Speakers at the public hearing said they support Topsail Island-area shellfish farming, but more leases will infringe upon popular fishing spots, impede boat and kayak access, and the floating equipment used will detract from the view from waterfront properties.
Spotlight
Former DCM chief Davis takes helm at Coastal Federation
Braxton Davis, who recently stepped down as director of the state Division of Coastal Management, assumed his new role Thursday as executive director of the North Carolina Coastal Federation.
Hyde County agency’s future home may be key to saving it
A new idea to house Hyde County’s Cooperative Extension agency within the Mattamuskeet Lodge could be the only sustainable way to restore, reopen and preserve the historic structure in the national wildlife refuge.
Surveys to guide moves to save cultural sites on state lands
Rising sea levels are increasing erosion along the North Carolina coast, threatening to destroy forever important cultural artifacts on state lands, but archaeologists are working on a plan to protect the sites.
UNCW researchers to study how waves, storms move sand
The team of researchers received a nearly $1 million grant to study over the next two years sand movement under different conditions to better understand storm surge.
Amid losses, wood pellet company Enviva at risk of default
The company with a significant economic and environmental footprint in North Carolina is facing “substantial doubt” about its ability to stay in business.
Volunteers can learn to protect wild horses, inform public
Volunteers are needed for a program called Pony Patrol to help to boost community awareness, protect wild horses, and increase visitor compliance regarding wild horse rules and guidelines at Shackleford Banks and Rachel Carson Reserve.
Officials testify before legislative panel on flood blueprint
Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser was called before a hurricane response committee this week to explain the agency’s progress and use of state funding on a flood resilience tool for decision-makers and the public.
On this day: Etheridge becomes Life-Saving Station Keeper
On Jan. 24, 1880, Etheridge, who grew up enslaved on Roanoke Island and fought with the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War, became the first Black person in the nation to command a U.S. Life-Saving Service station.
Ecologist revamps NC’s natural communities guidebook
Michael Schafale with the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program provides detailed descriptions of the state’s 343 natural communities, including those on the coast.
Insurance Commissioner Causey, specialists visit Down East
State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and insurance industry officials joined an all-day community roundtable on Harkers Island Wednesday, encouraging coastal residents to be their own advocates.
New Hanover County sues PFAS product makers, vendors
More than a dozen chemical manufacturers and companies that sell products made with PFAS are included in a lawsuit New Hanover County filed in Superior Court last week.
BOEM seeks comment on proposed offshore wind leases
The Bureau of Ocean Management has opened the public comment period for its draft environmental assessment of potential wind lease areas offshore of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
Emergency coastal rules draw little notice during hearings
Few turned out for hearings the Division of Coastal Management held in Dare, Carteret and Onslow counties for the temporary replacements for “critical” protections Codifier of Rules Ashley B. Snyder — Sen. Phil Berger’s daughter — stripped from the books last year.
BeBot beach sweeper sifts surface sands for small debris
Keep New Hanover Beautiful’s BeBot, the first and only solar- and battery-powered, robotic beach sweeper in the state, is to supplement human-led beach cleanups and raise awareness about smaller trash and plastics that tend to get overlooked on beaches.
Dolan, Godfrey: Scientists proved Outer Banks are moving
Findings more than 50 years ago by coastal geologist Robert Dolan and husband-and-wife researchers Paul and Melinda Godfrey changed barrier island understanding and led the National Park Service to reverse longstanding policy.
