Author, environmental attorney and historian Lowell E. Baier explores the context for the act, its pitfalls, successes and challenges and offers a look into the future, all with the hope of preventing more losses like the extinct Carolina parakeet.
News & Features
Officials show off progress on new Fort Fisher visitor center
After more than a decade of planning and fundraising, construction is underway on the Fort Fisher State Historic Site’s new center that’s three times larger than the current building.
Education, not profit, county’s aim for composting program
New Hanover County’s composting program, now more than five years old, was never intended as a revenue stream, rather it’s way to keep food waste out of the landfill.
Residents speak out against Wanchese cluster homes
Dare County commissioners have tabled a decision on a requested special use permit that would greenlight a controversial proposed 60-unit cluster development in Wanchese.
Momentum picks up on draft Flood Resiliency Blueprint
NCDEQ staff and AECOM consulting firm began working with local and state agencies, nonprofits and others last month on creating the draft statewide Flood Resiliency Blueprint.
Judge finds court lacks authority in groups’ PFAS lawsuit
Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Myers II on Friday released his decision to dismiss a lawsuit that would have forced Chemours to pay for health studies on dozens of chemical compounds manufactured at its Fayetteville plant.
PFAS mitigation, DEQ staffing funded in Cooper’s budget
The proposed budget includes funding to address PFAS in drinking water sources and to support a team within DEQ to address PFAS statewide.
Outer Banks recycling stabilizes after years of turmoil
Upheaval in markets, controversy over incineration and escalating costs had prompted officials in Dare and Currituck county towns to question whether to continue the service.
Albemarle-Pamlico resilience gets $27.25 million boost
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced funding for the agency’s National Wildlife Refuge System for Albemarle-Pamlico restoration initiatives.
EPA rule would require water providers to monitor for PFAS
An Environmental Protection Agency rule would set limits on six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in public water systems with providers responsible for monitoring and notifying the public when levels exceed standards.
Offshore wind advocates weigh opportunities, uncertainties
Government officials, researchers and utility insiders shared their observations and concerns about the burgeoning industry during a recent symposium.
Cost-share funding for runoff management gains support
The state Environmental Management Commission has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for expanding and funding programs to help landowners manage and lessen polluted stormwater runoff.
PFAS testing: 1,000 homes qualify for filtration or tap, so far
As PFAS sampling continues on private drinking wells, nearly 1,000 households downstream of Chemours’ Fayetteville Works plant have levels that qualify for in-home filtration systems or a public water utility connection.
Solutions are few for imperiled oceanfront homes: Panel
Officials at the first public meeting of an interagency work group said that while prevention could be far less costly than cleanup, limited programs or funding options are available to deal with erosion-threatened oceanfront homes before they collapse.
Environmental Justice Board to assist on flood resiliency
The Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board has appointed a committee to advise the Division of Mitigation Services on including underrepresented communities in its development of a statewide flood resilience plan.
Ocean Isle Beach may test hay, pine straw bales to trap sand
The Brunswick County town has been granted a variance to use hay and pine straw bales as an alternative to sand fencing at six areas on the eastern end of the island.
