<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 10-126. - Definitions.</div>
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            <p class="p0">
               The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the
               meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates
               a different meaning.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Adverse impact</span> means anything that would destroy, harm, impair, diminish or degrade the value or
               integrity of a sand dune for storm protection or wildlife habitat.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Barrier dune</span> means the easternmost sand dune or system of sand dunes which lies just west of the
               mean high water mark of the Atlantic Ocean and forms a protective barrier from the
               actions of the Atlantic Ocean.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Beach</span> means the lands consisting of unconsolidated soil materials that extend for a distance
               of 100 yards east of the mean low water mark into the Atlantic Ocean landward to a
               point where either the growth of stable natural vegetation occurs or a distinct change
               in slope or elevation alters the configuration, whichever is farther landward.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">CAMA</span> means the Coastal Area Management Act, an act requiring land use planning in coastal
               North Carolina counties.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dune system, frontal dune</span> means the first mound of sand located landward of the beach having sufficient vegetation,
               height, continuity, and configuration to offer protective value.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dune system, primary dune</span> means the first mounds of sand located landward of the beach having an elevation
               equal to the mean flood level for the area plus six feet. The primary dune extends
               landward to the lowest elevation in the depression behind the same mound of sand.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dune walkover access, improved</span> means a raised walkway constructed for the purpose of providing access to the beach
               from points landward of the dune system.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Dune walkover access, unimproved</span> means a sand walkway or path used for the purposes of providing pedestrian access
               to the beach which is no more than six feet in width and located in an area where
               there is no escarpment present between the dune structure and the beach.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Escarpment</span> means the vertical drop or steep slope in the beach profile separating two comparatively
               level or more gentle sloping surfaces caused from high tide or storm tide erosion.
               Escarpments for the purposes of this division shall only be determined to exist in
               areas where the height and slope of the escarpment would preclude reasonable pedestrian
               access to the beach without causing an adverse impact to the dune structure.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Invasive exotic species</span> means a non-native or invasive vegetation which, if left undisturbed by manmade forces,
               will create a landscape comprised of a singular plant species.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Toe of slope</span> means that point between the beach and the dune system where the uniform line of
               slope from the ocean toward the barrier dune begins an abrupt change upward and becomes
               the slope of the barrier dune.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Vehicle</span> means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported
               or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively
               upon fixed rails or tracks, provided that for the purposes of this division, bicycles
               shall be deemed vehicles, and every provision of this division applicable to the driver
               of a vehicle shall also be applicable to persons on bicycles.
               </p>
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 4-17-17(2), pt. I)
               </p></div>