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.
coastal policy
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.
NC’s watery world a mostly unwritten chapter of history
Marine geologist Dr. Stan Riggs, who recently received the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor, writes that society must adopt a more humble approach to live with changing coastal dynamics.
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.
DJ Gerken named SELC president
Gerken, who has been with the Southern Environmental Law Center since 2004, becomes president and executive director effective Oct. 3.
Legislature Passes Regulatory, Funding Bills
During a session that stretched into the early morning hours Friday, state lawmakers approved a number of bills with coastal, environmental and funding provisions before adjourning with plans to come back in September.
Senate, House Disaster Bills: An Analysis
With the House and Senate deadlocked on competing bills for hurricane relief funding until legislators return Nov. 13, we break down the differences.
Flooded Again: Long-Term Fixes Needed
A recent report found that government buyouts for getting people out of floodplains haven’t worked, partly because residents return or relocate to areas proven vulnerable to flooding.
Appeal Period Begins For Revised Flood Maps
A 90-day appeal period has begun for property owners, community officials and others in nine coastal counties to protest information in proposed new flood insurance rate maps.
Official: New Flood Maps Are More Accurate
An official with the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping office is aware of concerns raised about changes in proposed new flood insurance rate maps, but says their accuracy is improved.
New Flood Maps May Conflict With NC Rules
Two members of panel that advises the state Coastal Resources Commission are calling for creation of a committee to study proposed new flood insurance rate maps, which they say appear to conflict with state rules and historical flood data.
New Flood Maps Could Save You Money But…
Proposed revisions to coastal flood maps shift many properties out of the most flood-prone zones. That will result in lower flood insurance premiums, but some officials fear it could also lead to complacency.
Taking Stock of New Coastal Laws, II
This is the last of a two-part roundup of bills passed by the N.C. General Assembly this year that affect natural resources on the coast. This part covers beaches, dredging, water and wildlife.
Flood Insurance Changes Explained
After being buffeted for years with criticism for encouraging irresponsible development along coastlines, the National Flood Insurance Program has begun phasing out subsidies on policies for high-risk properties.
Turning on the Federal Spigot?
If N. Topsail Beach succeeds in its fight to change the boundaries of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, federal money can be spent to subsidize flood insurance and development in town for the first time.
