THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170193
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY LANE DeGREGORY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Private property owners will not be allowed to apply for federal funds to move their homes or businesses away from the ocean under new national flood insurance laws.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, which replaces the Upton-Jones Act, grants money only to states or local governments, said Berry Williams of North Carolina's Division of Emergency Management.
Individuals, however, could apply to their local government or state legislature to receive assistance through the federal funds.
``There will be $20 million a year nationally for flood mitigation projects,'' Williams told members of the state's Coastal Resources Commission during a Thursday meeting in this Outer Banks beach town. ``No more than $10 million will be given to any state over a five-year period. And no more than $3.3 million will be given to any local government over that same time frame.
``They also could limit funds to deal with disasters to a two-year use period. Local governments could package a number of projects for individuals together into one request. But it's going to be very difficult for private property owners to get these grants.''
Outlining terms of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act, Williams explained that the new legislation strives to reduce or eliminate long-term risks of flooding to structures that have experienced repetitive losses, have been substantially damaged and are federally insured.
``Two percent of the policies account for more than 30 percentof the claims money paid out,'' Williams said. ``There are more than 4,000 repetitive loss structures in North Carolina alone.''
Federal funds from the new program will be awarded based on the number of repetitive loss structures in the area; the types of activities done in the area; and the coordination and cooperation of the property owners with other local, state and federal agencies.
Money will be available to elevate buildings, acquire additional property around a structure, or move a structure away from water. Federal funding cannot be used to create flood maps or warning systems or to build seawalls, groins, jetties or levees.
``Beach nourishment is permitted under this act right now,'' said Williams. ``But FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) doesn't like that because it's so expensive.''
Most coastal officials at the meeting agreed that the new regulations will make it much more difficult for communities like the Outer Banks to get federal funding for beach nourishment projects.
In other business Thursday, the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission:
Heard that proposed legislation would allow the state to sell renewable 50-year public trust easements over the water for $1,000 per acre. The easements would apply to new marinas or boat houses with dock space for 10 or more vessels. For every 100 feet of shoreline, 5,400 feet of easement will be given to waterfront property owners for free. Some smaller easements, therefore, would be deeded without cost. The commission may vote on that issue today.
Heard that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may no longer have federal funds to dredge inlets and waterways. ``What will be done, assuming there isn't going to be any money for these projects?'' Coastal Resources Commission member Dave Weaver asked his constituents. ``Almost $100 million in funds for things like beach nourishment and moving structures is threatened. We're talking large amounts of money here. The state and local governments don't have those kinds of resources.'' The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission plans to conduct a series of public meetings on the federal funding issue at three locations across the state during the week of March 18.
Amended a proposal that would require people to apply for a state permit before erecting a boat mooring buoy in public trust waters. Under the new language - which may be voted on today - anyone can apply for a mooring, whether they own waterfront property or not. But the local government must ``endorse'' mooring applications before the state will consider them. And mooring applications must be consistent with the town, city or county's Water Use Plan. Most North Carolina communities and counties do not have Water Use Plans. If the county an applicant lived in does not have a Water Use Plan, only waterfront property owners will be eligible to receive mooring permits. The commission may act on this issue today. MEMO: RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING
The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will continue a
meeting at 8:30 a.m. today in the ballroom of the Kill Devil Hills
Ramada Inn. The public is invited.
The meeting is scheduled to end at noon, with the commission voting
on action items about 10:30 a.m.
by CNB