H.R. 1885: Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025

This bill is called the Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025. The key points of the bill are as follows:

Purpose of the Bill

The main purpose of this bill is to revise the boundaries of a specific area within the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System, which is a system designed to protect coastal areas from development and environmental degradation. This bill specifically targets unit L06, which includes parts of North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.

Map Correction

The bill mandates that within 30 days after it becomes law, the Secretary of the Interior must update the official map of the Coastal Barrier Resources System. This update will exclude certain parcels of land in North Topsail Beach from being classified as part of the environmental protections of the Coastal Barrier Resources System.

Criteria for Exclusion

The parcels that will be excluded from the Coastal Barrier Resources System protections are those designated by local zoning ordinances for purposes other than conservation as of the date of the enactment of this bill. In other words, if the land is zoned for development or other non-conservation uses, it can be removed from the protected designation.

Scope of the Bill

The changes made by this bill apply strictly to the municipality of North Topsail Beach, meaning only properties located within this town are affected by the map corrections.

Definition of Local Zoning Ordinance

The bill defines a "local zoning ordinance" as the set of zoning regulations that were in effect for North Topsail Beach at the time the bill is enacted. This definition helps clarify which areas of land will qualify for exclusion from the Coastal Barrier Resources System protections based on local development rules.

Map Details

The specific map that will be amended is part of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System and is dated November 25, 2024. The amendments will specifically affect unit L06 of this system.

Implications

This legislative change may open up areas previously under coastal protection to development and other uses not focused on conservation. The intent is to allow for economic development and local planning priorities within North Topsail Beach.

Relevant Companies

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