To: Chairs and Members of the North Carolina House Marine Resources and Aquaculture Committee, and Members of the North Carolina General Assembly

We, the undersigned, respectfully urge you to support and advance House Bill 1053, the “Sea Turtle Protection Act.”

North Carolina’s beaches are vital nesting grounds for threatened and endangered sea turtles, including the loggerhead—our official state reptile. Protecting them is both an environmental responsibility and a point of state pride.

HB 1053 would:

Protect key nesting areas

Reduce harmful artificial lighting that disorients turtles
Promote turtle-friendly lighting solutions
Strengthen protections for nesting habitats
Artificial lighting is a leading cause of hatchling deaths. This bill offers a practical, science-based solution that protects wildlife while supporting responsible coastal development.

We urge you to move HB 1053 forward and vote in support of protecting North Carolina’s sea turtles. Please consider calling or emailing NC House of Representatives.

Maria Cervinia- 919-733-5602

Outer Banks / Northeast
Ed Goodwin → (919) 733-0010
Keith Kidwell → (919) 733-5881
Bill Ward → (919) 733-5780
Central Coast
Steve Tyson → (919) 733-5853
Chris Humphrey → (919) 733-5995

Southeast Coast (Cape Fear / Brunswick / Wilmington)
Frank Iler → (919) 301-1450
Charles Miller → (919) 733-5830
Ted Davis Jr. → (919) 733-5786
Deb Butler → (919) 733-5754
Carson Smith → (919) 715-9664
Phil Shepard → (919) 715-9644
Nearby Coastal-Influenced
Jimmy Dixon → (919) 715-3021
John Bell IV → (919) 715-3017

Edward Goodwin — Edward.Goodwin@ncleg.gov
Keith Kidwell — Keith.Kidwell@ncleg.gov
Bill Ward — Bill.Ward@ncleg.gov
Steve Tyson — Steve.Tyson@ncleg.gov
Chris Humphrey — Chris.Humphrey@ncleg.gov
Frank Iler — Frank.Iler@ncleg.gov
Charles Miller — Charles.Miller@ncleg.gov
Ted Davis Jr. — Ted.Davis@ncleg.gov
Deb Butler — Deb.Butler@ncleg.gov
Carson Smith — Carson.Smith@ncleg.gov
Phil Shepard — Phil.Shepard@ncleg.gov
Jimmy Dixon — Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.gov
John Bell IV — John.Bell@ncleg.gov

Bill H 1053 (2023-2024)
Summary date: May 6 2024 - View Summary
Enacts new GS 113-300 requiring the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) to designate coastal areas within the state that are used or likely to be used for sea turtle nesting, publish a map with the designated areas clearly marked on its website, and notify the governing board and inspection department of each county and municipality of the state that includes a designated area.

Adds new Article 9H, Restrictions on Artificial Lighting to Protect Sea Turtles, in GS Chapter 143, providing as follows. Prohibits an artificial light from illuminating the oceanfront of any beach designated under new GS 113-300. Sets out requirements and restrictions on lighting for any building plans for new development or the remodeling of an existing structure when it includes the alteration of exterior lighting visible from the oceanfront beach, including that tinted glass, filmed glass, or shade screens be used on windows facing the oceanfront above the first floor of a multistory structure, and that floodlights are prohibited and wall-mounted lights must be fitted with hoods so that no light illuminates the beach or with turtle-friendly lighting. Defines turtle friendly lighting as a system or structure that emits only amber colored lights with a wavelength of no less than 560 nanometers. Also sets restrictions on temporary security lights at construction sites. Defines oceanfront as the illuminated portion of the lighting system or structure visible from any portion of the ocean beaches of the state that is to the ocean side of the dune line or, if there is no dune line, from any area within a line 25 feet to the landward side of the mean high tide mark. Requires giving violators five days’ notice to come into compliance; failure after that time results in a warning for a first offense, and a fine between $250-$500 for second and subsequent offenses. Provides that the Article is enforceable by any law enforcement office or local government code enforcement agent with jurisdiction over the property. Applies to building permits applied for on or after January 1, 2025.

Enacts new GS 143-151.82 setting out requirements for oceanfront artificial lighting and for oceanfront lighting in parks or other publicly owned beach access areas. Effective January 1, 2026.

Appropriates $400,000 for 2024-25 to the WRC to be allocated in specified amounts for grant programs in areas designated by the WRC under new GS 113-300 for homeowners and builders for a cost-share for the cost of turtle-friendly lighting, and for law enforcement or local code enforcement agencies for enforcement and public education. Requires the WRC to report on the use of the grant funds to the specified NCGA committee and division annually beginning in 2025, until the funds have been encumbered. Specifies what is to be included in the report. Allows WRC to use 3% of the funds for administrative expenses. Requires WRC to adopt rules for eligibility requirements for the grants.

Mary Belk

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