Speakers at the public hearing said they support Topsail Island-area shellfish farming, but more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impede boat and kayak access, and the floating equipment used will detract from the view from waterfront properties.
UNCW researchers to study how waves, storms move sand
The team of researchers received a nearly $1 million grant to study over the next two years sand movement under different conditions to better understand storm surge.
Exposure study evolves to measure PFAS’ long-term effects
Researcher Jane Hoppin, who is leading a study of North Carolina residents exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in their drinking water, says the ongoing work will help in understanding how these compounds affect human health over time.
Emergency coastal rules draw little notice during hearings
Few turned out for hearings the Division of Coastal Management held in Dare, Carteret and Onslow counties for the temporary replacements for “critical” protections Codifier of Rules Ashley B. Snyder — Sen. Phil Berger’s daughter — stripped from the books last year.
BeBot beach sweeper sifts surface sands for small debris
Keep New Hanover Beautiful’s BeBot, the first and only solar- and battery-powered, robotic beach sweeper in the state, is to supplement human-led beach cleanups and raise awareness about smaller trash and plastics that tend to get overlooked on beaches.
North Topsail Beach empowers police to remove junk boats
Aldermen have adopted an ordinance giving the police department authority to rid the town’s navigable waters of abandoned or derelict vessels.
Funding boosts UNCW scientists’ work to stem coral losses
University of North Carolina Wilmington researchers recently received nearly $2 million to further study how to ethically protect coral reefs from being wiped out by disease and climate change.
Commission restores 16 recently nullified, years-old rules
The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday adopted 16 emergency rules to temporarily replace the most critical of the 30 that were stripped from the books after the Rules Review Commission objected to them in October.
Olsons scrap plans to buy, develop Topsail Beach property
Accusing town officials of “one-sided behavior,” software CEO Todd Olson and his wife Laura have withdrawn their application seeking to conditionally rezone the undeveloped parcel known as The Point.
State’s Native Americans at higher risk of preterm births
Native Americans in North Carolina face a disproportionately higher risk for preterm birth because of exposure to mixtures of toxic metals in their private drinking water wells, according to a recent study.
Feral hogs a largely unseen but costly problem in state
North Carolina was recently ranked as having the seventh-worst feral swine problem in the country, but state officials say there is no solid estimate of how many of the intelligent, free-roaming, disease-carrying hogs are here.
Interactive online tour shows Green Swamp’s need for fire
Emma Gwyn, an intern with The Nature Conservancy in Wilmington has created an interactive online StoryMap that illustrates how a wildfire earlier this year has already benefited the Green Swamp Nature Preserve.
State on ‘aggressive’ timeline to meet PFAS water standards
North Carolina environmental regulators are expediting a plan to meet proposed federal limits on PFAS in drinking water and reduce related costs to consumers by addressing upstream discharges.
Topsail Beach officials demand conservation guarantee
Some town commissioners suggested Tuesday that Todd and Laura Olson’s rezoning request would not stand a chance if the couple did not agree in writing to place about 80% of the land under permanent conservation.
‘Catastrophic crisis’: Imported shrimp flood US market
Shrimp imports are overwhelming domestic shrimp producers and driving prices for locally sourced shrimp to record lows, prompting demands that the federal government declare a fishery resource disaster.
New state funding may ease DEQ staff vacancies challenges
The recently approved budget includes new raises for North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality staff as well as fee increases for agency permits.
