What’s so “isolated” about them and why do some legislators want to remove state protections?
Legislature
Jennette’s Pier: Fishing for Answers
Locals are perplexed as to why the state House wants to sell Jennette’s Pier, a popular place in Nags Head for tourists, residents and school groups.
The House Budget and the Environment
The N.C. House released its version of the state budget, which contains a few conservation surprises.
Teaching Center and Budget Math
The N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching has made it through the N.C. Senate budget after being eliminated in Gov. Pat McCrory’s version. Next up is the N.C. House.
Budget Cuts Threaten Shellfish Monitoring
Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget proposal cuts university marine centers and closes a state office that monitors shellfish waters.
Senate Budget and the Environment
Medicaid cuts and teacher raises grabbed the headlines, but the N.C. Senate’s proposed state budget contains numerous provisions that would affect environmental policy on the coast.
Bill Would Restrict Permit Challenges
A bill being considered by the N.C. Senate would limit people’s ability to challenge air and coastal development permits and virtually eliminate state protection of certain wetlands.
Coal Ash, Budget Dominate Opening Day
Gov. Pat McCrory yesterday introduced a bill to clean up four coal-ash sites, including one near Wilmington, and unveiled his budget proposal on the first day of the legislative session.
The Bucket List: Rules Review Begins
Putting more than 19,000 state rules in their proper bucket has begun in the first phase of a complicated and time-consuming review process mandated by the N.C. General Assembly.
A Sneak Preview of the Coming Session
Environmental bills that the N.C. General Assembly will likely consider this year include one that would loosen restrictions on environmental ordinances passed by local governments.
Coastal Residents Seek Rate Relief
Coastal residents are facing a tidal wave of pending insurance rate hikes. A bill in the N.C. General Assembly could offer some relief.
What Is an Environmental Ordinance?
That’s one of the major questions N.C. legislators will have to answer as they again attempt to rein in a city or town’s ability to pass ordinances meant to protect the environment.
Water, Wetland Rules Up First
A public meeting next week will start a multi-year process ordered by the N.C. General Assembly that could subject every environmental rule to revision or repeal. Water-quality rules covering everything from sewer plants to shellfish beds are first under the gun.
Taking Stock of New Coastal Laws, II
This is the last of a two-part roundup of bills passed by the N.C. General Assembly this year that affect natural resources on the coast. This part covers beaches, dredging, water and wildlife.
Taking Stock of New Coastal Laws
The N.C. General Assembly passed numerous bills this year that will affect natural resources and conservation on the coast. In the first of a two-part roundup, we take a look at bills dealing with farming, forestry, energy and transportation.
CRC: ‘Essentially Out of Business’
The state’s Coastal Resources Commission had to postpone this week’s meeting in Nags Head because it’s still severely shorthanded after the legislature fired most of its members.
