The North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) requires coastal counties to prepare land use plans every five years as a means of protecting the health of our coastal environment while guiding economic development. A primary role of the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) is to assist local governments in understanding the requirements for these plans and to approve them when submitted. Some members of the Coastal Resources Advisory Council (CRAC) also participate in this review process. To offset the expense of this planning effort, the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) awards grants of up to $500,000 annually. The beauty of the concept is that it allows local governments to set their own priorities, identify local problems and challenges and to take steps to cope with them as they guide economic growth in their jurisdictions.