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.
New Rules Ahead For Building Near Inlets
The state Coastal Resources Commission is mulling proposed changes to development rules and boundaries for 10 of the state’s 19 active ocean inlets.
Corps Puts Limits On Dredged Sand Disposal
A Corps of Engineers policy adopted more than a year ago could mean big costs and other challenges for coastal towns and businesses that need to dispose of dredged sand from non-federal projects.
Corps’ Rule Could Dash Town’s Sand Plan
Holden Beach officials were recently surprised by an Army Corps of Engineers requirement not previously enforced that could mean the town’s sand source for beach re-nourishment goes instead to Oak Island.
Navassa: Contamination Research Continues
With creosote levels at the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. Superfund site in Navassa still a concern, state and federal agencies plan to continue researching the contamination.
Blood Tests Show 4 PFAS, But No GenX
The results of blood samples from a health study of Wilmington public water customers revealed four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but no GenX was detected.
Topsail Towns Discuss Florence’s Lessons
Officials from Topsail Island’s three towns gathered last week to hear the advice of a coastal engineering expert, talk shoreline protection and confer on their long road to recovery from Hurricane Florence.
