maximum extent feasible and the development 

 is designed to minimize encroachment into 

 the setback area. The development must be 

 at least 60 feet landward of the new vegetation 

 line; and the development is located entirely 

 behind the landward toe of the dune. 



Vacant lots closer than 60 feet from the 

 vegetation require a variance for development. 

 Other options to a landowner whose poststorm 

 lot may be unsuitable for development is to 

 wait and see if the beach naturally recovers 

 and re-establishes the vegetation line further 

 seaward. 



Or, the property owner might consider 

 encouraging a community effort to artificially 

 nourish the beach. This is costly, and the first 

 line of stable vegetation becomes permanent 

 at the time beach nourishment begins. 



Two more options are available, says 

 Donna Moffitt, director of the Division of 

 Coastal Management. Property owners can 

 hope that the local government will purchase 

 their property under a grant from the Public 

 Beach and Coastal Waterfront Grant Acquisi- 

 tion Program. The program gives priority to 

 lands that have been made unsuitable for 

 development as a result of natural hazards, 

 she explains. 



Another option is for landowners to 

 donate their unbuildable lot to the state, local 

 government, or a qualified nonprofit organiza- 

 tion in return for a tax credit under the Conser- 

 vation Tax Credit Program operated by the 

 N.C. Department of Environment and Natural 

 Resources. 



For structures that are imminently threat- 

 ened by erosion, the CRC allows property 

 owners to apply for permits to use sandbags 

 and/or bulldozing as temporary erosion control 

 techniques. An imminently threatened structure 

 may be protected only once with sandbags. 



Beach bulldozing must adhere to strict 

 regulations. More importantly, beach bulldoz- 

 ing is prohibited during the sea turtle 

 nesting season May 1 through Nov. 15. □ 



As evidenced by the photos at right, the 1999 

 hurricane season left some coastal property 

 owners stranded. 



