Volume 1 |Summer 2020
IN THIS ISSUE
  • Director's Note
  • Leadership Changes at DCM
  • NC Clean Marina 20th Anniversary
  • NC Clean Marina program receives award
  • Coastal Resources Commission Actions (February and June 2020)
  • Coastal Management offers Emergency CAMA General Permit for Hurricane Isaias recovery
  • North Carolina appeals seismic testing decision
  • N.C. Coastal Resilience Guide
  • Sea Level Rise Update
  • State submits Climate Risk Assessment & Resilience Plan to Governor
  • IHA Update
  • State officials announce grants to improve public beach and coastal waterfront access
  • Five DEQ divisions contribute to marine debris action plan
  • Coastal Reserve launches virtual tour of Bird Island
  • Staff Kudos

Director’s Note:
CAMA in the Time of COVID-19...and Hurricane Isaias
 
Of course, we had no idea of the challenges we’d continue to face this summer back when we adjusted our office operations in March. Tough discussions were held to determine how to continue serving you while keeping our staff and families safe. Our goal has been to help keep businesses running, help avoid impacting real estate transactions, and do our part to keep the coastal economy as strong as possible during this crisis, and to do so in a safe manner. We continue to make site visits and keep offices open for deliveries and basic operations, but we have implemented safety procedures including avoidance of in-person meetings where possible, increased social distancing when that isn’t possible, encouragement of staff teleworking, and distribution of personal protective equipment.
 
Over the past several months, permitting has remained at an all-time high, and we’re also experiencing an uptick in complaint investigations, enforcement actions, and appeals. Our field and administrative staff have stepped up to this increased workload, despite some vacancies in some key positions, and they’ve adapted incredibly well to the challenging circumstances. Coastal Reserve operations, research, monitoring, and education programs have continued through social distancing and virtual programming. And the Coastal Resources Commission has mastered the art of holding virtual public meetings. CAMA in the time of Covid-19… through it all, we continue to adjust, and I am proud of and grateful for the work staff has accomplished this year.
 
The relaunch of this newsletter, scheduled for July, was delayed due to preparation for and recovery from Hurricane Isaias which came ashore overnight on August 3. It was yet another instance that tested the resilience of eastern North Carolina, including our staff, partners, and residents and visitors along our coast. Hurricane Isaias significantly impacted our southern region and prompted N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael S. Regan to activate an Emergency CAMA general permit for New Hanover and Brunswick counties to offer some relief to those affected by the storm. I visited some of the impacted areas following the storm and was reminded yet again of the devastation possible even with a Category 1 hurricane.
 
In the midst of pandemics and hurricanes, we've been trying to reintroduce our division newsletter as another option to bring information to you consistently and conveniently. In January 1975, The Coast Line: A publication of the Coastal Resources Commission, was first published. The relaunch of this communication coincides with the 45th Anniversary of the newsletter. In this and future editions of the CAMAgram, we will share highlights from various editions over the 45-year history of the newsletter. Look for articles submitted by experts in our field. In this issue, there will also be some “throwback” news that took place while we were away. CAMAgram will once again be published quarterly – January, April, July and October – and will be delivered directly to your email as well as available on our website.
 
We hope this newsletter will be a welcome addition to your inbox, and encourage you to pass this along for others to enjoy. I hope that you are all safe, healthy, and enjoying the last bits of summer 2020 in coastal North Carolina.
 
Sincerely,
Braxton Davis, DCM Director
CAMAgram REWIND:
The newsletter was first called “The Coast Line”.




Coastal Resources Commission established in 1975, makes front page of inaugural newsletter
(Click image for full edition)
Leadership Changes at the Division of Coastal Management
In February 2019, Mike Lopazanski was promoted to DCM’s Deputy Director. In his new role, Mike directly oversees many non-regulatory, administrative, and budgetary functions, and assists the director with oversight of all other division responsibilities and functions. Mike has been with DCM for 28 years. He has guided our program through significant coastal issues including offshore energy, beachfront management approaches (including but not limited to sand bags), all kinds of inshore and estuarine management issues, Coastal Habitat Protection Plan work, coastal mapping and monitoring, land use planning approaches, clean marinas, land acquisitions, and public access grants, just to name a few. "My first professional interaction with Mike was back around 2002, when he was the division’s lead on the topic of marine protected areas. From 2016-2018, Mike served as Acting Assistant Director during my brief tenure at DMF, and did a fantastic job keeping our program running smoothly during an otherwise tumultuous period," said Braxton Davis, DCM director. "His historical, practical and science-based understanding of our programs, rules, and policies will continue to serve DCM well in this new role."

Tancred Miller now serves as DCM’s new Policy and Planning Section Chief. In his new role, Tancred oversees federal consistency, policy development, strategic planning, coastal resilience, land use planning, legislative studies, and other non-regulatory program areas at DCM. Tancred has been with DCM for 15 years. He started out as a coastal policy analyst and since then served as DCM’s Coastal and Ocean Policy Manager. He too has guided our division and the commission through significant coastal issues, including work with the CRC Science Panel and commission in the development of the NC Sea Level Rise Assessment and numerous legislative studies. Tancred has overseen all 309 assessments, strategies, and projects, and has served as the division’s and one of DEQ’s lead staff on resilience and EO80 efforts. "Tancred’s wisdom and positive approach to challenging policy issues, and his passion for making a real difference for coastal communities in North Carolina, will continue to lead us in the right direction on all of our policy and planning endeavors," said Davis.

NC Clean Marina Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary


Click image to see 2oth Anniversary video!
We celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the N.C. Clean Marina Program during the month of July. Mike Lopazanski launched the program in summer of 2000, and it has been coordinated by Pat Durrett since March 2010. We thank them both for all the hard work and 20 years of successes, as evidenced in the 49 certified marinas in our coastal counties. We are on track to welcome our 50th marina soon!
"This program is a great example of our program working in partnership with the private sector to help improve water quality along the coast through education and outreach, voluntary participation, and recognition of individual efforts that go above and beyond to help protect coastal resources," said Braxton Davis, DCM director.

"Permitting and enforcement are often a necessary part of a comprehensive approach to coastal issues, but regulations are not always the answer," said Davis. "This program shows us that a lot can be accomplished by working directly with stakeholders and industries to find better ways of doing business, because we all care about keeping our world-class coastal resources in North Carolina healthy and sustainable."

Click here to learn more about the N.C. Clean Marina Program!


DCM receives award for Clean Marina, Clean Boater and Pumpout Station Grant programs
The N.C. Division of Coastal Management received a national award associated with its Clean Marina Program.

Pat Durrett, who coordinates the Clean Marina, Clean Boater and Pumpout Station Grant programs, accepted the 2019 Program Excellence Award, State Clean Vessel Act on behalf of the division at the States Organization for Boating Access’ 33rd Annual Boating Access Education & Training Symposium held Sept. 11, 2019 in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management was chosen for the Program Excellence Award, State Clean Vessel Act because of its outstanding commitment to the Clean Vessel Act programs, according to an organization news release. The division’s programs are managed by a single, part-time staff member who oversees all three programs.
CAMA MILESTONE:

Sewage Pumpout Program 1995 -2020 (25years)
Coastal Resources Commission Actions
February 2020
  • Granted a variance to Shinn Creek Homeowners Association authorizing maintenance dredging of the boat basin and channel in New Hanover County.
  • Granted a variance to the Town of Sunset Beach authorizing dredging within the Town's jurisdiction including South Jinks Creek, Finger Canals A-D, the Feeder Channel and Bay Area.
  • Readopted Subchapters 15A NCAC 7H, 7I, 7J, 7K, 7L, and 7M as required by G.S. 150B-21.3A of the North Carolina Adminstive Procedures Act.
  • Re-authorized the static line exception for Ocean Isle Beach.
  • Re-authorized the static line exception for Carolina Beach.

June 2020
  • Granted in part and denied in part a variance request received from Mark and Tonya Schmunk. The Commission granted the request to construct a 75 square foot bathroom under the existing roof line of the house in Nags Head, Dare County. Petitioner’s request to construct an additional 60 square foot deck was denied.
  • Granted a variance request received from Charles Walters to construct a 194 foot pier which extends approximately 32 percent across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Calabash, Brunswick County.
  • Granted a variance request received from NC Department of Transportation to construct a sandbag structure consisting of nonconforming sandbags on Ocracoke Island.
  • Denied a Petition for Rulemaking requested by Tom Lampley.


2020 Coastal Resources Commission Meetings

April 2020 (cancelled)



November 13 -14



This example illustrates impacts of Hurricane Isaias at Oak Island, North Carolina. Click the image to use DCM’s online map viewer to view and compare before and after images in oceanfront communities.



Imagery sources:
Before: 2016 North Carolina imagery
After: 2020 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – Post-Hurricane Isaias (08/04/2020)

Coastal property owners in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties who need to replace docks, piers, bulkheads or similar structures damaged by Hurricane Isaias along sounds, rivers and creeks may be authorized to do so more quickly through an emergency general permit offered by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management.

Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael S. Regan activated the emergency permit on August 5, 2020. The permit does not eliminate the need to obtain any other required state, local or federal authorization. To see Regan’s signed activation, go to link here.

Emergency permits must be obtained, and all work must be completed, by August 5, 2021.

The state issued issued 203 of these emergency general permits after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

To learn more about emergency general permits, click here.
The newsletter was renamed “NEWS of the North Carolina Management Program” in 1977.
North Carolina appeals seismic testing decision
The State of North Carolina has filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Northern Division to appeal the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) June 2020 decision to override North Carolina's Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Consistency Objection to WesternGeco’s proposal to conduct a Geological and Geophysical (Seismic) survey off the North Carolina coast. DEQ issued a statement in June expressing dissatisfaction about NOAA’s decision to override the Division of Coastal Management’s objection to WesternGeco’s consistency certification.

“We will continue to take all necessary actions to protect our coastal resources and economy,” said DEQ Secretary Michael S. Regan. “These destructive activities are not welcome off the North Carolina coastline. We support the communities along our coast who have vehemently opposed seismic testing that would lead to offshore drilling.” 

 In 2019, local leaders signed a resolution to oppose seismic testing and the offshore drilling that could follow.
 
Documents related to the case can be found on the DCM website.

N.C. Coastal Resilience Guide
A number of large, costly storm events over the past decade have again reminded coastal communities of the need to become more resilient to episodic events, and continually improving information about the nature and magnitude of chronic coastal hazards highlight the necessity of building in long-term resilience.

Local governments must constantly navigate a changing number of mandates for hazard mitigation and disaster recovery planning and may not have the capacity to stay abreast of the range of tools and resources that are available to assist them. Along with planning mandates, local governments must keep up with state and federal standards and regulations that may need to be incorporated into local ordinances and permitting programs.

DCM created, with the assistance of federal, state, local, and private sector partners, a guide to building community resilience to short-term and long-term coastal hazards. The guide will also help communities to interpret the enforceable policies of the CMP that are designed to help build resilience. The guide is targeted towards local governments and will provide information on building resilience within their planning and operations functions.

Sea Level Rise Update
The CRC requested the first NC Sea Level Rise (SLR) Assessment Report in 2009 to be able to provide state-level data and projections, rather than relying on international and national-level reports. The CRC Science Panel, with contributions from other state experts, released the first report in 2010. The 2010 report included high, medium, and status quo projections through 2100, along with a recommended planning benchmark of 1 meter of SLR by 2100.

The NC General Assembly passed a law in 2012 directing the CRC to deliver an updated report in 2016, and to refrain from adopting SLR rates for regulatory purposes prior to July 1, 2016. The Science Panel delivered the 2016 report as required, which included regional rates of SLR for different parts of the coast, based upon tide gauge data and IPCC scenarios. Although the prohibition against adopting SLR rates for regulatory purposes has expired, the CRC has not since considered adoption of any SLR policies or regulations.

In 2019, the CRC issued a charge to the Science Panel to produce the next SLR Assessment Update. The Science Panel’s work on the sea level rise assessment update has slowed due to the challenges associated with the COVID-19 restrictions, making it impossible to submit the 2020 report by the August 31 deadline requested by the commission. Staff has asked the panel to propose a revised timeline to the commission.

The SLR report demonstrates the state’s continued commitment to study and present the best available understanding of sea level data, trends, and projections. The state continues to invest time, resources, and importantly, the invaluable efforts of the CRC Science Panel, into updating the SLR Assessment Report on a regular basis. The report is available to state and local governments, and all other interested parties, as a resource to support planning and decision making. 
To see the full edition of CAMAgram,

click the link in the lower left corner of your email!
Climate Risk Assessment & Resilience Plan
On June 1, DEQ delivered the state’s Climate Risk Assessment & Resilience Plan to the Governor. This plan was required under EO80, and is the state’s most comprehensive effort to date to address North Carolina’s vulnerability to climate change. It is the result of 11 months of stakeholder engagement, including last’s year’s local government workshops and Resiliency Summit, and collaborative work with federal partners, state universities, local governments, non-governmental organizations, climate justice leaders, and other interested partners.
The plan establishes a North Carolina Resilience Strategy, which includes four elements: (1) a regular North Carolina Climate Science Report, (2) State Agency Resilience Strategies, (3) Statewide Vulnerability Assessment and Resilience Strategies, and (4) an Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan. DCM’s resilience work is nested within the DEQ Resilience Strategy.

In March, DCM, in partnership with the NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency, N.C. Sea Grant and the N.C. TNC, was awarded $1.1 million by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation through the Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund. This award is being matched by $830,000 in state funds under S.L. 2019-224, and will be used by local governments and the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve to perform vulnerability assessments, resilience planning, and engineering/design studies to develop shovel-ready projects.

DCM hosted two webinars in August to share details about the program and answer questions from interested local governments and will make awards available to local governments later this year. Learn more about the new North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program here.

Inland Hazard Area Updates
The Division of Coastal Management continues working with the CRC to adopt new Inlet Hazard Area (IHA) maps by rule, including potential revisions to the development standards within the IHAs.
 
Inlet Hazard Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) are coastal areas that are especially vulnerable to migration, erosion, flooding, and other adverse effects of sand, wind, and water because of their proximity to dynamic tidal inlets. Each of North Carolina’s inlets is unique, with distinct geomorphological differences and history of behavior.
 
North Carolina’s existing IHA boundaries were originally adopted by the CRC in 1979. Since that time, in 1998, the CRC’s Science Panel recognized a need to update existing IHA boundaries and change the methodology for defining IHAs. The Panel recommended that the delineation of IHAs be revised after a review of site-specific studies of each inlet by a group of experts. Revision of the IHA boundary delineations consider such factors as previous inlet location, structurally weak areas along migration pathways, unusually low and narrow sections of barrier islands prone to breaching, external influences such as jetties and channelization, and increased erosion extending along adjacent shorelines.

In addition to proposing updated IHA boundaries, construction setback factors calculated using inlet erosion rates will also be considered by the CRC. Due to complexities in calculating erosion rates along inlet shorelines, the CRC has, instead, historically applied oceanfront erosion rates adjacent to the outside boundary of the IHAs throughout the entire IHA. Changes in mapping technology now allow the Division to calculated shoreline changes in these dynamic areas.
 
Staff reviewed feedback received through the IHA public hearings and workshops conducted in December 2019- March 2020. At the request of the Commission, DCM has been compiling all the comments collected during the public comment period (Dec. 1, 2019 – March 2, 2020) and categorizing and summarizing reoccurring themes. Once the CRC considers public comments, in addition to getting feedback from Staff and the Science Panel, further amendment to the rules are anticipated, and will require an update and approval of a new fiscal analysis, followed by another period of public hearings.
CAMAgram REWIND:

The newsletter was first published as “CAMAgram” on September 9, 1982.


CAMAgram
September 1982
(Click image for full edition)



State officials announce grants to improve
 public beach and coastal waterfront access
In January 2020, the state Division of Coastal Management (DCM) announced the availability of approximately $1 million in funding to help local governments in 20 coastal counties improve public access to coastal beaches and waters for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
 
DCM received 17 applications from 15 local governments and the NC Coastal Reserve Program requesting over $2.25M in funding from the Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program. DCM has approximately $1.2M available for access projects during this fiscal year. Twelve applicants have been invited to submit final applications.

Final applications for the 2020-2021 funding cycle were due August 17, and all final applicants will be notified in late October whether their project has been selected for funding.
 
The division awarded grants to the following local governments during the 2019-2020 funding cycle: Nags Head, Pasquotank County, Atlantic Beach, City of Washington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Oak Island and Varnamtown.

A new Grants Awarded webpage highlights the accomplishments of the grant program. The site provides information on past grants awarded, and includes an interactive webmap that allows users to view information about the grants awarded by year, applicant and county. Currently the map includes grants awarded from 2014 to 2020. Additionally, the webpage provides links to other State grant sources communities can utilize to achieve their beach and water access goals.
 
The grant program has provided more than $47 million for nearly 451 public waterfront access sites since the program began in 1981. For more information about the program, click here.



Five DEQ divisions contribute to marine debris action plan
North Carolina Marine Debris Action Plan, a roadmap to tackle marine debris was released in January. The five-year plan includes specific strategies and actions to prevent and remove marine debris along the coast.


Staff from the Division of Coastal Management’s North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve worked with partners from the N.C. Coastal Federation, N.C. Sea Grant, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, and the N.C. Marine Debris Symposium to lead plan development. Paula Gillikin, central sites manager for the Coastal Reserve, served on the action plan leadership team as a content expert and primary facilitator.


Volunteers participate in
a marine debris cleanup.
The action plan expands on a 2018 marine debris assessment that evaluated debris reduction efforts on North Carolina’s coast
and incorporated stakeholder input collected at workshops, professional meetings and online surveys.
Coastal Reserve launches virtual tour of the Bird Island Reserve
Guided nature hikes are a popular summer activity for visitors to the Bird Island Reserve in Brunswick County. Since 2014, volunteer naturalists have led these field trips every Wednesday morning to educate visitors about the Reserve program, natural history, and estuarine ecosystems found on Bird Island. In recent years, this initiative has been led by the Bird Island Stewards and the field trips attracted over 800 visitors during the 2019 season.


Since the field trips regularly draw crowds too large to meet Covid-19 social distancing recommendations, the 2020 field trips were canceled to protect the safety of volunteer field trip leaders and participants. To make sure visitors do not miss out on the educational experience, the Reserve created a virtual tour of Bird Island with the help of field trip leaders. The virtual tour explores Bird Island’s history, wildlife, and habitats and increases the accessibility of the Bird Island Reserve to the public, who now can explore the reserve from their homes, wherever in the world that may be!

Be on the lookout for virtual tours of more reserve sites to launch in 2020!

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve Program protects natural areas for education, research, and compatible recreation. Since its creation in 1989, the program has preserved more than 44,000 acres of unique coastal environments at 10 sites along the coast.

Staff Kudos
2020 Pelican Awards
Paula Gillikin
DCM’s own Paula Gillikin, Central Sites Manager with the Coastal Reserve program, and Whitney Jenkins, Coastal Training Program Coordinator with the Coastal Reserve program, both received 2020 Pelican Awards from the North Carolina Coastal Federation in a virtual awards program on August 6. NCCF annually recognizes the exemplary achievements and actions by people who have made significant contributions to the coast.
Whitney Jenkins
Both were recognized in the “Coastwide Winners” category – Paula received an award for “Exceptional Leadership and Facilitation of Coastal Stewardship” and Whitney for “Exemplary Commitment to Coastal Resource Training and Collaboration.”

These awards are a testament to their long hours and hard work dedicated to educate the public and protect our coastline each day.

To read more about the 2020 Pelican Awards Program:
Staff helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19
When the Governor issued a new Executive Order requiring face coverings in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19, it was a continuation of what the Division of Coastal Management had been doing under prior DEQ guidance.

During this pandemic, DCM staff, like so many, are going above and beyond. They have incorporated necessary guidelines to remain safe at work and home. This is a special “Staff Kudos” to thank all staff who submitted photos to show how they ware setting an example and protecting others from the rapid spread of this virus in eastern NC.
Pictured: Charlie Deaton, research specialist in the Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve office in Beaufort, NC wearing a face covering while in field conducting water quality monitoring.
Pictured: Ron Renaldi, District Manager for the Division of Coastal Management's Elizabeth City office is COVID-19 safe while in the field investigating a complaint.
Pictured: Hillman Kraus (Shorebird Technician) & Danielle Devonport (research technician) holding American oystercatcher chicks that have just been banded for research purposes on Masonboro Island Reserve
Pictured: Yvonne Carver, Environmental Specialist, Elizabeth City
Pictured: Hillman Kraus (shorebird technician) & Elizabeth Colhoun (Stewardship & Education specialist) on Masonboro Island after banding two American oystercatcher chicks. Covid-safe American oystercatcher banding.
Pictured: Charlan Owens, District Planner, Elizabeth City a site inspection in Manteo… in 100 degree heat