For Coastal Zone Managers

Shoreline Structures

• Ideally, no new shoreline structures.
  
• No permanent structures approved under 'emergency' conditions.
  
• Preference for alternatives to shoreline structures.
  
• An accurate and up to date inventory of the location and type of shoreline structures.
  
• Comprehensive long-term monitoring of effectiveness and for adverse impacts and cumulative effects.
  
• Public education about alternatives to shoreline structures, and the potential adverse impacts and cumulative effects associated with them.

1. The structure is essential to protect water dependent uses or heavily used public recreation beach areas in danger from tidal waters or erosion, or the structure is essential to protect existing structures and infrastructure in developed shorefront areas in danger from erosion, or the structure is essential to mitigate, through, for example, the construction of a retained earthen berm, the projected erosion in an erosion hazard area along a headland and provide erosion protection for a development that is otherwise acceptable under the Rules on Coastal Zone Management
   
2. The structure will not cause significant adverse impacts on local shoreline sand supply
   
3. The structure will not create net adverse shoreline sand movement downdrift, including erosion or shoaling
   
4. The structure will cause minimum feasible adverse impact to living marine and estuarine resources
   
5. The structure is consistent with the State's Shore Protection Master Plan

1. As used in this section:
   1. "Erosion control structure" means a breakwater, bulkhead, groin, jetty, revetment, seawall, or any similar structure.
      
   2. "Ocean shoreline" means the Atlantic Ocean, the oceanfront beaches, and frontal dunes. The term "ocean shoreline" includes an ocean inlet and lands adjacent to an ocean inlet but does not include that portion of any inlet and lands adjacent to the inlet that exhibits characteristics of estuarine shoreline.
2. No person shall construct a permanent erosion control structure in an ocean shoreline. The Commission shall not permit the construction of a temporary erosion control structure that consists of anything other than sandbags in an ocean shoreline. This section shall not apply to (i) any permanent erosion control structure that is approved pursuant to an exception set out in a rule adopted by the Commission prior to 1 July 2003 or (ii) any permanent erosion control structure that was originally constructed prior to 1 July 1974 and that has since been in continuous use to protect an inlet that is maintained for navigation. This section shall not be construed to limit the authority of the Commission to adopt rules to designate or protect areas of environmental concern, to govern the use of sandbags, or to govern the use of erosion coastal structures in estuarine shorelines.
   
   According to North Carolina Administrative Code Title 15A, Chapter 7H, section .0308 1(B): Permanent erosion control structures may cause significant adverse impacts on the value and enjoyment of adjacent properties or public access to and use of the ocean beach, and, therefore, are prohibited. Such structures include, but are not limited to: bulkheads; seawalls; revetments; jetties; groins and breakwaters.
   
   North Carolina allows temporary erosion control structures in the form of sandbags. Rules for these structures can be found in the NCAC Title 15A, Chapter 7H, section .0308 2(A)-(N). Rules 2(A)-(C) state that:
   1. Permittable temporary erosion control structures shall be limited to sandbags placed above mean high water and parallel to the shore.
      
   2. Temporary erosion control structures as defined in Part (2)(A) of this Subparagraph may be used only to protect imminently threatened roads and associated right of ways, and buildings and associated septic systems. A structure will be considered to be imminently threatened if its foundation septic system, or right-of-way in the case of roads, is less than 20 feet away from the erosion scarp. Buildings and roads located more than 20 feet from the erosion scarp or in areas where there is no obvious erosion scarp may also be found to be imminently threatened when site conditions, such as a flat beach profile or accelerated erosion, tend to increase the risk of imminent damage to the structure.
      
   3. Temporary erosion control structures may be used to protect only the principal structure and its associated septic system, but not such appurtenances as gazebos, decks or any amenity that is allowed as an exception to the erosion setback requirement.

1. The public need for healthful, safe, esthetic surroundings and conditions; the natural scenic, recreational and other resources of the area; and the present and prospective need for conservation and development of those resources.
   
2. The physical characteristics or the changes in the physical characteristics of the area and suitability of the area for particular uses and improvements.
   
3. The land uses, including public recreational use if any, and the improvements in the area, the trends in land uses and improvements, the density of development and the property values in the area.
   
4. The need for recreation and other facilities and enterprises in the future development of the area and the need for access to particular sites in the area. [1969 c.601 §11; 1979 c.186 §22]

1. visual impacts are minimized;
   
2. necessary access to the beach is maintained;
   
3. negative impacts on adjacent property are minimized; and
   
4. long-term or recurring costs to the public are avoided.