The state Division of Marine Fisheries is hosting a public hearing next month on several proposed shellfish leases in Carteret County.
Proposed shellfish lease applications under review include the following:
Supporter Spotlight
In Adams Creek:
- Jacob Milchuck, 6.17-acre bottom and water column lease (24-005BL/24-006WC)
- Peerless Oyster, LLC, Frank Milchuck, 5.78-acre bottom and column lease (24-017BL/24-018WC)
In North Bay:
- C.I. Salts Oyster Company, LLC, Ralph W. Brittingham Jr., 4.22-acre bottom and water column lease (24-007BL/24-008WC)
- 35 North Mariculture, LLC, Isaiah Smith, 5.2-acre bottom and water column lease (24-017BL/24-018WC)
Beaufort Shellfish Farms, LLC, Tiffany and Jason Smith, have applied for a 5.01-acre bottom and water column lease in North River below the U.S. Highway 70 bridge (24-030BL/24-031 WC).
Bryan L. Snyder has applied for a 2.98-acre bottom and column lease in White Oak River (24-032BL/24-033WC).
Changing Tide Renovations, LLC, Mason Allen has applied for a 7.69-acre bottom and water column lease in South River (24-036BL/24-037WC) and Thomas Clerkin with the University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Sciences has applied for a 0.97-acre bottom and water column demonstration lease in Newport River (24-038BL WC-RD).
Supporter Spotlight
Public comments on these applications may be made in-person at the March 13 hearing, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office in Morehead City, 5285 Arendell St., and by Webex. In-person attendees are asked to sign up between 5-6 p.m. the night of the hearing.
Public comments will also be accepted in writing until 5 p.m. March 14 through an online form or in writing to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Leases, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.
Information, including the web conference link, call-in telephone number, presentation slides and biological investigation reports are available on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s website.
For more information, contact Marla Chuffo with the division’s Habitat and Enhancement Section, 252-515-5480 or marla.chuffo@deq.nc.gov.
