The Division of Marine Fisheries has lined up its rules with those of the Wildlife Resources Commission for recreational flounder fishing by hook-and-line in joint waters.
State outdoor recreation plan online survey closes Sept. 30
The online survey is to help the state guide its comprehensive outdoor recreation plan that must be updated every five years.
Swim warnings remain in effect for handful of coastal areas
State water quality officials have lifted most of the precautionary swimming advisories issued earlier this month when Tropical Storm Debby made its way to North Carolina.
Team to study erosion’s impact on Ocracoke transportation
This multiyear study aims to answer questions on adaptation and mitigation strategies to improve transportation reliability and management of natural barrier island processes.
Harkers Island bridge replacement earns national award
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recognized the bridge project during its annual America’s Transportation Awards contest.
BOEM seeks public input on possible wind energy areas
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management officials are asking for feedback on possible commercial wind energy development in areas off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.
Homeownership assistance program reopens to applicants
Around $2.2 million still is available to eligible first-time and first-generation homebuyers in the 16 federally designated storm-impacted eastern North Carolina counties.
Cleanup continues after beach house collapses in Rodanthe
Contractors were still working Monday to remove debris from Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches after the collapse of a multilevel home into the ocean Friday, the seventh oceanfront Rodanthe house to fall since May 2020.
Coastal commission to adjust rules to comply with new laws
The Coastal Resources Commission, when it meets Aug. 27-28 in Beaufort, is to consider changes to align existing rules with recently passed state laws, including new looser requirements for replacing or repairing damaged or destroyed docks.
Precautionary swim advisory lifted for most oceanside sites
State recreational water quality officials lifted Wednesday the precautionary swimming advisory issued last week before Tropical Storm Debby’s sweep up the eastern Atlantic.
Coastal counties see continued strength in visitor spending
Following a record-breaking increase of 15% in 2022, spending statewide rose 6.9% to $35.6 billion in 2023, setting another record year in visitor spending, according to data the North Carolina Department of Commerce released Tuesday.
NCDOT needs volunteers for fall litter sweep Sept. 14-28
“Each season, volunteers from all corners of the state come together to clean up our roads, making a tangible difference in the environment and in the lives of their neighbors,” state transportation officials said.
EJ council to hold public mapping tool meetings
Virtual meetings are scheduled for the next three Tuesdays for the Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council’s mapping and public engagement subcommittees to review with the public a new environmental justice mapping tool and answer questions.
Brunswick County offers free testing of private well samples
Brunswick County Health Services announced Monday that it’s participating in a Northeastern University program to allow private well users in the area to get their samples analyzed for bacteria and metals at no charge during August.
Water Quality for Fisheries Symposium set for October
Registration is open for Coastal Carolina Riverwatch’s Water Quality for Fisheries Symposium scheduled for Oct. 9-11 at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort.
Homeowners insurance next Science on the Sound topic
Attorney Dr. Don Hornstein is scheduled to explain “What in the World is Happening with Homeowners and Flood Insurance at the North Carolina Coast” Aug. 28, at the Coastal Studies Institute.