Town leaders are now banking on the construction of a 750-foot terminal groin to fend off further erosion on the east end of the island.
Teaming Up for the Lockwood Folly
The N.C. Coastal Federation, Oak Island and volunteers are working to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff polluting the river.
Extending Utilities Could Risk Federal Funding
If it connects its public utilities to a proposed development in Sunset Beach, Brunswick County could be cut off from future federal funding.
North Topsail Beach Groins for a Solution
Town leaders consider their options for controlling severe erosion at the island’s north end, including the possibility of building a terminal groin.
Terminal Groin Will Get Another Look
The Army Corps of Engineers will amend its environmental study on the proposed terminal groin at Figure Eight Island to include the new design and location now preferred by island homeowners.
Ports Pressing Ahead With Wood Pellet Plans
With all of the required permits in hand, the N.C. State Ports Authority is moving ahead with plans to build wood-pellet export facilities at its ports in Wilmington and Morehead City.
Huge Sandbag Wall at N. Topsail Gets OK
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission yesterday gave North Topsail Beach the green light to build a massive sandbag wall to protect beachfront houses.
County May Help Pay the Mason Inlet Tab
Thanks to a new state law, New Hanover County may begin to consistently funnel money to help maintain relocated Mason Inlet.
Saltwater Moves Into Drinking Water Aquifers
Saltwater has migrated inland into freshwater aquifers that supply hundreds of private and public wells in the New Hanover County area, according to a new federal report.
CRC Won’t Fill Science Panel Vacancies Yet
Uncertain of what an updated sea-level rise report would accomplish, two members of the N.C. Coastal Resource Commission’s Science Panel resigned this year. The chairman won’t fill any positions until the release of that report in 2015.
Coastal Energy Summit Draws Skepticism
Later week in Wilmington, the governor and industry pros will discuss North Carolina’s coastal energy initiatives. Some film-industry backers are wary of what will take center stage at the summit, including the city’s mayor.
Can the Cape Fear Take More Mercury?
A researcher says the lower Cape Fear River, already impaired by mercury, can’t safely absorb the additional amount that will be discharged by a proposed cement plant.
What Will a Groin Do to Rare Birds at Rich Inlet?
That’s the million-dollar question. Though the federal review of the possible environmental effects of the proposed terminal groin on Figure Eight Island is nearing completion, federal agencies charged with protecting birds haven’t yet started assessing what the groin might do to troubled bird species.
Cape Fear Request Draws Fire
A request to reclassify a portion of the lower Cape Fear River as swamp is drawing sharp criticism from some members of the organization asking for the change because it would lower a key water-quality standard.
Coastal Primer: ‘Critical Habitat’
The federal Endangered Species Act requires the protection of habitat that listed species need to recover. But the creation of so-called “critical habitat” almost always leads to conflicts and usually lawsuits.
Neighborhood Gets a Runoff Refit
Some driveways have been repaved and other steps will be taken to reduce polluted runoff in Raintree, an existing housing subdivision in Wilmington.
