The N.C. General Assembly may consider a bill that would prevent the state from planning for the higher seas that many scientists expect later this century as the climate warms.
State Marine Fisheries Division May Disappear
The state legislature is contemplating merging the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources Commission.
Environmental Agencies May Face Smaller Cuts
It looks like the N.C. General Assembly will spare the regional offices of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources but may cut its budget again.
Clean Water Trust Fund Just Hanging On
Severe budget cuts have threatened the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the main source of money used to buy ecologically important land across the state.
Coastal Policy to Remain Intact… for Now
State Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown, a Jacksonville Republican and co-chair of the committee that’s reviewing state regulations, said he doesn’t expect any quick changes to coastal policy.
Regulatory ‘Reform’ Starts to Take Shape
One person’s regulatory “burden” is often another’s protection. Striking the balance between the two is often difficult. North Carolina’s recent push to “reform” its regulations and rule-making processes is proving especially so.
Groups Aim to Keep Fishing Traditions Alive
Leaders in the state’s growing local-catch movement aim to keep North Carolina’s fishing traditions alive, but the big challenge ahead is getting the rest of us to remember that “buy local” applies to seafood, too.
