15A NCAC 07L .0503      PRIORITIES FOR FUNDING planning and management PROJECTS

(a)  The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) program provides funding for coastal planning and management projects to assist local governments in the 20 counties as defined in G.S. 113A-103(2) in the refining and implementing of plans and management strategies for their coastal resources. In funding local planning and management grants, DEQ shall select projects that address Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) management goals pursuant to 15A NCAC 07B .0702(d)(2) or topics contained within Subparagraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this Rule. Priority management topics shall be designated on an annual basis following consultation with the CRC. Projects may include education and outreach, planning efforts, improvements in intergovernmental coordination, research or studies, and the development of local ordinances. Projects selected for funding by DEQ shall further the CRC's goals for the following designated topics:

(1)           Public Access: Maximize public access to the beaches and the public trust waters of the coastal region.

(2)           Land Use Compatibility: Ensure that development and use of resources or preservation of land balance protection of natural resources and fragile areas with economic development, avoid risks to public health, safety, and welfare.

(3)           Infrastructure Carrying Capacity: Ensure that public infrastructure systems are sized, located, and managed so the quality and productivity of AECs and other fragile areas are protected or restored.

(4)           Natural Hazards: Conserve and maintain barrier dunes, beaches, flood plains, and other coastal features for their natural storm protection function and their natural resources giving recognition to public health, safety, and welfare issues.

(5)           Habitat Enhancement: Maintain, protect, and enhance coastal habitats.

(6)           Other Topics or Special Issues: developed areas and working waterfronts, urban waterfront revitalization, economic growth and development, redevelopment and revitalization, recreation and tourism, historic and cultural resources, public trust rights, water use and water quality, stormwater management, erosion control, shoreline protection and management, open space, parks and recreation, storm recovery, farmland preservation and management, stakeholder and citizen participation, and transportation.

(b)  DEQ shall take into consideration the following factors listed in order of importance to establish priorities for individual projects:

(1)           a project's contribution towards meeting CRC's prioritized management topics and associated management goals pursuant to 15A NCAC 07B .0702(d)(2) or topics contained in Subparagraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this Rule;

(2)           the extent to which the project includes measures of environmental protection beyond the Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC) standards of Subchapter 15A NCAC 07H;

(3)           the applicant's urgency of need;

(4)           the history of applicant's implementation of planning and management grant program activities, if any;

(5)           the feasibility of completion of the project as described by the applicant;

(6)           the applicant's experience with land use planning and implementation projects, as well as present management and administrative capabilities as described by the applicant;

(7)           the applicability of the project to other coastal area municipalities and counties; and

(8)           the geographic distribution of applicants.

(c)  Matching fund requirements are based on the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Tier designations, as outlined by G.S. 143B-437.08. Local government contributions for planning and management projects shall be at least 25 percent of the project costs. However, Tier 1 designated counties and their respective municipalities shall have a local government contribution of at least 10 percent of the project costs. At least one half of the local contribution shall be cash match; the remainder may be in-kind match.

(d)  Any local government whose plan is not certified by the CRC pursuant to 15A NCAC 07B .0803(a)(3) due to failure to meet the criteria listed in 15A NCAC 07B or that has not submitted the most recent required periodic Implementation Status Report as described in 15A NCAC 07B .0804, shall not receive further funding under this program until these inconsistencies are corrected.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113A‑112; 113A‑124;

Eff. August 1, 2002;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2017; March 1, 2016;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2022.