In the Beginning

Coastal development is the primary economic engine of the 20 coastal counties. NC-20 is a partnership of the people, local governments, and businesses of the 20 CAMA counties in North Carolina dedicated to economic development of the member counties. We concentrate primarily on actions to prevent regulation and rule making not based on science, to establish or maintain fairness in State funding (e.g. NCDOT) and to oppose predatory pricing in the areas of homeowners and flood insurance, among others.

Incorporated in 2010 as a 501(c)4 non-profit, NC-20 was the result of a loose coalition of counties that found common interest in opposing expanded stormwater rules in the 2008-09 rule making process. While there were some counties that did have fecal coliform levels that required some expanded restrictions, many did not. In fact, one county had demonstrated improved water quality with minimum impairment, but was subjected to the same rules as the other counties which had far worse levels. During the hearing process, the State official in charge commented, “This isn’t about science, it’s about political science.” Those coastal residents present were sufficiently motivated by that comment to start NC-20.

The following year, they were far more organized and had a substantial impact on the insurance debate over House Bill 1305. The article below, entitled “What We Have Accomplished”, describes the success of that effort. Our President and expert for Insurance Affairs, Willo Kelly, is arguably the most knowledgeable individual in the state regarding coastal insurance who does not work in the insurance industry. It was her research that Senator Basnight used in his dramatic reversal of many of the HB 1305 issues.