To the Division’s Website Visitors:

On behalf of Commissioner Barrett and the Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division is pleased to make available the final report of the past year’s Coastal Marsh Hammocks Stakeholders Dialogue, “ Facilitating Human Dimensions Research On the Future Management Of Coastal Marsh Hammock Development”.  This product of the Coastal Marsh Hammocks dialogue and the work of the stakeholder group is a fundamental step to an overall Coastal Action Plan.  The report and its recommendations are part of a greater initiative to plan proactively for how we manage the extraordinary coastal region. While this draft plan includes the product of a great deal of hard work, it should be considered in draft form and will be subjected to much additional review and discussion by the Board of Natural Resources, members of the State Legislature and the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee.

In recent years a trend is evident where back barrier islands, referred to as hammocks, are being developed.  Many are proximal to land areas where a bridge can be constructed to provide access.  Others are distant and accessible by boat.  Through the years, the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee, created by the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act, has considered a number of bridge permits to hammocks and granted many of them. The number of permit requests has increased, and there is concern among many coastal residents about this trend negatively impacting the coastal environment.

Spurred by litigation, in 2001 DNR appointed a Coastal Marsh Hammocks Advisory Council to identify the ecological importance of marsh hammocks; evaluate the impact of continued development of marsh hammocks; and recommend solutions to mitigate development of coastal marsh hammocks.

During spring 2002, the Coastal Marsh Hammocks Advisory Council presented a report to the DNR Board and at public meetings. Subsequently, DNR appointed a more broadly representative group of stakeholders to address open issues and refine the first group’s recommendations.  Five major stakeholder groups were involved:  environment; development; property owners; local government; state government.  Other interests represented included:  realty; marina owners; recreation/eco-tourism; commercial fishing; at-large citizens.

The Department utilized a facilitated dialogue conducted by Consensus Solutions, Inc. to: identify areas for  policy and regulatory improvements; develop non-regulatory solutions to management of hammocks; explore mechanisms for acquisition of hammocks; and identify and resolve differences between stakeholders.

Between August 2002 and June 2003, the stakeholders addressed definitional issues and a broad array of topics related to public and private property interests, stewardship and conservation.  While the report documents substantial progress in policy guidance surrounding hammocks and vital coastal marshlands, also of importance to the Department is the work to continue in the several open issues of concern.  Work is on-going on the topics of best management practices, habitat loss/degradation, bulkheads, view shed, and gratuities.

The recommended policy strategies in this report will be presented to the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Board of Natural Resources’ Coastal Committee for their consideration of new policies, rules, or recommended legislation.  Bottom line is that these recommendations are just that – recommendations.   Much additional public review, including public hearings to be scheduled, are necessary before the recommendations contained herein are approved for implementation.  We believe it is a very good start, however.
 
The Department recognizes and  sincerely thanks the stakeholders, resource persons, and professional facilitators involved for their time, energy, and enthusiasm dedicated to the Coastal Marsh Hammocks Stakeholders Dialogue. 

Susan Shipman
Director

Having trouble reading the pdf file? Click HERE.