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.
Hyde County
Biologists heartened by red wolf program’s recent successes
While still far from recovered, more endangered eastern red wolves in northeastern North Carolina are breeding, more pups are surviving, coyote hybridization has been cut, and there are fewer mortalities from vehicle strikes and gunshots.
Outer Banks Association of Realtors awards 8 scholarships
The Outer Banks Association of Realtors has awarded eight $1,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Dare County and Ocracoke Island as part of its “commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders.”
Ocracoke Express to stop, 3 ferries to change schedules
The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry will end its 2025 season on Sept. 15, and state-run ferries between Southport and Fort Fisher, Swan Quarter and Ocracoke and Cedar Island and Ocracoke are to begin Tuesday following off-season schedules.
Hurricane Erin to remain offshore, coastal NC to feel impacts
The center of Hurricane Erin is expected to remain offshore, but forecasters expect eastern North Carolina to see coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, overwash and beach erosion.
Fledgling commercial fisheries group looks to boost industry
The North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition, formed in response to the recently proposed ban on shrimp trawling in state waters, met for the first time this week in Morehead City, drawing numerous state and local elected officials.
Federal cuts lead to unease for state’s wildlife refuges
Amid dramatic funding cuts, leaders of the nonprofits that support national wildlife refuges in the northeastern part of the state fear what’s ahead for these protected lands.
Fireworks displays July 2 in Ocracoke, July 4 at Avon pier
Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials encourage the public to attend the two permitted fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day and note that it is illegal to detonate or possess fireworks on all seashore beaches.
Dredging near Ocracoke keeps ferries on spring schedule
The Cedar Island-Ocracoke and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke ferry routes will remain on their spring schedule of six daily departures until channel dredging is complete.
Public hearing scheduled for Hyde shellfish lease application
The public hearing for a shellfish lease application for more than 2 acres in Germantown Bay is set for April 29.
Mattamuskeet’s invasive carp boycott carp-removal effort
“What we found is we’re not finding the carp numbers in the lake that we thought were there,” Kendall Smith, refuge manager at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, told the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan Core Stakeholder Team at a recent meeting.
Winter Waterfowl Excursion to resume after 4-year pause
The Coastal Culture and Waterfowl Watching Excursion, a two-day adventure through Pamlico, Hyde and Dare counties, is being offered twice next year.
State Artificial Reef Program looking for advisers, input
Regional advisers and public feedback are needed to recommend materials and reef sites for enhancements in five areas over five years.
Park projects in 3 coastal counties chosen for state grants
Of the nearly $18 million in grants being awarded through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, about $1.5 million will go to efforts in Chowan, Hyde and Brunswick counties.
Lake Mattamuskeet algaecide pilot study tied up in court
A lawsuit to stop a controversial pilot study to treat the cyanobacteria in the 40,000-acre freshwater lake has stalled both the plans and the funds.
Ocracoke’s first Earth Day weekend celebration April 19-21
During the three days there will be a presentation on Ocracoke’s horses, nature walks, history talks, gardening, nature crafts, live music, stargazing, a village litter cleanup, and informative discussions and presentations about sustainability and solutions.
