LIST OF ACTIONS DENR IS CONSIDERING TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
COASTAL HABITAT PROTECTION PLAN
GOAL 1:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
GOAL 2:
1.
2.
3.
4.
GOAL 3:
1.
2.
3.
IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING RULES AND PROGRAMS
PROTECTING FISH HABITATS
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2004, the Divisions of Coastal Management, Land
Resources, Water Resources, Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Sanitation, Water Quality hold
quarterly meetings on proposed projects and enforcement cases that are or may be subject
to the permitting or enforcement jurisdiction of the programs of more than one of the
listed divisions, and invite other state and federal agencies to participate as appropriate.
Beginning in 2006, issue an annual report on status and trends in the six critical fisheries
habitats.
By July 1, 2005, develop and make available an educational program on the value of and
threats to critical fisheries habitats.
Make protection and restoration of critical fisheries habitats a priority of the parts of the
One North Carolina Naturally initiative that are directed at setting aside special places
and at encouraging conservation on private lands.
Make protection and restoration of critical fisheries habitats a priority of state agency
requests to Natural Heritage and Clean Water Management Trust Funds.
Develop a suite of indicators of estuarine and near coastal health by 2007.
Through the Museum of Natural Sciences, work in partnership with several local
universities to obtain grant funding for the purpose of studying how students most
effectively learn science; and then used lessons learned to increase the effectiveness of
programs that teach science, especially the science of critical fisheries habitats and
coastal ocean ecosystems, at the museum, the three aquariums, the zoo, coastal reserves,
educational state forests, state parks, environmental education centers, and the public
schools.
IDENTIFY, DESIGNATE AND PROTECT STRATEGIC HABITAT AREAS
Map all SAV in coastal waters north of Snows Cut within five years.
Map all oyster and hard clam resources in coastal waters from Calabash through Croatan
and Roanoke Sounds in waters 12 feet and less in depth within four years.
Identify Strategic Habitat Areas and evaluate possible strategies for designating and
protecting them through a phased process that builds on sound science, stakeholder
participation, university assistance, and pilot projects. Devise the process within one year
and complete the pilot project work by June 30, 2007.
Coordinate this goal with the implementation of the Recreational Saltwater Fishing
License program.
ENHANCE HABITAT AND PROTECT IT FROM PHYSICAL IMPACTS
Continue the expansion of the Division of Marine Fisheries’ oyster restoration and
estuary sanctuary efforts through additional projects like the recently completed Middle
Bay Sanctuary.
Work with the Corps of Engineers and the Department of Transportation on innovative
mitigation projects and an appropriate crediting system for them under the Ecosystem
Enhancement Program. Such projects may include the protection and restoration of
submerged aquatic vegetation sites and the removal of certain dams, such as the dam at
Carbondale on the Deep River. Such projects will have to pass muster with all EEP
partners and requirements.
Investigate, through consultation among the Divisions of Water Resources and the
Marine Fisheries, the Secretary’s Office, and the Office of State Budget and
Management, the use of the unobligated balance from completed water resoureces
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4.
GOAL 4:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
ALL GOALS:
1.
projects for navigation, water management, or stream restoration projects of particular
importance to commercial fishing in NC.
Support public and citizen based projects, such as oyster shell recycling, that have
important public education and resource enhancement potential.
ENHANCE AND PROTECT WATER QUALITY
Enhance dependable water quality monitoring in the following ways:
a.
Invest $125,000 in Neuse Estuary Modmon
b.
Invest $ 75,000 to continue Ferrymon
Pursue legislative authority in 2005 for the wastewater loan program to allow a reduced
interest rate (that is, 0% instead of the current 2.36%) for applicants which are coastal
counties with stressed economies and which propose to clean up a wastewater discharge
that flows directly to critical fisheries habitats in an estuary.
Pursue legislative authority in 2005 to allow local governments to use SRF loans at a
reduced rate of interest (that is, 0% instead of the current 2.36%) for stormwater pollution
control projects that are or may alleviate a significant adverse effect on critical fisheries
habitats in an estuary.
Allow use of buffer credit payments for SRF loan repayments to provide financial
incentives for local governments to initiate stormwater pollution control projects that will
directly protect or restore critical fisheries habitats. (It may be possible to leverage at
least $10 million from this fund with repayments from annual receipts.)
Revise the stormwater BMP manual to update recommended practices for management
of post-construction stormwater runoff.
Work with the Department of Transportation to focus and prioritize some of DOT’s
stormwater outfall mapping efforts on areas near critical fisheries habitats.
Develop a comprehensive monitoring plan for the estuarine system by 2007
ACTIONS THAT WILL ADVANCE TWO OR MORE GOALS
Have each DENR division and office include in its budget proposals for the next
biennium (FY ‘05-’07) a request for the resources it will need to implement the
recommendations of the CHPP.
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