Sturgeon City, the former Jacksonville wastewater treatment plant repurposed as an environmental educational center, looks to expand its community outreach with the construction of a $3.2 million building for classes, conferences and weddings.
Dune Protection Fight Put On Hold … Again
A state appeals court has upheld the judge’s ruling that dismissed a challenge to Topsail Beach’s repeal of its longstanding dune protection ordinance, shifting the fight back to the local level.
Board Rejects Rezoning of Conserved Land
The North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen recently upheld the town’s nearly decade-old rule that prohibits rezoning of land in its conservation district.
Group Seeks to Gauge Air Quality Statewide
The group Clean Air Carolina has six web-linked monitors in New Hanover County, providing real-time readings of particulate matter levels in the air, and is working to place them in all 100 N.C. counties.
N. Topsail Board Hears Terminal Groin Plan
A design firm presented its preliminary preferred alternative to aldermen in erosion-prone North Topsail Beach last week, suggesting application for federal and state permits to build a 2,000-foot terminal groin.
Offensive Fence Gone at Carolina Beach Park
A fence deemed illegal and a hazard that private property owners placed at Freeman Park in Carolina Beach has been removed and the town has put up a new fence at the popular vehicle and camping beach.
Navassa: Contamination at ‘Various Levels’
Health and environmental concerns are top priority for Navassa residents affected by the 251-acre Superfund site in Brunswick County that has varying levels of creosote contamination in the soil and groundwater.
Owners Seek Permits for 2015 Wetlands Fill
Property owners restoring a private airstrip in Down East Carteret County, a project that involved filling of 5 acres of wetlands in 2015, now seek after-the-fact approval from the Corps of Engineers for the work.
N. Topsail Manager: Avoid Rocky Sand Site
North Topsail Beach’s outgoing manager stressed to town aldermen that pumping sand from the offshore borrow site the Onslow County town is permitted to use could get expensive … again.
Biologist on GenX Health Effects: ‘It’s Toxic’
Although little is known about the extent of health effects of the GenX compound in the region’s drinking water, biologist Larry Cahoon wants to dispel any notions that it’s harmless.
Sunset Beach, Developers Reach Agreement
An agreement has put on hold a lawsuit over proposed development of land at the west end of Sunset Beach that was once an inlet and may result in the state buying and conserving the property.
Brunswick Board Nixes New Solar Farm Rules
Brunswick County commissioners this week rejected proposed restrictions on solar farms that they said would impede the rights of private property owners.
Paddling Black River: Why Locals Oppose Park
Folks in communities along the Black River say a state park here would damage the ecology, exacerbate existing trespassing problems and create other problems.
Onslow County to N. Topsail: Focus on Inlet
North Topsail Beach officials were advised this week to focus on inlet navigation rather than the town’s chronic north-end erosion in their appeal to Onslow County for help paying for a proposed terminal groin.
Paddling Black River: Park Study Underway
Reaction to a proposal earlier this year for a new state park along the Black River prompted legislators to revise the measure to instead call only for a study of the idea.
Paddling Black River: History, Ancient Trees
The Black River, home to cypress trees older than 1,600 years, is also a popular paddling destination in an area of North Carolina with few state parks. Today begins a three-part series on what makes the river special.
