For over a century, the NOAA fisheries lab near Beaufort has been the cornerstone of marine science on the East Coast and a driver of Beaufort’s economy and culture. We’ll spend the next two days exploring its history.
Archives
Bill Would Restrict Permit Challenges
A bill being considered by the N.C. Senate would limit people’s ability to challenge air and coastal development permits and virtually eliminate state protection of certain wetlands.
“Our Coast” Magazine Hits the Streets
The N.C. Coastal Federation’s annual “Our Coast” magazine makes it easy for tourists and residents this summer to visit some special natural places where they can hike, launch a canoe or kayak, look for birds, wildflowers and seashells or learn about the region’s heritage.
Corps Alleges Illegal Ditching in Hofmann
After a three-month investigation, the Army Corps of Engineers thinks illegal ditching may have affected 6,500 acres of wetlands in Hofmann Forest.
Sutton Ponds: An Open-Ended Priority
In the last of two parts, we’ll uncover what is being done to clean up the two million tons of toxic coal ash that leaks slowly from unlined ponds at the Sutton power plant outside of Wilmington.
Sutton Ponds: A Looming Threat?
The two coal ash ponds at the L.V. Sutton power plant near Wilmington are leaking heavy metals into the groundwater and a nearby lake. We’ll take the next two days to describe what’s in the old ponds and what Duke Energy plans to do about it.
CRC Limits Sea-Level Rise Study to 30 Years
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission yesterday directed its scientific advisors to limit their new study of sea-level rise to how high the ocean might get 30 years in the future, not 100 years.
Coal Ash, Budget Dominate Opening Day
Gov. Pat McCrory yesterday introduced a bill to clean up four coal-ash sites, including one near Wilmington, and unveiled his budget proposal on the first day of the legislative session.
Former Federation President Honored
Melvin Shepard, the former longtime president of the N.C. Coastal Federation and a former member of the Coastal Resources Commission, will receive the commission’s highest honor today.
Great Blue Heron
Statuesque and graceful in movement, the great blue heron is one of North America’s most familiar and adaptable wading birds.
Developer Wants to Build in Old Hazard Area
Two months after the state’s controversial decision to remove an old inlet on Sunset Beach from its inlet-hazard zone, a developer announced plans to put 23 homes there.
Coastal Sketch: Orrin Pilkey
Orrin Pilkey spent his life fighting for the world’s beaches. Duke University honored one of its most distinguished professors by naming a new research lab for him.
The Bucket List: Rules Review Begins
Putting more than 19,000 state rules in their proper bucket has begun in the first phase of a complicated and time-consuming review process mandated by the N.C. General Assembly.
Remembering Charles Jones
Hundreds of people showed up to celebrate the life of one of our coast’s great friends and defenders.
Grand Opening Unveils a Special Dedication
It couldn’t have been a nicer day for the grand opening of the N.C. Coastal Federation’s new education center and southeast office, which was named in honor of two environmental philanthropists.
Oldest Groin Project Gets New Location
In an attempt to appease reluctant property owners, those pushing for a terminal groin on Figure Eight Island have proposed moving it farther north.
