Showalter, Patrick

I V W IN Ur J U N-V U11 Y
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
Nelva R Albury, Mayor Pm-tem Douglas C. Medlin, Council Member
Michael H. Curley, Council Member William I (Buddy) Fowler, Council Member
Date: May 16,2005 Exemf*EbEIVED
Applicant Name: Patrick Showalter DCM WILMINGTON, NC
Address: 1812 Glen Ridge Drive
MAY 2 3 2005
City: Kemcrsville, NC 27284
RE: EXEMPTED PROJECT (MINOR$) SAND FENCE; 15A NCAC 07K.0212
PROJECT LOCATION/ADDRESS: 1024 S. Shore Drive, Surf City, NC / Pender County
OCEAN HAZARD AEC -
I have reviewed the information submitted to this office in your inquiry concerning the necessary
filing of an application for a minor development permit under the Coastal Area Management Act. I have
determined that the activity you propose is exempt from needing a minor development permit as long as it
remains consistent with your site drawing and it also meets the conditions specified below. If your plans
should change and your project will no longer meet these conditions, please contact me before
proceeding.
SAND FENCE EXEMPTED
1. Sand fences mitt not exceed 5' in height.
2. Sand fences must be plated as far landward as possible to avold impeding turtle activity
and public traffic.:
3. In no case may the fencing exceed 10' beyond the furthest of the following: the first line
of stable natural vegetation, the toe of the frontal or primary dune or the erosion
escarpment of the dune.
4. Non-functioning, damaged, or unsecured sand fencing shall be immediately removed by
the property owner.
5. In no case shall sand fencing be located or placed on the wet sand beach.
This exemption to CAMA permit requirements 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.
�Siincerely,
Q&��A , 9
Donna Reece M i w © Zt'`•
CAMA Local Permit Officer Signature of Applicant/Agent
Town of Surf City Print'Name/Company

0 �e �CA--�
5"J (A
L < (�V\' u-
RECEIVED
DCM WILMINGTON, NC
MAY 2 3 2005
.77
C)
A
c 4-

RECEIVED
DCM WILMINGTON, NC
MAY 2 3 2005
Installing Sand Fence
Permit guidelines and exemption criteria for the installation of sand fences along the 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.