Wildlife conservation groups announced Wednesday a court settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that ensures continuation of successful management strategies and public engagement to restore the world’s only population of wild red wolves in northeastern North Carolina.
Spotlight
Sea turtle center unveils nest barrier tape that informs, too
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach is now using a new type of biodegradable marker tape that can help educate the public about the creatures’ plight.
Crafty fly fisher Kristi Irvin finds joy in tying one on
The Kitty Hawk resident is no stereotypical fly fisher, but she may have learned a thing or two from some who were.
Oral histories hold key to recording environmental change
A rising junior at UNC Chapel Hill, Tara Hinton has spent her summer listening to oral histories and researching how Down East Carteret County residents are responding to changes in the environment.
Saltwater fish may be in future Cape Fear health advisories
Results of saltwater fish tissue currently being analyzed for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, are expected later this year, wrapping up a study of multiple species of fish collected from the Cape Fear River.
Murphy assures Dare board: Corps will do study if funded
The Corps of Engineers is committed to conducting the required feasibility study of a sand project along the highly erosion-prone Rodanthe beach on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore if funded, Rep. Greg Murphy has told Dare County officials.
Study is first to sample NC rivers, streams for microplastics
North Carolina researchers have estimated the amount of plastic pollution the size of grains of sand that are entering the Pamlico Sound from the Neuse River Basin. It’s a lot.
Ongoing study may show overlooked algal bloom causes
A year into a 30-month public science study, preliminary data appears to show that higher than expected nutrient loads in minor tributaries may contribute to increasingly regular and persistent blue-green algal blooms in northeastern North Carolina rivers.
Topsail Beach board wants more study before rezoning
Town commissioners said Monday they want more information, including professional architectural, engineering, environmental and other assessments, before deciding on the conditional rezoning request for The Point.
The sand waves of Hatteras: ‘on a mission of death’
After adventurous New York journalist John Randolph Spears undertook to visit Cape Hatteras in spring 1890, he wrote of miles and miles of deadly sand waves that threatened to swallow islanders and their homes.
Attorney General Stein discusses environmental concerns
Attorney General Josh Stein met Monday with North Carolina Coastal Federation members in Pine Knoll Shores to learn more about the work being done to maintain a living shoreline and manage stormwater runoff in the community.
NC river toxins threaten subsistence fishing, tribal practices
An advisory alerting people to PFAS contamination in certain fish species that inhabit the middle and lower Cape Fear River basin brings more bad news for people living in the region.
Topsail Beach board to discuss The Point rezoning request
Commissioners will propose and discuss conditions on Pendo CEO Todd Olsen’s conditional rezoning application, which seeks to remove fewer than 30 acres of the nearly 150-acre property from its current conservation zone.
Rules panel sets Aug. 15 deadline on plan for beach mats
The state rules process to allow coastal towns, counties and private beachfront property owners to use portable, roll-out mats as an alternative to traditional beach walkover structures continues.
Commission committees to hear PFAS rulemaking updates
Two Environmental Management Commission committees will hear overviews this week on PFAS rulemaking and monitoring.
Green Swamp now turning green again after burn, wildfire
Grasses are already popping up after a controlled burn earlier this year and a wildfire that swept through the Green Swamp Nature Preserve in June, and officials expect some plant species to recover where they had been crowded out by taller vegetation.
