Wildlife Resources Commission officials are calling for thorough research on how wheat straw bales might affect oceanfront habitat before the state allows them to be used as an alternative to sand fencing.
coastal policy
Online survey to help guide coastal management strategies
North Carolina Division of Coastal Management officials are in the process of determining priority areas for the 2026-2030 cycle of the Section 309 Assessment and Strategy, and are asking for public input.
CRC to consider dune measurement line temporary rules
The Coastal Resources Commission has canceled the meeting it planned for Monday to review comments and consider adopting temporary rules that would allow local governments to establish measurement lines for dune building.
Commission’s vote sets stage to reinstate coastal rules
The Coastal Resources Commission was unanimous in its action during a special meeting Tuesday.
Resilient Coastal Communities Program awards 20 grants
The grants are for the program’s Phases 3 and 4 for communities to cover local costs of moving their projects “from concept to completion, building a stronger future by protecting residents and the coastal economy,” DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser said.
Long-running UNCW field course merges science, policy
One scholar calls the seven-night, eight-day University of North Carolina Wilmington summer class an “eye-opener” to the environmental issues coastal North Carolina faces.
Rachel Carson Reserve: Beaufort’s barrier to raging storms
In our ongoing look at the Coastal Area Management Act’s 50th anniversary this year, this Carteret County jewel of the Coastal Reserve Program also provides important protection.
Measure would order restored protection for Jockey’s Ridge
Sen. Bobby Hanig has proposed language that would direct the Coastal Resources Commission to implement its longstanding rule protecting Jockey’s Ridge until the commission can adopt a permanent rule that again defines the massive dune as an area of environmental concern.
Science panel to resume Inlet Hazard Area review
The advisory panel to the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will continue its review of proposed updated inlet hazard area boundaries along the coast.
Reflections on 50 years of NC Coastal Area Management Act
When first considered 50 years ago, North Carolina’s Coastal Area Management Act was hotly controversial environmental legislation, and despite challenges past and present, it remains the state’s only attempt to forge a partnership for regional resource management.
Ocean Isle Marina receives state Clean Marina certification
The Clean Marina program illustrates how marina operators can help safeguard the environment by using best management and operation techniques that exceed environmental requirements.
Atlantic Beach OKs tougher rules to prevent dune damage
The Carteret County town this week approved an ordinance strengthening frontal dune protections.
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.
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.
DEQ now offers online option to request public records
The new online form on the state Department of Environmental Quality website is an effort by the state agency to improve efficiency, tracking and fulfillment of requests by staff, officials said.
Solutions are few for imperiled oceanfront homes: Panel
Officials at the first public meeting of an interagency work group said that while prevention could be far less costly than cleanup, limited programs or funding options are available to deal with erosion-threatened oceanfront homes before they collapse.
