North Carolina has a process the public can use to nominate an Area of Environmental Concern and protect the natural and cultural treasures in coastal areas that belong to everyone.
water quality
Supreme Court strikes down EPA’s wetlands definition
The 5-4 decision means that the definition, “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, applies only to wetlands that have “continuous surface connection.”
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan committee to hold update
Committee members are to hear updates on the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan 2021 Amendment recommendations and presentations on the Marine Debris Action Plan and the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative.
Residents ask for more protections of Beaufort watershed
As potential development looms, some Beaufort residents are asking the Coastal Resources Commission to extend protections for Gibbs Creek watershed in North River.
State to offer Flood Resiliency Blueprint input sessions
NCDEQ will hold public sessions in New Bern, Lumberton and Wilmington to gather feedback on the statewide initiative to address riverine flooding.
Cape Fear River Watch to host ‘State of the River’ forum
“The State of the River Forum offers a unique opportunity to learn from experts, and to network and brainstorm with people who understand the issues first-hand, and those who can get things done to effect positive change,” organizers said.
Swimming advisory lifted at Sandy Bay area in Dare County
Officials said Thursday that the advisory was lifted because water testing shows that bacteria levels have dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
Volunteers needed for Wilmington waterways cleanup
N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Cape Fear River Watch need volunteers for the 2023 Party for the Planet cleanup, 9-11 a.m. Saturday in Wilmington.
State issues water quality advisory for soundside Dare
N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program officials advise against swimming at the Sandy Bay soundside access near Frisco because of high bacteria levels in the water.
State to hold meeting on nomination to protect watershed
Division of Coastal Management staff, during the meeting Monday in the Morehead City Train Depot, will review the nomination to designate Gibbs Creek watershed in Beaufort as an area of environmental concern.
Flooding study reveals factors NOAA forecasts don’t include
Researchers with the Sunny Day Flooding Project used Beaufort’s Front Street as a case study to test a new, real-time sensor framework for detecting and measuring coastal flooding.
NC farm bill would restrict how state defines wetlands
Environmentalists say the bill would strip the state’s ability to fill in regulatory gaps to protect federally nonjurisdictional waters, including isolated wetlands.
House falls short in move to override WOTUS-rollback veto
The 227-196 vote included all seven North Carolina House Republicans and 1st District Democratic Rep. Don Davis in favor of the veto override.
Summit to celebrate oyster work so far, gear up for more
Registration is open for the two-day “N.C. Oyster Summit: Resilient Coasts, Future Roasts” set for May 9-10 in Raleigh.
Raw wastewater discharged into Brunswick County creek
Officials said that the failure was caused by a split in the 4-inch force main pipe at the facility on Southport-Supply Road.
Momentum picks up on draft Flood Resiliency Blueprint
NCDEQ staff and AECOM consulting firm began working with local and state agencies, nonprofits and others last month on creating the draft statewide Flood Resiliency Blueprint.
