Lewis Naisbett-Jones, a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, is doing research that may help state fisheries officials better understand how vulnerable the species could become to overfishing.
Ocean Isle Beach terminal groin, sand projects set to begin
Contractors expect to get underway in mid-November on the Brunswick County town’s long-planned $11.4 million, 1,050-foot terminal groin as well as a beach nourishment project with sand from Shallotte Inlet.
Updated plan details human, climate damage to wetlands
The newly updated NC Wetland Program Plan details how climate change and nonpermitted human activities are causing wetland loss.
Coastal Resources Commission digs in on artificial turf
Addressing a growing number of permit questions, the coastal policy and rulemaking body has approved a prohibition on artificial turf within the 30-foot shoreline buffer in areas of environmental concern.
Panel with stakes in clean water adds to coastal habitat plan
A group of nine people with backgrounds and interests in the coastal economy and related water quality issues provided its recommendations for improving the state’s Coastal Habitat Protection Plan.
Resilience, natural approach basis of habitat plan tweaks
Proposed amendments to the state’s official plan for protecting, restoring and conserving coastal habitats and fisheries drill in on newly specific priorities linked to water quality and climate change.
Holden Beach, Corps begin $3M storm risk planning study
The Holden Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Project General Reevaluation Study is to consider feasibility and alternatives for federal participation in cost-shared management measures including beach nourishment for up to 50 years.
Study finds combined threats to water quality after flooding
Results from a recent NC State study highlight the double whammy of microbial contamination of surface waters posed by failing human wastewater infrastructure and animal agriculture after storm inundations.
New Chafee map removes 2.5 acres in North Topsail Beach
Revised maps for the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System currently awaiting congressional approval remove only a small portion of North Topsail Beach from environmental protections that restrict federal funding that encourages development.
Brunswick officials’ worries over offshore wind unresolved
Officials along North Carolina’s southern coast say the federal government has yet to address their concerns over the distance of proposed offshore wind turbines.
UNC institute’s shark survey a trove of 50 years of data
Long before sharks became a fearsome focus for filmmakers and TV programmers, scientists with the UNC Institute of Marine Sciencea’ shark survey began what is now considered a rare archive of consistent, long-term research.
NTB won’t join beach nourishment project partnership
North Topsail Beach will not be committing to a joint multi-million-dollar beach nourishment project with Surf City and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Park Service to support Gullah Geechee corridor project
The National Park Service’s selection of a project to connect the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor with the East Coast Greenway in Brunswick County will bring national exposure, proponents say.
Corps collecting data for 20-year dredged materials plan
The Army Corps of Engineers is identifying sites and gathering data for a 20-year management plan to provide answers on where spoils from nonfederal dredge projects may be placed.
Superfund process, cleanup to end for 20+ acres in Navassa
Officials say more than 20 acres in the 200-acre, creosote-contaminated Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. site in Navassa will have met cleanup goals by this fall.
Morehead City port set to export creosote-treated wood
A projected 20,000 metric tons of chipped railroad ties are to be exported in what is being called a “test shipment” to Honduras in the coming days.
