Swimmers should avoid entering waters within 200 feet of posted advisories at soundside beaches in Beaufort and New Hanover counties, where waters tested for elevated bacteria levels.
water quality
Cape Fear River Watch’s Dana Sargent heading for new post
After seven years as Cape Fear River Watch executive director, Dana Sargent is taking on a different environmental advocacy role with hopes to spend more time with her family.
Proposed state rules on discharges defanged as EPA retreats
The Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement this week that it will rescind and reexamine four expected PFAS rules follows a state Environmental Management Commission committee’s opaque decision stalling proposed surface water rules on three compounds.
Draft state rules for 1,4-dioxane, PFAS dischargers delayed
State staff need more time before presenting draft monitoring requirements for dischargers of PFAS and 1,4-dioxane for the Environmental Management Commission to consider.
Water quality workshop to focus on strategies, challenges
The North Carolina Water Resources Association’s workshop, “Restoring Coastal Water Resources — Challenges, Opportunities and Successful Approaches,” set for May 16 will examine water quality conditions, strategies and proven strategies.
Public hearing on new wetlands rule set for June
A public hearing on North Carolina’s revised wetlands definition has been scheduled June 26 in Raleigh.
Cape Fear River Watch to host ‘Postcards Against PFAS’ event
The “Postcards Against PFAS” event is from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday in Wilmington ahead of the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission’s May 8 meeting.
Senate bill pushes for prohibiting, fining for balloon releases
After lobbying, letter writing, cajoling and presentations, “one-woman crusader” Debbie Swick of Southern Shores has seen her efforts to ban balloon releases become a bipartisan-supported senate bill.
Cape Fear River Watch honored for advocacy, cleanup work
Cape Fear River Watch has received a state award for the organization’s anti-PFAS and anti-litter efforts.
Carteret’s litter-free program needs volunteers for cleanup
Carteret County’s Litter Free Land and Sea, a collaborative initiative between the county and community, needs volunteers for its annual cleanup April 26 taking place at seven sites across the county.
State proposes changes to water quality standards
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality officials are holding a public hearing April 22 in Raleigh to hear comment on proposed changes to the state’s surface water quality standards, including the addition of standard for E. coli as an indicator of disease-causing organisms in certain recreational waters.
Algal blooms, coastal issues center of collaborative event
North Carolina Center for Coastal Algae, People, and the Environment, or NC-CAPE, has scheduled “Connecting The Coast: Networking and Resource Swap” April 11, at the Estuarium on the Pamlico River in Washington.
Doomed to repeat history: What’s in future for NC wetlands?
Guest commentary: Ignoring the past guarantees a grim future for our coastal communities, as the fishermen of Rose Bay warned decades ago. Will we listen now, or once again pay the price for failing to protect our way of life?
Chemours, DuPont move to keep court records sealed
Attorneys for Chemours and its predecessor company DuPont have asked a federal judge in a lawsuit brought by Cape Fear area water utilities to keep thousands of documents out of the public eye.
No NC limit on 1,4-dioxane means water customers bear costs
It costs an additional $1-$3 million a year to remove 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen, from drinking water drawn from the Cape Fear River, costs that could be avoided if upstream polluters were required to reduce the amount of the compounds they discharge.
DEQ chief: Emerging compounds ‘top priority’ for state
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson said addressing PFAS and other emerging compounds is a top priority during the N.C. Water Resources Research Institute’s annual conference Thursday.
