skip to main content | skip to footer
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Coastal Management - NC Beach and Inlet Management Plan

Coastal Management

Web Content Display javax.portlet.title.56

N.C. Beach and Inlet Management Plan

BIMP logo

The North Carolina Beach and Inlet Management Plan is a joint project by the Division of Water Resources and the Division of Coastal Management. Management of the State's inlets and beaches is presently achieved through multiple programs managed by the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources and its divisions.

DENR conducted a second set of public meetings in March to update the public on the progress of the state’s Beach and Inlet Management Plan. Regional presentations can be found here. A summary of public comments recieved is available here.

DENR previously held five public meetings regarding BIMP development in December 2008. These meetings included a preview of the draft BIMP management regions, shown below, along with a presentation on accomplishments to date. (Regional presentations can be found here.) A summary of public comments received is available here.

BIMP Management Regions

BIMP regions

Background
DWR maintains a six-year plan for water resource development projects in N.C., including historical information, current status, and future cost projections for beach and inlet projects. DCM maintains a digital database of shorelines that is used to establish beachfront erosion rates and inlet processes. A collaborative effort between DWR and DCM will catalog, archive, and make available relevant coastal information (e.g., maps, reports, scientific monitoring data) to create a resource that will facilitate beach and inlet management and the development of a BIMP. A summary of the BIMP development process is available here.

The BIMP has been mandated by three major N.C. legislative initiatives:

  • Section 13.9c of House Bill (HB) 1840 (The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2000) requires DENR to develop a multiyear beach management and restoration strategy and plan.

    • The Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, as required by the Fisheries Reform Act of 1997, includes a recommendation that addresses the implemenation of a comprehensive beachand inlet management plan that addresses ecologically based guidelines, socio-economic concerns and fish habitat.

    • In the summer of 2005, the N.C. General Assembly commissioned a study of the shallow draft navigation inlets along the North Carolina coast. The study examined the cost, benefits, and management issues related to maintaining North Carolina's shallow draft navigation channels.

BIMP Advisory Committee
DWR and DCM have established an advisory committee comprised of representatives of state and federal agencies as well as stakeholder groups. The committee will provide input on what the plan should include. The committee members and meeting minutes are available here.

BIMP/DENR Technical Work Group
An intradepartmental working group has been established to share data, identify data needs and gaps, and facilitate collaboration. Agencies include DCM; DWR; the Divisions of Marine Fisheries, Water Quality, Land Resources, and Parks & Recreation; and the Wildlife Resources Commission. The group members and meeting minutes are available here.

BIMP development
The endineering firm of Moffatt & Nichol has been contracted to assist DCM and DWR in developing a comprehensive statewide beach and inlet management plan. The contract includes the following components:

  • Data identification and acquisition

  • Define beach and inlet management regions

  • Develop draft management strategies

  • Hold and facilitate stakeholder meetings

  • Produce final Beach and Inlet Management Plan report

 

BIMP timeline

 

For further information, please email us at denr.ncbimp@lists.ncmail.net

 Back to top
 

Last Modified: April 9, 2009
38319 FEEDBACK

Your input is valuable to us. Please send us your feedback.

What type of feedback would you like to send?*

Ask a Question Report a Problem Have a Concern Make a Comment

(If you would like us to respond please include your phone or e-mail.)

Your Question has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Problem has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Concern has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Comment has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

*If you are a DENR employee with an I.T. issue, please submit a DOTS ticket.