The first of three North Carolina public hearings this week on the new federal proposal for oil and natural gas leasing off the East Coast drew about 175, mostly drilling opponents.
News & Features
N. Topsail Seeks Conservation Zoning Change
Officials in North Topsail Beach are proposing changes to the town’s zoning ordinance, such as striking language that prohibits the rezoning of conservation-designated areas.
Pelican Award Winners Announced
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s 2017 Pelican Award recipients have shown exceptional commitment to preserving, protecting and restoring our state’s coast.
Sand Project: More Turtles Than Expected
A major beach re-nourishment project on the Outer Banks has encountered far more sea turtles than expected, which has prompted further study but hasn’t slowed progress.
Outage: Emergency on Hatteras, Ocracoke
A state of emergency is in effect after a construction accident at the Bonner Bridge left 9,000 homes and businesses on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands without power, possibly for weeks.
Drilling Opponents Ready For Renewed Fight
Wilmington-area environmental advocates leading the recently formed offshore drilling opposition group Save Our Sea say lessons learned in recent anti-pollution battles have them prepared for the latest fight.
NOAA Funds Aquaculture Debris Cleanup
A recently announced federal grant will be used to help pay for removal of debris from an abandoned aquaculture operation littering public trust waters in Carteret County.
Cooper Rolls Out State Response to GenX
Gov. Roy Cooper went to Wilmington Monday to outline a state action plan to deal with the GenX contamination, promising to deny the company’s discharge permit and investigate potential criminal violations.
Storms Add to Nags Head’s Flooding Woes
Nags Head’s chronic flooding problems, a factor of the topography and an outdated drainage system, have been made worse by sudden downpours during recent freak storms.
Cooper Vows to Lead Offshore Drilling Fight
Gov. Roy Cooper, during an appearance Thursday at Fort Macon State Park, said the state’s environment and “robust coastal economy” are not worth the risks from offshore oil drilling and exploration.
New Faces Join State Environmental Boards
Several new appointees began work recently on key environmental policy boards including the Environmental Management Commission, Coastal Resources Commission and Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
GenX: Focus Shifts to Environmental Justice
Speakers at an event Wednesday on the GenX chemical recently detected in the area’s drinking water supply said more needs to be done to inform minority and under-served residents.
Legislature Pauses, Environmental Bills Wait
While solar industry changes and a wind project moratorium passed, bills with coastal stormwater changes, the creation of a new fund to pay for beach re-nourishment, new dredging plans and repeal of the plastic bag ban on the Outer Banks remain on the table.
GenX Unknowns Frustrate Folks at Forum
Wilmington-area residents who attended the recent forum on GenX contamination in the public water supply wanted to know about safety, but answers may be years away.
Stewards Aim to Protect Beach-Nesting Birds
The Emerald Isle Waterbird Stewards Program, under the supervision of the Wildlife Resources Commission, is working to protect beach-nesting least terns and Wilson’s plovers, both of special concern in North Carolina.
Butler Raises GenX Issue During Budget Talks
New Hanover County’s Rep. Deb Butler pointed to concern about the GenX compound in the Wilmington area’s drinking water supply and DEQ permitting backlogs in a plea to spare the agency from cuts in the budget passed Thursday.
