State of the Coast Reports

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• Cover
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Coastal Report Card
  NCCF publishes these grades each year so the public will not be lulled into a sense of complacency by politicians promising to do good by the environment.
• Year In Review
  While Hurricane Floyd made headlines, many other events were equally news worthy. Here's how key coastal issues continued to transform our coast during the past 12 months.
• Steps to Protect and Restore Coastal North Carolina
  Let's make sure we're all working together for our coast. Please keep this environmental checklist handy and check off goals as they are met - or use it to remind our political leaders of work yet to be accomplished. The future of our coast depends upon it.
• Protecting Water Quality:
  Entering a New Age in Stormwater Management
  Stormwater pollution is destroying coastal water quality. Controlling runoff represents the best opportunity for the public and local governments to prevent further degradation of tidal creeks and estuaries.
• Achieving Environmental Law and Order:
  Realizing the Full Potential of Existing laws
  If you think that polluters are punished, think again. North Carolina slaps the hands of polluters, but seldom slaps them with a big fine. Unless the legislature beefs up environmental enforcement staff, polluters will continue to laugh – all the way to the bank.
• Looking Ahead:
  Living In Harmony With A Restless Sea
  Global changes could spell trouble for rampant development of barrier islands. Sea level rise and storms are facts of life at the coast. The ecological consequences of fighting the sea are high and the price tag to taxpayers is enormous.
• Growing Smart:
  Making Sound Investments
  From the overdeveloped beaches of the Outer Banks to the urban sprawl of Wilmington, the landscape is cluttered, the rivers are polluted and the neighborhoods are flooded. Poor growth management is costing taxpayers a bundle.
• Legislative Review
  The Short Session of the General Assembly convened in May 2000 with a glaring problem – too many needs with too little revenue. Several unfavorable court judgments against the State, as well as the destruction wrought by Hurricane Floyd led to a $450 million shortfall.
• 2000 Governor's Race Review
  For the 2000 State of the Coast Report, we decided to ask the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor to tell us about their priorities for the coastal environment and how they would achieve them in 900 words or less. Here are their unedited statements.
• Back Page