Environmental review and compliance

Most of the state park units invite visitors and provide at least basic facilities for public use. It is the division's goal to avoid adverse impacts to the natural and cultural resources of the parks to the greatest extent possible in the planning, design and construction of park facilities. This requires a collaborative effort among park planners, construction supervisors, field staff and division biologists in the Resource Management Program.

Although compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations is an accepted standard, the division strives to achieve an even higher standard for construction projects in state parks. State park construction projects should be models of environmentally sensitive design and construction methods.

Resource Management Program staff review and evaluate every proposed construction project to ensure that its location avoids environmentally sensitive areas and that it is designed and built to minimize secondary impacts. Ideally, this is accomplished early in the planning stages of each project. Detailed environmental documentation is often necessary to comply with state and federal environmental regulations, including the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act. These documents are reviewed through the State Clearinghouse and must show that the projects as proposed will not result in significant environmental impacts. State and federal permits must often be obtained, and these involve additional review by knowledgeable staff in other agencies. Archaeological surveys of construction sites, if needed, are generally contracted out because the division has no archaeologist on staff.