Onslow Shellfish Leases Hearing Sept. 15

A public hearing by webinar on proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The state Division of Marine Fisheries is holding the hearing on the following proposed shellfish leases:

• James Hargrove has applied for a 1.92-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in mainland areas near Topsail Sound.
• Cedar Snag Oyster Co., LLC, agents Franz Hueber and David Ollivier have applied for a 2.25-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in seaside areas near Permuda Island.
• Matthew Schwab has applied for 3.30-acre bottom lease in New River below the N.C. 172 bridge.

Links to all public hearing information, including webinar instructions, the call-in telephone number, presentation slides, and biological investigation can be found online.

Public comments can also be submitted in writing until 6 p.m. Sept. 16 and should be submitted to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Leases, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

To find out the status of a current shellfish lease application or about the location of an active or terminated shellfish lease, use the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program interactive shellfish aquaculture tool. The map was designed to allow the public to follow the application process.

For more information, contact Marla Chuffo with the division’s Habitat and Enhancement Section at 252-808-8048 or Marla.Chuffo@ncdenr.gov.