21 Jan 2009
Revised Rapanos Guidance
On June 5, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) issued specific guidance, regarding the Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the consolidated cases Rapanos v. United States and Carabell v. United States. Both the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps
06 Jan 2009
21st Century Transportation Committee Final Report
The 21st Century Transportation Committee which was established by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives pursuant to G.S. 120-19.6(a1), Rule 31 of the Rules of the Senate of the 2007 General Assembly, and Rule 26(a) of the Rules of the House of Representatives of the 2007
19 Dec 2008
Coastal Insurance Policies on the Rise
COASTAL HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE INCREASES Through the Williams Mullen Law Firm, Dare County, the Town of Nags Head, Starco Realty & Construction, Inc., and Joseph M. Geraghty have initiated four separate legal proceedings, including a lawsuit and an appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, challenging Beach/FAIR Plan RATE INCREASES as approved by the NC
16 Dec 2008
New Building Code – See the Differences!
A new building code has been approved and is being printed as we speak. Attached is a handout that you can download that details the differences between the current (2006) and new (2009) code. IMPORTANT: Although there has been a lot of information about sprinklers being required in the new code, that is the new
08 Dec 2008
Big Water Users May Need Permits
A UNC-Duke study recommends steps the state should take to avoid water shortages in the future Wade Rawlins, Staff Writer Comment on this story North Carolina leaders should regulate large withdrawals of water from rivers and aquifers and develop models of how much water each river basin contains to avoid future shortages, water experts say.
04 Dec 2008
UDO Informational Session
The Brunswick County Planning and Community Development Department is pleased to announce the Unified Development Ordinance Informational Session for Developers, Engineers, Landscaping Professionals & Surveyors. Please see the attached announcement for more information. If you have any questions lease feel free to contact Kirstie Dixon with any questions and/or concerns. Kirstie Dixon – Planner II
04 Dec 2008
CORPS Issues Revised Rapanos Guidance
The EPA and the Corps have revised the Rapanos Guidance in consideration of their experience implementing the guidance along with public comments over the past 18 months. Specifically, the revised guidance: 1. Clarifies how to determine the reach of the “Traditional Navigable Waters(TNWs),” 2. Clarifies the regulatory term “adjacent wetlands,” and; 3. Refines the concept
03 Dec 2008
2008 Homeowners Insurance Rate Filing
In preparation for what will be a critical issue during the 2009 General Assembly session, BASE staff has been attending the meetings of the Joint Select Committee on the Potential Impact of Major Hurricanes on the NC Insurance Industry. The Committee met in Raleigh for the third time yesterday, hearing from speakers including NCHBA’s Robert
02 Dec 2008
New Commissioners & New Chairmen
Last night New Hanover County, Brunswick County, and Pender County all swore in incumbents as well as new board members. In New Hanover County Incumbent Ted Davis, commissioner elect – Jonathan Barfield, and commissioner elect – Jason Thompson all were sworn in. Commissioner Davis was named Chairman and Commissioner Thompson was elected vice chair. In
02 Dec 2008
CRC’s Setback Rules Objected To
As reported the Rules Review Commission (RRC) approved the CRC’s setback rules however by 5:00 pm November 21st thirty seven written objection letters were received by the RRC. As per the Administrative Procudures Act (APA, GS 150B-21.3), ten or more letters specifically objecting to the rules and requesting legislative review requires the said rule(s) to