President Biden signed an executive order Wednesday that addresses climate change, environmental justice, protects U.S. lands and waters and pauses on entering into new oil and natural gas leases.
News & Features
Judge Orders Release of Red Wolves in NC
A federal judge has sided with conservation groups, ruling that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must immediately resume releases of captive-bred red wolves into the management area in northeastern North Carolina.
Former Duck Manager Takes Plymouth Post
Former Duck town manager Chris Layton has been hired as Plymouth’s interim town manager, a job that has seen its share of turnover.
Agreement OKs Year-Round Ports Dredging
The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has approved the Corps’ request to eliminate the environmental window for dredging at the ports in Morehead City and Wilmington.
Gaps In Data Delay Chowan River Basin Plan
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission took no action to adopt an updated water resources plan for the Chowan River Basin, which has seen a steady increase in toxic algae blooms.
Nags Head Looks to Its Other Shoreline
Nags Head officials say a proposed management plan would help the town address flooding and erosion problems along its 17 miles of Roanoke Sound shoreline.
New Year, New Session, Same Hurdles Ahead
With Gov. Roy Cooper now in his second term and the legislature convening Wednesday, budget and pandemic response agreements remain on the to-do list from last year.
EPA Denies Petition to Address PFAS
The Environmental Protection Agency denied a petition from six eastern N.C. community groups to require Chemours Co. to test 54 PFAS produced at its Fayetteville Works facility.
Blair Farm Site Back on Market After Ruling
An undeveloped 12-acre tract with water frontage in Morehead City that had been set aside for conservation in 2003 is back on the market after a court decision lifted restrictions on the deed.
Long-Term Plans Ahead for Shifting Sands
Federal, state and local officials in coastal North Carolina are taking new approaches toward sand management and ever more serious beach erosion and channel shoaling.
Treasury Now Holds Restoration Grant Funds
The state Court of Appeals filed Dec. 15 the decision that funds from the Smithfield Agreement for environmental enhancement projects will be held by the state treasury rather than a private bank account, as it has been.
OBX Plates Still in Demand Decades Later
Since the OBX license plate was released Dec. 23, 1999, demand remains steady for the plate only issued over the counter on the Outer Banks.
NC Will Pay for Climate Inaction: Report
A new report shows that the effects of climate change will significantly cost state residents and the economy over the next three decades without urgent action to curb climate-warming pollution.
Navassa Superfund Site Plan To Allow Homes
The Environmental Protection Agency is set to roll out a new plan that includes nearly two dozen acres of unrestricted residential land use on the former Kerr-McGee wood-treatment site in Navassa.
Manteo Dredge Project Underway … Almost
Dredging was set to begin Monday at Roanoke Sound and Shallowbag Bay, but technical and weather challenges mean more waiting before the Elizabeth II can set sail again.
‘Sick Buildings’ Add to COVID-Linked Inequity
A new state task force to address disparities in communities of color impacted by COVID-19 recommends addressing aging buildings, particularly schools, in hyper-segregated, impoverished communities.
