The economic benefits of biodiversity and habitat preservation from off-road vehicle restrictions put in place in 2012 on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore far outweigh the costs, according to a recent study.
Archives
Owners Seek Permits for 2015 Wetlands Fill
Property owners restoring a private airstrip in Down East Carteret County, a project that involved filling of 5 acres of wetlands in 2015, now seek after-the-fact approval from the Corps of Engineers for the work.
Members Sought for Coastal Committees
Residents and community group representatives interested in serving on the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve local advisory committees may submit applications Jan. 5 to Feb. 8.
White Cliffs of Bogue Banks
Our Sam Bland captured Thursday this image of snow-capped dunes at the Point in Emerald Isle, the westernmost tip of Bogue Banks.
GenX Bill Orders Studies, Provides No Money
The House Select Committee on North Carolina River Quality approved legislation Thursday that mandates three GenX-related studies and a review of the science for health advisories but includes no additional funding for the studies or state response.
BOEM Releases Plan for Offshore Drilling
The Interior Department announced Thursday the draft five-year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which would expand oil and gas exploration and drilling in U.S. waters.
Steve Murphey Named Fisheries Director
Steve Murphey has been named director of Division of Marine Fisheries and acting director Braxton Davis has returned to his primary role as director of Division of Coastal Management.
Camp Lejeune Focus of 10-Year Study
Researchers studied the complex ecosystems of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune as part of a 10-year study that wrapped up in October to better understand coastal and estuarine ecosystems in a military training environment.
Judge Vacates Mining Firm’s Discharge Permit
After a six-year battle by the community and conservation groups, a judge has vacated a state water quality permit that would have allowed dumping of 12 million gallons of wastewater a day into Blounts Creek.
Birds of Ocracoke: The Snow Bunting
Peter Vankevich with the Ocracoke Observer fills readers in on the habits of snow buntings, migratory birds most likely to be seen on the upper Outer Banks from late October into March.
State’s Changes, Challenges to Continue
This year saw changes in the state and federal government that will likely shape environmental policy in the coming year.
Newspaper Archives: The Turpentine State
North Carolina historian David Cecelski discusses how the British press covered North Carolina in the 18th and 19th centuries, and their focus on the vital products of its vast pine forests.
Officials Seek More Detail On Seismic Testing
The N.C. Division of Coastal Management asked survey companies to submit more information on potential effects of seismic testing after new studies raise additional concerns for marine fisheries.
Waterkeeper to Host Informational Meeting
The Crystal Coast Waterkeeper program is set to host an evening of education, information and visioning for area watersheds Jan. 18 in Morehead City.
N. Topsail Manager: Avoid Rocky Sand Site
North Topsail Beach’s outgoing manager stressed to town aldermen that pumping sand from the offshore borrow site the Onslow County town is permitted to use could get expensive … again.
Flooding Survey Open to Currituck Residents
Currituck County residents and property owners are asked to participate in an online survey regarding flooding, part of a Duke graduate student’s research on history and perceived risks.
