POLICY 12

ACTIVITIES OR DEVELOPMENT IN THE COASTAL AREA WILL BE UNDERTAKEN SO AS TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE TO NATURAL RESOURCES AND PROPERTY FROM FLOODING AND EROSION BY PROTECTING NATURAL PROTECTIVE FEATURES INCLUDING BEACHES, DUNES, BARRIER ISLANDS AND BLUFFS.

Explanation of Policy

Beaches, dunes, barrier islands, bluffs, and other natural protective features help safeguard coastal lands and property from damage, as well as reduce the danger to human life, resulting from flooding and erosion. Excavation of coastal features, improperly designed structures, inadequate site planning, or other similar actions which fail to recognize their fragile nature and high protective values, lead to the weakening or destruction of those landforms. Activities or development in, or in proximity to, natural protective features must ensure that all such adverse actions are minimized. Primary dunes will be protected from all encroachments that could impair their natural protective capacity.