand for recreational activities.

Stephens and Associates, in their 1974 publicat.ion, Dare County Economic

Development Plan, forecasted increases in Dare County's basic employment.

These forecasts were made by assuming that increased visitation in Dare is

a function of population and income growth in the recreation ma rket area'.

Recreation Market Area Growth Rates

As previously discussed on page 29, the county's recreational market

.area extends approximately 350 miles to the north, including most of the

New York Metropolitan area, conforming roughly to the eastern "Megalopolic

Corridor", extending to the west in Pennsylvania and Virginia and to the so uth

in North Carolina. This market area comprises 15% of the total population

of the United States or approximately 35,000,000 people. Sophisticated popu-

lation and income projections from the Bureau of Economic Analysis in the

Department of Commerce permit development of projections for Dare's market

area. The BEA projections are based on functional economic areas whic,h have

been defined for the entire United States. Dare's market area includes the

following seven economic areas:

New York
Philadelphia.
.Baltimore
Washington
Richmond
Norfolk-Portsmouth
Raleigh

119

MARKET AREA POPULATION AND INCOME PROJECTIONS

1970-80 1980-90 1900-2000
1970 1980 Growth 1990 Growth 2000 Growth
Economic Area Actual Projection Rate Projection Rate Projection Rate
Population Growth (OOOT

New York 18,151.5 21,004.3 23,935.2 27,025.7
@hiladelphia 7,229.4 8,334.3 9,426.3 10,516.9
Baltimore 2,673.2 3,107.3 3,50-1.7 4,032.9
Washington 3,029.9 3,750.4 4,559.7 5,385.8
Richmond 1,009.6 1,196.4 1,370.5 1,597.6
Norfolk-Portsmouth 1,227.3 1,327.9 1,424.2 1,549.1
Raleigh 1,611.9 1,733.5 1,904.9 2,109.7
Total Market Area 932;8 .40,454.6 46,202.5 14.2% 52,217.7

Personal Income (000)

N)
CD New York 80,814.4 125,418.5 180,487.8 266,694.7
Philadelphia 26,292.8 42,256.4 61,642.5 91,930.0
Baltimore 9,462.9 15,303.0 22,799.2- 34'' 535.8
Washington 12,054.2 21,086.3 32,654.5 51,163.4
Richmond 3,195.0 5,313.5 8,037.2 12,397.3
Norfolk-Portsmouth 3,661.6 5,591.5 7,934.0 1.1,560.9
Raleigh 3,960.8 [email protected] 9,360.9 149373.1
Total Mkt. Area 139,441.7 221,253.0 58.7% 46.0% 482,705.Z. 49.5%

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, 1972.

A detailed explanation of the BEA projection techniques would be quite lengthy;

ho wever, in concept, they utilize a "stepdown" technique to determine each

economic area's share of projected national economic growth.. The "stepdown"

projection is widely recognized as on,e of the most accurate forecasting

methodologies.

@ @m(@s
@e Growth Factor

Stephen's Associates derived a composite growth factor for Dare County's
basic employment from the market area's population and income growth rates. for

each decade between 1970 and 2000. The basic assumption is that growth in.

basic employment in Dare County is a function of the growth of population and

income in its market area and that income is a more important determinant than

population.

The composite factor is actually a weighted average of the two growth

rates. In calculating the growth factor, a weight of 3.0 is assigned to the

market area's income growth and a weight of 1.0 to its population growth rate.

Dare County.Basic Employment Growth Factors 1970-2000

Market Market
Income Population Growth
Decade Growth Growth Factor

1970-1980 58.7% 15.8% .480
001
1980-1990 46.0% 14.2% .001
1990-2000 49.5% 13.0% .404

Source: Stephens Associates

@Ml oy e t Forpcasts

The composite growth factors for the market area were used to forecast

the growth of employment in Dare County's basic sector. Using these estima tes

of future basic employment, -the county's non-basic employment was derived from

121

the basic/non-basic ratio which was calculated from the analysis of the

economic base.

The estimates of Dare's future employment are found below.

a
Dare County Average Annual Employment Forecasts--1970-2000

Total Average
Basic Growth Basic/Non- Non-Basic Annual
Year Employment Factor Basic Ratio Employment Employment
1970 b 968 .480 1.89 1,832 2,800
1980 1,433 .381 1.90 2,723 4,156
1990 1,979 .404 1.90 3,760 5,739
2000 2,779 - 5,280 8,059

aSource: Stephens Associates
b1970 Census employment figures corrected upward to reflect average annual
employment.

122

POPULATION FORECASTS

Many sophisticated techniques have been devised for population studies.

None of these, however, are particularly suited for small, dynamic areas such

as Dare County. Forecasting the-population of a resort area is.quite different

from working with other areas. The main source of population increase in

Dare County is migration, whichis less predictable than the natural increase

factor. Also, the employment is based on tourism, one of the least predictable

industries.

An examination of charts.A and B reveals recent population projections.

for Dare County. These population figures were either projected specifically

for Dare County or for the Dare Beaches Planning Area and then app.lied to the'
entire county. The tremendous ranges between the high and low project'ions

are readily apparent. The dissimilarities in the various projections magnify

the problem of realistically forecasting both resident anJ non-r6sident popu

lation figures which should take into account certain variables such as Dare's

recent, dynamic growth trend; local economic trends and projections; economic

and population growth trends in Dare's market area; and housing capacities.

Also, the county's physical constraints on development and the desires and

needs of the citizens as they relate to population growth must be carefully

considered.

A detailed explanation concerning the methodology of each projection is

not within the scope of this Land Use Plan. However, it is felt that the

resident projection done by Stephen's and Associates in the Dare County

Economic Development Plan (Forecast #4, chart A) accurately reflects all the
necessary factors discussed in the previous paragraph. The following resident

population discussion is based on the Stephen's findings.

123

DARE COUNTY PERMANENT POPULATION PROJECTIONS-Chart A

80
I OBERSC
2. N.C. Dept. Admin.
70 3. OBERSE 72,000
4. Dare Co. Econ. Dev. Plan
5. 1970-75 Growth Trend
60 6. Dare Beaches Econ. Dev. Plan
7. Dare Beaches Sketch Dev. Plan

7
28,000
30
27,000

20 5 20,000
13,000
2
3 12,750
950
10 -

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

YEAR

DARE COUNTY SEASONAL POPULATION PROJECTIONS-Chart B

300
1. Dare Beaches Econ. Dev. an 0
2. Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce
Dare Beaches Sketch Dev. Plan
4. Dare Beaches Water & Sewer Authority
250

200

150
_j

C:)

_V, 100
Uj
V) 3 74,000

1000
2
50

0
00

1970 1975 1980 1985 199b 1995 2000

YEAR

Resident Population Forecasts

Dare's total employment forecasts provide the basis for further estimates

of the county's resident population. The estimation technique using employment

forecasts is simple. It assumes that the relat -ionship between employment and

total population in a base year will remain fairly stable throughout the

forecase period and that, therefore, the ratio of employment to population can

be used to relate employment forecasts to population.

In 1970 the ratio of Dare's average annual employment to total resident
population was 0.40. National and state trends, however, show this ratio

increasing. In North Carolina, for example, the employment/population ratio

increased from 0.32 in 1940 to 0.39 in 1970. To account for a probable

increase in labor force participation, the county's employment/population
ratio has been increased'.005 per decade.
The table below contains estimates of Dare County's resident p opulation

for 1970-2000 (also see Chart A, Forecast #2).

Estimated Resident Population - 1970 to 2000'

Average Annual Employment/Population Total Resident
Year Employment Ratio Population

1970 2800 .4o 7,000
1975 3478 .4025 8,625
1980 4156 .405 10,262
1985 4948 .4075 12,370
1990 5739 .41, 13,998
2000 8059 .415 19,419

126

Non-Resident Forecasts

The year-round population is not the most relevant figure in a tourist

economy. Dare's seasonal visitors are an important aspect of the county's

total population because they place demands on the county's services and re-

sources similar to those of the resident population. Therefore, forecasts of

Dare's future population levels must include estimates of the magnitude of the

non-resident seasonal population.

A technique devised by Stephen's Associates in project ing.Dare's non-

res-ident population will be employed in conjunction with updated transient

housing figures supplied by the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. Resident
population projections and estimated day visitors are added to seasonal popula-

tion projections to produce a total peak capacity in Dare County. The under-

lying assumptions are: (1) that the-county's peak population in the base year

(1975) is a function of its transient hou5ing capacity and (2) that increases

in this visitor base can be forecast from the growth of income and population

in the county's recreation market area.

Transient housing capacity consists of three major elements: motel and

hotel units, campsites, and rental cottages. A 1975 survey by the Outer Banks

Chamber of Commerce provides a fairly accurate enumeration of the county's

motel, @otel, and campsite accommodations; however, the number of rental; cot-

tages must be derived from housing data published in the 1970 Census.

The Bureau of the Census classifies housing in two categories--year-round

and seasonal or migratory. In 1970, the Census recorded a total of 4,728

housing units (does not include motel. and hotel units) of which 1,526 were

classified as seasonal. Of the 3,202 year-round units, only 2,452 were

occupied--a vacancy rate of over 30 percent. This high vacancy rate reveals

that some.of the units classified as year-round are actually rental cottages.

127

Allowing for a more.normal vacancy rate of 6 percent, there are an additional

600 units which can be classified as tourist-orJented housing..

These 600 units, in addition to the 1,526 units classified as seasonal

by the Census, indicate a total of 2,126 rental cottages in -Dare County.

The list below which contains this rental cottage estimate as well as the

results of the motel, hotel, and campsite survey, provides an estimate of

the 1975 transient housing capacity in Dare County.

1975 Dare County Transient Housing Capacity and Non-Resident
Population Projection

Assumed Non-Resident
Type No. Units Party Size Population

Motel/Hotel 3380 3.0 10,140,
Rental-Cottage 2126 j.0 143882
Campsite 1970 .3.8 5 141
TOTAL 7476 30,163

Source: Outer Banks Chamber of Cbmerce; Stepheh's Associates

Surveys in Dare County, as well as other resort areas, have established

the average size of parties utilizing the various types of transient housing

accommodations. These estimates of party size, also found ablve, have been

utilized to convert Dare's total supply of transient housing to an estimate

of the county's 1975 non-resident population.

Based on this 1975 non-resident population.projection, t he composite

growth factor for the county's market area has been used to forecast the popu-

lation in 5 year intervals to 1990 and for the year 2000. These forecasts along

with permanent population forecasts and day visitors produce the total peak

capacity figures found on page 129.

128

Non'Resident and Total Peak Capacity Forecasts,
Dare County -- 1975 to 2025

Non-Resident Permanent Day Total Peak
Year Growth Factor Population Population Visitors Capacity

1975 30,000 9,000 7,500 46,500
1980 .24 37,200 10,200 10,000 57,400
1985 .190 44,270 12,130 12,250 68,650*
1990 .191 52,725 14,000 81,725
2000 .404 74,000 20,000 20,000 114,000
2025 .236 92,000 24,000 25,000 141,000

*It should be noted that Dare County will attain a non-resident population
of approximately 95,000 if it experiences a growth rate similar to those
@of Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, or Ocean City.

Source: Stephen's Associates; Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce.

129

FUTURE LAND NEEDS

It is estimated that approximately'36,200 acres of land or roughly 15@@-,

of the total land area of Dare.County is'suitable for development as indicated

on the Land Classification Map which accompanies this'report. Under the

free market economic system which still prevails in this country it is impos-

sible to predict with any degree of accuracy where development capital will

be invested within the bounds of legal governmental constraints. However, for

the purposes of this report the following allocations are made.
Of this acreage approximately@"900 acres (less than one half.of 1%) are
considered to be in the De'veloped ClassifG_-ti-on Even though water and

sewer services are available in that area, the present population density is

around one family per acre. Thd area should be able to accommodate the desired

population growth with existing utilities. The Developed Classification in-

cludes many previously platted under-sized lots which have not been built

.upon despite the availability of utilities. Some of those small lots have

been combined to make more desirable properties for development and some were

required to be combined in order to meet minimum acreage requirements for the

County Health or Zoning Codes.

it is ant icipated that the developed areas on Roanoke Island will attract

more permanent population than seasonal visitors.

Around 1-8 000 acres of developable land are included in the Transitional-,

category which represents less than 8% of the total land area of the County.

If,this area is developed at the desired rate over the ten year period, the

resulting gross density for both permanent and seasonal resident's and day

visitors would be around 2.66 people per acre. Since most of the Transitional

lands are loca-ted in the most desirable areas of the county an even greater,

130

rate of growth might be experienced. However, even if all of the desired

population increas e for the entire county were to locate in the Transitional.

lands, the resulting load on the peak day during the tourist season with all

available accommodations filled would yield a gross density of around 3.75

people per acre.

The Transitional lands also contain some previously platted.lots which

.are smaller than present regulations would permit.. The Dare County septic

tank regulations prohibit the development of those lots on which a septic tank

cannot be safely located until the necessary utilities are available to

serve it. The density at which development occurs within the Transitional

land will therefore be controlled to achieve the goal of preventing the

pollution of estuarine and ground waters..

The Transitional lands are'located in those areas of the County where

soil conditions and depth of water table are most suitable for development

without degradation of the environment. Within those areas, however, each

individual site must be evaluated and approved before it can be developed.

The towns of Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills are designated growth centers

for the county and comprise approximately 7500 acres of Transitional land.

The Community Land Classification.includes about 17,000 acres of land

which comprises less than 7% of the total land area of the County. On the

Mainland, the Community Classification encompasses only the.existing small

communities of East Lake, Stumpy Point, Mann's Harbor and Mashoes.* These

areas are not expected to attract additional population and should remain

fairly stable for the planning period. Present overall density in these

Mainland areas is around 0.14 people/acre.

The lands in the Community Classification north of Kill Devil Hills

to the Currituck County line contain considerable development and some

131

private water systems which could serve as a nucleus for necessary utilities

beyond the ten year planning period. Until.that time, however, the avail.-

able lan d area should be developed at a low density under existing develop-

ment controls. The existing under-sized lots in the area will not.be

developed until such time as the necessary-utilities are available beyond

the ten year,planning period. These areas will-continue to accommodate

primarily seasonal population on roughly 10,000 acres of land. This would

amount to almost one quarter of the projected non-resident population of

the County by 1985 at a gross density of around 1.09,people per acre.

No population density is assigned to the 85,000 acres of land'in-the

Rural Classification. Any residential development which might occur within

those areas would be required to. comply with Dare County Subdivision and

Septic Tank Permit Regulations which will determine lot size based on soil

type and depth to water table.

132

COMMUNITY FACILITY DEMAND

Dare County and the incorporated municipalities are currently undertaking

studies to determine the cost of the major utility systems and other services

which will be required to support the desired population growth which is

projected by this Land Use Plan@ The details of those requirements.will be

published as a Community Facilities Plan and Public Improvements'.Program which

will become an integral part of the comprehensive plan for the development of

Dare County. Without this kind of systematic examination of needs and re-

sources, it is impossible to give a meaningful estimate of the cost of growth

or to evaluate the potential methods of paying the cost.

At this time it is known that 5 mi,llion dollars,worth of bonds for a

water system for the northern area of the County have been auth'orized by

the voters. An engineering report has estimated the cost of a sewage treat-

ment system for the same area to be in excess of 11 million dollars. Recent

storms have caused salt water to contaminate wells in the Vi Ilage of Avon.

But the federal funds which were available to help defray the cost of a water

line from a safe source of supply in Buxton have been detained because of

pressure from a non-resident special interest group. This will result in an

unexpected increase in the local cost of providing the urgently needed water.

These needs and others must be given priorities and balanced against resources
which are available or anticipated to be available before e lected officials

and voters can make rational choices from among the alternatives.

The private sector is required to participate in the cost of providing

services required by new development through existing County ordinances and

policies. Developers are required to bear the cost of streets and water

distribution lines.at this time and will be required to install sewage collection

systems for new developments w hen a central sewage treatment facility is

133

available. It is County policy to provide other services such as solid waste

collection and fire protection on aservice district basis. This means that

those who receive the services are taxed to pay for them.

Upon'completion of the Community Facilities-Study and the establishment

of a Public Improvements Program, the County and the municipalities will be

.able to prepare a Capital Improvements Budget. The Capital Improvements

Budget is a means through which the local government can most economically

relate public expenditures to its long-range plan for necessary and desirable

public improvements while making the most effective use of the fiscal resources

available to it, whether from local, State, or Federal sources.

Facilities in addition to water and sewer systems which are known to be

required during the next ten years are:

A. Additional acreage for sanitary landfill.

B. Site for the construction of a new Junior High School.

C. Expanded volunteer fire fighting services for the mainland
communities.

D. Expansion of U.S..Highway 158 By-Pass and upgrading of
N. C. 12.

134

SECTION-V

PLAN DESCRIPTION

135

LAND CLASSIFICATION

The land area of Dare County is divided into five categories for the.purposes

of guiding development into the most appropriate areas.

A. Developed Land
Description

Developed lands, delineated in rust color on the Land Classification
Map, range from incorporated larger communities that contain sizeable

permanent, seasonal, and transient populations with a diversity of

..residential, commercial, tourist and light industrial development
and a high level of public services and fatilitiesi to small'er, less

varied communities with a lesser intensity and diversity.of develop-

ment and a lower level of public services and facilities.

Function and Standards

Developed lands will provide the serv ice and growth centers for Dare

County. They are intended to accommodate the greater portion of the

necessary and natural expansion of residential, commercial, and

industrial activities. The needs of Dare County's permanent,

seasonal and transient population for housing, recreation, commercial

activity, social and professional services will be met in these areas.

The building intensity in the developed areas will allow the economic

feasibility of a high level of public and institutional services.

These areas will discourage the dispersion of development in the

conservation areas of the County because they are concentrated in

character and are located in areas where existing development patterns

indicate the demand for and viability of growth centers.

136

B Transition Land

Description,

Transition lands, delineated in hatched rust color on the Land

Classification Map, are those areas of Dare County where the capa-

bility of the natural resources and the anticipated need for future

development indicate that relatively intense development of primarily

residential character is suitable. The areas are located near or

adjacent to developed lands, along highways or in areas where the

soils and accessibility of services indicate a high development

potential.

Function and Standards

Transition lands will provide for moderate intensity development in

areas where development will not significantly harm relatively tolerant

natural resources. These areas are designed to provide for residential

expansion and growth and to accommodate uses related to and compatible

with residential uses in the vicinity of developed lands where util'i-

ties and community services can be most economically and readily pro-

vided. Development and the required services and utilities will be

at a generally less intense level than in developed lands.

C. Community Land
Description

Community lands, delineated in cross hatched rust color on the

Development Guide Map, are those areas of Dare County characterized

by existing clusters of one or more different land uses in readily

accessible locations within reasonable p.roximity to a develope-d area

where the natural resources are fairly tolerant to development at a

low intensity.

137

Function and Standards

The community lands will provide for low intensity development

opportunities at levels that will protect the natural resources of

Dare County and still,allow orderly growth and development. These

areas will primarily provide residential opportunities for permanent

residents as well as seasonal residents. Public services and

utilities will not be available in these areas at as high a level

as in the developed and transitional areas.

D. Rural Land
Description

Rural lands, delineated in white on the Land Classification Map,

are those areas of Dare County with little or no urban development

in relatively remote locations where there arenat-ural resources in

tolerant to intensive development.. These areas are characterized

by forested or open, low-lying lands which would be suited for

carefully managed resource utilization programs such as forestry,

agriculture or passive recreation.

Function and Standards

Rural lands will provide areas for the long term management of

productive resources within the county, which will help to stabilize

the seasonal fluctuations of the economy. The potential economic

importance of these areas and their general unsuitability to support

intensive development makes the protection of these lands essential

to the county. Building construction,.residential and.related sup-

porting development should occur only on large lots in relatively

138

small clusters on carefully selecte d sites. Public services and

utilities in these areas will be limited to support only those uses

which are compatible with the concept of conservative resource

utilization. The rural classification will also provide large open

areas within the county to serve at a buffer against incompatible

uses of land and to serve future land needs which cannot be anti-

cipated.

E. Conservation Land
Description

Conservation lands are delineated in dotted green on the Land

Classification Map. These are land areas within Dare County where

development must be restricted because of an inherent incapability.

of the land to support development-becau.se of fragility or hazardous

conditions or because the natural resources represent a greater

value than the value of development.

Function and Standards

There is sufficient land suitable for development in Dare County to

accommodate projected and desirable growth without infringing upon

areas which are unsuited for development. The classification of

conservation lands will direct development away from areas which

cannot support intensive development, where public services are not

and should not be made available, and direct it instead to more to

tolerant areas where services can be supplied more economically.

These areas are also designated to identify characteristics which

represent a potential hazard,to development such as flood and erosion.

139

These hazard factors increase the public and private cost required

to support development. If consi dered against the useful life of the

private investment and against the less apparent public cost through

provision of services and potential disaster assistance, the return

for development in these areas would be marginal. Management of

forestry and agricultural resources is a permitted use within Con-

servation Areas where suitable soils are found. Conservation Lands

will protect areas identified.as'potential sources for public water

supply on the Outer Banks or as recharge areas for principal aquifers

on Roanoke Island and the mainland.

Privately owned wildlife refuges, wilderness areas and passive rocrea-

tion areas will be classified as Conservation Land.

Large publically owned or controlled tracts will be'included in the

conservation classification to further identify and protect historic,

cultural and natural resource areas. Development or alteration of

land is appropriateWithin conservation areas whereit can be shown

that:

(1) The proposed development will not destroy or irretrievably alter:

A. Wetlands

B. Frontal Dunes

C. Beaches

D. Estuarine or Impounded Surface Waters

E. Prime Wildlife Habitat

F. Unique natural areas, historic or archeological sites

140

(2) The proposed development will not encroach.upon or be endangered

by:

A. Areas of special flood hazard

B. Ocean front erosive areas

C. Inlets and areas within range of their migr ation.

D. Estuarine erosive areas.

(3) The proposed development will not significantly af fect the

quality or reduce the value of:

A. Public or privately owned forest, park, game lands,

sanctuaries or other non-intensive recreation areas.

B. Aquifers, or aquifer recharge areas, or public water supply

watersheds or water supply areas.

(4) The proposed development will not require an. increase in public

utilities or services beyond that provided by the' developer.

Potential Areas of Environmental Concern

In addition to those areas included in.the conservation land classi-

fication, there are some areas of the county which, because of their

over-riding importance, their fragility, or the hazard they represent,

should either be protected from development or developed only with

special precautions. Those areas in Dare County which might be desig-

nated as A.E.C.'s by the Coastal Resources Commission are:

A. Coastal Wetlands:

1. Description

The marsh areas located along the shoreline of Roanoke, Croatan,

Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

141

2. Permissible Uses

Erosion Control, fishIng piers, docks, bulkheads (on upland

side), utility easements, dredging for access to navigable

waters and such other development requiring water access

which do hot significantly alter the natural function of the

marsh.

B. Estuarine Waters:

1. Description
Those Sound waters which are classified S-A for the taking

of shellfish.

2. Permissible Uses

Propogation of marine life, navigation, fishing, swimming,

skiing, boating, fishing piers and docks.,

C. Resource Areas - Watersheds or Aquifers:

1. Description

The water impoundment-and immediate area around the Fresh

Pond serving Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, and the well

fields of the Hatteras Water Association and the Dare County

Water System.

2. Permissible Uses

Public water supply, recreation, and other development only

when provided with public waste water disposal system.

D. Fragile, Historic or Natural-Resource Areas:

1. Jockey's Ridge State Park, Nags Head Woods, the Cape Hatteras

National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and

Wright Brothers National Memorial.

142

2. Permissible.Uses

On publicly owned land only these uses consistent with the

objectives for which the area was established. On privately

owned land only such limited development as would preserve

areas susceptible to-environmental damage from more intensive

development should be undertaken only after approval of a

complete development plan which shows that the proposed

development will not destroy or significantly alter the

natural topography, vegetation, surface waters or other

unique natural features.

E. Areas Subject to Public Rights

1. Description

The waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Croatan, Pamlico, Albemarle

and Roanoke Sound under the jurisdiction of the Corps of

Engineers.

2. Permissible Uses

Propogration ofmarine life navigation, fishing, swimming,

boating, fishing piers, docks, bulkheads for erosion control.

F. Natural Hazard Areas:

1. Description

The ocean front and barrier dunes within one hundred and fifty

feet (150') of the mean high water mark of the Atlantic Ocean,

the portions of Sound shoreline with a recent history of ero-

sion problems, those areas of the county.that have an identi-

fied special flood hazard with velocity as designated by the

Department of H.U.D. Flood Insurance Administration, -and the

area within five hundred (500) feet of Oregon and Hatteras Inlets.

2. Permissible Uses

(a) Ocean front and barrier dunes;

Erosion and storm protection, bea.ch and ocean access.-

(b) Erodible areas of Sound Shoreline

erosion prevention devices, piers, docks, bulkheads.

residential, commercial, industrial, public and semi-

public uses which are developed according to the

standards of the Federal Insurance Administration.

(d) Ocean inlet areas;

erosion and storm protection, beach and ocean access.

144

MANTEO

The Town of Manteo (1970 population 547) is'located on the northwest end

of Roanoke Island.and, serves as the County Seat of Dare County. The govern-

mental functions of.the County are primarily conducted in Manteo, From past

growth trends and characteristics it appears that Manteo has been and will

-continue to be the primary."service center" of Dare County, particularly in

terms of medical, educational and other public or government services.. It

is this urban atmosphere that has provided for and is expected to continue

to provide for year-round residential, commercial, and other urban development.

in the vicinity of the Town of Manteo.

In recent years the frings areas of Manteo have grown at a much greater

rate than has the town itself. This is due primarily to the fact that land

for-residential and commercial development is not available within the preseft

town limits of Manteo. As a result of the growth which has taken place,.much

of the fringe area of the Town is now developed at urban dens-ities and is in

need of municipal services. Many, if notmost, of the people living in the

fringe areas work, trade and otherwise identify with the Town of Manteo.

The fact that the people in these areas have chosen locations of such close

proximity to the Town of Manteo to build homes and businesses demonstrates

their dependence on the existence of the Town of Manteo.

The future growth of the Town of Manteo will.depend upon its annex-

ation policy which, in turn, depends upon the ability of this Town to except.

municipal services to the developed areas surrounding its present Town limits.

Those areas which could potentially be annexed could expand Manteo's popula-

tion by approximately 430 people and increase its total area by about 150

acres.

145

KILL DEVIL.HILLS
The Town of Kill Devil Hills (1970 pop. 357) is 'located on the Outer

Banks of Dare County. The town has experienced a steady population growth

since its incorporation in 1953 and now has an estimated population of almost

500 permanent residents. The Town experiences the additional impact of sea-

sonal population which was estimated for 1975 to be over 10,000 people on the

peak day. Less than thirty percent of the available land in the Town is

developed with seasonal and vacation cottages interspersed among.permanent

residences. Motels, tourist accommodations and commercialenterprises are

predominantly located along the ocean beach and along the by-pass highway.

The center of Kill Devil Hills is dominated by National Park Service land

surrounding the Wright Brothers Memorial.

Kill Devil Hills participated in the building and development expansion

which occurred during the early 1970's. Over 3 million dollars worth of

building permits were issued by the town in 1972 but as the national economy

began a recession this figure dropped to about onemillion dollars worth

in 1975. Building activity has again increased since the beginning of 1976

with the lowering of interest rates and indications are that development

will return to the rate of the early 1970's.

The most severe constraints to development in,Kill Devil Hills at this

time are the lack of a sufficient water supply and a sewage disposal system.

Kill Devil Hills joined Dare County and Nags Head in approving a bond refer-

endum to install a fresh water supply adequate for the needs of the desired

population growth projected by this report. The water system is scheduled

to be completed by 1977 and until that time the town will supplement its

water supply with shallow wells which have recently been approved by State

Health Of ficials.

146

A central sewa,ge treatment system to serve Kill Devil Hil.1s, the developed'

areas of the northern Dare County Beaches and Roanoke Island is presently
under study by engineering consultants. A central sewage system is necessary

to solve existing problems with septic tanks and to accommodate desired future

growth without endangering valuable estuarine waters.orgroundwater supplies.

Until a central sewage system is available for the Town, the County septic

tank regulations will maintain a control on residential density. These regu-

lations set minimum lot sizes for new subdivisions and will prevent building

on previously platted sub-standard lots until the necessary utilities are

available.

The Kill Devil Hills Planning Board has adopted the following policy

objectives to guide development within the Planning Jurisdiction of Kill

Devil Hills consistent with the goals of the Dare County Land Use Plan.

Economic Policy Objectives:

1. To promote tourism as the major industry of the community.

2. To.encourage extension of the tourist season into,the spring

and fall months.

3. To encourage permanent residential development which will

attract more year-round residents.

4. To promote wise development whi.ch will protect the unique and

fragile environment of Kill Devil Hills.

Urban Growth Policy Objectives:

1. To insure planned, orderly development for the most efficient

utilization of suitable land within the Town.

2. To provide for the separation of incompatible uses such as com-

m6rcial and residential areas by the use of natural barriers

and open spaces.

147

3. To identify and consolidate centralized and compact business

areas.

.4. To encourage future residential development which will provide

more useable open space and more cost effective utilization of

municipal services through clustered growth.

5. To encourage the location of a suitable site for non-pol'luting

service industries to support the tourist and development sector.

6. To encourage the development of a community-wide recreation

program which will provide community parks, bike trails, ocean-

front access and other appropriate fac ilities.

7. To encourage and reinforce the family beach atmosphere that makes

Kill Devil Hills a pleasant place to live and to visit.

Institutional Policy Objectives:

1. To work for closer cooperati on with Dare' County and with

adjacent municipalities.

2. To improve municipal services and governmental organization for

better responsiveness to public needs.

148

SECTION Vi

SUMMARY AND MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

149

DATA ASSEMBLY AND ANALYSIS

The assembly of data for the preparation of the Dare County Land Use

Plan was initiated upon the completion of a comprehensive bibl'iog,raphy for
Dare County specifically and the coastal plain area of North Carolina in

general. The County bibliography included all previously published reports

and studies involving such subjects as water and sewer, economy, demography,

tourism, geology and groundwater, natural and historic areas, indigenous

flora and fauna, erosion, climate, fishing, soils, legal restraints, aerial

photo interpretation, coastal wetlands, recreation and planning to name but

a few. (See list of references.)

Data was assembled and subsequently organized into general topics as

required in the State Planning Guidelines which includes: population and

economy; current plans policies and regulations; physical limitations;

fragile areas, areas with resources potential, community facility capacities;

population and economic projections; future land needs; and future community

facility demands. The required data was then analyzed and, in conjunction

with results obtained from the citizen survey questionnaires, was utilized

in formulating the Dare County Land Use Plan. The following discussion and

summary represents major conclusions which were derived from the Land Use

Plan.

150

SUMMARY AND MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

I. Introduction

The Dare County Land Use Plan spells out guidelines for the future physical,

cultural and economic development of the County.

The Plan was developed under the provisions of the North Carolina Coastal

Area Management Act of 1974 which requires the local governments of the coastal

counties to prepare blueprints for their growth and development., Private citi-

zens in Dare County worked closely with local government in the determination

of County goals. The Plan, there fore, sets forth an expression of what the

local citizens want the County to be like, along with policies and standards

to be used in achieving the County goals.

The Plan encourages the development of sui.table l,and in a manner which

would achieve a balance between desirable growth, long range expansion of the

County's economic base, and the preservation of the County's natural and.cul-

tural resources. While tourism and the service industry supporting it are
recognized as the major economic activity of the County, the Plan is mindful

of the need for stabilizing seasonal fluctuations by the further development

of other enterprises which are compatible with the County's environment,

heritage and traditions.

The County Commissioners have adopted the planning objectives, policies

and standards encompassi-ng the Plan. The land use planning process is recog-

nized, as a useful tool for evaluating changing future conditions against

desired long-range objectives if it is properly implemented.

151

II. DARE COUNTY N014

Population and Economy

Dare County had a resident population of 6,995 in the 1970 census which

represented an increase of over 18% from 1960. The largest growth in the County

occurred on.the Dare Beaches, while the-mainland experienced a population de-

cline. In-migration of new residents was the major cause of the population

growth. Most of these new residents were in an older age group which caused

a rise.in the average age of the population.

The Dare economy has become increasingly dependent upon the tourist

industry since 1960 while employment in agriculture, forestry and fis heries

declined to less than 10% of the total. In response to recreational demand,

the retail trade industries--food stores, restaurants, motels and hotels--
became one bf'ol the leading employers, increasing from about.16% in 1960 to over
25% in 1970. The service industry which is the largest employer in the County,

increased its share of total employment from 23% to nearly 200%.

Land Use

Exi'sting uses of the land within Da.re County are shown on the accompanying

land use map.

Two areas in Dare County are expected to undergo major changes in and

use. These are the Dare mainland, where First Colony Farms plans to convert

approximately 100,000 acres from forestry to pasture and row crops, and

Wanchese, where a major fishing port with dock facilAties and seafood proces-

sing pl.ants are to be developed.

Compatibility of neighboring land uses is an important factor in planning

new additions to communities. Many areas are now an uncontrolled mixture of

permanent residences, vacation homes and commercial enterprises. This often
and

iv
,n ]e
r t

roc es-

results in the original land users leaving the area due to.undesirable condi-

tions.

152

The unsuitability Of the land to support a desired land use also presents

problems. The destruction of natural vegetation can be'costly, particularly

in a dune area, where the exposed sand becomes subject to the hazards of wind

erosion.

Sub-standard building lots and improper development of a marsh area can

cause serious health problems. Improperly installed septic tank systems can

pollute ground water supplies and lead to the closing of shell fish waters.

Currently, the following plans, policies and regulatioRs are in effect:

Dare County General Development Plan (19740, Engineering Report on Wate r and

Sewer Facilities (1973), Zoning Ordinance (1975), Subdivision Regulations

(1972), Flood Insurance Regulations (1972), Dune Protection Ordinance (1971),

11. C. Building Code and County Health Department regulations governing' septic

tank permits.

III. DEVELOPMENT OF OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND STANDARDS

Public Participation

Substantial citizen involvement in the Land Use Plan was achieved through

the coordinated efforts of the Commissioners, members of the Planning Boards,

and community contact individuals in the County and the Municipalities. In

addition to widespread publicity in the local press and on radio and.TV, and

to direct presentations to the general public, questionnaires were distri-

buted throughout the County to secure broad local input on County goals and

to identify problem areas relating to them.

153

Broad Objectives

As a result of this inquiry, it was.clear that Dare County citizens

placed highest value on the follow ing-qualities of living in Dare County:.

Enjoyment of the natural environment
Freedom from pollution 'and population pressures
Slow pace of living and privacy

The preservation and enhan cement of these qualities were held paramount in

the development of the Plan.

Problem Areas

The County citizens identified a number of problem areas which will

.require resolution if the County is to develop in a sound and progressive

manner. They are:

a. Population and economic trends. The County is faced with a potential

population growth rate greater than its existing utilities and

services can handle. Furthermore, most of the growth will take

place on the Outer Banks, which is among the most fragile areas of

the County where improper development would be fe-1t.most k-eenly,.

Continued dependence on tourism as the predominant economic base

for the County indicates an inherently unstable character for the

County economy.

b. Housing and community services. Uncontrolled growth in the County

will result in the development of neighborhoods incompatible with

the quiet low-density community living tradition of the region.

Increasing d emands for Health and social services will accompany

population growth. A prerequisite for orderly growth will be the

orderly expansion of all community services.
izens

154

C. Productive natural resources. Fisheries, forestry and farming all

contribute to the natural wealth of the County. The land and water

resources are closely related, and the use of one.affects the o ther.

Conservation of these resources requires not only the monitoring of

their interaction but the continual review of their management.

d. The natural environment. Dare County is already in.a critical period

of growth with the closing of shellfish waters because of pollution

and with the loss of wildlife habitat in some areas because of un-

wise development. Dare County citizens seek to encourage the sound

development of the County, but not at undue loss to the natural

environment.

e. Cultural and historic'resources. Dare County has played a.unique

role in the development of this country, and a rich cultural heri-

tage is one of its most valuable assets The recognition of this

heritage may point the way to a kind of growth which could help

stabilize the economic base of the County and at the same time in-
still@a sense of community pride among residents.

f. Transportation. The increasing numbers of automobiles, buses, trucks,

and recreational vehicles will increase transportation problems in

the County,in the future. The problems will be experienced principally

on the Outer Banks during the summer months. Continuing development of

the Currituck Outer Banks will give rise to a growing threat of a trans-

portation corridor to the north of Dare County. Unlimited access to and

from the tidewater cities in Virginia would create a north-south

thoroughfare along the Dare Banks with devastating impact on the

natural environment and on the qualities of living in the area.

155

IV. POLICIES FOR DEVELOPMENT

In keeping with the expressed desires of its citizens*, the following

policies have been adopted to guide the physical, cultural and economic

development of the County:

a. To undertake a pattern of land use which places high importance

on the protection and conservation of Dare County's unique environment.

b. To undertake a pattern of land use which.will provide a broad range

of living, working and recreational opportunities for permanent and seasonal

residents.

c. To undertake a pattern of balanced residential and commbrc-ial land

use based on the availability of adequate utilities and services.
rd. To undertake a pattern of land Iuse to provide for the concentration

of commercial services and facilities in suitable growth centers such as
the established towns and areas permitting such developm tJ
e. To maintain tourism and the retr eation' industry as a major contri-

butor to the economic well being of the County.

f. To maintain Dare County's heritage as a fishing center and to
encourage the provision of modern seafood processing facilities in the County

to help insure its viability and growth.

g. To encourage the County' s tradition of independent craftsmen and

of trades such as boatbuilding and netmaking, to more fully utilize labor

resources available in the area.

h. To encourage the establishment of a center for wholesaling, ware-

housing and distribution of goods and services in support of the tourist

industry in a suitable location in Dare County.

i. To encourage intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in

Dare County in the interest of worki ng joi ntly toward the accomplishment of

goals.

156

j. To undertake to work with neighboring Counties and with State and

Federal agencies toward the objective of making the Outer Banks a destina-

tion area instead of a major traffic throughway.

k. Community services and facilities will be established only in

suitable areas.

1. The Towns of Kill Devil Hills, Manteo and Nags Head are designated

as growth centers and will provide a nucleus of the services and utilities

necessary to support desirable development. Within each town detailed land

use categories will be assigned through the developm ent codes of each juris-

diction.

The County has adopted and will continue to enforce regulations to control
the subdivision of land, to prevent the destruction of barrier dunes along the
ocean, to control the quality of water supplies, to control the installation

and maintenance of sewage disposal systems,.to control constructJ on of flood-

prone areas, and to control the use of land where the intensity of development

is greatest.

Standards

New land and water uses within the County will be developed in accord

with the objectives and policies established for, the Land Use Plan and with

sound resource management principles. To assure that safe and fitting@practices

are employed certain standards have been developed and incorporated in the Plan.

They are set forth under,headings of general, residential, commercial and ind.u*s-

trial standards.

'The general standards include basic engineering, ecological and planning

principles which apply to all new development. The residential standards are

those fundamental principles applicable to housing and neighborhood develop-

ment. The commercial and industrial standards, respectively, comprise the

principles basic to the reasonable and orderly development of commercial and
industrial enterprises. Industrial-development in the County, however, will
further require an assessment of its impact on th.e local environment.
157

V. CONSTRAINTS

The development 'of some areas of Dare County will be inhibited by natural.,

physical and legal constraints; some other areas will be inhibited by economics

and lack of essential services. Some of these areas and constraints have been

identified and are considered below.

POTENTIAL AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

These areas of the county because of their overriding importance, their

fragility, or the potential hazard to development should either be protected

from development or developed with special precautions. Areas in Dare County'

which may be in this category are:

Coastal Wetlands: The marsh areas located along the shoreline of Roanoke,

Croatan, Currituck, Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. These areas may

be developed for erosion control, piers,'or access to navigable

waters.

Estuarine Waters: Those sound waters which are classified SA for the

taking of shellfish. These waters may be used for the propogation

of marine life, navtgation, water sports, piers and docks.

Resource Areas - Watersheds or Aquifers: The water impoundment and

immediate area surrounding the Fresh Pond serving Nags Head and

Kill Devil Hills and the well fields of the Hatteras Water Associa-

tion and the Dare County Water System. These areas may be used for

suitable development provided, however, that it contains adequate

public waste water disposal facilities.

158

Fragile, Historic or Natural Resource Areas: Jockey's Ridge State Park,

Nags Head Woods,.the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh

National Historic Site and the Wright Brothers Memorial. These

areas may be used for limited-development compatible with the area

and to preserve areas susceptible to environmental damage.

Areas Subject to Public Rights: The waters of the Atlantic Ocean,

Croatan, Currituck, Pamlico, Albemarle and Roanoke,Sound under the

jurisdiction of the Army Corps.of Engineers. These waters may be

used for propogation of marine life, navigation, water sports,

piers and erosion control.

Natural Hazard Areas: The ocean front and barrier dunes within one

hundred and fifty feet (150') of the mean highwater mark of the

Atlantic Ocean, the'portions of theSound shoreline with a recent

history of erosion problems, those areas of the county that have

an identified special flood hazard with velocity as designated by

the Department of Housing and,Urban Development, Flood Insurance

Administration, and the area within five hundred feet (500') of

Oregon and Hatteras Inlets. These areas may be used for erosion

and storm protection, b,each and water access or developed according

to the standards of the Federal Insurance Administr ation.

Capac.ity of Community Facilities

Further constraints are placed on development by the capability of public

services to encompass new demands. Some of these services which are in need

of immediate improvement and expansion include:

159

Transportation: The primary roads are ina dequate for the summer tourist

load. Bypass U.S. 158 has deteriorated in capacity and design speed.

N. C. 12 needs immediate widening and resurfacing.

Solid Waste Disposal: There is one 9-acre sanitary landfill for the entire

County� which has a two-year capacity left, New sites for expansion

and improved collection are needed.

Water and Sewer Services: A water bond referendum was passed in 197 5

which will answer the need for freshwater supply on the northern

beaches. New sewage treatment facilities are presently undergoing

engineering study.

Education: It is expected that a new junior high school will be needed

in the near future.

Fire Protection: Services need to be expanded for the communities on

the Dare Mainland.

VI. LAND CLASSIFICATION

The designation of areas suitable for development is an essential element

of the Land Use Plan. The accompanying map was prepared according to the uni-

form land classification system developed under the Coastal Area Management

Act for the North Carolina coastal.area. It must be updated every five years.

The system contains five classes of land:

Developed lands: Which can range from small communities to large incor-

porated cities, where population density is moderate to high and

where there are a variety of land uses which have the necessary

public services and utilities.

160

Transition lands: Which comprise areas suitable for moderately intensive.

development and expansion of predominantly residential character.

These areas are also capable of accommodating other uses compatible

with such development. The level of public services and utilities

inthese areas is less intense than in developed lands.

Community lands: Which include areas capable of low intensity residen-

tial-development Public serv ices and utilities in these areas
will be available at a lower level than in the developed and iransi-

tion lands.

Rural lands: Which comprise areas with little or no urban development.

They are characterized by low-lying lands suited primarily for care-

fully managed programs.such as forestry, agriculture or passive

recreation. The lands used for these purposes will help stabilize

the seasonal fluctuations of the County's economy. Public services

and utilities in these areas will be limited. Rural lands could

also provide open spaces to serve as buffer zones or to be held

in reserve for future uses as yet unanticipated.

Conservation lands: Which are areas Where development most be restricted.

These Tands are incapable of supportihg urban development because of
their fragility or hazardo6s nature@or because the natural or agri-

cultural orforestry resources hold d higher value than their.value

for development. Conservation lands will protect areas representing

potential sources of public water supply or as water supp,ly recharge
areas. Privately owned wildlife refuges, wilderness areas and pas-

sive recreation areas are classified conserv ation lands. In addi-

tion, large publically owned or controlled tracts are classified as

conservation1ands to protect hist6ric,'cultural, and natural resources.

161

VII. ESTIMATED DEMAND

The following table depicts the desired population changes for Dare

County based on the stated objectives of orderly growth and development:

Non-Resident Permanent Day Total Peak
Year Population Population Visitors Day

1975 30,000 9,000 7,500 46,5-00
1980 37,200 10,200 10,000 57,400
1985 44,270 12,130 12,250 68,650
1990 52,725 14,000 15,000 81,725
2000 74,000 20,000 20,000 114,000
2025 92,000 24,000 25,000 141,000

The rate of population growth in Dare County is based on the projected

economic growth in the m ajor market area of the central Atlantic-States.

This means that the projected i*ncrease will, as past experience has.shown,

be a function of the availability of disposable income in the market area

for the purchase of second homes and for vacation trip expenditures.

Since the present water supply for the Dare Beaches is inadequate, the

voters of Dare County and the Towns of Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, and Nags

Head have taken the first step to accommodate this growth by passing a Bond
Referendum to provide a dependable water supply. With that supply the growth

which is expected to occur during the next ten year period can be accommodated

in the Transitional and Community classification areas established by this

Plan which comprise less than 15% of the total land area of the County.

This growth will of necessity be at a low density because it will be governed

by the Dare County Septic Tank Regulations in order to prevent pollution of

estuarine waters and to prevent contamination of the ground water supply.

The desired growth for Dare County will yield an.effective population density
of less than two people per acre in the Developed, Transitional and Community

land classes, on that peak tourist weekend in July or August of .1985 when

162

all the motel rooms and rental cottagQs and camp and trailer spaces are full.

If that entire population load were allocated to the Transitional lands alone,

the density would be 3.75 people or around one family per acre. The effect

o.f previously platted sub-standard lots on the population growth desired for

Dare County will be minimized by the'Dare County Septic Tank Regulations which

prohibit the development of such lots until such time as an approved community

water supply or sewage disposal system is available. The Dare County Subdivi-

sion Regulations require developers to install the necessary utilities and

streets so that the cost of these additional services should not increase the
general tax burden within the growth period.

To achieve the goals of protecting the vital shellfish waters and shallow

ground water supply of the County a central sewage collection and treatment

system is required. Dare County and the municipalities have joined together

to examine this problem and to propose a solution to it. The cost of the

system which results from that study will again require a Bond Referendum

and a commitment from the voters of the County. Regional engineering studies

indicate that such a system might cost in excess of $11 mi.1lion. Due to the

fact that it is impossible to accurately predict future changes in Federal

and State guidelines regarding loan and grant programs for sewage systems

it would be unwise to anticipate State or Federal assistance for such a pro-

ject. Any available assistance would, of course, reduce the cost of the

facilities to the local governments. The expenditures for treatment plants,

pumping stations and major collection lines -may b e covered by Bond Referen-

dum and such additiona] funding that may be available. But collection lines

for municipalities or individual subdivisions and.unin .corporated areas must

be ju stified by the need and willingness to finance such service by the

ultimate users.

163

The intent,of this Plan and*,thd regulatory ordinances based on it is to

control the growth of the County to the level acceptable to its citizens and

within the limits of their willingness to support it.

This means that the tremendous population increases experienced by

other resort communities will not be felt by Dare County because of the

restrictions the County has placed on development with individual septic

tanks and eventually with central sewage treatment,. The population densities

are keyed to the availability of a central sewage treatment system and until

such a system is available the density will remain very low.

Over 50% of the total land area of Dare County is in the conservation

category which is preserved from urban development.

Less than 15% of the total land area of Dare County has b eeh classified

as suitable for urban development. Within this area there will be individual

sites which cannot be developed due to the constraints mentioned in this

Synopsis. The complete development of this land would result in a popula-

tion density of one family per acre during the ten year period.

The continued development of the County will require careful monitoring 'Y

to insure that the standards and policies of this Plan are maintained and

that*the most economic use is made of public funds to supply the required

services.

164

VIII. STEPS REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTATION

A. Land Use Policy

The publication of this document can have the desired influence on

the way the community develops in the future provi.ded that it is

well publicized and understood by the citizens. For the Plan to

have a significant impact on development, however, it must be'recog-

nized as a formally adopted statement of public policy -- a publi-c

commitment to the goals which are considered to be the most.desirable

goals for the future of the county.

The Land Use Plan.must become a factor in the decisions made

by Federal, State, and local government. It must influence choices

between alternative courses of action which occur daily in the

governmental management. The Land Use Plan must also generate 'Other

programs which will be necessary in.order to achieve the goals out-

lined in it.

B. Regulatory Ordinances

Dare County has adopted a zoning ordinance to regulate the use

of land in those areas of the county where development pressure is

most intense.. In the legislation passed by the N. C. General Assembly

to enable counties to enact zoning ordinances (N.C. G.S. 153A-341)

is the requirement that "such regulations shall be made in accordance

with.a comprehensive plan...". Thus, it is mandatory@that the zoning

ordinance and the Land Use Plan.be in harmony and lead to the a.chieve-

ment of the stated goals for comm unity development. Interpretations

of the zoning ordinance by the building inspector and Boards of Ad-

justment should also reflect the influence of the Land Use Plan as

the ultimate statement of public policy on land use.

165

The regulation of new subdivisions provides an opportunity to

insure that development taking place,within the county occurs, in

an orderly manner in accordance with the goals of the Land Use

Plan. The provision for review of subdivision plats by the county.

planning board should insure -that such development is coordinated

with the appropriate utility and thoroughfare systems and that the.

development is of a quality and at a density that will further the

goals of the Land Use Plan.

The North Carolina Building Code, the Dare County Dune Protec-

tion Ordinance and the Flood Hazard Ordinance are important regula-

tory tools,to implement the Land Use Plan. Also, Dare County intends

to act as a permit-letting agency for minor developments as authorized

by the CAMA.

C. Public Investment

The most direct means of implementing the Land Use Plan is through

the preparation of a Public Improvements Program and Capital Budget.

This process is a commitment of public resources and facilities to

the goals of the Land Use Plan which will ultimately affect the pri-

vate sector of development and-encourage growth and development of

the type and in the direction indicated by the plan. A thorough

examination of each county department is necessary to determine the

projects and facilities which wil 1 be required over the planning

period to-accomplish the stated objectives. Careful consideration

of needs as related to objectives should result in a priority listing

of the major items of expense. Then, with a review of the fiscal

resources available through general review, bonding capacity,

166

taxation, and possible state and federal assistance, a specific
budget for a program of public expenditure may be prepared. The

capital budget process is intended to provide a vehicle through

which the county can most economically relate public expenditures

to the Land Use Plan in order to make those necessary and desirable

public improvements with the most effective utilization of the

available fiscal resources.

IX. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COUNTY AND TOWNS

The development of this Land Use Plan.represents a joint effort

between the Dare County Planning.Board, the Planning Boards of Kill

Devil Hills, Manteo, and Nags Head, and includes the opinions and

ideas of citizens of every community in the County. It is, the intent

of the Commissioners of Dare County to continue to use this joint

forum or responsible citizens to provide for periodicreview and

revision of these policies as changes become necessary and.to insure

the role of the citizens of the County in guiding future development.

The towns will continue to control development with-in their juris-

dictions according to the policies and standards of this plan.

167

X SUMMARY

The Dare County Land Use Plan, made up of the goals, poli.cies, standards

and maps outlined above, provides guidelines for the physica.l., cultural and

economic development of the County. It was prepared with substantial citizen

involvement and reflects their desires-to the fullest degree.

The Plan has been adopted by the County Commissioners and will be used

as a basis for future planning in the County as well as a vehicle for evalua-

ting changing future conditions against desired long-range objectives.

The unique history of the County, along with its singular setting of

sea and sound, dunes and forest, make it particularly fitting in this Bicen-

tennial Year for the County to rededicate itself to. the preservation of its

exceptional environment for enjoyment by present and future generations of

residents and visitors.

168

IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUES REQUIRING STATE LEGISLATION

.The North Carolina General Statutes permit local governments to adopt

ordinances to regulate development in a variety of ways through ordinances

and utility extension policies. These methods are mostly negative in their

,effect in that,development is either prohibited or restricted in certain

areas.

1
Other states are using incentives programs such as preferential tax

structure for land remaining undeveloped, scenic easements for critical

property, and transfer of development rights which allows suitable property

to be more intensely developed while preserving valuable or fragile natural

resources.

These techniques make use of the economic leverage that determines the

mythological "highest and best use" for land to accomplish the same goal of

the restrictive ordinances. They have the added advantage of requiring no

additional permit system or enforcement agency and are much less expensive

than outright acquisition.

North Carolina has taken a step in this direction with N.C. G.S. 105-277

which provides for preferential tax assessment for farm land. This program

sh ould be more widely publicized and perhaps expanded to include other types

of land. The other incentive techniques should be examined by the Coastal

Resources Commission for the applicability in North Carolina.

1State of Maine Title 33, Chapter 667.,
State of New Hampshire H.B., 747, Chapter 391.

169

SECTION VII

REFERENCES AND APPENDICES

170

REFERENCES

Unless otherwise indicated, the information in certain subsections of this
Land Use Plan was obtained from the following,list of references:

Albemarle Regional Planning and Development Commission, 1975. "Water Resource
Management, Region R." Office of State Planning, Raleigh, N. C.

Barick, F. B. and Critcher, T. S., 1975. "Wildlife and Land Use Planning with
Particular Reference to Coastal Counties." North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission, Raleigh, N. C-

Buckman, R. E. and Quintus, R. L., "Natural Areas of the Society of American
Foresters".

Chamber of Commerce, Nags Head, N. C., 1970. "Visitors Study." 3M.National
Advertising Company.

Clifford, William B., 1971 Population Change for N. C. and N. C. Counties,
1950-1960,and 1960-1970: Estimate of Net Migration and Natural Increase,
Raleigh, N. C.: N. C. Agricultural Experiment Station, N.C. State Uni-versity.

Coastal Resources Commission, 1975. "State Guidelines for Local Planning in the
Coastal Area Under the Coastal..Area Management Act of.1974." Raleigh,. N.C.

Dare Beaches Water & Sewer Authority, 1973. "Dare Beaches Sketch Development
Plan", N. C. Department of Natural and Eco'nomic Resources, Raleigh, N.C.

Dare Beaches Water & Sewer Authority, 1973. "Economic Study of the Dare
Beaches." Stephens Associates, Raleigh, N. C.

Dare Beaches Water and Sewer Authority. 1973. "Preliminary Engineering Report,
Regional Water System and Regional Wastewater Collection and Treatment."
Henry Von Oesen and Associates, Inc., Dare County, N. C.

Davis, A. C. et. a]. 1974. "North Carolina's People, A Decade of Change, 1960-1970"
N. C. Agricultural Extension Service, Raleigh, N. C.

East Carolina University Regional Development Institute. (Travel, Industry,
Statistics, Dare County), "An Analysis of Tourism Inquiries, Jan. 1966
Jan. 1967."

Endangered Species Committee of the Department of Natural and Economic Resources,
State of North Carolina, 1973. "Preliminary List of Endangered Plant and
Animal Species in North Carolina.", Raleigh, N. C.

Envirotek, Inc. "Dare County General Development Plan", 1974, Raleigh, N. C.

Hayes, D. R., 1967. An Economic Study of Dare County, North Carolina. Department
of Economics, N. C. State University, Raleigh. 74 p.

Harris, W. and H.B. Wilder. 1964. Ground-Water Supply of Capp Hatteras
National Seashore Recreational Area, Part 3, Rep. Invest. 4. N. C.
Dept. Water Resources, Division of Ground Water, Raleigh, N. C.

Heath, Ralph C., 1975. Hydrology of the Albemarle-Pamlico Region, N. C.,
U.S.G.S., WRI, 9-75.

Kimrey, J.O., 1960. Ground-Water Suyply of Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Recreational Area, Part 2. Rep. Invest. 2. N.,C..Department Water
Resources, Division ofGround Water', Raleigh, N. C.

kimrey, J.0. 1961. Ground-Water Supply for the Dare Beaches Sanitary District,
Rep. Invest. 3. Dept. Water Resources, Division of@Ground Water, Raleigh, N.C.

Knowles, C.E. et. al. 1973. "A Preliminary Study of Storm-Induced Beach Erosion
for North Carolina." Center for Marine and Coastal Studies, North Carolina
State University, Raleigh, N. C.

Kologiski, R. L. and D. Hill, 1972. "N. C. Natural Area Survey Report, Buxton
Woods."

Langfelder, Jay, Dec. 1968. A Reconnaiss-ance of Coastal Erosion in N. C.,
Civil Engineering Dept., North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N. C.

Langfelder, Jay et. al., 1974. "A Historical Review,of Some of North Carolina's
Coastal Inlets." Center for Marine and Coastal Studies', North Carolina'State
University Report No. 74-1, Raleigh, N. C.

,Lloyd, 0. B. Jr. and H. B. Wilder, 1965. Ground-Water Supply of Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreation Area, N. C. Pt. 4, U.S. Geological Survey, 23 p.

Lloyd, 0. B., Jr., and H..B. Wilder. 1963. Ground-Water Supply of Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreational Area, North Carolina, Part 4, Rep. Invest. 5,

.Machemehl, J. L., 1974. Coastal Erosion, State of N. C., Dept. of Natural and
Economic Resources, Office of Water and Air Resources, Raleigh, N. C.

Moore, Gardner and Associates, Inc., Consulting Engineers, 1968. Dare County,
North Carolina - Water and Sewer Plan, Asheboro, 32 p.

New England River Basins Commission, 1975. "People and the Sound: Supplement."
Long Island Sound Regional Study.

N. C. Department of'Conservation and Development, Division of Community Planning,
"Development Plan, Dare County, N.' C.",-44 p., August 1964.,
N. C. Division of Community Planning, 1963. '.'Popul'ation and Economy, . Da re County,
N. C.", Department of.Conservation and Development, Raleigh, N. C.

@N. C. Division of Community Assi 'stance, 1964. "Development Plan, Dare County,
N. C." Department of Conservation.and Development, Raleigh, N. C.

.N. C. Division of Community Planning, 1964. "Economic Function and Population
Land Development-Plan, Nags Head, N. C." N. C. Department of Conservation
and Development, Raleigh, N. C.

N., C. Division of Community Planning, 1965. "Population and Economy, Dare-
County, N. C., Raleigh, N. C.

N. C. Division of Community Assistance, 1972. "Land Development Plan,@Nags
Head'. North Carolina." N. C. Department of Natural and Economic-Resources,
Raleigh, N. C.

N. C. Di.vision of Economic Development, 1974. '11974 North Carolina.Travel
Survey." Travel Development Section, Department of Natural and Economic
Resources, Raleigh, N. C.

N. C. Division of-Grou,nd Water, Office of Water and Air Resources, Department of
Natural and Economic Resources, 1972. Potential Ground Water Supplies For.
Roanoke Island and the Dare County Beaches, N. C., Report #9.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. "Classification of Commercial and
Inland Fishing Waters." Raleigh, N. C.

Quay, T. C., 1959. The Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphebians of Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreation Area. U.S. National Park Service.

Sales Management Magazine. 1973. "Survey of Buying Power."'

Sharpe, Bill. 1954. A New Geography of North Carolina. State Maga zine, Vol. 1,
Raleigh, N. C.

Stephens Associates, 1974. "Dare County Economic Development Plan." Raleigh, N.C.

Stick, David, 1958. The Outer Banks of North Carolina, 1534-1958. University
of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Stick, David, 1970. Dare County: A History. State Department of Archives and
History, 1970.

U. S. Dept-of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. "An Appraisal of the 1974
Potential for Outdoor Recreation, Dare County, N. C." Pamlico Soil and
Water Conservation District, Manteo, N. C.

U. S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, 1975. "Environmental
Assessment - Jockey's Ridge State Park." Washington, D. C.

U. S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. "Mattamus-
keet Swanquarter Cedar Island Pea Island Refuges Wilderness Proposal."
Hyde, Carteret, and Dare Counties, N. C.

Wahls, H E. 1973. A Survey of N. C. beach erosion by air photo methods, 1973.
Center for Marine Coastal.Studies - N. C. State University, No. 73-1.

Wilkinson, R. R. and Dorst, P. R., 1972. "Critical Environmental Areas-of N.C.11
Office of State Planning, N. C. Department of Admin,istration,,Report No.
146.10, Raleigh, N. C.

Wyrick, G. G. and R. B. Dean, 1968. Ground-Water Supply of Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreational Area,.North Carolina, Part 5, Rep. Invest. 6.
N. C. Dept. of Water and Air ResouFces and Ground Water, Raleigh, N. C.

The Coastal Area 11anagement Act of 1974 r equires that a Land Use Plan be

adopted for each of the 20 coastal counties nainied in the Act.

If any county fails to develop a plan it will be done for that county by, an

agency of the State.

n
The Dare County Commissioners have notified the State that t1le citize s of

Dare County intend t o develop our own plan. This will give us the greatest voice

possible in the future of Dare County,

Doubtless you would like to see the county plan reflect your vie-as of how

Dare County should grow and develop. Your voice will have the greatest impact

during the early stages of developing the plan. That time is now.

This questionnaire is one way to be heard. Please answer the questions care-

fully since your answers will serve as an important foundation for the writing

of the plan.

Please remember that a Land Use Plan is not a zoning ordinance but a broad

statement of our goals for growth and development and broad allocation of our land

resources to meet those goals. The L,,.ind Use Plan will furnish'guidelines for

development and will serve as the basis for future detailed planning.

This questionnaire will be divided into three areas:

(1) Personal profile questions asked for statistical purposes,

(2) Questions related to Dare County today.

(3). Questions related to Dare County toriorrow6

SECTION I: PERSONAL PROFILE

1. Check the area primarily through which you are associated with Dare County

(normally the area of,residence or of property holdings if nonresident. If

strong association with more than one area makes it impossible to choose, check

each and describe association to right of each area checked.)

Duck & North Hatteras (Oregon Inlet South)

Kill Devil Hills Kitty Hawk (Includes area outside limits
of Kill Devil Hills'and
North to Duck)

Matins Harbor, Stumpy Point, Allanteo (City)
East Lake & Other I'lainland

areaso

Nags Head Manteo (Outside city limits)

Watichese North End Roanoke Island

2. Your a!,,,e group, Circle one let-ter,

A- nBelow 18

B@ 18-24

C@ 25-34

D@ 35-44

E. 45-54

F.- 55-64

G. 65 or Over

SECTION 1: PERSONAL PROFILE (Cont't)

3. Are you a Dare County resident (includes communities located within Dare
County)?

Circle one letter.

A. Yes, and I own or am purchasing a home.

B. Yes, and I rent my home.

C. I am a non resident who owns or is purchasing property in Dare County.

D. I am a nonresident who does not hold property in Dare County.

4. What is your primary economic relationship with dare county (circle one letter

A. No income derived from Dare County.

B. Agriculture and related business or service.

C. Fishing and related business or service.

D. Tourism and related business or service.

E. Forestry and related business or service.

F. Construction and related business or service.

G. Business or service used by general public and
related to any of above.

H. Retirement income (if from one of above, indicate which ).

I. Other (Please Specify)

SECTION II - DARE COUNTY TODAY

5. If you were born in Dare County, check here .

If not born in Dare County, check here .

If you were born in Dare County, which of the following keep you here, or
if you were not born in Dare County which of the following attracted
you (select three most important to you and number them in order of
importance).

A. Slow pace of living.

B. Privacy (inaccessibility).

C. Freedom from pollution and population pressures.

D. The natural environment and associated recreational
activities.

E. My job or business or property holdings.

F. Beleif that there will be future economic expansion
which will provide great personal opportunity.

G. Family

H. Other (Please Specify)

6. Of those things which attracted you to or keep you in Dare County, which two
do you beliece we are most likely to lose?

Most likely

Next most likely

Comments:

- 5 -

SECTION II - DARE COUNTY TODAY (Cont'd)

7. Indicate your degree of concern with the following which have been cited
as problems or potential problems in Dare County:

Most urgent Urgent Not a
PROBLEM Concern Concern problem

A. An adequate water supply

B. Traffic Congestion

C. Sewage Disposal

D. Trash & Garbage Disposal (not collection)

E. High rise construction

F. Lack of medical services

G. Limitation on building height

H. Pollution of ocean & sounds

I. Over Population

J. Commercialization

K. Lack of access to beaches, sounds,
inlets and

L. Unattractive buildings

M. Small lots and developments

N. Lack of resource open space

O. Lack of community recreational
facilities

P. Destruction of lakes & beaches

Q. Lack of job diversification

R. Lack of usable land to accommodate
growth

S. Lack of comforts or conceniences avail-
able in more urban areas (such as TV &
radio, supermarkets, shopping centers,
etc.)

T. Lack of surface & subsurface drainage

U. Erosion by wind and water

V. Other (Please Specify)

-6-

SECTION III - DARE COUNTY TOMORROW

8. Have you previously heard of the Coastal Zone Managment Act of 1974?

(Circle letter beside all that apply)

A. No

B. Yes, through newspaper

C. Yes, through radio

D. Yes, through TV

E. Yes, by word of mouth

F. Yes, by other means (Please Specify)

9. Indicate the degree of encourage or discouargement you believe should be

given the following, assuming that any change will affect the existing balance

(that is, encouraging one probably will discourage at least one of the others).

Check only one column beside each item.

ENCOURAGE ENCOURAGE NO DISCOURAGE DISCOURAGE
DARE COUNTY AS A PLACE TO WORK STRONGLY MODERATELY CHANGE MODERATELY STRONGLY

A. Agriculture & Related

B. Fishing Industry & Related

C. Tourism & Related

D. Forestry & Related

E. Construction & Related

F. Research/Development Industry

G. Light Industry (warehousing,
assembly, etc.)

H. Heavy Industry (conversion
of raw materials

-7-

SECTION III - DARE COUNTY TOMORROW (9 Cont'd)

DARE COUNTY AS A PLACE TO LIVE Encourage Encourage No Discourage Discourage
OR VISIT Strongly Moderately Changes Moderately Strongly

I. Residential Development

J. Single family residences

K. High rise residences

L. Low rise multi-family
residences

M. Preservation of open space

N. New & Improved cultural
facilities (libraries,
art gallaries, theatres,
etc.)

O. Increased accessibility
to Dare County

P. Improved tourist facilities
(convention centers, etc.)

Q. Urban growth

R. Protection of residential
areas from encroachment
by commercial or industrial
enterprise

S. Preservation of wildlife
habitat

T. Regulation of dunes &
shoreline

U. Soil Conservation

V. Other (Please Specify)

-8-

SECTION III - DARE COUNTY TOMORROW (Cont'd)

10 Please check the degree of agreement or disagreement with each of the follow-

ing statements.

Agree Disagree
Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Storngly

A. There is enough economic develop-
ment underway in Dare County.

B. Industry in Dare County would
improve the quality of life.

C. New industry location in Dare
County should be required to
file an environmental impact
statement.

D. A person should be able to do
anything he wants with his land.

E. Planning can minimize con-
flict bwtween economic de-
velopment and environmental
protection.

F. We have enough people living
in Dare County new.

G. We should try to attract more
permanent residents.

H. We should give high priority
to improved community or
county services (central or
area water systems, sewage
disposal, etc.)

I. We must control prosta to
allow services to keep pace
with the need.

J. We must control neutral
resources to keep Dare
County a tourist attraction.

K. Other (Please Specify)

-9-

SECTION III - DARE COUNTY TOMORROW (Cont'd)

11. Are you pleased with the direction Dare County development is taking?

Yes, No. Please use this space to write the reasons

you are pleased or to indicate the changes you would like to see and

your reasons for them.

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONNAIRE DARE COUNTY RESIDENTS

#1 Of those residents who responded to the questionnaire, 3.7% were
from Duck and North,, 13.4% from Kill Devil Hills, 2.5% from Mann's
Harbor and Stumpy Point, etc.,.14.7% from Nags Head, 8.1% from
Wanchese, 6.8% from Hatteras, 32.1% from Kitty Hawk, and,14.9%
from Manteo and 4. 0% Nor*@h Roanoke' Island,

#2 65% of the residents ate 45+.-

#3 86% of the residents either own or are purchasing a home.
14% rent

#4 The majority (35%) of those surveyed either receive no income from
Dare County or receive retirement income. Tourism and related (22.4%)
and business and services used by general public (18.6%) represented
other major economic relationships with Dare County. Agriculture and
forestry accounted for only 0.4% and,0.8% respectively.

#5 72.2% of the residents surveyed were not born in Dare County. The
qualities which attracted them to Dare County are:

(1) Freedom from pollution and population pressures
(2) The natural environment and associated recreational activities
(3) Slow pace of living

#6 Of those qualities which attracted them, the two.which they are
most likely to lose are:

(1) Freedom from pol lution
(2) Slow pace of living

#7 Dare County citizens are concerned with the following problem areas:

(1) Lack of medical services
(2) Pollution of oceans and sounds
(3) Small lots and crowded developments
(4) Destruction of dunes and beaches
(5) Erosion by wind and water
(6) An adequate water supply
(7) Sewage disposal
(8) Limitation on building height
(9) Commercialization
(10) High rise construction

Factors which present no problems are:

(1) Lack of usable land to accomodate growth
(2) Lack of comforts or conveniences
(3) Lack of job diversification
(4) Traffic congestion

#8 88.2% of the Dare County residents had previously heard of CAMA;
35.8% through the newspapers.-

#9 The major factors which the Dare County residents feel should be
strongly encouraged are:

(1) Preservation of open space
(2) -Preservation of,wildlife habitat
(3) Soil conservation
(4) Regulation of dunes and shoreline
(5) Fishing industry and related
(6) Protection of residential areas from encroachment
(7) Single-family residences
(8) New and improved cultural facilities

Factorswhich are strongly discouraged are:

(1) High rise residences
(2) Heavy industry
(3) Low rise multi-family residences

Agriculture - No change

#10 Dare County residents strongly agree with the following statements:

(1) We must control gorwth to allow services to keep pace with the
need.
(2) Planning can minimize conflict between economic development and
environmental protection.
(3) We must control natural resources to keep Dare County a tourist
attraction.
(4) New industry locating in Dare County should be required to file an
EIS.
(5) We should give high priority to improved community or county
services.

51.4% of those su rveyed are pleased with the direction Dare County
development is taking.

A GEOGRAPHICAL'ANALYSIS OF CITIZEN SURVEY QUEST IONNAIRE-S

According to the citizen survey results, Roanoke Island and the
Mainland,differed in varying degrees to, the residents of the Outer.
Banks in a few aspects. Relatively speaking, Roanoke Island and
Mainland residents surveyed were:
(A) younger, more dependent on fishing,.services, and tourism.
(ques. 2 and 4)
(B) attracted to Dare County to a greater degree by family
interests and job holdings. (ques. 5)
(C) not as environmentally concerned. (ques.7)
(D) not as opposed to industrial endeavors. (ques. 9)
(E) more concerned with the lack of j ob diversification,
comforts, improved community facilitiesl and the fishing
industry. (ques. 9)
(F) less concerned with an adequate water supply, planning,
and envioronmental impact statements. (ques. 9)

Relatively speaking, Outer Banks residents surveyed were:
(A) older and m.ore dependent on retirement income. (ques. 2and 4)
(B) attracted to Dare County by the environment. (ques. 5)
(C) vitally concerned with all environmental problems in the
survey. (ques 7)
(D) opposed to all industrial endeavors. (ques. 9)
(E) more concerned with an adequate sewage and water supply,
overcommercialization, and adequate medical facilities. (ques. 9)
less concerned with the lack of job diversification,
lack of access to the water, lack of conveniences, and
lack of tourist facilities. (ques. 9)

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