An Onslow County fishing charter is one of nine recipients to be awarded from more than $1 million in grants for projects that will reduce air pollution from diesel-powered engines.
DEQ
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.
Public may comment on revised Vanceboro quarry permit
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is accepting public comments through Oct. 29 on the revised discharge permit for the Martin Marietta Material Inc. Vanceboro Quarry.
State officials remind public to avoid discolored waters
North Carolinians are reminded to avoid coming into contact with discolored looking water in ponds, lakes and rivers because it could indicate the presence of an algal bloom.
Wild herd, long shadows
Wild horses cross tidal waters from Town Marsh to Bird Shoal along Beaufort’s barrier islands, which are part of the Rachel Carson Reserve, in Carteret County. The cluster of islands includes Carrot Island, Town Marsh, Bird Shoal, and Horse Island, and the horses are descended from those brought to the islands by a Beaufort area resident in the 1940s, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The state manages the horse population for its health and for the health of the environment, but the herd is otherwise left to fend and forage for itself. Photo: Dylan Ray
State issues permits, certification for mid-Currituck bridge
The Department of Transportation has received a Coastal Area Management Act dredge and fill law permit as well as a water quality certification for its proposed mid-Currituck bridge.
DEQ requires Chemours to expand PFAS well water testing
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday that it is requiring Chemours expand sampling eligibility of PFAS contamination to about 14,000 additional residences in the lower Cape Fear region.
DEQ to hold information session on draft climate action plan
State environmental quality officials are holding a virtual information session Thursday morning to give an overview of the draft Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.
EPA sets hearing on Asheboro’s proposed discharge permit
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding the public hearing on a proposed permit for the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which dumps high levels of 1,4-dioxane waste and is upstream of municipal drinking water customers in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
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.
Flounder allocation increased for recreational fishers
The state Marine Fisheries Commission has adopted an amendment that equally splits the flounder allocation between commercial and recreational fisheries beginning this year.
No easy fix for Boiling Spring Lakes’ ongoing dam troubles
Officials in the small Brunswick County city thought the structure damaged by Hurricane Florence had been repaired, but a June storm proved otherwise and residents’ anger and frustration are boiling.
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.
Commercial fishing applications up for consideration this fall
Commercial fishing license applications submitted by Sept. 24 and deemed complete will be considered during an October conference call of the state fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board.
Father-son fishing duo establish state records for two species
Jody Hopkins and his son Oden of Grimesland established state records for a channel scabbardfish and a spinycheek scorpion fish while fishing 33 miles off Ocracoke.
State awards nearly $6 million in coastal resiliency grants
The state Division of Coastal Management’s award of nearly $6 million aims to help local coastal governments plan, design and build projects that will help them be better prepared for increasingly extreme weather events.
