For the first time in more than a decade, the National Park Service hopes to unclog two channels that passenger ferries and private boaters use to access Cape Lookout National Seashore, and place the material that is dredged onto the soundside beach in front of the lighthouse compound.
Spotlight
Deeds filed for Atlantic Beach dunes lead to access dispute
James Anthony Bunn has notified numerous beachfront property owners in Atlantic Beach that he now owns the dunes in front of their properties and that their continued access to the beach amounts to trespassing.
Golfing for bass — best use of a course is fishing, of course
While so many variables can make saltwater fishing especially challenging, bass fishing in golf course water hazards can bring success and satisfaction, but there are important points to consider.
Massachusetts turtles released on NC beach: A photo essay
Ten loggerheads that were cold-stunned off Cape Cod and treated at a Missouri aquarium were flown to North Carolina last week and released at Fort Macon State Park.
Topsail Beach holds hearing on inlet property rezoning
The request to rezone “The Point” from conservation to conditional use would allow Raleigh tech CEO Todd Olson to pursue plans to build a family compound.
Despite opposition, Dare OKs cluster home project permit
The unanimous vote in favor of the special use permit allows the 60-home project proposed for 10.5 acres in Wanchese to move forward.
Commission approves septic rule changes, flood disclosure
The state Coastal Resources Commission took separate actions last week to clarify two persistent issues: septic systems on the public beach, and residential flooding.
Flooding study reveals factors NOAA forecasts don’t include
Researchers with the Sunny Day Flooding Project used Beaufort’s Front Street as a case study to test a new, real-time sensor framework for detecting and measuring coastal flooding.
House, Senate bills would ban Atlantic offshore drilling
Democratic New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Frank Pallone held a roundtable meeting Monday to discuss the proposed ban, the latest in a long history of attempts.
Black Carolinians in fishing industry heart of new exhibit
NC Catch, the nonprofit that works to educate consumers about the importance of buying local seafood, is heading up a collaboration with Black seafood business owners and historians to create the N.C. Black Seafood Trail.
Clean Cape Fear files PFAS-related complaint with UN
The Wilmington-based grassroots group filed Thursday a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Commission in an effort to stop the upstream Chemours manufacturing company from expanding operations.
NC farm bill would restrict how state defines wetlands
Environmentalists say the bill would strip the state’s ability to fill in regulatory gaps to protect federally nonjurisdictional waters, including isolated wetlands.
House falls short in move to override WOTUS-rollback veto
The 227-196 vote included all seven North Carolina House Republicans and 1st District Democratic Rep. Don Davis in favor of the veto override.
$21M recommended for climate change resilience projects
The North Carolina Coastal Federation, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and National Audubon Society have been recommended for a total of $20.9 million in federal funding.
Summit to celebrate oyster work so far, gear up for more
Registration is open for the two-day “N.C. Oyster Summit: Resilient Coasts, Future Roasts” set for May 9-10 in Raleigh.
Officials show off progress on new Fort Fisher visitor center
After more than a decade of planning and fundraising, construction is underway on the Fort Fisher State Historic Site’s new center that’s three times larger than the current building.
