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.”
science
Sugarloaf Island hybrid restoration project sees progress
Work is moving forward on a project to install wave attenuation devices, a living shoreline and seagrass to help restore the rapidly eroding barrier island that protects Morehead City’s downtown waterfront.
Burnin’ up: State offers help for top weather-related killer
North Carolina climate and resilience officials say the heat action toolkit they have developed is a customizable guide for local governments to more successfully prevent heat-related deaths amid rising global temperatures.
Climate change and health subject of next science talk
Dr. Alex Hodges, a clinical professor in ECU’s college of nursing, will present “Ready for Change: Building Effective Climate Readiness” at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23, in the Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese.
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.
Public may submit comments on draft sea level rise update
Comments are being accepted until July 3 on the annual review of new and significant scientific literature and studies that address the local, state and. regional implications of sea level rise.
Recent whale deaths unfortunate, not alarming: Scientists
Researchers say the stranded whales that washed ashore in quick succession earlier this year “may just be an unfortunate statistical anomaly” and were unrelated to offshore wind development.
Street inundation linked to elevated bacteria in creek: Study
N.C. State researchers found elevated levels of fecal bacteria in water samples collected from a tidal creek in Beaufort and town streets following rainfall.
Science panel to resume Inlet Hazard Area review
The advisory panel to the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will continue its review of proposed updated inlet hazard area boundaries along the coast.
Proposed rules address possible Microcystis bloom sources
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing revisions to nutrient discharge standards for meat and poultry processors’ wastewater, a potential source of mysterious blooms in the Cape Fear River a decade ago.
CSI, ECU to host annual open house at Outer Banks campus
Visitors will be able to tour the campus, grounds and facilities, learn about current research and education programs, take part in family-friendly activities and interact with faculty and staff.
State wildlife officials seek volunteers to tally terrapins
With a little training, a kayak and a smartphone app, coastal North Carolina residents can join the 10th annual “Terrapin Tally,” a count that helps researchers assess the elusive marsh dwellers’ status.
Researchers work to improve compound flooding forecast
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill researchers have been developing a forecast model that will help predict in real time whether worst-case scenario conditions might occur in communities with multiple flood risks.
Academy aims to make living shorelines more accessible
The N.C. Living Shoreline Academy at Carteret Community College is translating years of research into practical application for waterfront property owners and marine contractors.
Whales, whaling symposium Friday at Maritime Museum
N.C. Maritime Museum staff are devoting a whole day to whales and whaling during a symposium scheduled for Friday at the Beaufort facility.
Neuse River salinity levels remain higher than average
The Neuse River estuary continues to be saltier than normal, particularly for late winter, according to the latest ModMon Project sampling.