Duck, in Dare County, recently received national recognition for its work incorporating sustainability and resilience principles in flood prevention, habitat restoration and N.C. Highway 12 improvements along Currituck Sound.
water quality
Waste discharge agreement moves toward becoming rule
The Environmental Management Commission has advanced proposed changes that would codify an existing, long-term agreement with an association of wastewater dischargers into the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.
Whales that use echolocation mistake plastic for prey: study
A Duke University doctoral candidate in a new study found that deep-diving whales that rely on sound to forage for food are mistaking plastic for prey.
Commission sets vote on Tar-Pamlico wastewater hearing
The Environmental Management Commission, when it meets this month, is to consider approving a public notice and hearing on proposed revisions to wastewater-discharge rules put in place to reduce fish kills, harmful algal blooms and other longstanding water quality problems in the Pamlico estuary.
Pender County moves to rid public waters of junk boats
Pender County became the latest coastal North Carolina government to adopt rules enforcing the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels from waterways.
Groups partner to organize Wilmington watershed cleanup
Cape Fear River Watch is partnering with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for its Second Saturday Cleanup, which will take place from 9-11 a.m. Nov. 9 in the Smith Creek Watershed at the intersection of Princess Place Drive and Evans Street in Wilmington.
Online survey to help guide coastal management strategies
North Carolina Division of Coastal Management officials are in the process of determining priority areas for the 2026-2030 cycle of the Section 309 Assessment and Strategy, and are asking for public input.
10K grant available for water resources research project
North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute and North Carolina Sea Grant are accepting proposals for the $10,000 Mountains to Sea Graduate Research Fellowship until 5 p.m. Dec. 16.
State sets temporary allowable PFAS limits in groundwater
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources released interim maximum allowable concentrations to help define cleanup targets for groundwater contaminated with high levels of the chemical compounds.
Clean Cape Fear founders to urge UN act on PFAS
A Wilmington-area community action group intends to “shine a spotlight on business-related human rights abuses associated with PFAS contamination in North Carolina” this week at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Well water test kits available for Robeson, nearby counties
UNC Chapel Hill’s Superfund Research Program is offering free water test kits to qualifying residents of Robeson and nearby counties who rely on private well water.
Public meeting announced for Pages Creek watershed plan
Pages Creek watershed residents are invited to hear updates on the Pages Creek Watershed Protection Plan later this month.
Groups who joined to take on marine debris assess progress
Five years into a coastwide plan to address marine debris in North Carolina waters, those behind the plan met last week to judge their effort and consider the message going forward.
Van der Vaart: Likely carcinogen does not equal carcinogen
Chief Administrative Law Judge and Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings Dr. Donald van der Vaart revoked permit limits of 1,4-dioxane for municipal wastewater treatment plants that discharge a compound the EPA calls a likely human carcinogen into the drinking water sources of tens of thousands.
Fleckenstein receives Dare County’s first Salt Marsh Award
The Dare Soil & Water Conservation District awarded its inaugural Salt Marsh Award to Erin Fleckenstein, oyster program director for the North Carolina Coastal Federation.
Plan in motion to build resiliency in Carteret’s North River
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch has worked with North River residents on a long-term plan to address multiple flooding challenges in the flood-prone, unincorporated area of the county .
