The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission is to hear proposed rule amendments to address compromised septic systems on the ocean shoreline during the Oct. 28-29 meeting in New Bern.
Spotlight
State’s voluntary wetlands management plan gets update
To protect North Carolina’s “hidden gems” vital as habitat, for flood control, and nutrient reduction, officials worked with stakeholders to update the Wetlands Program Plan now in its third revision.
Hemilright, 59, remembered for commercial fishing advocacy
Dewey Hemilright, longtime commercial fisherman and industry advocate, died Oct. 2, following complications related to a stroke he suffered in August.
Groups challenge diminished endangered species protections
The Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups contend that the approach taken by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik and the rest of the Trump administration “cuts the heart out of the Endangered Species Act.”
Holden Beach Turtle Patrol sees successful nesting season
This year marks the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol’s second-highest nesting season, one in which 81% of 78 nests were successfully laid.
Port officials scrap planned $1.3 billion Wilmington project
Facing pushback, the North Carolina State Ports Authority has formally asked the Army Corps of Engineers to halt “further consideration” of the proposed $1.3 billion harbor expansion project.
DEQ’s coastal hazards resilience program marks five years
As the Resilient Coastal Communities Program reaches its five-year mark, North Carolina Division of Coastal Management held a daylong workshop last month in New Bern to consider the program’s successes and challenges.
Commercial fishers ask NOAA to downlist Atlantic sturgeon
North Carolina fishermen want the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to reduce protections for endangered Atlantic sturgeon. Scientists say recovery isn’t so simple.
Cape Fear River Watch vows to hold Chemours accountable
Cape Fear River Watch, via its representation, the Southern Environmental Law Center, contends Chemours Co. continues to exceed emission and discharge limits established under a 2019 consent order between the company, the organization and the state environmental agency.
State continues to help travelers leave Hatteras Island
In the aftermath of a powerful nor’easter that damaged roadways and trapped visitors, the state is to open at 3 p.m. Tuesday a temporary lane of N.C. Highway 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe and continue to offer the 24-hour emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point.
Fellow coastal scientists, advocates reflect on Joe Ramus’ life
The respected professor, prolific researcher, former Duke University Marine Laboratory director, and environmental steward died Tuesday.
Restoring world’s coasts must happen at the speed of need
North Carolina Coastal Federation staff who recently visited Australia left with a clear takeaway: Restoration technology and expertise here at home must be put to work at a much larger scale, ambitiously and expediently.
Residents voice support for North Topsail Beach’s sand plan
People with erosion-threatened homes and property in North Topsail Beach made it clear in a public hearing Tuesday that they want a 2,021-foot-long terminal groin built at New River Inlet, pivot the channel in the inlet and a carry out a long-term plan for berm and beach fill to remedy the town’s receding shoreline.
Hatteras event honors community, its working waterfront
Hatteras Village’s 22nd annual Day at the Docks welcomed locals and visitors alike Saturday with its celebration and recognition of the traditions, people and flavors that helped shape the island community’s identity.
NOAA gets $64 million to build new lab; former staff ‘elated’
Dr. Bud Cross, a longtime director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s historic Beaufort Laboratory, says the recent announcement the a new facility would soon be built on Pivers Island came as “great news to all of us who have worked there.”
Environmental education office finds new home at Catawba
After being cut from the state budget in July, the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program will transition starting Oct. 1 from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality to Catawba College’s Center for the Environment.
