The Pamlico County commissioners voted last night to ask the Army Corps of Engineers to re-examine its decision that wetlands aren’t present on hundreds of forested acres near Merritt that were cleared for farming.
Coastal Policy
Land Clearing in Pamlico May Spur Action
Pamlico County commissioners tonight will consider taking action on a major land-clearing operation that farmers and business leaders fear is damaging wetlands and could lead to serious coastal water quality degradation.
Flood Insurance Changes Explained
After being buffeted for years with criticism for encouraging irresponsible development along coastlines, the National Flood Insurance Program has begun phasing out subsidies on policies for high-risk properties.
McCrory Releases CRC Appointments
Officials with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources are hopeful that a slate of appointments released by the governor’s office yesterday means the Coastal Resources Commission can soon return to work.
Pamlico Land Clearing Raises Concerns
Environmentalists fear that a major land-clearing operation near the Neuse River in Pamlico County could be destroying wetlands without the required permits.
Turning on the Federal Spigot?
If N. Topsail Beach succeeds in its fight to change the boundaries of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, federal money can be spent to subsidize flood insurance and development in town for the first time.
30-Year-Old Law Provokes a Fight
The federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act was meant to discourage development on some barrier islands. It hasn’t worked very well on N. Topsail Island and property owners there want it changed.
CRC Meeting: Quorum or Quandary
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission meets today to decided whether to appeal a court ruling. But only four members are left after the legislature fired most of the panel. Can the commission legally conduct business with less than a third of its members?
Pony Up to Park at Some N.C. Beaches
While only a handful of North Carolina’s coastal towns charge beachgoers to park, the oft-controversial topic is a recurring discussion in some towns, begging the question of whether free parking at the beach will eventually become a thing of the past.
How Much Freshwater Can a Swamp Take?
That’s the main question being asked about two proposed quarries that will dump almost 24 million gallons a day of freshwater into brackish, blackwater creeks.
Ruling Favors Putting Septic Tanks on Beach
A new state ruling will make it easier for the owners of houses like this one to replace septic systems lost to storms on the beach as long as they are 50 feet from the water at low tide.
Books of the Coast: Scientist Offers New Vision
Stan Riggs, a marine geologist and researcher at East Carolina University, makes his case for a different future for the Outer Banks.
Houses on the Beach and the Public Trust
A coastal community on the Outer Banks struggles with what to do with houses that end up in the public trust area due to beach erosion.
Buying Your Piece of Coastal Heaven
Before making an offer on that perfect place for your retirement or coastal getaway, there are things like erosion rates and setbacks, hurricanes and flood insurance that you need to know about.
Is ‘Smart Growth’ a UN Conspiracy?
Currituck County is the latest place where opponents to something called UN Agenda 21 rose up to oppose a local planning initiative.
