The state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet virtually at 10 a.m. Aug. 31 to discuss public health and environmental standards for hexavalent chromium and new mammalian toxicology studies for standard setting on GenX.
News Briefs
Webinars Set on New Resilience Grants
State Division of Coastal Management staff are hosting on Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 interactive webinars on a new grant funding opportunity for resiliency projects by local governments in the 20 coastal counties.
Pocosin Lakes Draft Plan Public Input Sought
The public can submit to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service until Aug. 31 comments on the Draft Water Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Onslow Shellfish Leases Hearing Sept. 15
The state Division of Marine Fisheries is holding a public hearing Sept. 15 on proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County near Topsail Sound, near Permuda Island and in New River below the N.C. 172 bridge.
Explore NC Aquariums, Jennette’s Pier Online
The N.C. Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier are together offering virtual programs and opportunities for the public to connect with nature and learning and stay engaged with animals and staff.
Federation Named for Oyster Project Funding
The North Carolina Coastal Federation, in partnership with the Division of Marine Fisheries, has been recommended for $750,000 to add up to 15 acres of new oyster reef habitat to the Swan Island Oyster Sanctuary in Pamlico Sound.
Virtual NC Clean Economy Summit Aug. 20
Gov. Roy Cooper will join the new Southeast chapter of the Environmental Entrepreneurs, or E2, business leaders and partners 1-3 p.m. Aug. 20 for its first virtual NC Clean Economy Summit.
$26M Approved to Cover Road Cleanup Costs
State and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have approved more than $25.9 million to reimburse the North Carolina Department of Transportation for costs related to Hurricane Florence.
Sea Nettles Nettle Some OBX Beachgoers
Beachgoers have been easily spotting sea nettles and other types of jellyfish in Outer Banks waters, but area experts say it’s not unusual this time of year.
NOAA Updates 2020 Hurricane Outlook
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season could be one of the busiest on record, according to the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center’s annual August update to the Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook issued in May.
Division Adds Swan Quarter, Ocracoke Runs
In order to ease travel to and from Ocracoke Island this weekend, the state Ferry Division has added night runs Saturday and Sunday only to and from Swan Quarter and will return to the one-boat schedule Aug. 10 put in place Wednesday.
Environmental Justice Board to Meet Aug. 24
The Department of Environmental Quality Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will meet Aug. 24 via teleconference.
Spat-On-Shell Project to Restore Wild Oysters
North Carolina Sea Grant, North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, state Division of Marine Fisheries and industry collaborators are working together on a new project in Carteret County to restore wild oyster populations for future harvest.
NC Assesses Damage After Isaias’ Exit
President Donald Trump approved Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for a federal emergency declaration for 25 North Carolina counties authorizing federal assistance for storm response.
Great American Outdoors Act Becomes Law
A bipartisan bill President Trump signed into law Tuesday taps energy revenues to address a $12 billion backlog of maintenance projects on federal lands.
Isaias: 2 Dead, Thousands Without Power
There were two fatalities and thousands remained without power Tuesday morning, but officials along the N.C. coast said damage from Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall Monday night near Ocean Isle Beach, was minimal.
