GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SOURCES:

NOTE:

N.C.'s twenty coastal counties are Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank, Hyde, Gates, Perquimans, Chowan, Bertie, Washington, Tyrell, Pamlico, Craven, Carteret, Onslow, Pender, New Hanover, Brunswick, Dare, Hertford, and Beaufort.

STATE:

N.C. Department of Administration - Office of Marine Affairs (417 N. Blount St., Raleigh 27601; 919/733-2290): Promotes public awareness, appreciation, and appropriate use of coastal N.C.'s natural and cultural resources. Manages educational aquariums. The Marine Science Council makes recommendations regarding state ocean policies and promotes marine research. The Outer Continental Shelf Resources Recovery Program works to balance stewardship with state participation in regional and federal resource utilization.

N.C. Aquariums: Provide numerous public education programs, around the aquariums and on the water. Hold assorted special events for adults and children. Several exhibits focus on N.C. coastal and marine species. Contact information for the N.C. Aquariums is as follows:

at Pine Knoll Shores: Atlantic Beach 28512-0580; 919/247-4004
at Fort Fisher: P.O. Box 130, 2201 Fort Fisher Blvd., Kure Beach 28449-0130; 910/458-8257
at Roanoke Island: P.O. Box 967, Manteo 27954-0967; 919/473-3493

N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR):

Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study (Central office: P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-0314. Public involvement office: 1424 Carolina Ave., Washington 27889; 919/946-6481): A cooperative effort sponsored by N.C. DEHNR and the U.S. EPA National Estuary Program. Evaluates the water quality and living resources of the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and all drainage areas which flow into them. Developing recommendations for management strategies to protect the system's estuarine resources. Publication list available.
Coastal Management Division (225 N. McDowell St., Raleigh 27603; 919/733-2293): Processes major development permits, reviews all dredge and fill permit applications, and determines consistency of state and federal grants and projects with the N.C. Coastal Management Program. Prepares guidelines for a local land use planning program in the 20 coastal counties (coastal counties must participate in the planning process and update their land use plan every five years; some municipalities also participate in the planning process); administers grants to local government for planning, permitting, and beach access programs; and acquires and manages coastal and estuarine reserves as natural areas for research, education, and public visits.
Field offices:
- P.O. Box 769, Morehead City 28557; 919/726-7021 or 800/682-2632
- 1367 U.S. 17 South, Elizabeth City 27909; 919/264-3901
- P.O. Box 1507, Washington 27889; 919/946-6481
- 127 Cardinal Dr. Ext., Wilmington 28405-3845; 910/395-3900
Environmental Health Division (P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2870): Works to protect public health and the environment through regulation, technical assistance, specialized training, and public education. Provides training and technical assistance for local health departments, which enforce many Division rules. Maintains databases of information on the characteristics of shellfish growing water areas and certain marinas (as sources of pollution). Environmental Health Services Section (733-2884): Regulates the sanitation of shellfish, scallops, and crustacea. Provides technical assistance and training.
Marine Fisheries Division (P.O. Box 769, Morehead City 28557-0769; 800/682-2632 or 919/726-7021): Responsible for the stewardship of marine and estuarine resources. Forms and enforces rules governing coastal fisheries. Conducts scientific research and works to improve the cultivation, harvesting, and marketing of fish and seafood. Responsible for artificial reef and submerged land programs. Maintains databases of information on animal species in estuarine, coastal, and reef areas.
- Development Section: Conducts oyster plantings, shellfish lease management, and artificial reef construction to enhance coastal fishery resources.
- Operations Section: Responsible for managing marine resources and enforcing fishery laws and regulations. Central office in Morehead City, with district offices in Elizabeth City, Washington, and Wilmington.
- Research Section: Conducts research planning, data management, analysis, federal aid program management, and coordination of responses to permit applications.
Water Resources Division (P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-4064): Conducts programs for beach protection and recreational uses of water (also navigation, river basin management, water supply, water conservation, stream clearance, flood control, aquatic weed control, and hydroelectric power). Serves as the state liaison with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and manages state financial assistance for water resources development projects.

Coastal Resources Advisory Council (P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2293): Advises the Secretary of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources and Secretary of Administration on matters which may be submitted to it by either of them or by the Coastal Resources Commission (see entry below), including technical questions relating to rule development. Comprised of 47 members at most.

Coastal Resources Commission (P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611-7687; 919/733-2293): Administers the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 (CAMA). Adopts rules and policies for coastal development and resource protection. Certifies local land use plans. Designates Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC) which are areas where uncontrolled or unsuitable development could permanently damage the environment. The four categories of include the estuarine system (sound waters and shorelines, coastal wetlands, and public trust waters); the ocean hazard system (erosion and flood prone areas); public water supplies; and unique natural and cultural resources. The rules and policies of the commission apply to development activities in the coastal counties. Comprised of 15 members.

Environmental Management Commission (P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh 27626-0535; 919/733-7015): Forms policies and rules for the Divisions of Environmental Management, Water Resources, and Land Resources. Adopts rules for air quality standards, emission control standards, and classifications for air contaminant sources; for water quality standards and classifications; for the implementation of water and air quality reporting; and for governing underground tanks used for storing hazardous substances or oil. Grants and revokes permits in regard to dam construction and air and water pollution control; provides technical assistance; and declares pollution emergencies. Comprised of 17 members.

Marine Fisheries Commission (P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh 27611; 919/726-7021): Adopts rules to be followed in the management, protection, preservation, and enhancement of the state's marine and estuarine resources including commercial and sports fisheries resources. Comprised of 17 members.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM:

UNC Sea Grant College Program (Main office: Box 8605, N.C. State University, Raleigh 27695-8605; 919/515-2454): Conducts research on current and potential coastal problems (including those of coastal wetlands) and transfers research findings to the public, local officials, and resource managers. Provides advice by phone, mail, and in person on a wide range of issues. The Program is part of the National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 29 individual programs which work together on regional problems. Publishes the magazine Coastwatch and various booklets. The national program publishes the quarterly Sea Grant Abstracts.

UNC-Wilmington Center for Marine Science Research (7205 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington 28403; 910/256-3721): Fosters a multidisciplinary approach to questions in basic marine science research. Promotes scientific and applied research in oceanography, marine biomedical and environmental physiology, barrier and estuarine systems, and marine biotechnology and aquaculture. Primary facilities are located on a four-acre tract near Wrightsville Beach. Detailed program descriptions are available.

N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve Program: The National Estuarine Research Reserve System was created in 1972 by the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act to protect areas of representative estuaries, including wetland habitat, for use as natural field laboratories. N.C.'s participation began in 1982. The N.C. Reserve consists of Zeke's Island, Rachel Carson, Currituck Banks, and Masonboro Island and provides opportunities for research and monitoring, public and academic education, and public enjoyment. Supported by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Coastal Management Division, N.C. DEHNR.

UNC-Wilmington National Undersea Research Center (7205 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington 28403-7296; 910/256-5133): Serves as host for the National Undersea Research Center for the Southeastern United States, sponsored by NOAA. NURC annually supports research programs from the Gulf of Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. The program conducts and supports environmental studies relating to the use of ocean and lake resources.

FEDERAL:

National Marine Fisheries Service - Habitat Conservation Division (Pivers Island, Beaufort 28516; 919/728-5090): Reviews permit applications for the alteration of wetlands and makes recommendations regarding marine fisheries habitats to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Wilmington District: Reviews permit applications for doing construction work or dumping in the waters of N.C., their tributaries, and adjacent wetlands and issues permits after considering recommendations made by state and federal agencies.

Regulatory Branch: P.O. Box 1890, Wilmington 28402-1890; 910/251-4511

Regulatory Field Offices:

6512 Falls of Neuse Rd., Ste. 105, Raleigh 27615; 919/876-8441
Grove Arcade Bldg., Rm. 75, 37 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 28801-2714; 704/271-4855
P.O. Box 1000, Washington 27889-1000; 919/975-3123

Non-Government Information Sources

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