Stop Work Order Placed on Construction in Coastal Wetland - Beaufort, NC
November 2023
When local residents heard clear-cutting of long-standing pine trees on the other side of their backyard salt marsh creek in October 2023, they were shocked and confused. That property had been wooded and treated as open to the public for decades. Owls, hawks, and bald eagles used the trees by day and night. People would walk through to see the old railroad trestles. They had no idea that any housing development was planned on that property, and questioned whether proper environmental permitting had been obtained due to it being a protected wetland area.
Tractor and pile of trees seen from the marsh
Uprooting of trees. There are restrictions on uprooting trees along coastal waters in NC, especially without a CAMA permit.
Apparently, someone had purchased the property and was making plans to build and sell 7 houses on the small spit of wooded land bounded by tidal creeks. North Carolina’s Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) puts restrictions on construction and development within 75 feet landward of the high tide line. Without a permit in place from the state, actions such as removing tree root balls, ground disturbance/alteration, and clear-cutting with the intent to construct can be found unlawful. We contacted the local North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) officials responsible for CAMA permitting, and determined there was not a permit in place for this development- there was not even a permit application. We shared information regarding the clear cutting and ground disturbance that had already occurred, and a CAMA Representative came out the next day to inspect and placed a “Stop Work Order” on the project until, and unless, a CAMA permit is applied for and granted. It was determined that this property is located within an Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) and therefore has protections.
As of November 2024, no CAMA permit had ever been applied for. Local residents hope the Town will purchase this property to make it a park.