As the summer beach season approaches, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is promoting its interactive public beach and waterfront access map. This tool is designed to assist both residents and visitors in locating suitable spots along North Carolina’s beaches and coastal waterfronts. Accessible from mobile devices and desktops, the map includes a “Find Sites Near Me” feature that identifies sites within a 10-mile radius.
The online map provides detailed information on over 800 access sites funded by local, state, and federal sources along North Carolina’s ocean beaches and estuarine waters. Users can utilize various tools such as:
– The My Location tool pinpoints your current location for easier navigation.
– The Near Me tool allows searches for locations within 1 to 10 miles.
– The Filter tool helps users select sites based on specific amenities like restrooms or showers.
– The Basemap tool offers different views including satellite imagery and street maps.
Since its inception in 1981, DCM’s Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program has awarded 530 grants totaling over $55 million to enhance public access to waterfront areas. These projects may include walkways, dune crossovers, restrooms, parking areas, piers, land acquisition, or urban waterfront revitalization.
For direct access to the beach and waterfront map or for inquiries, contact Rachel Love-Adrick at Rachel.love-adrick@deq.nc.gov with site location details included in correspondence.
Images available for download include photos credited to NC Division of Coastal Management featuring beach and water access maps as well as public access signs.
