Mary Penny Kelley has been named as the new secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.
DEQ
Division awards $2.8 million in public water access grants
The Division of Coastal Management made the awards to 14 local governments to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters.
Swim advisories posted for Carteret, New Hanover sites
Routine water testing revealed that bacteria levels at the accesses on sounds in Carteret County and New Hanover County exceed state and Environmental Protection Agency recreational water quality standards.
Commission advances rule for straw bales in lieu of fencing
The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved the fiscal impact analysis of the proposed rule, which officials don’t expect to result in a significant increase in the use of straw bales to curb erosion.
EJ council to hold public mapping tool meetings
Virtual meetings are scheduled for the next three Tuesdays for the Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council’s mapping and public engagement subcommittees to review with the public a new environmental justice mapping tool and answer questions.
State fisheries sinks tug at artificial reef off Cape Lookout
The Thomas Dann joins two other vessels at AR-305, the 183-foot Spar and the 439-foot Aeolus, sunk in 2004 and 1988, respectively.
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.
Hearing Aug. 28 on six proposed Onslow shellfish leases
The Division of Marine Fisheries is holding the hearing that begins at 6 p.m. in the Holly Ridge Community Room.
Commission members balk on 5 proposed PFAS standards
Committees of the Environmental Management Commission stalled proposed health standards for most of the eight synthetic compounds put forth, including two the EPA classified as likely carcinogens.
Cooper declines to sign bill delaying catch-reporting rule
The controversial measure that requires recreational anglers and commercial fishermen to report their catch of five named species takes effect late next year.
Bill change adds terminal groin, limits historical site rules
Language to “rein in” the Division of Coastal Management’s authority has been removed, but a Coastal Area Management Act review could return during the next session.
Bald Head Island seeks to change hardened shorelines law
The first North Carolina beach to build a terminal groin after state lawmakers lifted a 30-year ban on erosion-control structures like those is asking legislators to allow more.
Governor proclaims June 3-7 PFAS Awareness Week
PFAS Awareness Week marks the seventh anniversary of the public learning about the presence of these chemicals that are linked to health effects in the Cape Fear River.
Swimming advisory lifted for Bogue Sound public access
State water quality officials have listed a swimming advisory at an area of Bogue Sound in Morehead City after testing showed bacteria levels have dropped to safe standards.
New plan details strategy to save, restore NC’s salt marshes
The North Carolina Salt Marsh Action Plan released Wednesday has the overarching goal “to protect, restore, and facilitate the migration of salt marshes in North Carolina to minimize loss of function, benefits, and acreage through 2050 and beyond.”
Swift Creek advisory lifted in Craven County
State water quality officials have lifted the advisory to avoid a several-mile portion of Swift Creek in Craven County contaminated by an animal waste spill.
