A bill to boost North Carolina’s shellfish aquaculture industry that was approved last week by the state Senate cleared the House Wednesday in a 116-0 vote.
News Briefs
DCM Objects to Company’s Seismic Plan
The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has formally objected to a firm’s proposal for seismic surveying off the North Carolina coast, calling the plan inconsistent with the state’s coastal management policies.
Officials Urge Public to Avoid Algal Blooms
State officials are urging people and their pets to avoid contact with the water in parts of Albemarle region, where potentially toxic algal blooms have persisted since May.
Hatteras Museum to Hold Hurricane Talks
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras is hosting a hurricane talk series June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15 focusing on documenting disasters with area photographer Daniel Pullen.
DEQ Seeks Comments on EJ Mapping Tool
The state Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comments until July 10 on the newly launched community mapping system with environmental justice tool.
Eagle Exhibit to Open at PKS Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores announced a July 4 opening for its new “Eagle Landing” exhibit, a 3,000-square-foot home for two bald eagles that are unable to fly or survive in the wild.
Outer Banks Hazard Plan Seeks Public Input
A meeting in Buxton Wednesday on the Outer Banks Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan gave attendees the chance to learn more about the process of updating the Dare-Currituck County Hazard Mitigation Plan that allows the counties to be eligible for FEMA disaster relief assistance.
Bill Proposes 3-Year Ban on New Wind Farms
A bill proposing a three-year ban on new wind farm construction in much of the state most likely will be before the Senate next week.
Coastal Federation Awards First Scholarship
Outer Banks high school senior, Morgan Fairbanks of Frisco, will receive the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s first college scholarship.
Legislators Call For Action on Lake Sutton
Rep. Deb Butler and Sen. Harper Peterson, both New Hanover Democrats, presented Tuesday a plan for responding to a recently published study indicating a long-term process of coal ash contamination at Lake Sutton.
Aquariums to Celebrate World Oceans Day
The state’s aquariums in Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, Jennette’s Pier and Fort Fisher are each hosting events Saturday in honor of World Oceans Day.
QAR Copyright Suit heads to Supreme Court
The filmmaker who created footage of the recovery of the Queen Anne’s Revenge wreckage, the 1718 ship run aground by Blackbeard in Beaufort Inlet, will have his case against the state heard in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Drought Conditions Return to Eastern NC
Ten southeastern counties are experiencing moderate drought while 30 eastern and central counties had abnormally dry conditions as of Thursday, according to the state Drought Management Advisory Council.
See Sea Critters At Touch Tank Tuesdays
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Touch Tank Tuesday program begins for the summer on June 4 at the Fred and Alice Coastal Education Center and will be held every Tuesday in June, July and August.
Navassa Superfund Site Meeting June 25
The next community meeting on the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp.-Navassa Superfund Site is set for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, in the Navassa Community Center.
Swansboro Board Won’t Object to Permit
Despite one commissioners’ concerns, the Swansboro town board won’t object to a proposal to expand a strip mall in an area that would include filling in nearly a quarter acre of wetlands.