The volunteer planting, which was originally scheduled to take place Monday, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday in a 10-acre wetland that is being restored in Carolina Beach State Park.
water quality
$4.6M in grants to go to coastal conservation projects
More than $4.6 million will go to coastal conservation efforts such as property acquisition and living shoreline projects out of $36 million in statewide grants through North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the state announced earlier this week.
Public may comment on revised Vanceboro quarry permit
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is accepting public comments through Oct. 29 on the revised discharge permit for the Martin Marietta Material Inc. Vanceboro Quarry.
Vast majority of litter removed from streams is plastic: Study
A three-year study recently published in the journal Community Science finds that about 96% of litter North Carolina waterkeeper organizations and their volunteers removed from trash traps were plastics.
State officials remind public to avoid discolored waters
North Carolinians are reminded to avoid coming into contact with discolored looking water in ponds, lakes and rivers because it could indicate the presence of an algal bloom.
Coastal Federation lauds environmental stewards, volunteers
The North Carolina Coastal Federation celebrated 15 coastal stewards Saturday during the annual Pelican Awards ceremony for sharing “their time and talents, through leadership, education, hands-on projects, and volunteer efforts, to inspire others and create lasting change.”
State issues permits, certification for mid-Currituck bridge
The Department of Transportation has received a Coastal Area Management Act dredge and fill law permit as well as a water quality certification for its proposed mid-Currituck bridge.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan revisions to be discussed
The N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee’s Sept. 25 agenda includes discussing the proposed framework and timeline for the 2026 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan amendment.
EMC moves groundwater standards, wetlands rules ahead
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission voted Thursday to send a groundwater standard rule for PFAS to the Rules Review Commission and a rule that defines wetlands in the state to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
DEQ requires Chemours to expand PFAS well water testing
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday that it is requiring Chemours expand sampling eligibility of PFAS contamination to about 14,000 additional residences in the lower Cape Fear region.
Brunswick County water line flushing may alter color, taste
Brunswick County Public Utilities employees next month will begin flushing water lines, an annual process that could temporarily lead to water discoloration and the presence of sediment in drinking water.
Coastal treatment plants win awards for water standards
A handful of water treatment plants on the coast were among the 63 awarded for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards in 2024.
EPA sets hearing on Asheboro’s proposed discharge permit
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding the public hearing on a proposed permit for the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which dumps high levels of 1,4-dioxane waste and is upstream of municipal drinking water customers in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
Riverkeeper, family man Rick Dove set example for advocates
He was an attorney, retired Marine Corps colonel, mentor, one of the first Riverkeepers in the Southeast and the original Neuse Riverkeeper — Rick Dove, 86, died Aug. 22.
Environmental commission to consider wetlands, PFAS rules
The Environmental Management Commission is to vote during its Sept. 11 meeting on a legally mandated change to the state’s regulatory definition of wetlands and on groundwater quality standards for PFOA, PFOS and GenX.
Pump power failure leads to wastewater spill in Calabash River
Brunswick County Public Utilities officials believe about 1,100 gallons of untreated wastewater discharged into the Calabash River after one of the utilities’ pump stations experienced a power failure on Monday.
