A haven for waterbirds since at least 1970, the quickly vanishing Sandbag Island near Harkers Island was recently expanded from a tenth of an acre to 5 acres using spoils from a dredge project around Cape Lookout Lighthouse.
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State issues swimming advisory for Buxton, Rodanthe
N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program officials have issued a precautionary advisory warning against swimming in ocean waters near Corbina Drive in Rodanthe and near Cottage Avenue and Tower Circle in Buxton.
NC focuses on helping municipal water, sewer — not septic
Some towns are providing assistance for people on private systems, about half the state’s households.
Celebrate Jockey’s Ridge at sandcastle-building contest
The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge are calling for artists of all ages and skills to join them at the state park Saturday, Sept. 14.
‘Strong petroleum smells’ lead to expanded beach closure
The odors Thursday prompted Cape Hatteras National Seashore staff to temporarily broaden the closed area of Buxton Beach near a former military and Coast Guard site.
Coastal fall gardening a challenge; can still yield rewards
Autumn is starting to signal its arrival, and while spring planting gets all the attention, this region offers two growing seasons with the promise of success, despite pests and problems unique to the coast.
Swim advisories posted for Carteret, New Hanover sites
Routine water testing revealed that bacteria levels at the accesses on sounds in Carteret County and New Hanover County exceed state and Environmental Protection Agency recreational water quality standards.
Public may comment on requested interim PFAS limits
The state Division of Water Resources is accepting comments through Oct. 4 on a request to set interim maximum allowable concentrations in groundwater for eight PFAS.
UNCW Blue Economy Index rises 3.07% during August
The University of North Carolina Wilmington Blue Economy Index, a measure of economic activities in the oceans, slightly underperformed its closest benchmarks.
Bald Head Island curfew put to rest as staff eyes cameras
Public resistance to a proposed ordinance setting a curfew for teens has prompted village staff to instead look to camera systems and other ways to curb late-night sign vandalism and water-balloon attacks.
Blaze the plover returns from Illinois after rearing chicks
Blaze, a piping plover shown here on the beach in Waukegan, Illinois, has returned for the second consecutive year to winter at Masonboro Inlet in New Hanover County. The small, but determined piping plover was abandoned before she hatched and became among the first captive-reared chicks to be released from the University of Michigan Biological Station in 2023. Within about two months of her release into the wild, Blaze migrated south to spend the winter at Masonboro Inlet, according to Audubon North Carolina. Audubon officials spotted Blaze Aug. 15 at the inlet, returning from Waukegan, where she successfully raised three chicks. Photo courtesy of the Lake County (Illinois) Audubon Society.
Expectations: ‘Make the best of the way things turn out’
How and where you set your expectations ahead of a planned fishing trip determines how that adventure will turn out far more than the number of fish boated.
Commission advances rule for straw bales in lieu of fencing
The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved the fiscal impact analysis of the proposed rule, which officials don’t expect to result in a significant increase in the use of straw bales to curb erosion.
Park projects in 3 coastal counties chosen for state grants
Of the nearly $18 million in grants being awarded through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, about $1.5 million will go to efforts in Chowan, Hyde and Brunswick counties.
Town council puts Hotel Hinton permit decision on hold
Edenton officials have tabled action on a requested permit related to SAGA Realty and Construction’s $9 million plans for the historic Hotel Hinton.
Conchologists expand, revise popular seashell field guide
Seashell enthusiasts teamed up to revise and expand the decades-old “Seashells of North Carolina” written in 1997 by Hugh Porter, who had a 55-year career at UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, and Lynn Houser.
