SECTION .1100 ‑ BENEFICIAL USE of dredged materials from NAVIGATIONAL CHANNEL maintenance and excavation – general policies

15A NCAC 07M .1101     DECLARATION OF GENERAL POLICY

(a)  The policy statements in this Section are enforceable and shall be considered by local governments and DCM when issuing permits and implementing the coastal management program under this Subchapter and commenting on federal permits and activities pursuant to Section 307 of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.

(b)  Dredged material disposal practices may result in removal of material important to the sediment budget of ocean and inlet beaches. This activity may adversely impact natural beach functions especially during storm events and may increase long term erosion rates. Ongoing channel maintenance requirements throughout the coastal area also lead to the need to construct new or expanded disposal sites as existing sites fill. In addition, new sites for disposal are increasingly harder to find due to competition from development interests for suitable sites. Therefore, it is the policy of the State of North Carolina that material resulting from the excavation or maintenance of navigation channels be used in a beneficial way wherever practicable.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113A‑107; 113-229;

Eff. October 1, 1992;

RRC objection September 17, 2022 and rule returned to agency on October 5, 2023;

Codifier determined that agency's findings of need did not meet criteria for emergency rule on December 20, 2023;

Emergency Adoption Eff. January 3, 2024.