The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will accept comments through February 2025 on a proposed rule revision that would adopt federal limits of certain PFAS in drinking water provided by public utilities.
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Draft changes to oyster, clam rules comment period open
Comments on the proposed changes to eastern oyster and hard clam management plans are due to the Division of Marine Fisheries by Jan. 15, 2025.
Oyster farmers argue penalty too harsh for minor violations
Shellfish farmers are petitioning the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission to change the punishment for what farmers call clerical errors and minor permit violations.
Descender devices: Safely resend released fish to their depth
Bringing up a fish too quickly is rough on the fish, and if not a keeper, releasing it improperly results in barotrauma, meaning the poor thing is shark bait — that’s where descenders come in.
Lookout to take cabin reservations, sell vehicle passes Jan. 4
Cape Lookout National Seashore is set to begin selling off-road vehicle permits and taking reservations for the 23 rustic, oceanfront cabins on South Core Banks.
Energy company secures financing for Chowan wind facility
Apex Clean Energy, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, has secured construction funding for the 45-turbine wind facility currently being built in Chowan County.
History’s not-so-humble hedgerow habitat was nearly lost
If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now, it’s just native habitat and an ancient permaculture ecosystem almost completely wiped from Europe after World War II that’s perfectly suitable here.
Blue Economy Index perks up slightly, lags benchmarks
The University of North Carolina Wilmington Blue Economy Index, which measures the economic activities in the world’s oceans, rose by a modest 0.02% in November, dampened by election uncertainty.
Winter Waterfowl Excursion to resume after 4-year pause
The Coastal Culture and Waterfowl Watching Excursion, a two-day adventure through Pamlico, Hyde and Dare counties, is being offered twice next year.
Teams take to sky to survey North Atlantic right whales
Small survey teams will again this year collect information and aerial imagery off the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts on North Atlantic right whales during calving season.
Briggs to lead Wildlife Resources Commission in 2025
Kyle Briggs moves into the role of executive director for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission effective New Year’s Day.
Plymouth Civil War Massacre marker dedication Dec. 13
The Plymouth Civil War Massacre is being recognized with a highway historical marker that will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the intersection of U.S. 64 and Rankin Lane in Plymouth.
Undergrads to present Currituck Sound research findings
The UNC Chapel Hill students will present during the Dec. 12 “Science on the Sound” lecture series at Coastal Studies Institute their research on the Currituck Sound.
Inundation-prone Sledge Forest site set for development
A sprawling, “rare, old-growth forest” on the banks of the Northeast Cape Fear River in New Hanover County that’s a key part of the river floodplain is targeted for a massive 4,000-home golf course/equestrian development with few options for opponents to stop it.
Performance to celebrate late jazz drummer Max Roach
“An Evening of Jazz: Celebrating Max Roach,” set for 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, in Elizabeth City honors the jazz drummer and Pasquotank County native a week after what would have been his 100th birthday.
Dismal Swamp State Park receives funds for storage facility
The state park in Camden County is being awarded $600,000 for a building to store maintenance equipment.