North Carolina has a process the public can use to nominate an Area of Environmental Concern and protect the natural and cultural treasures in coastal areas that belong to everyone.
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New striped bass slot limit takes effect June 1
Beginning June 1, fishers will be allowed to possess one striped bass per person per day that is at minimum 28 inches and not greater than 31 inches total length.
Supreme Court strikes down EPA’s wetlands definition
The 5-4 decision means that the definition, “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, applies only to wetlands that have “continuous surface connection.”
Groups urge action on health risks from exposed septic
The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the North Carolina Coastal Federation, has sent letters to the National Park Service and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services urging them to address threats to public health, welfare, and safety associated with collapsing houses and abandoned septic tanks in Rodanthe.
Leaving home
An osprey takes flight, leaving chicks in a nest on a leaning piling above the waters of Midden Creek near Tusk in Down East Carteret County. Photo: Dylan Ray
Topsail Beach Planning Board votes no on rezoning request
The town planning board Wednesday was unanimous in recommending that commissioners deny a request to rezone property at the south end of town now zoned conservation.
Reserve advisory committee applications due June 30
Community members are needed for each of the Coastal Reserve’s 10 sites: Bird Island Reserve, Bald Head Woods Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Buxton Woods Reserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, Currituck Banks Reserve, and Emily and Preyer Buckridge Reserve.
Museum of the Albemarle to host program on pollinators
The Museum of the Albemarle’s History for Lunch program at noon June 21 will focus on bees and other pollinators.
Coastal Enhanced Weathering: A promising climate solution
UNCW professor Larry Cahoon writes that a nature-based climate restoration solution that his lab is collaborating on may eventually be able to capture a billion tons or more of carbon dioxide each year while reducing ocean acidity and helping to protect coastlines.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan committee to hold update
Committee members are to hear updates on the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan 2021 Amendment recommendations and presentations on the Marine Debris Action Plan and the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative.
Corps allows channel sand for Wrightsville Beach project
The Army Corps of Engineers will exercise a federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act emergency exception and take sand for Wrightsville Beach nourishment from the Masonboro Inlet/Banks Channel borrow source instead of an offshore borrow site.
Aquarium at Fort Fisher to ‘shellabrate’ World Turtle Day
Visitors to the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher can win a prize as part of the aquarium’s “shellabration” of World Turtle Day Tuesday.
Residents ask for more protections of Beaufort watershed
As potential development looms, some Beaufort residents are asking the Coastal Resources Commission to extend protections for Gibbs Creek watershed in North River.
Ocracoke celebrates light station’s 200th anniversary
More than 500 gathered at the base of Ocracoke Lighthouse Thursday for the 200th birthday celebration of Ocracoke Light Station.
NCDEQ launches online planning guide for coastal counties
“Comprehensive Land Use Planning in Coastal North Carolina — Guidance for Local Governments,” is available on the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Coastal Management website.
Your perfectly mown lawn may be harming pollinators
An awareness campaign called “No Mow May” is urging people not to mow their lawns this month, or even this whole season, as a way to help make sure that pollinators have enough to eat.