Sponsors (2)
The bill quickly aligns federal coastal-barrier maps with local zoning to give local owners clearer development rights and reduce permitting uncertainty, while trading off reduced federal conservation protections and a higher risk of increased public disaster/insurance costs.
Homeowners and local property owners in North Topsail Beach gain clearer development rights and potential ability to build on parcels zoned non-conservation by removing those parcels from federal coastal-barrier restrictions.
Local government planning and permitting is less uncertain because the bill requires a narrow map correction (within 30 days) that aligns federal coastal barrier maps with existing municipal zoning.
The change is narrowly drawn to parcels inside the municipality, which helps preserve existing coastal protections elsewhere in Unit L06.
Taxpayers and homeowners could face higher public costs for disaster relief and flood insurance if newly developable parcels increase risk in coastal hazard zones.
Removing parcels from the Coastal Barrier Resources System reduces federal conservation protections and may increase development pressure on vulnerable coastal lands.
The 30-day deadline for completing the map correction may constrain thorough environmental review and stakeholder coordination before the change takes effect.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Removes parcels in North Topsail Beach from CBRS Unit L06 if town zoning allows non‑conservation uses and requires the Interior Secretary to correct the map within 30 days.
Introduced May 13, 2025 by Thomas Roland Tillis · Last progress May 13, 2025
Directs the Interior Secretary to update the federal Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) map for Unit L06 to remove any parcels inside the Town of North Topsail Beach that the town’s zoning ordinance allows for uses other than conservation. The Secretary must make this correction within 30 days of enactment and treat each removed parcel as meeting the statutory criteria for exclusion. The change is limited to portions of Unit L06 within the municipal boundaries and references the Unit L06 map dated November 25, 2024.