[Update - click here for latest]
One problem with living close to the ocean or to sea level
sounds is that, as the sea level rises due to warming, the ocean or sound water
will be closer to buildings and may cause the destruction of buildings.
Therefore, the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) plans for sea level rise
(SLR) for the development of regulations requiring a setback between sea level
water and buildings. If a building is destroyed by a storm, the setback
regulation will apply to any permit to rebuild.
A 2010 report predicted that SLR would accelerate and
that there would be a rise of about one meter (39 inches) by 2010. A bill was
introduced in the General Assembly to allow large structures to be rebuilt in
the same place they once stood, ignoring SLR.
This bill was amended in the Senate in June to add a
provision that the CRC cannot use any scenario of accelerating SLR that not
consistent with historical data. The scientific conclusion is that SLR will
accelerate in the future. However, the CRC cannot use scientific data that is
not in accord with the legislators’ conclusion.
The bill has been the subject of a Stephen Colbert segment
(see WRAL report with a link to the Colbert segment as well as editorials around the state. It has passed the Senate, and is
expected to be considered by the House environment committee.
For more information, see Wilmington Star News story.
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