NOTICE OF NON-COMPETITIVE USE OF PUBLIC BEACH AND COASTAL WATERFRONT ACCESS FUNDS -
NC Coastal Land Trust’s Donation of the Topsail South End
The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) hereby gives public notice as required by 15A NCAC 07M .0307(b) of a proposal to use up to $50,000 in Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Grant funding on a non-competitive basis to cover closing costs related to the NC Coastal Land Trust’s donation of the Topsail South End parcel to the State of NC.
DCM is proposing to use non-competitive funds to cover closing costs associated with the State’s acquisition of a 96.07-acre tract in Topsail Beach, known as the Topsail South End Tract. The parcel was acquired by the NC Coastal Land Trust for $7.5 million, and ownership of the property will be transferred to the State, where DCM will manage and preserve the property for public benefit and support current and future public access to coastal waters.
The State will be responsible for closing costs including deed preparation and recording fees and, if obtained, the cost of title insurance. The cost is estimated to be no more than $50,000. The exact amount of closing costs associated with this property transfer is currently unknown and will be determined at the time of closing based on applicable legal, recording, and administrative requirements.
Prior to the expenditure of funds DCM must hold a public hearing to discuss the proposal and invite the public to comment to the CRC for 60 days prior to the expending of non-competitive funding.
Public comment period begins: January 31, 2026
Public Hearing: February 25, 2026, 4:30 p.m.
Coastal Resources Commission Meeting
Dunes Club, 710 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC
Public comment period ends: April 1, 2026
Please submit written comments by April 1, 2026 to Tancred Miller, Director, Division of Coastal Management, 400 Commerce Ave, Morehead City NC 28557 or by email to DCMcomments@deq.nc.gov. Please put “Non-competitive Use – NC Public Land Trust” in the subject line.
The Division of Coastal Management's Public Beach and Waterfront Access Program provides grants to local governments to create or improve pedestrian access to public beaches and public trust waters in the 20 coastal counties.
Eligible projects include land acquisition and site improvements such as beach mats, dune crossovers, boardwalks, piers, parking areas, restrooms and more.