The non-molluscan invertebrates collection at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences could unlock mysteries of the coastal environment and help better gauge the effects of climate change and pollution.
Spotlight
Native Hawaiian, ferry crewman discovers love for NC coast
Growing up on Oahu, Michael “Bo” Howlett thought there was nowhere he would rather live, then the avid fisher met Amy from eastern North Carolina.
Weak tropical cyclones are intensifying as oceans warm
A study finds that forecast methods may underestimate tropical storms and Category 1 hurricanes, which have had bigger impacts over the past 30 years because of climate change.
GenX study finds Chemours-specific chemicals in residents
Though GenX was not found in the blood samples of 1,020 residents in Wilmington, Fayetteville and Pittsboro who participated in the 2020-2021 GenX exposure study, three PFAS unique to the Chemours Fayetteville Works facility were in the blood of nearly all.
State delays decision on Enviva Ahoskie air quality permit
Division of Air Quality officials are considering public input and feedback from the Secretaries’ Environmental Justice and Equity Board before taking final action on the draft permit.
Draft wind energy areas off NC coast may be downsized
The recently announced draft offshore wind energy areas, including two off the northern North Carolina coast, may be scaled back before being finalized early next year.
Myriad problems led to Rodanthe’s doomed beach houses
Some blame the owners of erosion-threatened or destroyed beachfront houses, but there is plenty of blame to go around, including policy, regulatory and enforcement shortcomings, climate change and government inaction.
CRC approves floating upweller systems amendments
The Coastal Resources Commission approved changes allowing floating upweller systems to be permitted at a private docking facility or permitted marina.
Institute students to present Buxton Woods study findings
Students at the UNC Institute for the Environment’s Outer Banks Field Site, who have been studying changes in vegetation in the Buxton Woods Reserve over the last 34 years, are set to present their research methods and findings Dec. 5 at the Dare County Fessenden Center Annex.
Carbon capture project proposed for ocean waters off Duck
Vesta North Carolina has applied for permits to place about 20,000 cubic yards of ground olivine 1,500 feet from the Outer Banks town’s shoreline.
Public comment period opens on draft offshore wind areas
BOEM said it will hold virtual public meetings to engage the fishing community and environmental organizations to gather more information on the proposed areas and discuss next steps.
State, Chemours settle discharge permit challenge
The agreement ends litigation without changing the discharge permit issued to Chemours for the treatment of contaminated groundwater to reduce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances entering the Cape Fear River.
Understaffed environmental agency ‘stretched to the limit’
With nearly 20% of N.C. Department of Environmental Quality jobs unfilled and hundreds of staff set to retire, cracks are revealed in permitting, regulatory functions.
Forum set on Wilmington port expansion project
A forum on the proposed N.C. Port of Wilmington expansion project is set for 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 15 on the UNCW campus.
A cycle of septic repairs, washouts on park service beaches
With two-dozen oceanfront septic systems compromised by storms so far this year and spilling on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Dare County, several have been repaired only to be washed away again.
Nonprofit abandons Eagle Island purchase agreement
Chapel Hill-based Unique Places to Save said that failing to secure a grant from the state Land and Water Fund and with no major donors, it was “unable to find a path forward” to buy the 82 acres.
