Aerial surveyors spotted four critically endangered North Atlantic right whales off Ocracoke Island, and operators of vessels of all sizes are asked to travel no faster than 10 knots through the area.
News Briefs
Justice, representative, senator Willis P. Whichard has died
Former state Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard, one of four individuals widely credited for securing passage of the state’s Coastal Area Management Act, died Monday in Chapel Hill.
Free lecture to highlight satellites’ role in resilience planning
“Watching the Tides Roll: How Satellites Inform the Future of Coastal Communities“ with Dr. David Lagomasino begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Coastal Studies Institute.
Sediment Control Commission to meet Thursday
The North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission during its meeting Thursday is to consider continuing to give N.C. Department of Transpiration authority to review and approve erosion and sedimentation control plans for land-disturbing activities.
Asheboro plant discharges elevated levels of 1,4-dioxane
Sampling at Asheboro’s wastewater treatment plant revealed elevated discharges of 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen, in a waterway upstream of drinking water sources for some 900,000 North Carolinians.
Update: Blue crab harvest vote removed from agenda
The Marine Fisheries Commission was expected to consider adopting more restrictions on the commercial harvest of blue crabs, a move the N.C. Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition opposes, but the item has been removed from an updated agenda.
Carolina Beach nourishment project kicks off this weekend
Carolina Beach’s federally authorized beach nourishment project scheduled to begin this weekend is expected to continue for the next four to five weeks, depending on the weather.
Commission holds PFAS, 1,4-dioxane vote for future meeting
The Environmental Management Commission voted to postpone hearing proposed rules to monitor and minimize the two human-made chemical compounds from industrial users and dischargers.
State accepting comments on proposed harbor dredging
The deadline is Dec. 5 to submit comments to NCDEQ’s Division of Coastal Management on the proposed project to widen and deepen the Wilmington Harbor.
Fort Fisher aquarium plans to close ahead of $65M renovation
The project, announced earlier this year, is to include building the largest shark habitat in the state, expanding the facility to the largest in the North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources said Wednesday.
Officials to update public on additional cleanup at Navassa site
Meetings are planned for Nov. 18 to update the public on continuing work to remove contamination from the former Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. site in Navassa.
State inks $11 million contract to replace Blounts Creek bridge
Sanford Contractors Inc. can begin construction of the new span as early as Dec. 1, and the project is set to be completed by fall 2028.
Riggs to launch first book in series Sunday on Harkers Island
Coastal geologist Dr. Stan Riggs will be at Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center this weekend to sign copies of his latest work, “Cape Lookout National Seashore: Paradigm for a Coastal System Ethic.”
Commercial fishers needed for fishing gear recovery project
The North Carolina Coastal Federation will accept applications until Dec. 12 from the commercial watermen and women who want to participate in the project to collect lost crab pots on the coast.
CRC to hear latest objection on proposed Jockey’s Ridge rules
Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson plans to address the Coastal Resources Commission during its meeting Nov. 19-20, when members will hear the most recent objection to proposed rules on Jockey’s Ridge designation.
New running club, town to host Duck Turkey Trot 5K Nov. 27
Organizers say the inaugural Duck Turkey Trot 5K set for Thursday, Nov. 27, is giving youth runners a new event, filling a void in the community, and bringing a beloved tradition back to the Dare County town.
