Birding experts will lead an educational cruise aboard the Lady Swan Boat Tours’ covered ferryboat starting at 10 a.m. Sunday in Swansboro.
News Briefs
‘Jug handle’ bridge could open as soon as February
NCDOT expects to open in early 2022 the nearly complete “jug handle” bridge that will connect the southern portion of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge to northern Rodanthe.
New Hanover Board denies new zoning district
The New Hanover Planning Board on Thursday denied a proposed new zoning district on the riverfront.
New app catalogs marine debris, wildlife interactions
Anyone in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia can submit their observations of wildlife interacting with marine debris to the new Tangled in Trash app, which allows agencies to study possible solutions.
BOEM to provide sand to restore Dare County beaches
BOEM has granted Dare County access to up to 6.6 million cubic yards of sand from the outer continental shelf to restore 11.6 miles of beachfront.
Fisheries officials ask public to report cold-stunned trout
Though no cold-stun events have happened so far this season, the Division of Marine Fisheries is asking the public to keep an eye out for cold-stunned spotted seatrout.
Meetings set for Tuesday on Navassa Superfund work
The meetings about projects related to the former Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp.’s creosote-based wood-treatment site are online only, and two times are offered to allow greater public participation.
Marine Fisheries creates, certifies new red hind state record
Matthew Parr of Wilmington caught the record-setting 7-pound, 1.6-ounce red hind Oct. 1 off Cape Lookout.
Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards training set
The online course is to help coastal managers and planners plan and implement green infrastructure projects to reduce impacts of coastal hazards in their community.
Hearing on 3 Pender shellfish lease proposals Jan. 13
The state Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled a public hearing by web conference on proposed shellfish leases in Pender County.
Dare’s emergency director to serve on FEMA council
Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson has been appointed to serve on the FEMA’s Region 4 Advisory Council.
2021 Atlantic hurricane season sees 21 named storms
Though the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season ended Tuesday, officials urge residents to be prepared for disasters year-round.
Island Farm to celebrate Outer Banks’ holiday traditions
The nonprofit Outer Banks Conservationists are hosting the first two Saturdays in December Christmas on the North End, costumed interpreters sharing how Roanoke Island families celebrated the Christmas holiday in the mid-1800s.
Science Board to hear update on EPA’s plan for PFAS
The state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will have an online meeting Dec. 6 to hear how the Environmental Protection Agency plans to address PFAS and how it relates to North Carolina’s efforts.
Commercial spot, croaker closures to begin next month
Commercial season closures for spot are Dec. 10 through April 4, 2022, and for croaker Dec. 16-31.
State forms new initiative to build a more resilient NC
The state’s new Regional Resilience Portfolio Program was formed to help eastern North Carolina communities that were impacted by Hurricane Florence plan for climate change.