debates. The rules arose as developers' 

 focus shifted to the tributaries that feed 

 the state's sounds. 



"Local governments are saying 

 enough is enough," Kirkman says. "We 

 are concerned about the ecosystem. We 

 want to protect it, but we can't look at it 

 in isolation." 



The CRC has expanded the shore- 

 line discussion. "Fresh-water wetlands 

 are very important for filtering and ab- 

 sorption of storm water," Moffitt says. 



State 



Regulations, 



Local 



Planning 



While CAMA affects all 20 coastal 

 counties, state officials are careful to 

 point out that state permit jurisdiction is 

 only for "areas of environmental 

 concern," or about 1 percent of the 

 coastal landmass. 



Pounding waves and continuing erosion take their toll on oceanjront property. 



Scott D. Taylor 



"We don't have as big a stick as 

 some people say," Jones says. But that 1 

 percent draws much attention, as it 

 includes miles of sandy beaches and 

 acres of marshland. "We have authority 

 over some of the most environmentally 

 sensitive and most expensive proper- 

 ties," he says. 



"The philosophy of CAMA is not 

 to stop development but to regulate it," 

 Jones says. Powerful hurricanes in 1996 

 — Bertha and Fran — showed that 

 setback requirements minimize storm 

 damage, but can't eliminate it, he adds. 



Even after a storm, the desire to 

 build on the oceanfront is strong, with 

 property owners checking the setback 

 requirements based on the historical rate 

 of erosion. "They ask, 'Where can I 



Spencer M. Rogers 



22 HIGH SEASON 1999 



