A call for artists’ proposals was announced earlier this month for the plan to increase visibility of the University of North Carolina’s Morehead City research facility.
Topsail Island towns begin work on new resiliency effort
North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach held their first public meeting Wednesday to begin the process of identifying a coastal resilience project using nature-based solutions and state funding to benefit all three towns.
Feral hogs slow recovery of damaged salt marshes: study
A new study finds that the invasive species significantly slows the pace a salt marsh can adapt to climate change-related issues such as drought and sea level rise.
Storm drain sensors show more frequent nuisance flooding
“We’ve already started seeing how coastal communities are experiencing flooding more often than they were before and especially on sunny days, outside of storm events when tides are particularly high,” says UNC researcher Miyuki Hino.
Town creates fund for UNCW’s study of living shoreline
St. James recently took the unusual step of creating an endowment for University of North Carolina Wilmington research and work related to the Brunswick County town’s living shorelines, but townsfolk here have long recognized the power of the mighty oyster.
Fish study’s findings trigger consumption advisory update
A recent study that showed fish favored by subsistence fishers along the Brunswick and Cape Fear rivers were found to have elevated levels of arsenic, hexavalent chromium and mercury has prompted a state health advisory.
Nourishment funds now secured for 2 New Hanover towns
Earlier this year three New Hanover beach towns learned there was no appropriation for longstanding shoreline nourishment projects, since then Army Corps of Engineers has shifted funds for Kure and Carolina beaches, but not Wrightsville Beach, for now.
Tagging study yields new understanding of sheepshead
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.