From a Carteret County News-Times report

BEAUFORT — More than two-and-a-half years of effort to update the county’s Coastal Area Management Act land-use plan will culminate Monday during its regular meeting when the Carteret County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and possibly vote to adopt the plan.  

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the commissioners’ boardroom, 302 Court House Square, Beaufort. The public is invited to attend and review the nearly 200-page document meant to guide growth and development in the area.

According to a news release from the county advertising the public hearing, once adopted by commissioners, the plan will be submitted to the director of the state Division of Coastal Management for certification. Submit written comments up to 30 calendar days after adoption by mailing the DCM district planner, Rachel Love-Adrick, at 400 Commerce Ave., Morehead City, NC 28557.

The CAMA land-use plan is “intended to provide a framework that will guide local government officials and private citizens as they make day-to-day and long-term decisions affecting development,” according to the document. “The (LUP) serves as an overall ‘blueprint’ for the development of Carteret County that when implemented, results in the most suitable and appropriate use of the land and protection of the county’s natural resources.”

The plan is used by local, state and federal agencies in CAMA permitting decisions and project funding and development.

The 2021 version is an update to the previous land-use plan adopted by commissioners April 20, 2009, and certified by the Coastal Resources Commission Dec. 20, 2010.

Development of the new plan began several years ago in accordance with CAMA and Coastal Resources Commission requirements. A series of public outreach meetings were held in March, June and December 2019, during which residents could review maps and draft policies and interact with the County Planning Commission, which prepared the 2021 update. The planning commission recommended adoption of the plan during its November meeting.

The draft 2021 CAMA land-use plan update is available online at carteretcountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9859/CAMA-LUP-Cart-Co-Sept-15_2021-Draft-3-1, Carteret County courthouse and the County Planning and Development Department at 402 Broad St., Beaufort.

Reporters Mike Shutak and Brad Rich contributed to this report.

This story is provided courtesy of the Carteret County News-Times, a twice weekly newspaper published in Morehead City. Coastal Review Online partners with the News-Times to provide our readers with news of the North Carolina coast.

Reprinted from the Carteret County News-Times

BEAUFORT — The Carteret County Board of Commissioners narrowly voted Monday evening to accept an offer from Carolina Water Service of North Carolina to purchase the county-owned water system for $9.5 million. 

The board voted 4-3 to accept the offer, with commissioners Mark Mansfield, Robin Comer, Jimmy Farrington and Ed Wheatly in favor and commissioners Chris Chadwick, Bob Cavanaugh and Chuck Shinn opposed.

A contract with Carolina Water, a private, for-profit company, has not been finalized, though county attorney Rob Wheatly and assistant manager Gene Foxworth said a draft contract has already been prepared. The deal must go through several more steps, including receiving approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission, before it is finalized.

The decision followed a roughly hour-long discussion among the board members, including a previous motion to retain the county-owned system that failed 3-4. The board also voted unanimously earlier in the meeting to lower water rates by 25%.

A rate increase of 95% took effect at the beginning of the new fiscal year, July 1, for the county water system, which serves around 1,200 customers mostly along the Highway 101 corridor. Commissioners voted in June to raise the rates while tabling a decision on whether to accept the offer from Carolina Water to purchase the county system.

Commissioners tabled again in July, and Monday’s regular meeting was the first time since then the matter appeared on the board’s agenda.

Carol Traxler, who lives off Highway 101 near Beaufort and is a county water customer, said during public comment her water bill had risen significantly since the increase took effect.

Commissioners said they’d received numerous calls and emails from others complaining about the rate increase, as well, which factored into the move to lower rates slightly.

Chadwick said he was in favor of exploring other options for the water system and waiting to see if the new rate adjustment had a positive impact.

On the other hand, Comer and others who voted in favor of selling said they felt rates would be lower and service would be more efficient under a private-run system.  

Following the decision to accept the offer, the board passed a motion 7-0 adopting a resolution that would allow the county to pursue potential grant funds to help pay for the water system should the deal “fall through.”

Patrick Kelly, one of the primary organizers of a group of residents opposed to the sale of the water system, said he felt “totally blindsided” and disappointed in the decision.

This story is provided courtesy of the Carteret County News-Times, a twice weekly newspaper published in Morehead City. Coastal Review partners with the News-Times to provide our readers with news of the North Carolina coast.

Reprinted from the Carteret County News-Times

MOREHEAD CITY — Carteret County Economic Development Director Don Kirkman is making the rounds pitching officials on a potential development opportunity for Radio Island related to offshore wind energy he says could generate high-paying jobs and boost the local economy.

Kirkman appeared before the Morehead City Council Tuesday during a workshop meeting to share information about the nation’s burgeoning offshore wind industry and upcoming grant opportunities that could help kickstart development on Radio Island.

He posed the opportunity, which could see Radio Island used as a staging or fabrication port for manufacturing parts used in offshore wind farms, as a “win-win-win-win” for Morehead City and surrounding areas.

“Offshore wind exploration is a high priority for this (presidential) administration and one that already we’re seeing significant funding associated with in the form of a grant program,” Kirkman said.

He was quick to add there are no current plans to develop a wind energy farm off Radio Island or anywhere else off the Crystal Coast, citing proximity to military bases and sensitive environmental areas as two key reasons it looks unlikely.

There are, however, such plans in more than a dozen other locations along the East Coast, and Kirkman said Radio Island could be well-positioned to supply manufacturing capabilities to those eventual facilities.

Because of the massive size of the parts involved in offshore wind farms – a turbine blade can clock in at more 300 feet in length – the pieces can only be transported by water, requiring they be manufactured and staged at deep-water ports.

Kirkman said there are several options for a facility on Radio Island, including as a staging area for parts manufactured elsewhere and shipped to the U.S. or as a manufacturing port where the pieces are fabricated and shipped away.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce released a report, Building North Carolina’s Offshore Wind Supply Chain, in March detailing a “roadmap for leveraging manufacturing and infrastructure advantages” related to offshore wind. The report specifically names Radio Island as a potential location for developing the state’s offshore wind manufacturing capabilities.

The North Carolina State Port Authority currently owns about 200 acres of mostly undeveloped land on Radio Island, about 150 acres of which is set aside for future port development. The land is situated within the limits of Morehead City and is zoned for port-maritime use.

“Radio Island is uniquely positioned on the East Coast of the United States for this type of project related to port development,” Kirkman said. “…The property is already publicly owned, it’s on deep water, there’s a minimal amount of dredging required, the infrastructure is all in place, including Morehead City water and sewer utilities, the zoning is in place.”

Despite the opportunity presented, Kirkman said Radio Island is far from being ready to support the industry as it’s still largely undeveloped. To that end, he hopes North Carolina Ports applies for a federal grant announced by the U.S. Maritime Administration March 30 making $230 million available for ports to prepare for offshore wind development.

“Radio Island is literally years away from being ready, and we’ve got to start that process with master planning, engineering, looking at the design for the rail extensions and working with (the N.C. Department of Transportation) on the Newport River Bridge replacement and other highway infrastructure to position Radio Island to successfully compete,” he said. “…(The grant) is really a key first step, the grant application deadline is (Friday) July 30 so there’s a sense of urgency.”

In a follow-up email, Kirkman said he went before the Morehead City Council Tuesday not necessarily for permission to pursue the project, but to share information about it and hopefully garner some support from local leaders. The MARAD grant program doesn’t require letters of support, but he said N.C. Ports could request them for its application, if it materializes.

“I am confident that both the Town of Morehead City and Carteret County Board of Commissioners would enthusiastically support the grant application given the economic development, port and environmental benefits associated with the project and the growth of this clean, renewable energy sector,” he wrote. “As I noted during my presentation, the main port facility in downtown Morehead City is at full capacity, and the future growth of the Port of Morehead City will occur at Radio Island. Without infrastructure, however, including bulkheads and berths for vessels, ships are unable to call on Radio Island for any port-related activity, including offshore wind energy.”

If the plan comes to fruition, depending on the scope of the facility, Kirkman estimates it could bring 500 to 1,000 new, high-paying jobs to Carteret County.

This story is provided courtesy of the Carteret County News-Times, a twice weekly newspaper published in Morehead City. Coastal Review Online partners with the News-Times to provide our readers with news of the North Carolina coast. 

Reprinted from the Carteret County News-Times

MOREHEAD CITY — The city’s planning board gave the developers of a townhome complex on Radio Island the go-ahead to proceed with plans to build 61 townhome units, plus a 122-slip marina basin, clubhouse and bathhouse.

The planning board met Jan. 19 for final plat review for Inlet Cove Townhomes, formerly Oceanside Yacht Club and before that, phase three of Olde Towne Yacht Club. Once final plat approval is given, the developer is legally able to transfer the lots and construction may begin soon after.

The development has been planned as far back as 2006, when it first appeared before the planning board as a proposal for 258 condominium units, plus 14 boat slips, a boat basin with day docks and drystack boat storage. The plans had changed significantly by the next time the board reviewed them later that same year, down to 80 condo units and other amenities, including a pool.

When the developers returned once again with altered plans in 2013, it was for 67 townhome units, a 130-slip marina basin, 32 storage units and a clubhouse. Different versions of the proposal came before the city several more times before the planning board and city council gave preliminary plat approval for the version at hand in 2019.

“This project has been around for quite a while, different iterations of it,” said Ron Cullipher of the Cullipher Group, who submitted the final plat review on behalf of project developer Doug Brady. “Mr. Brady is ready to start building townhomes out here very soon.”

Morehead City Planning Director Sandi Watkins noted the final plat approval would be contingent on the city receiving a bond or other guarantee of the installation of certain required improvements in the amount of $2,181,070, as well as the required $61,000 water access fee. Cullipher said the developer planned to turn those items in promptly once the final plat was approved in order to keep the project moving along.

Brady said he was excited to finally be moving on a project coming up on 15 years in the making.

“We’ve been working on this for a while, we’re really excited about it finally coming to fruition and I think it’s going to be great for the area and great for the town and provide a good tax base,” he said. “We appreciate the work that the town has done and all the boards in helping us get this plan where it is.”

Nobody from the public spoke in either support or opposition to the proposal, and there was little discussion among the planning board. The board voted unanimously to approve the final plat, contingent upon receipt of the required fees, and wished Brady well in his endeavor.

“It appears to be about 15 years of planning in the making,” planning board member Matt Johnson said, “…it’s been a long road for this project.”

Reprinted with permission from Carteret County News-Times

HARKERS ISLAND — Mariners and others with an interest in waterway navigation are encouraged to submit comments to the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the latest plans to construct a new bridge to Harkers Island.

The state Department of Transportation is working on a project to replace a series of two bridges that connect Harkers Island to the mainland.

The first existing bridge connects the mainland to Straits Fishing Pier, and the other, the Earl C. Davis Memorial Bridge, connects the pier to Harkers Island. Together, the two bridges carry Harkers Island Road between the island and the mainland as the only vehicular access to Harkers Island.

The Coast Guard, which must review and approve the bridge plan, is currently seeking information specifically from mariners and others who frequently navigate the surrounding waterways on the navigational clearances and need for bridge protective systems, clearance gauges and navigational lightning on the proposed bridge.

Written comments may be sent to the office of the commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford St., Portsmouth, VA 23704-5004. Comments should be received by Tuesday, June 25. Mariners should include information about their vessel type and use, whether commercial or recreational, and vessel height, draft, length, beam, tonnage and mooring location.

The plan, according to NCDOT officials, is to construct a single fixed-span bridge between Straits on the mainland and Harkers Island. The fixed bridge will be constructed to the east of the two existing bridges.

The bridge stretching from the pier to Harkers Island will be removed entirely, while the other span will be retained as a pedestrian bridge between the mainland and the fishing pier, which was destroyed in Hurricane Florence but is scheduled to be rebuilt.

NCDOT says the purpose of the project is to improve bridge structural safety and functionality for aging structures.

“The bridges are each more than 45 years old and are due for replacement,” reads information from the project page on NCDOT’s website.  “Doing so would not only improve their structural capacity but also provide better access to and from the island in emergencies and during hurricane evacuations.”

The existing bridge is a drawbridge and can open to accommodate passing boat traffic. When it is closed, the bridge height is 14 feet above mean high water. As a fixed span, the proposed bridge will not open, but it will be elevated at a height of 45 feet above mean high water.

After a series of two public meetings, the preferred alternative bridge design was selected in 2017. NCDOT Division 2 project development engineer Jeff Cabaniss said the department has fallen slightly behind on the timeline laid out on the project website, which originally had construction scheduled to begin this year.

“We’ve had issues with a few things. We were trying to start this fall, but because of some issues we moved it to February,” he said.

Mr. Cabaniss said right-of-way land acquisition is expected to take place this summer, and NCDOT will let the project for bids next February. Once all the bids are in, the department will choose a contractor to carry out the work.

The total project cost is estimated at $36,181,000. The project is listed under the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $35.37 million.

A Coastal Area Management Act moratorium prevents in-water work in the project area from about mid-February through October, so Mr. Cabaniss said he doesn’t expect construction to begin until fall 2020 at the earliest. Much like the recent construction of the new North River Bridge, he said the project may take longer to complete than originally anticipated because of the moratorium.

Drivers should expect minimal to no traffic impacts throughout bridge construction since it is being built on a new location. Mr. Cabaniss said there will be traffic effects later down the line when the department completes tie-ins and other final touches, but that won’t happen for several years.

For more information about the Harkers Island bridge replacement, visit the project website.

This story is provided courtesy of the Carteret County News-Times, a tri-weekly newspaper published in Morehead City. Coastal Review Online partners with the News-Times to provide our readers with news of the North Carolina coast.

Reprinted from the Carteret County News-Times.

ATLANTIC — The U.S. Navy has completed a second round of voluntary well water sampling in the area surrounding Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic and is extending the testing window for any resident who has not yet had their well sampled.

Navy officials have been testing for the presence of two perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private drinking water wells within a one-mile radius of the landing field since November. As of the end of March, 258 wells had been sampled.

Mike Barton, communication and operations officer for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, said the Navy decided to further extend the testing window in order to involve as much of the community as possible in the sampling program. The additional data will help inform the Navy’s investigation moving forward.

“Because we’ve had so few people actually sign up for testing, the hope is to get more people involved,” he said. “… Atlantic is a small community, we’d really hope folks will help get the word out.”

The Navy is currently conducting similar testing at facilities around the country out of an “abundance of caution” to determine the potential impact of historic firefighting activities involving substances containing PFAS. There is no record indicating those substances were used at MCOLF Atlantic.

The Navy identified 441 parcels surrounding MCOLF Atlantic that may have been affected by activities at the landing field.

Of the wells tested so far, 26 indicated the presence of trace amounts of two PFAS chemicals – perfluorooctane (PFOS) sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Two of those wells had results exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s lifetime health advisory standard of 70 parts for trillion for PFOS and PFOA.

Philip Mason of Atlantic has come forward as the owner of one of those wells, telling the News-Times in February the Navy had supplied him with bottled drinking water.

For confidentiality reasons, the Navy will not confirm the identities of the affected properties.

Mr. Barton confirmed the Navy has provided affected property owners with alternate sources of drinking water, including bottled water and water delivery. He said officials are working with residents to determine a long-term solution.

The Navy held two public meetings, one in November and another in February, to inform residents of the sampling program and sign up property owners for testing. Representatives were also on hand from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, N.C. Division of Public Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the County Health Department.

The Navy also set up a website detailing the MCOLF Atlantic sampling program.

The website includes background information on the sampling program, a timeline of events and links to investigation documents and other resources.

Mr. Barton said the Navy is now investigating whether there is a connection between the landing field and the presence of chemicals in the soil and/or groundwater. To determine whether an on-base source is responsible for the presence of chemicals, the Navy is conducting interviews and searching historic records.

Testing on the MCOLF Atlantic property so far has not detected PFAS chemicals present in the soil or groundwater of the landing field.

PFAS are manmade chemicals found in a number of common household items, including non-stick cookware and water-resistant fabrics.

Although studies on the impact of exposure to PFAS on human health are limited, some research has shown the chemicals to interfere with the body’s natural hormones, increase cholesterol levels, affect the immune system and increase the risk of cancer.

This story is provided courtesy of the Carteret County News-Times, a tri-weekly newspaper published in Morehead City. Coastal Review Online is partnering with the News-Times to provide our readers with news of the North Carolina coast.