The proposed loosening of federal coal ash disposal regulations is not expected to affect North Carolina’s robust management rules — at least for the time being.
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Environmental advocate Debbie Swick, anglers club team up
Debbie Swick, in partnership with the Outer Banks Anglers Club, has launched a monofilament recovery and recycling program using collection vessels at sites across the Outer Banks.
Commission moves forward with inlet hazard area updates
The Coastal Resources Commission is in the rulemaking process to update boundaries and maps for high-hazard inlet and oceanfront shorelines.
Pit viper stare-down
Two cottonmouths, aka water moccasins and known scientifically as Agkistrodon piscivorus, came face to face while foraging Sunday at the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s 6,000-acre North River Wetlands Preserve, with one rising up and the other backing down. One of six venomous snakes in North Carolina, the cottonmouth is the most aquatic, preferring wetter habitats. It’s a pit viper, having a pit on its face that senses heat. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers tips on how to coexist with snakes. Photo: Doug Waters
Public sways officials to ax parkway plan’s preferred NC route
State transportation officials, in response to public feedback, said Wednesday that the North Carolina portion of the formerly preferred Carolina Bays Parkway Extension Alternative 4 will not be built as initially proposed.
Chance encounter reveals shared family history of service
Joan Collins, director of outreach and education with the Pea Island Preservation Society Inc., relates how she happened to meet Johnnie Van Willis of Marshallberg and the discovery of what their two families have in common.
Coastal Federation to break ground for mariculture hub
The planned Shellfish Mariculture Hub in Carteret County will provide logistical support such as shared refrigeration, equipment and water access.
Service set for North Topsail Beach Alderman Larry Strother
The late North Topsail Beach Alderman Larry Strother died April 12 at the age of 79.
Ancient awareness: Moon phases and when to plant each crop
Human activities, including the chosen dates for religious holidays, animal behavior and the movements of all the water on the planet are in some way tied to our cyclical views of our nearest celestial neighbor, and so are our planting schedules.
Wilmington officials request ideas for new public park
The city of Wilmington is hosting a public engagement on May 2 to gather ideas on the design, amenities, and overall vision for its next public park.
Carteret to host free disposal of household hazardous items
Carteret County residents will have an opportunity to dispose of small quantities of common household hazardous items for free on Saturday.
Wildlife officials offer tips to deter, not attract, black bears
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in partnership with BearWise, has hot tips on how to look for and reduce potential attractants for black bear as they become more active now through the fall.
Topsail Islanders amp up calls for hold on new shellfish leases
Densely allocated shellfish leases and the resulting conflicts and complaints have prompted a yearslong pause on new leases in New Hanover County and other nearby waters, and Topsail Island officials say a temporary moratorium on new leases is also needed in Stump Sound in Onslow and Pender counties.
For the next two years, plan on lane closures at U.S. 17 bridge
While traffic will continue to flow over the bridge, the preservation project on the 16-year-old structure isn’t expected to be complete until summer 2028.
Mr. Blue has eyes for you
A brightly hued eastern bluebird peeks out from a knothole in a tree at the Dare County Arboretum and Teaching Garden in Kill Devil Hills. Male bluebirds tend to draw attention to themselves at their nest cavities in this way to lure potential mates, according to Cornell Lab. Dare County Extension Master Gardener volunteers maintain the arboretum garden at 300 Mustian St. Photo: Kip Tabb
Fort Fisher Aquarium set to close for renovation, expansion
The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the state’s southernmost aquarium, is closing May 26 for a major renovation and expansion project, construction of which is expected to take about 30 months.
