The curiosity that sparked when historian David Cecelski came across photos taken in 1944 of fishermen harvesting seaweed near Beaufort inspired a “bit of a deep dive” into topics he never imagined studying: the history of agar, ecology of seaweed, the wartime crisis that led to seaweed harvesting and the construction of the Beaufort agar factory.
Archives
State officials: Burning trash against North Carolina law
Careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality has issued a reminder that, “If it doesn’t grow, don’t burn it.”
Link between greentails, green energy topic of next CSI talk
Dr. Lela Schlenker, fisheries liaison from Kitty Hawk Wind, will present, “What do greentails have to do with green energy? An update on the Kitty Hawk offshore wind project served with a side of shrimp” March 20 at the Coastal Studies Institute on the ECU Outer Banks Campus.
Chemours to expand well testing for PFAS contamination
About 150,000 additional private water drinking wells are eligible for PFAS testing after the state’s lead environmental agency directed Chemours’ to expand sampling in Harnett and Hoke counties.
Commission set to further curb state wetlands protections
The Environmental Management Commission is to consider Thursday moving to public comment with a proposed amendment to align the state’s definition of wetlands with the federal definition, which was narrowed by a May 2023 Supreme Court decision.
State to host hearing on mid-Currituck Bridge application
The state Division of Coastal Management has set a public hearing for March 18 on the Coastal Area Management Act application for the proposed Turnpike Authority project.
Mattamuskeet’s invasive carp boycott carp-removal effort
“What we found is we’re not finding the carp numbers in the lake that we thought were there,” Kendall Smith, refuge manager at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, told the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan Core Stakeholder Team at a recent meeting.
Endowment to add $7.5 million for Fort Fisher aquarium work
The New Hanover County Community Endowment grant awarded this week to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will support its $56 million renovation, the details of which are to be announced this summer.
CAMA county governments may apply for resiliency funding
Local governments within the state’s 20 coastal counties and contractors may apply for the next round of funding for resiliency projects.
Public mixed on game land access pass plan during hearing
The Wildlife Resources Commission has proposed requiring paid passes for recreational uses of state game lands, a plan that could improve safety during hunting season but may make access out of reach for large user groups.
State seeks impaired watershed restoration project proposals
The Department of Environmental Quality expects to receive $1.5 million in federal grants to fund all or portions of eligible watershed restoration projects.
NC Trails Program announces grants for trail projects
Grants through the state’s Recreational Trails Program support greenways and trails for hikers, bikers, paddlers, equestrians and off-road vehicle operators.
Don’t judge as convict, sheepshead only criminally delicious
Their black-and-white markings may make them look like jailbirds, but these toothy fish’s diets translate to good eating for us, as well as sporting pursuit.
Pop-up oyster roast to support Cape Fear River Watch
Tickets are $40 for a baker’s dozen of oysters and two beers at the “Sip & Shuck for Cape Fear River Watch” pop-up oyster roast Sunday afternoon at The Alley in Wilmington’s Cargo District.
Bittersweet event: Restored Reaves Chapel to be dedicated
The long, challenging restoration of one of the oldest African American buildings in southeastern North Carolina is finally complete, albeit after the death of one who spent the last 15 years of his life fighting to preserve it.
Topsail Beach mourns death of second mayor in months
Morton Blanchard, who served more than a decade as a town commissioner, was appointed Topsail Beach mayor last fall following the death of former Mayor Steve Smith.
