Rising sea levels are increasing erosion along the North Carolina coast, threatening to destroy forever important cultural artifacts on state lands, but archaeologists are working on a plan to protect the sites.
News & Features
Amid losses, wood pellet company Enviva at risk of default
The company with a significant economic and environmental footprint in North Carolina is facing “substantial doubt” about its ability to stay in business.
Officials testify before legislative panel on flood blueprint
Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser was called before a hurricane response committee this week to explain the agency’s progress and use of state funding on a flood resilience tool for decision-makers and the public.
Exposure study evolves to measure PFAS’ long-term effects
Researcher Jane Hoppin, who is leading a study of North Carolina residents exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in their drinking water, says the ongoing work will help in understanding how these compounds affect human health over time.
Insurance Commissioner Causey, specialists visit Down East
State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and insurance industry officials joined an all-day community roundtable on Harkers Island Wednesday, encouraging coastal residents to be their own advocates.
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.
BeBot beach sweeper sifts surface sands for small debris
Keep New Hanover Beautiful’s BeBot, the first and only solar- and battery-powered, robotic beach sweeper in the state, is to supplement human-led beach cleanups and raise awareness about smaller trash and plastics that tend to get overlooked on beaches.
North Topsail Beach empowers police to remove junk boats
Aldermen have adopted an ordinance giving the police department authority to rid the town’s navigable waters of abandoned or derelict vessels.
Mattamuskeet carp numbers likely to be ‘a continual issue’
Refuge Manager Kendall Smith says the $1 million project to remove invasive common carp from the state’s largest freshwater lake will also require regular maintenance to restore vegetation and improve water quality.
Live Christmas trees can go back to nature after holidays
Now that the holidays are wrapping up, natural Christmas trees can find a new purpose, from restoring dunes to becoming mulch.
Scuppernong River study takes regional look at water woes
Officials say that because water knows no boundaries, a basin-wide approach was needed to better address water management challenges on both private and public lands.
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.
Hundreds celebrate opening of bridge to Harkers Island
More than 300 crowded onto the new Harkers Island bridge Tuesday to join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the high-rise structure — and try it on foot.
Federation founder Miller to step back, Davis new director
North Carolina Coastal Federation Executive Director Todd Miller announced Monday that he is stepping down and that Dr. Braxton Davis, director of the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, will step into the role in February.
Progress steady toward opening Ocracoke Island pharmacy
Christie Woolard is set to open and manage the island’s first — and what could be North Carolina’s most remote — pharmacy.
Currituck again ranks as state’s least-distressed county
The Department of Commerce has ranked Beaufort, Gates and Pasquotank among the 40 most economically distressed counties in the state, but various county officials take issue with the criteria.