NC S130

Adds new section 143-214.19 to North Carolina General Statutes regarding 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 delineation rules: if wetlands extend less than 50 feet from the normal water level, the buffer includes all wetlands plus upland area totaling 50 feet; if wetlands extend 50 feet or more, the buffer encompasses the full width of wetlands up to their landward limit.

Becomes effective October 1, 2015.