Jim Stephenson, the policy director of the North Carolina Coastal Federation, died early today of an apparent stroke or heart attack. He was 57.

Stephenson passed away at the apartment he rented in Raleigh, N.C. to be near the General Assembly during the legislative session. A lobbyist for the federation since 1999, he played a key role in efforts to better regulate stormwater runoff, ban giant landfills and restore threatened oyster habitat. He also worked to stop environmentally destructive legislation, including a bill that would have allowed jetties on the beach.

He is being remembered fondly and with admiration by friends and colleagues.

"Not everyone is cut out for lobbying," said Todd Miller, the federation's executive director. "Jim had the patience and skill to form diverse coalitions and forge meaningful compromises."

Stephenson was also a member of the Marine Fisheries Commission's Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee and the Carteret County Beach Commission. Before coming to the federation, he served as the executive director of North Carolina's Pamlico-Tar River Foundation.

He is survived by his wife, the noted artist Sally Anger of Morehead City, N.C.