Changes seek better implementation of local plans, more public participation

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in late 2001 adopted changes to guidelines for state funding of CAMA land-use plans [15A NCAC 7L]. The changes are designed to give local governments more planning flexibility, improve the implementation of local plans and encourage more public participation in the planning process. The changes also will reinforce the link between local land-use plans and the goals of CAMA.

Because the funding guidelines are departmental rules, the DENR secretary, not the Coastal Resources Commission, approved the revisions. They took effect Aug. 1, 2002.

Giving local governments more flexibility

The guidelines give local governments the flexibility to tailor planning to meet local needs. Local governments that receive planning grants will undergo a scoping process to determine the type of plan that best suits their community.

Improving implementation of local land-use plans

Land-use plans should provide the environmental and development benefits that citizens deserve and expect. But they can do that only if they are implemented. The revised funding guidelines encourage implementation by providing financial incentives to local governments and requiring them to submit periodic reports about the status of their plan.

Failure to implement a land-use plan could affect a local government’s ability to obtain future CAMA planning and management grants.

Encouraging more public participation

Public participation in the local planning process is essential. The funding guidelines strengthen public education requirements to ensure that all segments of the community, including non-resident property owners, have the opportunity to take part in the development of the land-use plan.

Better intergovernmental coordination

Neighboring communities may share a common watershed. As such, it is important that neighboring local governments communicate with one another on planning efforts so that the health of watersheds can be maintained.

The revised guidelines require adjacent local planning entities to seek comments from one another on draft land-use plans or updates and to coordinate to the maximum extent feasible land-use policies for shared watersheds that contain areas of environmental concern. These AECs, as they are known, are areas of natural importance that fall under the CRC’s regulatory jurisdiction.

Higher-percentage grants will go to counties

Because CAMA requires coastal counties to prepare and update land-use plans, the new funding guidelines will make the most grant money available to them. Under the new guidelines, the maximum amount that the Division of Coastal Management can award will cover 85 percent of a county’s planning costs, depending on the type of plan and the economic status of the county.

CAMA land-use planning is optional for cities and towns, so they will receive less money under the new guidelines. The maximum that a municipality can receive is 75 percent of planning costs, depending on the type of plan.

Currently, the maximum amount is 80 percent of planning costs regardless of the type of plan, the planning body or a county’s economic status.

The changes encourage local governments to plan jointly and to go beyond minimal core requirements. The new funding program also allocates a higher level of resources to plans that address more complex growth and development issues.

New component will provide extra incentives

The changes to the funding guidelines include a Sustainable Communities component, under which DENR will award additional funds to eligible counties and towns for special planning and management projects.