State and FEMA officials have announced more than $54.9 million in grants have been approved for hurricane- and tropical storm-related beach damage in Emerald Isle and Holden Beach.
News Briefs
Sea Grant Seeks Research Grant Proposals
North Carolina Sea Grant’s Community Collaborative Research Grant program is accepting proposals now through Jan. 20, 2020, for projects that study environmental and economic issues across the state.
Students to Share Water Quality Research
UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduates will present their water quality research on Beaufort’s Town Creek Friday at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City.
NC 12 to Reopen to All Traffic Thursday
The N.C. Department of Transportation announced that N.C. 12 on Ocracoke Island will reopen Thursday, three months after Hurricane Dorian damaged the island and its main road.
Roanoke Island Aquarium Goes Green
The state Department of Environmental Quality has certified the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island as a N.C. Green Travel destination for its sustainability goals to reduce energy use, landfill waste and overall impact on the environment.
Mason Inlet Dredging Contract Awarded
New Hanover County Commissioners voted to award a $6.6 million contract for the 2020 Mason Inlet maintenance dredging project.
DMF Seeks Input on Southern Flounder Plan
The state Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting comments on potential management strategies for an upcoming amendment to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.
Panels to Consider Fishing Resource Funding
Funding opportunities from the Commercial Fishing Resource Fund are on the agenda for a joint meeting of two state fishing resource committees this month.
Decoy Carvers Guild Readies for 32nd Festival
The Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild is gearing up for its 32nd annual Core Sound Decoy Festival Saturday and Sunday at Harkers Island Elementary School.
White Oak Birding Cruise Set for Dec. 15
JoAnne Powell is set to lead the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s next birding cruise from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 15 on the White Oak River in Swansboro.
Openings Remain for Wildlife Festival Trips
A few openings remain for trips that are part of the December session of the annual Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival set for this weekend on the Outer Banks.
Sen. Harry Brown Won’t Seek Reelection
Eight-term Sen. Harry Brown of Onslow County, the Republican majority leader, has announced he will not seek re-election.
NCDOT Adjusts Ocracoke Ferry Schedules
NCDOT’s Ferry Division announced adjusted hours for its Ocracoke-bound schedules to accommodate visitor traffic that will remain toll free until N.C. 12 opens to all traffic, which is expected to take place within the week.
Pony Patrol Will Help Protect Wild Herds
Caretakers of Carteret County’s wild horses are looking for volunteers to be part of the Pony Patrol to help visitors experience the horses in their natural habitat from a safe distance.
Meetings Set on Brunswick County Bypass
NCDOT and SCDOT will meet with public this week on a proposed bypass around Calabash and Little River and the Grand Strand areas in South Carolina.
Dare Board OKs Funds for Avon Beach Study
Dare County commissioners have agreed to allocate up to $250,000 to pay for a study of a proposed beach renourishment project in Avon.
