These small areas where rivers mix with salt water in coastal regions contribute a significant amount to the country’s economy, according to a recent update to a decade-old report on the economics of estuaries.
water quality
Commission to vote on Coastal Habitat Protection Plan
The state Environmental Management Commission is expected to consider approving the 2021 amendment to the plan when it meets Thursday in Raleigh.
CRC OKs Coastal Habitat Protection Plan amendment
The Coastal Resources Commission was the first vote of the three commissions needed to approve the 2021 amendment.
Corps suspends nationwide clean water permitting action
The Army Corps of Engineers, citing a recent court decision in California throwing out Trump-era regulatory changes affecting water quality certifications under section 401 of the Clean Water Act, has put a hold on permitting decisions under its nationwide permit program.
Town creates fund for UNCW’s study of living shoreline
St. James recently took the unusual step of creating an endowment for University of North Carolina Wilmington research and work related to the Brunswick County town’s living shorelines, but townsfolk here have long recognized the power of the mighty oyster.
DEQ needs input on new animal waste management permit
NCDEQ is asking for input on the new animal waste management digester system general permits.
CRC to vote on Coastal Habitat Protection Plan
The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission meets Nov. 10 to consider public comments and approval of the 2021 draft Coastal Habitat Protection Plan amendment.
Fish study’s findings trigger consumption advisory update
A recent study that showed fish favored by subsistence fishers along the Brunswick and Cape Fear rivers were found to have elevated levels of arsenic, hexavalent chromium and mercury has prompted a state health advisory.
Lingering dry weather slows flow in Neuse River
Low-flow conditions, which indicate long stretches of dry weather, can help facilitate the development of freshwater algal blooms.
Paddlers’ trip highlights issues, beauty along the Pamlico
Sound Rivers’ Environmental Projects Coordinator Clay Barber and Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Jill Howell recently spent five days paddling the Pamlico River and its estuaries with Miller the pup on a mission to document environmental conditions.
UNCW, Coastal Land Trust among EEG grant recipients
Attorney General Josh Stein announced Thursday that UNCW and the Coastal Land Trust are among the 27 recipients of this year’s Environmental Enhancement grant from the North Carolina Department of Justice.
California family likely died from heat, not algal bloom
A California family found deceased in mid-August on a hiking trail near Yosemite National Park likely died due to extreme heat and not algal bloom, which was cited as a possible cause during the investigation.
Rules revision may streamline process for shellfish leasing
Proposed changes to rules covering state management of shellfish areas and water column leases could improve clarity and efficiency and are steps in the right direction, says the North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association president.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee to meet
The N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 25 by web conference to review and discuss public comment received on the draft 2021 amendment.
Manteo sets hearing on proposed policy on wetland fill
Commissioners in May directed town staff to draft land use plan amendments to address a complaint about policies regarding development of and the placement of fill in upland wetlands.
It’s Oyster Week in North Carolina
Oct. 11-15 is North Carolina Oyster Week this year and organizers, North Carolina Sea Grant, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, say the “shellebration” includes a series of in-person and virtual oyster-related events along the coast and in the Triangle.
