Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds
Policy - North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Land Use Planning
Requirement
Category: Submerged, Intertidal, Wetland, and Upland
Cost: Information not provided.
Description: The CAMA permit program became effective in March 1978,
requiring permits for development in Areas of Environmental Concern. "Development"
includes activities such as dredging or filling coastal wetlands or waters,
and construction of marinas, piers, bulkheads, oceanfront structures and roads.
AECs are the foundation of the Coastal Resources Commission's permitting program
for coastal development. An AEC is an area of natural importance: It may be
easily destroyed by erosion or flooding; or it may have environmental, social,
economic or aesthetic values that make it valuable to our state.
The Coastal Resources Commission classifies areas as AECs to protect them
from uncontrolled development, which may cause irreversible damage to property,
public health or the environment. AECs cover almost all coastal waters and
about 3 percent of the land in the 20 coastal counties.
The CRC has established four categories of AECs:
- The Estuarine System,
- The Ocean Hazard System,
- Public Water Supplies, and
- Natural and Cultural Resource Areas.
Any development project -- from sandbag structures to a bridge to a condominium
-- within an Area of Environmental Concern requires a CAMA permit. In addition
to a CAMA permit, additional development rules specific to that AEC must also
be followed.
The Division of Coastal Management makes permit decisions after considering
agency and public comments, and after determining whether a proposed project
meets CRC rules and land use plans prepared by local governments.
The CAMA permit system is divided into major and minor permits, based on the
size and possible impacts of a project. Major Permits are required for activities
that require other state or federal permits, for projects that cover more
than 20 acres or for construction covering more than 60,000 square feet. Applications
for major permits are reviewed by 10 state and four federal agencies before
a decision is made. General Permits are an expedited form of major permit
used for routine projects that usually pose little or no threat to the environment.
Minor Permits are required for projects, such as single family houses, that
don't require major permits or general permits. They are reviewed, issued
and administered to CRC standards by local governments under contract with
the Division of Coastal Management. In 1999, 88 percent of CAMA major and
general permits were processed in less than seven days.
Outcome:
Contact: NC Division of Coastal Management, 1638 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-1638, Tel.: 919-733-2293, Fax: 919-733-1495, DCMFrontdesk@ncmail.net
Citation: http://dcm2.enr.state.nc.us/Land%20Use%20Planning/plan1.htm
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