NC H1024

Allows the Secretary of Marine Fisheries discretionary authority to grant shellfish cultivation leases to any qualified person (not just North Carolina residents) when determining public interest will benefit, effective July 1, 2018.

Increases acreage limits for shellfish cultivation leases to 300 acres in most coastal waters and maintains 50 acres limit in Core Sound area, up from the previous 50-acre statewide cap.

Establishes a three-member Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee to hear appeals of Secretary's lease decisions, with one Commission member and two public members with relevant expertise.

Creates Shellfish Aquaculture Enterprise Areas with pre-approved siting and federal/State agency clearances; limits leases in these areas to North Carolina residents and requires leases to revert to State if relinquished or terminated.

Appropriates $100,000 to UNC Chapel Hill's Policy Collaboratory to study oyster restoration and shellfish mariculture impacts on nitrogen and phosphorus levels in Pamlico Sound, with report due March 1, 2020.