Bill Orders Map Change for North Topsail Beach Coastal Zone, Removing Certain Non-Conservation Parcels

This proposed legislation, the "Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025," directs the Secretary of the Interior to redraw a specific federal map. Within 30 days of the bill becoming law, certain land parcels within unit L06 in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, must be removed from the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). The key condition? These parcels must be zoned for purposes other than conservation according to the town's local zoning rules as they stand on the date the Act is enacted.

Redrawing the Lines on the Coast

The CBRS, established by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, designates undeveloped coastal areas to protect natural resources and minimize federal spending on storm damage by restricting most federal expenditures and financial assistance, including federal flood insurance, within these units. Removing parcels from unit L06, specifically from the map dated November 25, 2024, effectively lifts these federal restrictions for those specific properties. This could make development, redevelopment, or obtaining federally-backed mortgages and insurance easier for the affected parcels, potentially increasing their market value.

Zoning is Key: Who's In, Who's Out?

The critical factor determining which parcels get removed is the local zoning ordinance in effect at the moment the bill passes. As specified in Section 2, if a parcel within the targeted area of unit L06 is zoned for residential, commercial, or other non-conservation uses on that specific date, it's slated for removal from the CBRS map. Conversely, parcels zoned explicitly for conservation purposes would remain within the System, retaining their current restrictions. This distinction puts significant weight on the town's existing land-use classifications.

The Bigger Picture: Local Impact and Coastal Management

This map correction is tightly focused, affecting only specific parcels within unit L06 in North Topsail Beach. While potentially unlocking development opportunities and boosting property values for some landowners, it also intersects with the broader goals of coastal resource management. By design, the CBRS aims to discourage development in ecologically sensitive and storm-prone areas. This amendment adjusts that balance for certain properties based on their current local zoning status, highlighting the ongoing interplay between federal conservation efforts and local land-use decisions.