Attorney General Jeff Jackson and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson announced the settlement Thursday. Environmental advocates say the deal doesn’t go far enough.
Cape Fear River
Southport-Fort Fisher ferry route to pause service for repairs
Officials said the work will complete the ramp repair process that began in March and is necessary to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of the route.
NCDOT to host hearings on bridge replacement alternatives
Transportation officials have scheduled two public hearings on the proposed alternatives to replace the 57-year-old Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Brunswick and New Hanover counties.
Brunswick water treatment plant upgrades nearly complete
Upgrades and additions to Brunswick County’s Northwest Water Treatment Plant are expected to be by completed by the end of this year.
Corps presses toward fall decision on $1.3 billion harbor plan
The federal final environmental impact statement for the proposed channel deepening and widening at the N.C. Port of Wilmington is nearing the final approval stage, but Cape Fear area residents and advocates say their objections and questions about potential effects remain unanswered.
Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach to offer faster river response
The newest addition to Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach’s fleet is expected to cut down on response times along the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear rivers by about one hour.
Section 408: Missing from Cape Fear Memorial Bridge talks
Guest commentary: The project to replace the aging Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, if handled well, will for generations connect residents, military interests, the seaport and segments of the state’s economy, but a recent determination under the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 changes the discussion.
Corps awards Snows Cut shoreline stabilization contract
Work is expected to begin in the coming months to address severe shoreline erosion along Snow’s Cut in New Hanover County.
Explore riverine islands’ natural treasures by kayak
Cape Fear River Watch invites you to join in an out-and-back paddle July 18 to Shark Tooth and Keg islands, where treasures of shells and shark teeth abound.
Stein to Chemours: ‘Pay to help us clean up the pollution’
Gov. Josh Stein says Environmental Protection Agency’s settlement agreement with Chemours on PFAS pollution will likely do little to help North Carolina and that the state Environmental Management Commission and EPA handling of these contaminants were “unfortunate steps.”
DEQ calls for comment on draft Cape Fear River Basin plan
The N.C. Division of Water Resources is accepting written comments on the draft 2026 Cape Fear River Basin plan through Aug. 4.
Speakers scold EMC, share health issues at PFAS rules hearing
About 230 crowded into Wilmington’s Skyline Center Thursday for the Environmental Management Commission’s hearing and dozens spoke, often angrily, about proposed PFAS monitoring and minimization rules.
Proposed industrial wastewater rules ‘completely inadequate’
Nearly all who spoke Tuesday during a public hearing in Fayetteville criticized the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission’s proposed industrial discharge rules fail to protect the drinking water supply of people who live farther down the Cape Fear River.
EPA adds microplastics, pharmaceuticals to contaminant list
In a first, the Environmental Protection Agency has included microplastics and pharmaceuticals on its draft list of substances in public drinking water that are unregulated but merit further scientific scrutiny.
Mapping upgrades go live in online flood blueprint tool
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s online tool designed to help local governments, agencies and nongovernmental partners plan and prioritize flood resilience actions now includes new maps for five river basins in Eastern North Carolina.
Wilmington to host open house on proposed bulkhead plan
Wilmington hopes to draw in community support in its grant application to fund a proposed plan to replace an old section of bulkhead along the downtown riverwalk.
