The Coastal Resources Commission unanimously approved on Thursday a revised rule to be returned along with a supporting letter from the state geologist to the board that objected to the longstanding protective designation for Jockey’s Ridge.
Coastal Policy
Rouzer’s bill loosening sand-mining rule clears US House
A bill introduced by Rep. David Rouzer would allow barely a handful of East Coast beach towns to continue using sand from federally protected coastal zones for their nourishment projects — a measure the Audubon Society opposes.
CRC adopts 16 rules to keep natural resources protected
The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday unanimously adopted the rules that temporarily replace protections axed last October.
Decision upholds legislature’s board appointment shifts
Gov. Roy Cooper won a partial victory last week in his challenge to the North Carolina General Assembly’s move to wrest his appointment powers, but Republican leaders have already filed to appeal.
Opponents say Pender shellfish leases will crowd waters
Speakers at the public hearing said they support Topsail Island-area shellfish farming, but more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impede boat and kayak access, and the floating equipment used will detract from the view from waterfront properties.
Emergency coastal rules draw little notice during hearings
Few turned out for hearings the Division of Coastal Management held in Dare, Carteret and Onslow counties for the temporary replacements for “critical” protections Codifier of Rules Ashley B. Snyder — Sen. Phil Berger’s daughter — stripped from the books last year.
Commission restores 16 recently nullified, years-old rules
The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday adopted 16 emergency rules to temporarily replace the most critical of the 30 that were stripped from the books after the Rules Review Commission objected to them in October.
Court upholds that trawling doesn’t violate Clean Water Act
Federal court judges upheld last week a 2021 district court decision that commercial shrimpers can continue to harvest by trawler in the Pamlico Sound without a Clean Water Act permit.
Rules panel sets Aug. 15 deadline on plan for beach mats
The state rules process to allow coastal towns, counties and private beachfront property owners to use portable, roll-out mats as an alternative to traditional beach walkover structures continues.
Climate peril, insurance, sand costs: No easy fix in Rodanthe
A possible inflection point in property insurance markets, a proposed $40 million beach nourishment project, talk of a needed act of Congress — officials struggle with at-risk oceanfront homes in Rodanthe.
Residents ask for more protections of Beaufort watershed
As potential development looms, some Beaufort residents are asking the Coastal Resources Commission to extend protections for Gibbs Creek watershed in North River.
Commission approves septic rule changes, flood disclosure
The state Coastal Resources Commission took separate actions last week to clarify two persistent issues: septic systems on the public beach, and residential flooding.
Topsail Island towns float plan to reduce plastic pollution
Topsail Beach officials are drafting what could be the state’s first ban on unencapsulated polystyrene for floating dock repair and construction, part of a Topsail Island-wide anti-pollution initiative.
Plastic pollution policy stalled but litter hasn’t: Duke study
Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions found that the introduction of plastic pollution policies stalled on a national and global level when COVID-19 emerged, but the fight against plastic pollution in coastal North Carolina continues.
Declining, fluctuating spot numbers spur action, research
Commercial harvests of spot have been on the decline for more than 20 years and recreational numbers fluctuate, but a multistate management approach and independent research aim for sustainable stocks.
Coastal Resources Commission digs in on artificial turf
Addressing a growing number of permit questions, the coastal policy and rulemaking body has approved a prohibition on artificial turf within the 30-foot shoreline buffer in areas of environmental concern.
