Within the last ten years, many of the issues facing North Carolina's
coastal ocean have changed, and new issues have come to the forefront.

For example, there is a greater interest in offshore sand resources as
beach nourishment has become more critical. There is a greater focus on
marine protected areas, or as they might be referred to in state waters,
Critical Habitat Protection areas. There is a new and evolving interest
in offshore wind energy generation and large-scale offshore aquaculture
production. Coastal ocean observing systems are rapidly developing and
may be an important part of North Carolina's emerging management
information system. Recently, there has been renewed interest in
lifting the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the ocean waters
off North Carolina's coast. These changing needs, along with heightened
awareness and new challenges given to ocean issues by the U.S.
Commission on Ocean Policy report, signal a crucial time for North
Carolina to review its ocean policy structure and to devise policy
options that ensure we are prepared to meet the challenges of today.

On June 24, 2004, Governor Mike Easley, in his comments on the report
from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, recognized the importance of
properly managing ocean resources. Governor Easley stated that
protecting coastal and ocean resources also mean protecting an integral
part of North Carolina's economy and culture.

In December 2005, the North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources Division of Coastal Management (DCM) classified
protecting ocean resources as a high priority in its application for
Section 309 Enhancement Grant funding from the U.S. Department of
Commerce. DCM expressed interest in using part of this funding to work
with North Carolina Sea Grant and the North Carolina Coastal Resources
Law, Planning and Policy Center (Center) to review and update the
state's policy regarding ocean resources and ocean use.

- Lisa Schiavinato, Coastal Law Policy, and Community
Development Specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant

Documents for Review      

07.01.09 -- Ocean Policy Final Report

Committee Members

Committee Co-Chairs

Professor Joseph Kalo, UNC School of Law, Co-Director, North Carolina
Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center

Lisa Schiavinato, NC Sea Grant, Co-Director, North Carolina Coastal
Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center

Committee Members

Dr. Jim Bennett, U.S. Minerals Management Service

Dr. Larry Cahoon, University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Dr. Michelle Duval, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

Dr. John Fear, North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve

Donna Girardot, Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association

Matt Matthews, North Carolina Division of Water Quality

Dr. Len Pietrafesa, North Carolina State University

Dr. Stan Riggs, East Carolina University

Gregory Rudolph, Carteret County Shore Protection Office

Dr. Raphael Sagarin, Duke University, Nicholas Institute for
Environmental Policy Solutions

Jim Stephenson, North Carolina Coastal Federation

Dr. Laura Taylor, North Carolina State University