EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (AP) -- One North Carolina beach town wants the Legislature to clarify what towns can do in the public areas of the state's beaches.

The Daily News of Jacksonville reports that the Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners is asking for lawmakers to pass legislation clarifying the power municipalities have in the area of the beach between the dunes and the ocean considered the public trust area.

The state Court of Appeals recently overturned a lower court ruling allowing Nags Head to demolish structures threated by erosion, saying only the state had that power.

Emerald Isle is in court over whether the town can regulate unattended beach equipment.

Emerald Isle Town Manager Frank Rush says the proposed law would only clarify and not expand the authority of beach towns.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.