State sets hearing on proposed Carteret shellfish leases

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is holding an in-person public hearing on 17 proposed shellfish leases in Carteret County Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The hearing is set for at 6 p.m. in the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Central District Office, 5285 N.C. 70 West, Morehead City, and by WebEx.

Public hearing information, including the web conference link, call-in telephone number, presentation slides, and biological investigation reports can be found online.

The following applicants have applied:

• Old Salt Oyster Co., Benjamin Strickland Jr., agent, has applied for a 2.06-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Bogue Sound.
• Linda S. Jolly and James T. Chadwick has applied for a 2.12-acre water column lease in the Newport River.
• Hershall K. Brown has applied for a 3.91-acre bottom lease and water column lease in the White Oak River.
• Charles Merritt has applied for a 1.83-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Ward Creek.
• Changing Tide Renovations, LLC, Charles Allen, agent, has applied for a 3.72-acre bottom lease and water column lease in South River.
• John R. Foss has applied for a 3.67-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Adams Creek.
• Austin T. Goodwin has applied for a 3.44-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Ward Creek.
• Sea Level Shellfish Co., LLC, James A. Morris, Jr., agent, has applied for a 3.32-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Long Bay.
• James A. Morris has applied for an 8.61-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Long Bay.
• Seafood for the Soul NC, LLC, Cynthia A. Delafuente, agent, has applied for a 5.08-acre bottom lease and water column lease in lower North River.
• James K. Frey has applied for an 8.22-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Newport River.
• James K. Frey has also applied for a 3.86-acre water column lease in Newport River.
• Nancy M. Dupuis has applied for a 4.11-acre bottom lease and water column lease in North River below the bridge.
• Patrick B. Tosto has applied for a 1.87-acre bottom lease in lower North River.
• Dick Stiffner’s Oyster Farming, A Sustainable Way To Grow, LLC (Lori B. Stokes, agent) has applied for a 1.88-acre bottom lease and water column lease in lower North River.
• Joseph O. McMichael has for a 7.20-acre bottom lease and water column lease in lower North River.
• Kent Gitter has applied for a 1.34-acre bottom lease and water column lease in Ward Creek.

The public may comment on the lease applications in person at the hearing or by WebEx. Division staff ask those wishing to speak via WebEx to register online by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. To comment in person, sign up onsite the night of the hearing.

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

The public may also comment on the proposed shellfish leases in writing. Written comments will be accepted until 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. Written comments will be accepted through an online form. Written comments may be mailed to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Leases, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

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