Wendy Stanton, acting refuge manager for Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, says Lake Mattamuskeet is “out of balance,” but officials behind the work say the community’s enthusiasm for cleaning up the lake continues.
water quality
Wilmington area to celebrate Cape Fear Creek Week
Wilmington and advocacy groups are joining with the state Cooperative Extension for a weeklong celebration of Cape Fear Creek Week starting March 13.
DEQ to accept water quality grant proposals until May 4
The Department of Environmental Quality expects to award $1.5 million in federal Clean Water Act money to restore polluted or impaired waters.
Coastal flood-reduction projects awarded state funding
A project in Carteret County to restore the Newport River and one to research the practice of water farming on Hofmann Forest were awarded funds.
EMC to consider supporting water quality program funding
The Environmental Management Commission is to consider a resolution asking decisionmakers to provide more funding for landowner cost-share programs that reduce pollution entering coastal estuaries.
Coast to receive millions for water infrastructure projects
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday that the state will be investing $2.3 billion in water infrastructure over the next two years.
EPA Secretary Regan touts PFAS funding during NC stop
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan announced Monday in Maysville that $62 million in federal infrastructure money will be available to address drinking water contamination in North Carolina.
Division certifies Pamlico facility as 50th Clean Marina
Point Marina/Marine Craft in Pamlico County is the 50th marina to be certified under the North Carolina Clean Marina program.
Foam from damaged docks leads to microplastics: Report
With data collected by volunteers, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has released a citizen-science report on microplastics littering the state’s southern beaches.
Riverkeeper blasts state’s public notice of hog waste spill
Riverkeeper Kemp Burdette calls a press release put out last week by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality “pathetic.”
Algal bloom research effort a community collaboration
UNC researcher Haley Plaas has partnered with the Chowan Edenton Environmental Group see if harmful algal blooms correlate with poor air quality.
Bladen farm releases untreated animal waste into creek
A faulty recirculation pipe at Murphy-Brown Farm discharged nearly 30,000 gallons of untreated waste from Murphy-Brown Farm into a tributary of the Cape Fear River.
Temporary shellfish closures announced in Carteret County
The temporary closures are due to rainfall and resultant runoff.
DEQ launches new webpage with grants, funding sources
The new webpage is a one-stop shop for local governments, businesses, community and nonprofit organizations and others, looking for grant and loan funding information for a variety of environmental projects.
Federal rule reinstates longstanding clean water protections
President Biden’s final rule defining “waters of the United States” restores federal protections for streams, lakes, ponds and millions of acres of wetlands in North Carolina.
Cedar Street update to include stormwater management
Beaufort’s Cedar Street, formerly the town’s U.S. 70 corridor, is to undergo major updates that include stormwater management and resurfacing.