Restoring beaches and inlets damaged by Hurricane Florence will mean moving mountains of sand and securing hundreds of millions of dollars.
News & Features
New Rules Ahead For Building Near Inlets
The state Coastal Resources Commission is mulling proposed changes to development rules and boundaries for 10 of the state’s 19 active ocean inlets.
Bill Would Ax Water, Park Trust Fund Boards
The state Senate Thursday advanced a bill that would eliminate the oversight boards for the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and four other boards.
Corps Puts Limits On Dredged Sand Disposal
A Corps of Engineers policy adopted more than a year ago could mean big costs and other challenges for coastal towns and businesses that need to dispose of dredged sand from non-federal projects.
Wind Moratorium’s Economic Toll In Focus
As the expiration date for the state’s 18-month moratorium on wind energy development draws near, its economic costs to northeastern N.C. counties are becoming clearer.
Corps’ Rule Could Dash Town’s Sand Plan
Holden Beach officials were recently surprised by an Army Corps of Engineers requirement not previously enforced that could mean the town’s sand source for beach re-nourishment goes instead to Oak Island.
Court Ruling No Guarantee for Red Wolves
Wildlife advocates won a decisive victory earlier this month when a federal judge banned the capture and killing of red wolves on private property, but the endangered species’ future isn’t so clear.
Navassa: Contamination Research Continues
With creosote levels at the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. Superfund site in Navassa still a concern, state and federal agencies plan to continue researching the contamination.
Legislators Set to Review Storm-Relief Needs
State lawmakers are expected to consider another storm-relief spending package, including infrastructure and agriculture assistance, when they convene again after Thanksgiving.
Blood Tests Show 4 PFAS, But No GenX
The results of blood samples from a health study of Wilmington public water customers revealed four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but no GenX was detected.
Brunswick Seeks EPA Loan for H2O Upgrades
The EPA has selected Brunswick County to apply for a loan program to help pay for $99 million in planned water plant improvements to address GenX and other contaminants.
Improved Water Quality Starts at Home
A number of coastal communities are working on plans to reduce the volume of polluted stormwater runoff that can degrade water quality.
Pine Knoll Shores to Vote on Watershed Plan
Pine Knoll Shores is set to vote next month on a proposed plan to address water quality problems stemming from polluted stormwater runoff.
Flood Shows Benefits of Conservation Deal
Conservationists say the Coastal Land Trust’s purchase earlier this year of about 3,000 acres along the Waccamaw River proved beneficial during Hurricane Florence’s flooding.
NC’s New Stance On Climate Change, Energy
The governor’s remarks last week on climate change and energy policy signaled a stark departure from the state’s past direction, but despite continued challenges in the legislature, attitudes may already be changing.
Outer Banks Anglers Welcome Reef Plan
The Outer Banks, among the state’s leaders in revenue from coastal recreational fishing licenses, has been underserved, some say, by the North Carolina’s artificial reef program, but that’s about to change.
