N.C. officials this week approved a general permit for a type of shoreline erosion control called marsh sills, easing the application process and putting it on par with that for bulkheads.
EPA to OK For Use 100 Acres of Navassa Site
The Environmental Protection Agency says it will allow nearly half the Superfund site in Navassa, where wood was treated with creosote for decades, to be developed without restriction.
Lockwood Folly Off Limits For Shellfishing
With the latest Division of Marine Fisheries proclamation, nearly all shellfish waters in Lockwood Folly River in Brunswick County, an area popular for oystering and clamming, are closed indefinitely.
Analysis: Support For Terminal Groins Erodes
Eight years after state lawmakers repealed a longstanding ban on hardened shoreline erosion-control structures, only one has been built, as other beach towns weigh costs, consequences.
Planning Board OKs Sand Mine Permit
Despite residents’ objections, the New Hanover County Planning Board has approved a special use permit allowing a sand mine next to a site with toxic groundwater pollution.
Topsail Towns Prioritize Storm Projects
North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach are selecting storm mitigation projects to be funded with multi-million-dollar state grant from the state Division of Water Resources.
CRC Advances New Inlet Hazard Maps, Rules
The state Coastal Resources Commission last week gave preliminary approval to newly redrawn inlet hazard areas and guidelines for development within those areas.
Retired General Frames Climate Change Risks
Retired Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Stephen Cheney, now CEO of the American Security Project think tank, told an audience in Wilmington this week that climate change poses a national security threat.
Push On to Change Sand Rule Interpretation
Topsail Island officials, with support from the state’s congressional delegation, are calling for changes that would once again allow use of a longtime source of sand for beach renourishment projects.
Group Seeks Corps’ OK On Dredge Spoil Plan
The N.C. Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association has presented a plan to the Corps of Engineers to again allow towns and businesses to place dredge spoil in federally maintained disposal sites.
Nonprofit Outlines Plan for Topsail Projects
Resource Institute of Winston-Salem, which was granted last year $5 million in state money, is set to lead a task force in prioritizing a list of 23 storm-mitigation projects proposed by the three Topsail Island towns.
Sunset Beach Must Redo Dredge Application
The state Division of Coastal Management has informed Sunset Beach that its application to dredge part of Jinks Creek must be resubmitted because of missing information, delaying the project until late 2019 or early 2020.
Surf City Addresses Deck Rules, Stirs Debate
Surf City town council adopted an ordinance allowing oceanfront property owners of unbuildable lots to build single-level decks no larger than 500 square feet, which is causing debate.
Law Tweaks Coastal Barrier Resource Act
A new law amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, which bars federal spending including flood insurance in designated environmentally sensitive areas, but most of North Topsail Beach remains unchanged.
Sand Mine Rezoning OK’d, SUP Vote Delayed
After hearing from worried residents, the New Hanover County Planning Board voted Thursday to rezone 63 acres for a proposed sand mine, but a special use permit decision was put off until March.
Riverkeeper, SELC Defend GenX Agreement
The Cape Fear Riverkeeper and a Southern Environmental Law Center attorney explained Wednesday in Wilmington their reasons for joining a controversial consent order that would give a nonprofit enforcement power over Chemours.
