Gallo, Romain B.

r,
TOWN OF SURF CITY
P. O. BOX 2475 214 N. NEW RIVER DRIVE SURF CITY, NC 28445
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
http://surfcity.govoffice.com
A D. (Zander) Guy, Jr., Mayor Donald R. Helms, Council Member
1Velva R. Albury, Mayor Pm-tem (I v I \ Douglas C. Medlin, Council Member
Michael H. Cudey, Council Member K
yJ J.(Bu)Fowler, Council Member
Date: March 22, 2005 2 2005 E e ption # 109
ApplicantName: Romaine B. GalloDIVISION OF
Address: P.O. Box 2074 COASTAL MANAGEMENT
City:
Surf City, NC 28445
RE: EXEMPTED PROJECT (MINORS) SAND FENCE 15A NCAC 07K.0212
PROJECT LOCATION/ADDRESS: 1602 N $UoreOnve, Surf City, Pender County
AEC OCEAN HAZARD
I have reviewed the intoi'mation submitted to this of ice in your inquiry concerning the necessary
filing of an application for a minor development permit wider the Coastal Area Management Act. I have
determined that the activity you propose is exempt fiam needing a minor ciccelopment permit as long as it
meets the conditions specified below. If your plans should clianpe and your project will no longer meet
these conditions, please comact me before proceeding.
SAND FENCE EXEMPTED
1. Sand leuces must not ceceed5' in height.
2. Sand fences must he placed as far landvNard as possible to avoid impeding turtle activity
and public traffic.
3. In no case ntav the fencing exceed 10` bcNond the furthest of the following: the first line
of stable natural vegetation; the too of the frontal or pi inwr_v dune or the erosion
escarpment of the dune.
4. Non-functioning. damaged. 01 nnSCCw'ed sand fencim, shall be immediately removed by
the property ox� ner.
5. In no case shall sand fencing be located or placed on the wet sand beach.
This exemption to CAMA permit reyuirenicuts does not alleviate the necessity of your obtaining
any other State, Federal or Local authorization. This exemption expires 90 days from the date of this letter.
Sincerely,
Donna Reece
Town of Surf City, LPO
Signature of Applicant/Agent��
r,

2005
DIVISION
COASTAL I'�ANAGEMENT
17,

l
Installing Sand Fence
ti1AR 2 � 2005
COASTDIIL I SIGN OF
AGEMEf
Permit guidelines and exemption criteria for the installation of sand fences along%T oceanfront took
effect Aug. 1.
When properly installed, sand fences help build dunes by trapping wind-blown sand. But if installed
improperly, they can impede public access to the beach, and can trap or endanger sea turtles, their
nests or hatchlings.
Under the new guidelines, property owners who follow certain criteria will be eligible for an exemption
from Coastal Area Management Act permit requirements. If property owners want to put up sand
fences that differ from the criteria, they will have to apply for a CAMA minor development permit. The
new rules do not apply to fences installed prior to Aug. 1.
What the guidelines say
The guidelines create a CAMA minor permit and an exemption for sand fencing. To qualify for the
exemption, installation of new sand fencing has to meet the following criteria:
• The fencing must be no taller than 5 feet and built from evenly spaced thin wooden vertical
slats connected with twisted wire.
• The fencing must be placed as far landward as possible to avoid interference with sea turtle
nesting, public access and use of the beach. It must not be placed on the wet -sand beach.
• If fencing is to be placed parallel to the shoreline, it must not be located waterward of the crest
of the frontal or primary dune.
• If fencing is to be placed waterward of the crest of the dune, it must be installed at a 45-
degree or greater angle to the shoreline. Each section of fence must not be longer than 10
feet, and sections must be spaced at least 7 feet apart.
• Fencing must not extend more than 10 feet beyond either the first line of stable natural
vegetation, the toe of the frontal or primary dune, or the erosion escarpment of the dune,
whichever is closest to the water.
• Sand fencing to be placed along public accesses may be as long as the access, and may
include a 45-degree funnel on the waterward end. The funnel may extend up to 10 feet
beyond the end of the access.
Why the guidelines are needed
In recent years, the amount of sand fencing along the coast has grown significantly as property
owners sought to protect their homes from storms and long-term beach erosion. As such, miles of
sand fencing — some of which is improperly installed or neglected — now line the state's beaches.
Because improper sand fencing can pose a threat to sea turtles, the state Wildlife Resources
Commission has developed voluntary sand fencing guidelines.
Several beach communities had attempted to address the issue through sand fencing ordinances, but
the scope of the problem required state attention. The CRC's new regulatory guidelines were
developed in cooperation with the WRC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.