Sandbags are considered emergency measures available only for a limited time. 



tally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing. 

 Other challenges include protection of 

 commercial fishing as a livelihood, 

 efforts to minimize loss of life and 

 property from storm damage, and 

 erosion control. 



Miller says CRC appointments are 

 crucial. "The most critical and fragile 

 coastal resources have received added 

 protection from the program, but their 

 long-term protection is uncertain," 

 he says. 



Fuller says the CRC focus has 

 shifted from planning to regulating. 

 "The rules that served us well in the 

 last 25 years may not serve us well for 

 the next 25 years," Fuller says. 



Stick wants local governments to 



Spencer M. Rogers 



utilize the existing structure to influence 

 state decisions. "My main disappointment 

 is there is too little direct contact between 

 elected officials and their representatives on 

 the advisory council and the CRC," he says. 



To guide future development, 

 Kirkman supports the creation of a 

 Sustainable Coast Corporation to promote 

 environmentally sound development 

 in coastal counties. The independent 

 nonprofit corporation would be insulated 

 from political pressures, he says. It would 

 coordinate technical data from universities 

 and other sources. 



Tomlinson, the CRC chairman, 

 wants North Carolina beaches to remain 

 an alternative to Virginia Beach and 

 Myrtle Beach. "My greatest concern is 

 that we are going to develop beyond our 

 capacity to support," he says. 



The commission, he says, must 

 continue its course to promote coastal 

 projects that are "safe, sensible and 

 sustainable." □ 



Michael Halminski 



COASTWATCH 25 



