The legislature appropriated $2 million to restore Morehead City’s Sugarloaf Island, a barrier protecting waterfront attractions from coastal storms that has been rapidly eroding for decades.
News & Features
Draft wind energy areas off NC coast may be downsized
The recently announced draft offshore wind energy areas, including two off the northern North Carolina coast, may be scaled back before being finalized early next year.
Water clarity standard to save seagrass an ongoing process
Water quality degradation from nutrients and sediments reduce light penetration needed for seagrass survival and is a threat to coastal fisheries.
Process of updating inlet hazard area rules to be continued
A rule approved in September deleted an exception that would allow homes of up to 2,000 square feet to be built in areas where the new erosion rate-based setbacks would prevent construction of new houses.
Carbon capture project proposed for ocean waters off Duck
Vesta North Carolina has applied for permits to place about 20,000 cubic yards of ground olivine 1,500 feet from the Outer Banks town’s shoreline.
Submerged power lines further delay ferry channel realignment
Underwater power lines crossing Hatteras Inlet’s Connector Channel have created another delay in finalizing the realignment of the Hatteras ferry channel.
Corps reinstates seasonal dredging window at state ports
The Army Corps of Engineers’ action follows a federal judge’s ruling that the agreement with the state to eliminate the restrictions on hopper dredging meant to protect federally listed species was illegal.
Emerald Isle board hears plan for 30-acre, forested park
Town commissioners and the public were briefed on the two-phased design for McLean-Spell Park, an undeveloped tract with maritime forest and wetlands the town purchased in 2018.
Understaffed environmental agency ‘stretched to the limit’
With nearly 20% of N.C. Department of Environmental Quality jobs unfilled and hundreds of staff set to retire, cracks are revealed in permitting, regulatory functions.
Wildlife Commission, private firm vie for Southport tract
The state agency and the corporation are interested in the parcel near Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point for different reasons.
New partnership aims to restore water quality, vegetation
Essential coastal habitat is declining because of deteriorating water quality. Now a private-public partnership is coming together to protect the resource.
Wildlife official outlines red wolf recovery program history
Speaking Saturday at the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, Pete Benjamin with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said he was optimistic about the success of the long-controversial recovery effort.
Dock debris following Ian ‘worst we’ve seen,’ crews say
Environmental stewards contend that the debris contracted commercial fishers are removing makes the case that North Carolina needs to reinstate building codes for residential docks and piers.
Corps policy has caused nonfederal dredging costs to soar
The Army Corps of Engineers says its five-year-old rule blocking local governments, marinas and private entities from using its dredged material disposal sites will remain.
National group designates Neuse ‘River of the Year’
American Rivers, which had previously called the Neuse one of the country’s most endangered, hailed progress made.
Tools, partnerships aim to help shellfish growers adapt
Climate change is affecting aquaculture, but state and federal agencies are developing new tools for farmers.
