The money will be used to support the Coastal Federation’s new Coastal Leadership Institute, a six-month-long program designed to strengthen leadership across North Carolina’s coastal communities
Carteret County
DMF technician drowned while gathering water samples
James “Marc” Hamric, 52, of Atlantic Beach, drowned while collecting water samples in Sea Level as part of a research effort, Carteret County Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday.
Bulkheads lead to salt marsh erosion, total loss: Study
Researchers found that all 45 bulkhead sites analyzed for a recent study experienced marsh shoreline erosion during the 32-year study period, with complete marsh loss at 11% of the sites.
Fisheries biologists ask anglers to donate flounder carcasses
Coastal recreational anglers may donate their flounder carcass through the season, which runs Sept. 1-14, to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries for research purposes.
State awards $2.25 million for 10 public water access projects
The Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Grant Program grants go to help local governments in the 20 coastal counties acquire land for public access sites and add or improve amenities.
Annual Pelican Awards, Taste of the Coast set for Sept. 20
Registration is open for the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s annual Pelican Awards Ceremony and Taste of the Coast Celebration taking place Sept. 20 in Morehead City.
Hurricane Erin to remain offshore, coastal NC to feel impacts
The center of Hurricane Erin is expected to remain offshore, but forecasters expect eastern North Carolina to see coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, overwash and beach erosion.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse set for $15 million renovation
The 163-foot-tall tower will soon shed its distinctive black-and-white diamond pattern, expose its red bricks not seen since 1873 and don newly refurbished ironwork, safety improvements and breathable paint as part of the preservation effort.
Cape Lookout duck blind permit lottery to run Aug. 26-28
Lottery winners will be able to select their duck blind location within the Cape Lookout National Seashore during in-person appointments Sept. 12 at the Harkers Island visitor center.
Fledgling commercial fisheries group looks to boost industry
The North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition, formed in response to the recently proposed ban on shrimp trawling in state waters, met for the first time this week in Morehead City, drawing numerous state and local elected officials.
Beaufort seeks $6.5M in funding for water system upgrades
Town commissioners plan to seek an additional USDA loan to complete the work that’s months behind and designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality and repair old infrastructure.
State awards grants for beach nourishment, dune projects
The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has announced that more than $9 million will go for beach nourishment and dune projects.
Karen Amspacher fights for Down East, brushes off praise
When Gov. Josh Stein inducted the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Director and nine others June 25 into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the state, Amspacher didn’t tell a soul.
Carteret brewery to host aquaculture program fundraiser
Come raise a glass to growing seafood and meet area aquaculture specialists at Nacho Brewery in Morehead City to learn more about what organizers call “a growing opportunity.”
Blue skies over Bogue Banks
Fishing lines, sunshades and beachgoers crowd an Emerald Isle beach while two seagulls fly overhead, with another in the foreground searching for food. Photo: Robert Watkins
Federal cuts lead to unease for state’s wildlife refuges
Amid dramatic funding cuts, leaders of the nonprofits that support national wildlife refuges in the northeastern part of the state fear what’s ahead for these protected lands.

















