Noëlle Boucquey

Carteret County is situated along the central coast of North Carolina (figures 13.1 and 13.2). When Edward Earll visited in the 1880s, he observed: Carteret County . . . is long and narrow. . . . Its shores are so frequently interrupted by bays, rivers, and creeks, and the whole country is so cut up by water-channels, that wagons are almost wholly dispensed with, and the communication between different sections is carried on by means of boats. (Earll 1884, 485) Despite the addition of cars and bridges in the intervening years, Earll’s physical description of the county remains apt. It

Down East, North Carolina is one of the few remaining rural stretches of the state's "Crystal Coast." The region has historically revolved around the fishing industry, although in recent years commercial fishing activity has declined dramatically. Some areas of Down East have experienced increases in second-home developments while other areas have seen population declines and local business losses. These trends have led to conflicts amongst different community members regarding the usage of existing natural resources and in planning for future development. In an attempt to understand residents' attitudes regarding the past, present, and future of their communities, these issues were explored in a random door-to-door survey of approximately five percent of Down East addresses conducted May through September 2008. This paper explores several themes arising from this initial survey, which reveals that most community members have a strong appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage of Down East, while also sharing concerns associated with the decline of the fishing industry and influx of "outsiders" to the region. Citizens express skepticism of government measures to protect local heritage through land use planning, as these measures are widely viewed as infringing on private property rights. By providing an understanding of the broad issues that concern residents of Down East, this research can inform efforts to engage community members in ongoing discussions about their options for shaping the future character of the region. These findings may also be compared with the concerns of similarly amenity-rich rural communities on the cusp of substantial development.