This is the fourth year the state has celebrated the ecologically and economically important mollusks.
News & Features
Groups call for federal protection of diamondback terrapins
Nonprofits have petitioned the federal fisheries agency to list as endangered the diamondback terrapin, an estuarine creature frequently drowned in abandoned crab pots.
Researcher tracks how species adapt to climate change
UNC’s Dr. Paul Taillie says that while there’s reason for concern about the environment, he does not share the anxiety others have, rather, “I tend to be very optimistic about things.”
Groups who joined to take on marine debris assess progress
Five years into a coastwide plan to address marine debris in North Carolina waters, those behind the plan met last week to judge their effort and consider the message going forward.
Surf City’s 50-year sand plan calls for 22 million cubic yards
The town’s federal coastal storm risk management project – more than 20 years in the making – will put a total of 21.8 million cubic yards of sand on the beach over the course of a half-century.
National Estuaries Week sheds light on fragile habitats
National Estuaries Week, Sept. 21-28, is a celebration of economically and ecologically vital and sensitive ecosystems, and there’s still time to take part and learn more.
‘Total mess’ after third Rodanthe house in four days falls
“I would say the debris field was so dense and thick, for the first quarter-mile south of the house collapse site that it was difficult to actually walk,” Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Dave Hallac said.
Van der Vaart: Likely carcinogen does not equal carcinogen
Chief Administrative Law Judge and Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings Dr. Donald van der Vaart revoked permit limits of 1,4-dioxane for municipal wastewater treatment plants that discharge a compound the EPA calls a likely human carcinogen into the drinking water sources of tens of thousands.
BOEM begins planning second Atlantic offshore wind lease
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is in the early stages of planning to determine new wind energy areas for the Central Atlantic region.
Bald Head Island ferry firm, passengers reach settlement
A proposal submitted to the North Carolina Utilities Commission earlier this month would ease pushback over schedules and issues with capacity.
Work gets underway to pinpoint Buxton pollution source
Corps of Engineers contractors are to start work Friday near Old Lighthouse Beach in an intensified effort to find the source of intermittent fuel odors and oily soil first exposed more than a year ago by storm erosion.
Storm thrashes NC coast: historic rainfall, crumpled roads
Brunswick and New Hanover counties each saw more than 15 inches of rainfall over the past two days as the storm that formed off the East Coast came ashore near Myrtle Beach.
Update: PFAS groundwater rule OK’d for public comment
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission on Thursday unanimously waived the normal 30-day public notice, expediting the rulemaking process covering the compounds classified as likely carcinogens.
Plan in motion to build resiliency in Carteret’s North River
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch has worked with North River residents on a long-term plan to address multiple flooding challenges in the flood-prone, unincorporated area of the county .
Cape Lookout dredge spoils used to restore vanishing island
A haven for waterbirds since at least 1970, the quickly vanishing Sandbag Island near Harkers Island was recently expanded from a tenth of an acre to 5 acres using spoils from a dredge project around Cape Lookout Lighthouse.
NC focuses on helping municipal water, sewer — not septic
Some towns are providing assistance for people on private systems, about half the state’s households.