Restoring & Protecting the NC Coast

     While planned development and habitat restoration are important tools, the active preservation of existing natural areas in a watershed is crucial. The North Carolina Coastal Federation has been working to identify and preserve some of the pristine areas along our coast to protect water quality and essential habitat areas, and to preserve coastal areas for public recreation and education. Preservation can protect areas from development and preserve traditional public use in some areas through conservation easements. Since 1996, over 7,000 acres have been preserved, plus an additional 600 acres of wetland and estuarine area.
     Two legislative acts in particular have greatly increased opportunities for coastal land preservation in North Carolina:

• The Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) was established in 1996 by the North Carolina General Assembly in response to public concerns about water quality problems across the state. The CWMTF funds projects that 1) enhance or restore degraded waters, 2) protect unpolluted waters, and 3) contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, recreational, and educational benefits. A summary of NCCF's work with the CWMTF can be found on our Fact Sheet.
• The Estuaries and Clean Water Act of 2000 was passed on On October 26, 2000 by the US Congress to revitalize coastal communities and restore one million acres of essential coastal habitat. Sponsored by the late Senator John Chafee (R-RI) and Representative Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Act is a comprehensive approach to coastal habitat restoration and authorizes $275 million over five years toward this purpose.
  
  

Through the support of these two legislative acts
as well as many other organizations, NCCF has successfully
preserved the following natural areas:

• Hoop Pole Creek: In the first land acquisition of its kind in state history, 31-acres of endangered maritime forest, salt flat, and wetlands in Atlantic Beach were preserved in 1997 with a $2.5 million grant from the NC CWMTF. Hoop Pole Creek is also the site of multiple NCCF oyster and wetland restoration projects. The public can visit Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail everyday during daylight hours.
• Queens Creek: NCCF purchased a conservation easement to create a mile-long riparian buffer on Queens Creek through the NC CWMTF. This buffer will help preserve the existing high water quality in a rapidly developing watershed near Swansboro in Onslow County.
• Huggins Island: Located near Swansboro in the mouth of the White Oak River, the 2.8 mile long shoreline and 110-acre maritime live oak forest of Huggins Island was preserved thanks to grants provided by the NC CWMTF, NC Natural Heritage Trust Fund, and NC Division of State Parks.
• Gum Thicket: The Neuse River Foundation and NCCF purchased the conservation easement (301 acres) from Weyerhaeuser on this Pamlico County property with $1.25 million from the NC CWMTF in 2001.
• Town of Emerald Isle: In cooperation with the town, the NCCF purchased 40 acres of undeveloped barrier island land with $2.4 million grant from the NC CWMTF for a stormwater project.
• Bird Island: The CWMTF awarded $1.25 million toward the purchase of 148 acres of undeveloped, pristine beach and a popular bird nesting area along the southern coast.
• Sugarloaf Island: The Town of Morehead City and NCCF jointly submitted a $500,000 request to the CWMTF to purchase Sugarloaf Island in Carteret County, sparing the 47-acre island from development.
• Morris Landing: In 2003 the CWMTF approved a $972,000 grant to purchase 52.4 acres at Morris Landing near Holly Ridge. The property helps to protect the relatively unpolluted waters of Stump Sound, an extremely productive fisheries area for shellfish, shrimp and finfish. It is also the site of a NCCF living shoreline project.
• Quaternary Tract: Almost nine miles of riparian buffer along the White Oak River near Stella was preserved in 2004 through a grant from the CWMTF. This 1,443 acre tract will be transferred to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to be used as public game lands.