Read the background information on a public access problem in Carolina Beach below.  Imagine you are a planner for New Hanover County.  You have been asked to analyze this problem and describe what approaches could be used to ensure that public access is maintained on the site.  In your analysis, be sure to clearly describe the legal precedents that could be used to ensure that the public retains access to the site.  Regardless of whether the public has a legal right to access to and/or along the shore, there is also the question of whether it is good policy.  What user conflicts appear to be present in this case.  How would you advise the County Commissioners?  Should they get involved in this issue? Should they support the land owners, people who use the site, or Carolina Beach officials?  Be sure you include recommendations in your analysis.

This assignment should take the form of memo.  It is limited to 3 single-spaced, 12 point font pages, with 1 inch margins and must be in a standard memo format (most word processing software has templates).  The reason that a memo format is required is that it is the standard means of communication in the world of business and government.  Thus, this assignment will help develop your ability to analyze policy questions and to think, act, and communicate more effectively about environmental issues and problems.

Your memos will be evaluated based on your analysis of the problem, the organization of your ideas, your ability to properly apply the theories, concepts, and legal precedents discussed in class and the quality of your writing (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.).  Your goal is to write as clearly, concisely, and directly as possible.  Elegance of style, while desirable, is a secondary consideration.  Short declarative sentences often convey ideas equally well; convoluted grammar confuses things and often leads to misunderstandings.  Remember that you are trying to convey your ideas to people who have infinite demands on their time.  A simple, direct style economizes on time.