The comment period ends Oct. 9 on proposed alternative definitions that environmental groups say will strip protections from seasonal wetlands and waterways.
Featured
Pest or purpose, tiny ants play outsized roles in our world
It’s easy to despise fire ants on your foot or sugar ants in your pantry, but give the little buggers some grace, because this place would really be a mess without them.
Pro surfers ride ubiquitous symbol of ocean pollution in film
“The Cigarette Surfboard,” a film about surfing activists and tobacco-related pollution around the world, will make its online premiere Tuesday through Sept. 27, and is timed to include International Coastal Cleanup Day, Sept. 19.
Travels along the Cape Fear: ‘Old Baldy’ lighthouse, museum
Historian David Cecelski takes a moment to reflect on a tour with Old Baldy Foundation’s public historian to see historical manuscripts, photographs, and other artifacts in storage.
What Granny Jean’s pantry can teach Capitol Hill about reuse
Our grandparents’ tradition of reuse has been replaced by today’s throwaway economy built around single-use plastic, which doesn’t vanish, and we need to nationally implement systems that last.
Fly-fisher, conservationist, Marshall Cutchin: ‘Notice things’
His influence on fishing and how we use information technology as a learning tool cannot be overstated, but, he’ll tell you, it’s the ability to see things that counts.
Bat Blitz gathers data on state’s mysterious winged mammals
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina State Parks researchers and more than 80 volunteers recently spent three nights conducting the species inventory across the state’s coastal plain.
Roanoke Island aquarium to dazzle at golden anniversary
The N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island opened its doors Sept. 9, 1976, and are planning an evening soiree to celebrate 50 years of “inspiring wonder.”
Coastal commission tables proposed septic rule amendments
The Coastal Resources Commission, poised last week to consider two rule amendments regarding septic systems on the beach, instead tabled the discussion until October.
New ferry toll law is ‘like the man sticking it to you again’
Residents were vocal about the financial strain the new law mandating tolls for all ferry routes will put on their families at the first in a series of listening sessions with the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Mimosas lend tropical look, but prone to crowding out natives
While many love the brunch favorite served on weekend mornings, the tree bearing the same name has a tendency to show up here where not invited and to stay way past the point of awkward.
CRC seawall science skeptics attempt ‘political stand’: Cahoon
The Coastal Resources Commission Science Panel’s recently presented analysis and recommendations regarding proposed fixes for the Outer Banks’ severe beach erosion were not the messages that commissioners opposed to the state ban on breakwaters and other hard structures on the oceanfront wanted to hear, nor was the chair’s sharp rebuke.
Tailing reds in spartina marshes: Think like a struggling crab
When conditions are right, the tide is high, and the moon is full, and the redfish are able to swim above the spartina flats, look for their tails breaching the surface as they feed on fiddler crabs. Be the crab.
Fisheries ruling sets up likely yearslong state response
Now that a judge has ruled that the state has failed to rebuild and maintain healthy fish stocks and protect key habitats as required by law, fisheries officials must turn to the remedy phase, which is unclear at best.
Recent rains help but heat has amplified long-dry conditions
“Heat Wave,” “The Heat is On,” “Burning for You”: Song titles that may suit the sweltering summer that has left most of coastal North Carolina parched, and the state climatologist says the rainfall deficits much of the state is seeing began in August 2025.
Rainfall that closed NC 12 on Pea Island part of climate trend
A recent a rainstorm that one transportation engineer described as “an extreme circumstance” nearly impossible to plan for surprised even the most seasoned Outer Bankers when it closed N.C. Highway 12, although more weather like this is to be expected.
