The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has suspended entrance fees to national wildlife refuges until further notice.
News Briefs
Ferry Division Announces Alternate Schedules
NCDOT’s Ferry Division has adopted an alternate schedule to begin Friday for the ferry system in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that will allow for deeper cleaning of the ferries while also adapting to lower demand.
Army Corps Puts Moratorium on Permitting
Citing COVID-19 concerns, Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District has put a moratorium on issuing any new shoreline permits, licenses and other activities requiring personnel to visit a site and placed restrictions on access at locks and dams.
Small Businesses Can Apply for Assistance
Small businesses suffering economic losses due to the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. can now apply for low-interest Small Business Administration disaster loans.
Dare County, Towns Issue Further Guidance
Based on the CDC guidance, Dare County officials and towns in the county have outlined further restrictions and guidelines for those who seek to enter the county or do business with staff.
Ocracoke Visitor Restrictions in Place
New visitor restrictions to Ocracoke will begin at 5 a.m. Thursday as part of Hyde County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cape Lookout Visitor Centers to Close
All Cape Lookout National Seashore visitor centers will be closed Thursday until further notice to help reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus but the islands of North Core Banks, South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks will remain open.
Coastal Environmental Projects Get Funding
Attorney General Josh Stein’s office has announced awards of Environmental Enhancement Grants, the first round of EEG grant awards since 2016, including several recipients on the coast.
CRC Cancels Meeting Over Virus Concerns
The state Coastal Resources Commission meeting scheduled for April 8-9 in Manteo has been canceled based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
National Parks Close Visitor Centers
While the grounds of many of the coast’s National Parks remain open, the visitor centers will be temporarily closed to minimize potential spread of the coronavirus disease.
Dare County Restricts Visitor Access
Dare County officials announced that visitor access to the county will be restricted beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday in response to updated federal guidelines to avoid discretionary travel to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Rezoning Request For Sand Mine Tabled
The Pender County Planning Board has tabled indefinitely a rezoning request for hundreds of acres proposed to be a sand mining site in Hampstead.
Coast Guard Crew Releases 30 Turtles
Crew members from Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet recently released 30 sea turtles back into the ocean after the turtles made a full recovery at the NEST Rehabilitation Center at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island,
Indian Beach Opposes Offshore Drilling
Indian Beach commissioners have unanimously adopted a resolution opposing offshore oil and gas exploration and offshore seismic testing, joining 44 other coastal communities in opposition.
NCDOT Investment Commission Seeks Input
NC FIRST Commission has launched a 15-question survey looking for input on future transportation investment strategy.
NTB Kicks off Sea Oats Cost-Share Program
North Topsail Beach will begin accepting orders Monday for this year’s sea oats cost share program, when the town covers half the cost of the plants used to help protect the existing dunes and berms with vegetation.
