Areas of Particular Concern (APCs)

Description of Areas of PArticular Concern

An “Area of Particular Concern” (APC) is a geographic delineated area with special management requirements. Before work begins on any project to be located wholly or partially within an APC, you must first obtain a valid coastal permit. Currently, there are five APCs in the Commonwealth:

SHORELINE APC – The area between the high tide line and 150 feet inland.

LAGOON and REEF APC – The area extending seaward from the high tide line to the outer slope of the reef.

WETLANDS and MANGROVE APC – Those areas which are permanently or periodically covered with water and where species of wetland or mangrove vegetation can be found.

PORT and INDUSTRIAL APC – Those land and water areas surrounding the commercial ports of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

COASTAL HAZARDS APC – Those areas identified as a coastal flood hazard zones (V&VE) in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

Other areas in the Commonwealth may be designated as APCs if proposed by CRM agency officials, CRM Director, or by members of the public.

You can view the “Areas of Particular Concern” for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota here. You can also use the BECQ Permitting App to look up your lot number to see if your parcel is within a mapped APC. If your activity or project is located within an APC you will need an APC permit for your development or activity – you can pick up an application form in the DCRM office or download a fillable PDF here.