Environmental groups are calling on Gov. Pat McCrory to veto a sweeping deregulation bill state lawmakers passed early Wednesday before adjourning for the year.
News & Features
Proposal Exempts Small Air Polluters
About 1,400 small polluters, dozens on the coast, would no longer have to obtain permits to operate their businesses, according to a proposal from state environmental regulators.
Next Up: Major Environmental Bill
With the state budget a wrap and Jones Street fatigue setting in, legislators will likely take up a bill this week that would roll back more environmental standards before finally calling it quits for the year.
New State Budget and the Environment
The state Senate gave final approval yesterday to a $21.7 billion state budget that includes dozens of provisions affecting coastal policy and spending, including a weakening of sandbag rules and raising the cap on terminal groins.
Holden Beach Groin Study Out for Review
The Corps of Engineers recently released its draft environmental study and is seeking public comments on a proposed terminal groin project at Holden Beach.
Environmental Bills at a Standstill
Legislators haven’t made much progress in reaching agreement on two “reform” bills that would have far-reaching effects on environmental regulations.
Opponents: Terminal Groin Study Flawed
Those opposed to a planned terminal groin at Figure Eight Island say the environmental study for the project fails to fully consider its cumulative effects.
Poultry Farmers Watch the Sky
Many poultry farmers along the coast and some people with backyard chickens watch the fall migration of wild birds with some trepidation because those birds can carry a deadly avian flu virus.
Senate Plan for ‘The Rocks’ Still Unknown
Officials want to know whether a Senate proposal calling for removal of “The Rocks” dam in the Cape Fear River will be part of the final budget agreement.
Vacation Food Collected for Needy
A decade-old effort to collect food for the needy from departing vacationers in a Brunswick County beach town is catching on elsewhere along the N.C. coast.
Effort to Clean River Begins on Lawns
Cedar Point officials, ECU and the N.C. Coastal Federation have teamed to reduce stormwater runoff into the White Oak River, which the EPA says is impaired.
Time’s Up for Decision on Hog Farms
The deadline has arrived for the EPA to address allegations by environmental groups that hog farms in North Carolina put the health of minorities at risk.
Dune Rule Kicks Up Sand in Topsail
Owners of lots in Topsail Beach where homes once stood are threatening to sue the town over rules meant to protect sand dunes and other homes from flooding.
Derelict Boats Are Subject of Survey
The survey is designed to assess the extent of abandoned and derelict boats in N.C. coastal waterways. They can be hazards to navigation and ticking environmental time bombs, but no one does much about them.
Towns Vote to Oppose Offshore Drilling
Two Carteret County towns this week joined the growing list of N.C. communities taking official positions opposed to offshore drilling and seismic blasting.
NOAA Seeks Ideas for Navassa Cleanup
NOAA and other government officials in charge of cleaning and restoring a former wood-treatment plant in Navassa that’s now a Superfund site seek public input on the plan.
