The president’s recent request to fund states’ fight against the Zika virus was a relief for local officials, but years of budget cuts still leave agencies unprepared for an outbreak here.
News & Features
Coastal Review Online Wins 22 Press Awards
Coastal Review Online was recognized last night for its environmental journalism during 2015, taking 22 awards during the N.C. Press Association’s annual awards ceremony in Chapel Hill.
Fishing Group Meets in Beaufort
N.C. Catch, one of the most successful organizations intended to aid commercial fishermen, consumers and the state’s economy, will hold its annual summit in Carteret County next month.
DEQ: No Push to Relax Buffer Rules
State environmental regulators say they don’t plan to seek legislative changes to water-quality rules this year, but a top official recently drew criticism for dismissing their effectiveness.
Trends Favor Cheaper Offshore Wind Power
As the federal government prepares to auction off areas for wind energy off the N.C. coast, trends in renewable energy hold promise that wind-power will soon become more competitive.
New Industry to Face More Scrutiny
A proposed new permitting process in New Hanover County would provide more rigorous vetting of new heavy industry, requiring disclosure of projected environmental and public health effects.
Commission Approves New Sandbag Rules
The state’s Coastal Resources Commission followed through Wednesday on the legislature’s directive to approve new, broader rules governing the use of sandbags to control erosion on N.C. beaches.
Humming Down U.S. 70 to the Beach
The drivers of electric cars, proponents say, are an untapped source of beach tourism. But to get the cars here, more main roads, like U.S. 70, need places where they can stop and recharge.
Fisheries Managers Go Slow on Seismic
Seismic survey planning work in an enormous area off the southern half of the Atlantic coast has been put on hold while federal fisheries managers review new information about potential harm to sea turtles and whales.
Evolution of Fire Ants: More Coming
All those fire ant mounds you see popping up everywhere are products of wet weather and changes in the social structure of the ant nests. That evolution will likely mean more fire ants.
EPA Gets Blame for Coal-Ash Delays
Tom Reeder, assistant secretary for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, blames EPA officials for delays in cleaning up 32 coal-ash ponds in the state.
Crabbers Join Effort to Clear Marine Debris
Crab fishermen, residents, state and federal agencies and the N.C. Coastal Federation have partnered to remove derelict crab pots and other debris from coastal waters.
Public Can Hear About Figure 8 Groin
Environmental groups opposed to the proposed terminal groin on Figure Eight Island are sponsoring a public forum on the project on Saturday.
Scientists: Alligator Hunt Premature
Scientists raise questions about a proposal by the state’s Wildlife Resources Commission to allow alligator hunting. Public hearings on the plan are scheduled next week in Edenton and New Bern.
Small Polluters Could Get a Pass
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission Thursday will likely pass new rules that will exempt small air polluters from state permits. Eighty-six of those plants are on the coast.
Work Begins on Stormwater Ponds
Long-planned work on two eyesore ponds to improve stormwater drainage and protect nearby Deer Creek and Bogue Sound got underway last week in Cape Carteret.
