SECTION .0700 ‑ MITIGATION POLICY

 

15A NCAC 07M .0701      DECLARATION OF GENERAL POLICY

(a)  It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to

require that adverse impacts to coastal lands and waters be mitigated or

minimized through proper planning, site selection, compliance with standards

for development, and creation or restoration of coastal resources.  Coastal

ecosystems shall be protected and maintained as complete and functional systems

by mitigating the adverse impacts of development as much as feasible by

enchancing, creating, or restoring areas with the goal of improving or

maintaining ecosystem function and areal proportion.

(b)  The CRC shall apply mitigation requirements as defined

in this Section consistent with the goals, policies and objectives set forth in

the Coastal Area Management Act for coastal resource management and

development.  Mitigation shall be used to enhance coastal resources and offset

any potential losses occurring from approved and unauthorized development. 

Proposals to mitigate losses of coastal resources shall be considered only for

those projects shown to be in the public interest, as defined by the standards

in 15A NCAC 7M .0703, and only after all other reasonable means of avoiding or

minimizing such losses have been exhausted.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113A‑102(b); 113A‑107;

113A‑113; 113A‑120(a); 113A‑124;

Eff. January 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. September 1, 1985.