The public has until Monday to comment on the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed changes to the “waters of the United States” definition that are expected to limit eligibility for federal water quality safeguards.
Corps of Engineers
Public hearing Tuesday on proposed ‘WOTUS’ definition
A hearing is set for next week on the proposed definition rolled out last month for “Waters of the United States,” which outlines the waterbodies eligible for protection under the federal Clean Water Act, that conservationists warn will leave millions of acres of nontidal wetlands vulnerable to pollution, harm fish habitat and worsen flooding.
Ocean Isle Beach landowners get OK to build sandbag wall
Petitioners were granted permission to build a sandbag wall to protect their oceanfront properties at The Pointe in Ocean Isle Beach, with a stipulation that the public area of the beach remain unimpeded by the structure.
EPA, Army Corps leaders publish revised ‘WOTUS’ definition
Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers officials said Monday that proposed changes to the existing “waters of the United States” definition are to focus on relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water.
Wilmington residents see no good in proposed harbor project
None of the proposed alternatives for the State Ports Authority’s plan to accommodate larger container ships at the Wilmington port would boost the local economy and any benefit would be offset by environmental costs, public hearing attendees said.
Carolina Beach nourishment project kicks off this weekend
Carolina Beach’s federally authorized beach nourishment project scheduled to begin this weekend is expected to continue for the next four to five weeks, depending on the weather.
State accepting comments on proposed harbor dredging
The deadline is Dec. 5 to submit comments to NCDEQ’s Division of Coastal Management on the proposed project to widen and deepen the Wilmington Harbor.
State accepting public comments on temporary cooling well
The contractor hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has asked to install a temporary groundwater well off Carolina Beach’s ocean shore to use to cool a pump during an upcoming beach nourishment project.
Corps awards dredge contract for Ocracoke Island channels
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District has awarded a more than $11 million maintenance dredging contract to clear out two channels used by state ferries to Ocracoke Island.
Sand is vanishing on east side of Ocean Isle’s $11M erosion fix
Environmental advocates and federal documents warned of it, but now that erosion has accelerated east of the town’s terminal groin and in front of newly built multimillion-dollar houses, property owners and developers want answers and solutions, quickly.
Comments sought on draft harbor deepening impact study
The U.S. Army Corps’ Wilmington District has opened a public comment period through Nov. 3 on the draft environmental impact study of the Wilmington Harbor project and will host a public meeting on the project in Wilmington on Oct. 8.
Corps awards contract for second phase of Buxton cleanup
The Army Corps of Engineers’ Savannah District has awarded a contract for the second phase of cleanup at the former Buxton Naval Facility site in Dare County.
No sign of petroleum detected at Buxton during beach visit
Army Corps of Engineers, the Corps’ Savannah District commander, members of the Formerly Used Defense Sites, or FUDS, Program team, National Park Service officials, Dare County commissioners and Bay West contractors assessed damage from Hurricane Erin.
Waves again reveal Buxton pollution; Corps vows removal
“We are dedicated to finding the petroleum contamination and removing it,” said Army Corps of Engineers District Commander Col. Ron Sturgeon earlier this week.
Water finds your weakness: Louisiana’s lessons for Down East
Former Coastal Review editor Frank Tursi recently joined Core Sound Museum Director Karen Amspacher and others on a trip to start a conversation with those who live where levees gave way and homes flooded during Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago.
Buxton site restoration advisory board to meet July 17
Gayle Garland, the Corps’ project manager for the former military site at Buxton on Hatteras Island, is to provide an update on the cleanup.
