Hearing on 14 proposed Carteret shellfish leases Feb. 8

An online public hearing on 14 proposed shellfish leases — about 57 acres total — in Carteret County waters will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 8.

Public hearing information, including the web conference link, call-in telephone number, presentation slides, and biological investigation reports can be found on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries website.

The following have applied for shellfish leases:

• Shepard’s Point Oyster Co. LLC has applied for a 2.39-acre shellfish bottom lease in Newport River. Phillip Lannan is listed as the applicant on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• Crystal Coast Oysters LLC has applied for a 3.86-acre shellfish bottom lease in Newport River. James Kyle Frey is listed as the applicant on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• Micah Williams and Jack Williams have applied for a 5.62-acre shellfish bottom lease and water column lease in Newport River.
• South Cape Oyster Co. LLC has applied for a 5.01-acre shellfish bottom lease and a water column lease in Newport River. Paul B. Harrison Jr. is listed as the applicant on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• Chadwick’s Seafood LLC has applied for a 1.72-acre shellfish bottom lease and water column lease in South Leopard Creek. James Tyler Chadwick is listed as the applicant on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• Allison Matzelle and Christopher Baillie have applied for a 1.94-acre shellfish bottom lease and water column lease in North River below the Highway 70 bridge.
• R.G. Trask Farms LLC has applied for a 9.54-acre shellfish bottom lease and a water column lease in Ward Creek. Raiford G. Trask III and Ava Trask are listed as the applicants on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• South Cape Oyster Co. LLC has applied for a 3.29-acre shellfish bottom lease in Lower North River. Paul B. Harrison Jr. is listed as the applicant on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• Sandbar Oyster Co. Inc. has applied for a for a 3.31 acres shellfish bottom lease in North River. Niels Lindquist is listed as the applicant on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• Sandbar Oyster Co. Inc. also has applied for a for a 5.85-acre shellfish bottom lease in North River below Highway 70 bridge. Niels Lindquist is listed as the applicant on the shellfish lease investigation report.
• Jessica Emory has applied for a 4.32-acre shellfish bottom lease and water column lease in North Bay.
• Jessica Emory also has applied for a for a 7.47-acre shellfish bottom lease and water column lease in North Bay.
• David Allen and David Allen Jr. have applied for a 0.82-acre shellfish bottom lease and water column lease in Bogue Sound.
• Tancred Miller has applied for a 1.75-acre shellfish bottom lease in North River below the Highway 70 bridge.

The public may comment on the lease applications during the hearing. Register online by 4 p.m. Feb. 7 to speak.

Submit written comments by 6 p.m. Feb. 9 either through the online form or mailed to to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Shellfish Leases, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program has an interactive mapping tool on their website for potential shellfish growers, riparian property owners, and others interested in shellfish leases to find the location, size and other information about active and terminated shellfish leases.

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