As the 75th anniversary of the sinking of two World War II vessels off the Outer Banks approaches, researchers dive deep to uncover secrets that went down with the ships all those years ago.
Fed-Up Brunswick Environmentalists Regroup
Citing frustration with limits imposed by the town council, former members of a Sunset Beach committee are forming a new, countywide environmental group.
Judge Dismisses Topsail Dune Rule Case
A judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging Topsail Beach’s repeal of the town’s dune ordinance, a decision that lifts a block on new building permits.
Plan Streamlines Re-Nourishment Permitting
The state will soon roll out a new biological review system to fast-track permitting for certain types of beach re-nourishment projects, trimming at least three months from the approval time.
Extent of Navassa’s Mess Clearer; What Next?
Ongoing environmental monitoring is providing more detail on the extent of creosote contamination in Navassa, as residents face decisions on site’s future.
Corps OKs Ocean Isle’s Terminal Groin Plan
Ocean Isle Beach has the federal permit needed to build an estimated $5.7 million terminal groin at the erosion-prone east end of the Brunswick County town.
New Hanover Adopts Industrial Zoning Rules
New Hanover County commissioners gave unanimous approval Monday to a much-debated set of zoning code changes setting rules for industrial special-use permits.
Bald Head Island Seeks to Mine Shoals Sand
Bald Head Island has applied for a permit to mine sand for beach re-nourishment from a federally protected area of Frying Pan Shoals.
Work Continues on Rich Inlet Biological Study
Figure Eight Island property owners last year voted down a plan for a terminal groin at Rich Inlet, but U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists are still working on an environmental study for the project.
Topsail Beach’s Request for Sand Site Stalled
The Corps will not seek an exception to federal restrictions in order to designate an area of Banks Channel as a sand source for Topsail Beach re-nourishment projects, but town officials aren’t giving up the idea entirely.
Groups, Planners Agree on SUP Zoning Rules
Business groups, residents and environmental advocates say they support a compromise New Hanover County planners have reached on proposed zoning permit rules for industry.
North Topsail Looks to Fast-Track Groin Study
A firm in contention to conduct the environmental study for North Topsail Beach’s proposed hybrid terminal groin/jetty project plans to use data from a previous study to fast-track the process and save money.
Bird Island ‘Mayor’ Frank Nesmith Looks Back
Others now lead tours of the coastal reserve, but Frank Nesmith, 90, the man whose love for Bird Island sparked the effort to spare it from development, still enjoys connecting with kindred spirits.
Corps Eases Living Shoreline Permit Process
The Corps of Engineers has approved the first nationwide permit for the construction and maintenance of living shorelines, streamlining the approval process for waterfront property owners.
Judge Halts Topsail Beach Building Permits
A judge has blocked Topsail Beach from issuing building permits for a stretch of oceanfront lots, a move prompted by a lawsuit brought by property owners upset about the town’s recent repeal of its dune protection ordinance.
Topsail Beach Repeals Dune Ordinance
Rather than add controversial provisions to accommodate development, Topsail Beach commissioners voted 4-1 Wednesday to simply scrap the town’s longstanding dune-protection ordinance.
