CAMA is an acronym for Coastal Area Management Act which is legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1974. This legislation established the CRC (Coastal Resources Commission) which is the governing body for CAMA. The purpose of CAMA is to protect the unique natural resources of the North Carolina coastal areas.
AECs (Areas of Environmental Concern) are the foundation of the CAMA regulations. An AEC is an area of natural importance; it may be easily destroyed by erosion or flooding or it may have environmental, social, economic or aesthetic values that make it valuable to the State. Generally, properties are within an AEC if it is:
In or on navigable waters;
On marsh or coastal wetlands;
Within 75 feet of the mean high water line along an estuarine shoreline;
Near the ocean beach;
Near an inlet;
Within 30 feet of the north high water level of areas designated as inland fishing waters by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission
Minor Permits are required for projects such as single-family homes and accessory buildings landward of the mean high water mark but small enough that do not require major or general permits. They are reviewed and issued by the local CAMA officer (LPO). The LPO is an employee of Onslow County who has been trained by the Division of Coastal Management to administer minor permits within the county.
- Contact the local permit officer for specific details about permitting for your project and to receive an application.
- The application will ask for names, addresses and phone numbers of the landowner and/or authorized agents for the owner; the location, scale and nature of the project; a list of adjacent riparian property owners and their addresses (available from the county tax office); and a signed statement allowing the local permit officer to enter the property. The application also requires a site drawing that shows the dimensions and characteristics of the property, plus the location and nature of the project along with other information contained in the application form.
- The applicant must notify all adjacent riparian property owners either in person or by mail.
- The Local CAMA Officer will visit the project site and review the project for compliance with the CRC rules, the Onslow County Land Use Plan and the Onslow County Zoning Ordinance.
- Most minor permits can be reviewed in 25 days. If the officer needs additional time, the applicant will be notified by certified or registered mail. The initial 25-day review period can be extended by 25 days only once.
- Once the initial review is complete, the CAMA officer will publish a legal notice in the Jacksonville Daily News. This notice serves to allow public comment from the community.
- Based on review guidelines, the permit will be issued or denied. An approval may contain conditions to ensure compliance with the CRC regulations and the protection of the environment.
- If your permit application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision or to request a variance from the CRC.
Major Permits are necessary for activities that require other state or federal permits; for projects that cover more than 20 acres; or for construction of more than 60,000 square feet. Applications for major permits are submitted to the State and are reviewed by 10 state agencies and four federal agencies before a permit is issued.
General Permits are used for routine projects that usually pose little or no threat to the environment.