The Division of Coastal Management made the awards to 14 local governments to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters.
public access
State issues swimming advisory for Buxton, Rodanthe
N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program officials have issued a precautionary advisory warning against swimming in ocean waters near Corbina Drive in Rodanthe and near Cottage Avenue and Tower Circle in Buxton.
Oak Island adds lighted signs that display beach warnings
Oak Island officials say the town’s new beach warning notification system will enhance safety for beachgoers and add visibility to its warning flag system already in place.
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.
State accepting grant applications for beach access improvement projects
Local governments in the 20 coastal counties can use the funds for walkways, dune crossovers, restrooms, parking areas, piers, land acquisition or urban waterfront revitalization.
Excerpt: Conflict Over Water Access from ‘Time And Tide’
Outer Banks resident and author Tim Hatcher examines the long history of conflicts over water access on the North Carolina coast in this selected chapter from his 2023 book, “Time and Tide: The Vanishing Culture of the North Carolina Coast.”
State awards $2.8M to improve public beach, water accesses
The Department of Environmental Quality has announced that nine coastal communities have been awarded more than $2.8 million to improve public accesses to beaches and waters.
State lifts swimming advisories at two Morehead City sites
Testing shows bacteria levels had dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
Rules panel sets Aug. 15 deadline on plan for beach mats
The state rules process to allow coastal towns, counties and private beachfront property owners to use portable, roll-out mats as an alternative to traditional beach walkover structures continues.
State lifts swimming advisory for North River Bridge site
The advisory was posted July 7 at the public swimming area at the west end of North River Bridge off U.S. 70 near Otway.
State issues swim advisory for Beaufort public access
Officials will notify the public when the advisory posted Friday at the public access for Taylors Creek at Lennoxville Boat Ramp in Beaufort is removed.
Grants may help troubled Bertie County get back to nature
Lewiston Woodville in Bertie County has poverty and obesity-related health challenges, but one small nonprofit is working to get young people outside and healthier.
Deeds filed for Atlantic Beach dunes lead to access dispute
James Anthony Bunn has notified numerous beachfront property owners in Atlantic Beach that he now owns the dunes in front of their properties and that their continued access to the beach amounts to trespassing.
Swimming advisory lifted at Sandy Bay area in Dare County
Officials said Thursday that the advisory was lifted because water testing shows that bacteria levels have dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
Commission approves septic rule changes, flood disclosure
The state Coastal Resources Commission took separate actions last week to clarify two persistent issues: septic systems on the public beach, and residential flooding.
Public beach access improvement proposals due April 28
The state Division of Coastal Management is accepting proposals for a program that matching funds to local governments in 20 coastal counties to construct low-cost public access facilities.
