An Atlanta-based company proposes to fill federally regulated wetlands and route streams through culverts at an undeveloped site on the mainland side of Ocean Isle Beach to allow construction of a shopping center.
News & Features
US 17 Bypass Plan Prompts Flooding Fears
State transportation officials are set to study a more than decade-old plan to connect U.S. 17 in Brunswick County across the state line to a South Carolina highway, but a county commissioner is among those worried about destruction of wetlands in a flood-prone area.
Matthew Exits, Record Flooding Continues
Hurricane Matthew headed out to sea early Sunday morning, leaving deep, standing water in roads and other places up and down the N.C. coast, and the threat of more flooding remains.
UNC Officials Appoint Collaboratory Advisers
UNC-Chapel Hill officials have appointed seven scientists and policy experts as advisers to the N.C. Policy Collaboratory, as university faculty continue to scrutinize how the legislature’s creation will operate.
Guide Offers Ways to Reduce Seismic Risks
A Duke Marine Lab professor has co-written a new guide to minimizing risks to marine mammals for use by companies preparing to do seismic surveys for offshore oil and gas exploration.
Public Trust Doctrine: Who Owns the Beach?
A case set to go before the North Carolina Supreme Court challenges what is known as the state’s public trust doctrine and the people’s right to access the beach.
Studies Link Biofuel Demand, Habitat Loss
Researchers with N.C. State and the U.S. Geological Survey say increasing demand for renewable energy, such as biomass or wood pellets as a fuel source, comes with trade-offs, including loss of wildlife habitat.
Figure Eight Set to Vote on Terminal Groin
Property owners on Figure Eight Island will soon receive ballots for a vote on whether to proceed with construction of a terminal groin here. Meanwhile, a letter from nearly 50 owners opposed to the project will also arrive in their mailboxes.
Plans Presented for Offshore Wind Auction
Federal officials this week outlined the steps in the process for a proposed lease of offshore sites for wind energy off Kitty Hawk during a public information meeting in Nags Head.
Lowly Oysters Set to Take Center Stage
Using federal money, an environmental group and a state agency have formed a partnership that could bring the oyster back to its once lofty peak.
Feds to Scale Back Red Wolf Recovery Area
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced coming changes in the way it manages its red wolf recovery program in northeastern North Carolina, scaling back the area where wolves roam wild.
Boat Ramp Hinges on Park Plan Update
The future of a controversial regional boat ramp at Hammocks Beach State Park near Swansboro hinges on the outcome of the ongoing update of the park’s management plan, park officials say.
Groups: Ocean Isle’s Groin Application Flawed
The N.C. Coastal Federation and the Southern Environmental Law Center say Ocean Isle Beach’s permit application for a terminal groin doesn’t meet state, federal environmental requirements.
Questions Raised as Farmers Turn to Solar
As more farmers lease their lands to solar in North Carolina, more communities and state officials raise questions over the potential effects.
Sunset Beach Studying Plan to Dredge Canals
Officials in Sunset Beach have hired a firm to review the environmental effects of dredging creeks and man-made canals here, but some say going deeper for bigger boats is a bad idea.
Coastal Federation Opens New Office
The North Carolina Coastal Federation will be officially opening the doors to its new Wanchese office this week.
