Temporary mandatory harvest reporting rules for recreational and commercial fishers will go up for a vote next month by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission.
North Carolina General Assembly
Fisheries Division seeks to delay mandatory catch reporting
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is asking the legislature for another year before making effective a controversial new catch-reporting requirement now set to go in force Dec. 1.
Anglers: Reporting law puts burden on them, unenforceable
Coastal recreational anglers are questioning the fairness and motive of a new law requiring them and commercial fishermen to report certain harvests to the state starting this year.
Measure would order restored protection for Jockey’s Ridge
Sen. Bobby Hanig has proposed language that would direct the Coastal Resources Commission to implement its longstanding rule protecting Jockey’s Ridge until the commission can adopt a permanent rule that again defines the massive dune as an area of environmental concern.
Commission adopts amended rule for Jockey’s Ridge
The Coastal Resources Commission unanimously approved on Thursday a revised rule to be returned along with a supporting letter from the state geologist to the board that objected to the longstanding protective designation for Jockey’s Ridge.
Hearing set on new fishing catch reporting requirement
Coastal recreational and commercial fishermen will have to report certain fish harvests under a new North Carolina law that takes effect later this year.
Coastal property owners yet to embrace roof-girding grants
The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, or Beach Plan, has yet to reach the number of property owners who could benefit from its Strengthen Your Roof grant program.
Anti-regulation sentiment may be fueling insurance crisis
With the N.C. Homebuilders Association’s influence over the legislature, steps toward resilience that Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and others say should be taken have been rejected, contributing to coverage chaos for property owners.
New law comes into play in North Topsail Beach dispute
A North Topsail Beach couple and their contractor cited for damaging dunes hope to settle the alleged violation through mediation, a process allowed under a new state law.
Journalists society gives Black Hole Award to NC legislature
The Society of Professional Journalists has named the North Carolina General Assembly the recipient of its annual Black Hole Award “for acts of outright contempt of the public’s right to know” in exempting its members from the state’s public records law.
Decision upholds legislature’s board appointment shifts
Gov. Roy Cooper won a partial victory last week in his challenge to the North Carolina General Assembly’s move to wrest his appointment powers, but Republican leaders have already filed to appeal.
Reflections on 50 years of NC Coastal Area Management Act
When first considered 50 years ago, North Carolina’s Coastal Area Management Act was hotly controversial environmental legislation, and despite challenges past and present, it remains the state’s only attempt to forge a partnership for regional resource management.
A million new acres: Cooper sets lofty conservation goals
Environmental advocates are calling the governor’s latest executive order to conserve and restore forests and wetlands and plant 1 million trees in urban areas “ambitious and important.”
Officials testify before legislative panel on flood blueprint
Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser was called before a hurricane response committee this week to explain the agency’s progress and use of state funding on a flood resilience tool for decision-makers and the public.
Currituck officials encouraged on dredging after Corps talk
A decades-long battle to restore navigable access on the Currituck Sound off Corolla appears to have taken a more upbeat tone at a recent meeting between representatives from Currituck County and Army Corps of Engineers staff.
Commission restores 16 recently nullified, years-old rules
The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday adopted 16 emergency rules to temporarily replace the most critical of the 30 that were stripped from the books after the Rules Review Commission objected to them in October.