Submitted by Friends of Jockey’s Ridge

Friends of Jockey’s Ridge Supports the Area of Environmental Concern designation (AEC) for Jockey’s Ridge. With the Rules Review Commission scheduled to meet Monday, April 8, to consider the temporary rules adopted by the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC), including the AEC, Friends of Jockey’s Ridge is requesting the community, friends and supporters send in comments supporting the temporary rules and the AEC to the Rules Review Commission by April 7 at 5 p.m.

Friends of Jockey’s Ridge expresses strong support for the temporary rules adopted by the CRC, including the AEC. The CRC rules are specific in standard and application. As stated by Craig Honeycutt, President of the Board of Directors, Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, in recent comments sent to the Rules Review Commission, “the rules are clearly authorized by the Coastal Area Management Act as amended and are needed to protect the coastal zone, the primary goal of the CAMA.”

The recent decision to potentially remove the Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) crucial designation poses a significant threat to the environmental integrity and long-term well-being of Jockey’s Ridge, a unique coastal geologic formation.

Jockey’s Ridge holds immense ecological, scientific, and cultural significance, making it a vital treasure that requires thoughtful preservation measures. The AEC designation, as outlined in 15A NCAC 07H .0507, acknowledges Jockey’s Ridge as a unique coastal geologic formation and places it under environmental protection, emphasizing the importance of preventing uncontrolled or incompatible development that could jeopardize its irreplaceable features.

Friends of Jockey’s Ridge is requesting public comments be sent to the Rules Review Commission by April 7 at 5 p.m. supporting the readoption of the Area of Environmental Concern and the temporary rules as adopted by the Coastal Resources Commission. Send comments via email to rrc.comments@oah.nc.gov.

The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge is a non-profit organization established in 1990 for the support and maintenance of programs and the development of facilities of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Their mission is to support, enhance and promote Jockey’s Ridge State Park as a significant geological feature of the Outer Banks. For more information about Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, go to friendsofjockeysridge.org or on Facebook facebook.com/friendsofjockeysridge.

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