Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025
Summary
SB 1724, the Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025, would revise the boundaries of Unit L06 of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to make map corrections within 30 days of enactment so that parcels in the town that are currently designated by local zoning ordinance for non-conservation uses are excluded from the coastal barrier system.
The measure also specifies that the Secretary must treat the affected parcels as meeting the relevant criteria under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, and it limits the change to areas of Unit L06 that lie within the municipality of North Topsail Beach. In practical terms, the bill is a targeted map amendment rather than a broad policy overhaul, focused on aligning the federal coastal barrier map with local zoning designations as they existed on the date of enactment.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend the federal Coastal Barrier Resources System map for a specific unit in North Topsail Beach and alter how certain parcels are treated under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act. Parcels excluded from the system would no longer be subject to the same federal restrictions and disincentives associated with coastal barrier designation, which can affect eligibility for certain federal expenditures, insurance-related treatment, and development constraints. The bill would directly affect the Secretary of the Interior, local property owners, and municipal land-use planning in the town.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded opposition, so there is no documented debate to indicate broader sentiment. Based on the bill’s narrow, technical scope and its sponsorship by Senators Tillis and Budd, the measure appears to be a localized correction intended to address a specific mapping issue rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of concern, based on the bill text, could include whether removing parcels from the Coastal Barrier Resources System weakens coastal conservation or increases development pressure, versus arguments that the federal map should conform to current local zoning and reflect existing municipal land-use decisions. Any such disagreement is not reflected in the available transcripts or votes.
Reorganizes the coastal resources management council under the department of environmental management and create the bureau of coastal resources management.