Beaufort would have more power to address derelict boats and marine debris under a bill that has now cleared both the House and Senate.
News Briefs
Oyster Restoration Work Nears Completion
After three years of work by the state Division of Marine Fisheries and North Carolina Coastal Federation, the 40-acre Swan Island Oyster Sanctuary in Pamlico Sound will be completed this month.
Poll: Wind Favored Over Offshore Drilling
More than half of respondents in a poll conducted on behalf of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce say offshore drilling is too risky and 63% say wind energy is too heavily regulated.
Duke Lab to Showcase Science in Action
During the Duke University Marine Lab open house July 13, there will be an invertebrate touch tank, research vessel tour and hands-on STEM activities.
Apollo 11 Moon Landing Celebration July 20
The Wright Brothers National Memorial is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing by rebroadcasting the original news coverage, recreating the night of July 20, 1969, when the national park hosted a live news broadcast.
Activities Abound For Fourth of July
Regularly scheduled and special activities abound along the coast during Fourth of July holiday week at parks, aquariums, museums and more, including fireworks shows.
Coast Guard Seeks Tips on Hoax Calls
The Coast Guard is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspected hoax caller who has made numerous hoax radio transmissions originating from the Pamlico Sound and Oregon Inlet area.
Offshore Wind Lease Area Surveys Underway
Avangrid Renewables will study the seabed and sub-surface conditions using high-resolution geophysical surveys of the Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Lease Area about 24 miles off the North Carolina and Virginia coasts.
Coastal Management Realigns Districts
The Division of Coastal Management is adjusting the jurisdictions of its four regulatory district offices based in Elizabeth City, Washington, Morehead City and Wilmington to better serve the changing population.
Flood Insurance Workshops Set
The N.C. Department of Insurance is offering in July five flood insurance conferences, with two on the coast, to help the public, insurance and real estate agents statewide understand the need to purchase flood insurance .
Group Plans Rally to Oppose Drilling, Seismic
Organizers of a new environmental group in Brunswick County plan a rally July 6 in Calabash to raise awareness of the risks offshore drilling pose to the N.C. coast.
DOT Awards Ocracoke Bulkhead Contract
The state Department of Transportation has awarded a $1.9 million contract to build a 1,000-foot bulkhead to slow erosion at the ferry terminal on the north end of Ocracoke Island.
Lookout Closes 19 Miles of Beach to Vehicles
Cape Lookout National Seashore has temporarily closed to motor vehicles 19 miles out of 47 miles of beach to protect record numbers of nesting shorebirds and sea turtles.
Climate Change Council to Meet July 16
The N.C. Climate Change Interagency Council, which Gov. Roy Cooper created last year by executive order, is set to hold its fourth meeting July 16 in Winston-Salem.
NC Coastal Land Trust Preserves 5,400 Acres
North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has transferred to the state Wildlife Resources Commission most of the 5,400 acres in Down East Carteret County it bought this month to be used as game lands.
Arboretum Planting Day Set for June 27
Volunteers are welcome to join a native planting event 9-11 a.m. Thursday at the New Hanover County Arboretum when a media tour will be held to highlight the recently completed stormwater project to improve the water quality of nearby Bradley Creek.
