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Humans have had a large effect on the physical environment in Wilmington, North Carolina. I read many sources highlighting the amount of pollution that we find scattered around the town, which leads to our ocean environment and ecosystems. I also learned about organizations that are taking a step forward and pushing for a cleaner environment. Construction has also had an effect on Wilmington's beaches and levels of erosion.

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Human Influences on North Carolina's Water Quality

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North Carolina Division of Water Quality provides a supplemental guide to basinwide water quality plans. Although some of this may not be useful in considering human influences, a few of the chapters would be helpful. Chapter one gives an overview of why water quality is important, which again gives good background information on the subject.

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Maps prepared by:
N.C. Division of Coastal Management, Policy & Planning Section, 2014

North Carolina's oceanfront construction setback factors are calculated using the long-term (approximately 50 years) average annual shoreline change rates for the sole purpose of establishing oceanfront construction Setback Factors, and the Ocean Erodible Areas of Environmental Concern (OEA AEC), which were initially established by the Coastal Resource Commission (CRC) under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) in 1979 .

Oceanfront shoreline change rates have been calculated using the end-point method since the first study completed in 1979. This method simply uses the earliest and most current shoreline data points where they intersect any given shore-perpendicular transect line. The distance between the two shorelines (shore-transect intersect) divided by the time between the two establishes the rate. The use of current mapping and spatial analysis technology make this process repeatable and precise; ESRI's Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and USGS's Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). To explore shoreline change rates ( or erosion and accretion rates) simply use the Google Map provided to zoom in/out, and click on green ( accretion) or red ( erosion) transect lines to see the rates (feet/year).

Oceanfront Erosion & Accretion Rates

Accretion

Erosion

No Change

Oceanfront construction setback is measured landward from the first line of stable natural vegetation, or a static vegetation line when applicable. Setback distance is determined by two variables; (1) size of structure; (2) a setback factor based on shoreline position change rates ( see table below). As specified in Rule 15A NCAC 7H .0304(1)(a), the minimum setback factor is 2, unless the shoreline is eroding at a rate greater than 2 feet per year. Therefore, when the shoreline is accreting (moving seaward), or eroding at a rate less than 2 feet per year, the default setback factor is 2. The Google Map below is provided to illustrate current setback factors.

Oceanfront Construction Setback Factors

SBF = 2

SBF = 2.5 to 4

SBF = 4.5 to 6

SBF = 6.5 to 8

SBF > 8

SBF/OEA Transition Boundary

The shoreline position change rate information presented here is not predictive, nor does it reflect the short-term erosion that can occur during storms. The associated report describes the methodology used to calculate both shoreline position change rates and setback factors, and also provides a summary of rates. The document is not considered to be a " state of the shoreline report ," nor was it designed to address " why " the shoreline is accreting or eroding. The most current oceanfront development setback factors and erosion rates depicted in these data were adopted (February-2013) by the Coastal Resources Commission for incorporation into oceanfront setback rules. Please contact your CAMA Local Permit Officer or the nearest regional field office of the N.C. Division of Coastal Management for more information.

DCM's Oceanfront Interactive Map Viewer is an interactive map illustrating historic oceanfront data. Currently this site works best with Internet Explorer® (IE). The Division is actively working to release a new map viewer in the summer of 2014 that will function on multiple web browser platforms.

Note: Setback factors became effective on February 01, 2013 (Analaysis and report were completed in 2011).

Note: Setback factors became effective on February 01, 2013 (Analaysis and report were completed in 2011).

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Oceanfront Construction Setback & Erosion Rates

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Maps prepared by: N.C. Division of Coastal Management, Policy & Planning Section, 2014 North Carolina's oceanfront construction setback factors are calculated using the long-term (approximately 50 years) average annual shoreline change rates for the sole purpose of establishing oceanfront construction Setback Factors, and the Ocean Erodible Areas of Environmental Concern (OEA AEC), which were initially established by the Coastal Resource Commission (CRC) under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) in 1979 .

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Our lives depend on clean water. Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and streams, and keeping them clean, requires coordinated effort and constant vigilance.

In fact, America's waterways only started to get cleaner when the people who lived near them began seeing them as places to cherish and protect, not exploit; and began to come together and act on their behalf. Today those local heroes need all the help they can get.

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The people who take action to clean up and protect our rivers, lakes and streams need all the help they can get. Since 2014, our national organization's Clean Water Network has connected these local heroes with each other, uniting over 250 local and regional watershed groups around the country so they can be more effective champions for clean water.

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What features of the environment in Wilmington do you see that has been effected by humans?

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5.G.1.2
Explain the positive and negative effects of human activity on the physical environment of the United States, past and present.