NC S232

Adds a new section to state law defining protective riparian buffers for coastal wetlands in the Neuse River and Tar-Pamlico River Basins.

Defines coastal wetlands as salt marshes or other marshes subject to regular or occasional flooding by tides, excluding hurricane or tropical storm tides.

Requires coastal wetlands and marshlands to be included in the measurement of protective riparian buffers rather than treated as separate surface waters.

Establishes two delineation methods: if coastal wetlands extend less than 50 feet from the normal water level, the buffer includes all wetlands plus enough upland to total 50 feet; if wetlands extend 50 feet or more, the buffer extends to the full landward limit of the wetlands.

Takes effect October 1, 2011.