The North Carolina Coastal Federation celebrated 15 coastal stewards Saturday during the annual Pelican Awards ceremony for sharing “their time and talents, through leadership, education, hands-on projects, and volunteer efforts, to inspire others and create lasting change.”
water quality
State issues permits, certification for mid-Currituck bridge
The Department of Transportation has received a Coastal Area Management Act dredge and fill law permit as well as a water quality certification for its proposed mid-Currituck bridge.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan revisions to be discussed
The N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee’s Sept. 25 agenda includes discussing the proposed framework and timeline for the 2026 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan amendment.
EMC moves groundwater standards, wetlands rules ahead
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission voted Thursday to send a groundwater standard rule for PFAS to the Rules Review Commission and a rule that defines wetlands in the state to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
DEQ requires Chemours to expand PFAS well water testing
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday that it is requiring Chemours expand sampling eligibility of PFAS contamination to about 14,000 additional residences in the lower Cape Fear region.
Brunswick County water line flushing may alter color, taste
Brunswick County Public Utilities employees next month will begin flushing water lines, an annual process that could temporarily lead to water discoloration and the presence of sediment in drinking water.
Coastal treatment plants win awards for water standards
A handful of water treatment plants on the coast were among the 63 awarded for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards in 2024.
EPA sets hearing on Asheboro’s proposed discharge permit
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding the public hearing on a proposed permit for the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which dumps high levels of 1,4-dioxane waste and is upstream of municipal drinking water customers in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
Riverkeeper, family man Rick Dove set example for advocates
He was an attorney, retired Marine Corps colonel, mentor, one of the first Riverkeepers in the Southeast and the original Neuse Riverkeeper — Rick Dove, 86, died Aug. 22.
Environmental commission to consider wetlands, PFAS rules
The Environmental Management Commission is to vote during its Sept. 11 meeting on a legally mandated change to the state’s regulatory definition of wetlands and on groundwater quality standards for PFOA, PFOS and GenX.
Pump power failure leads to wastewater spill in Calabash River
Brunswick County Public Utilities officials believe about 1,100 gallons of untreated wastewater discharged into the Calabash River after one of the utilities’ pump stations experienced a power failure on Monday.
Beaufort seeks $6.5M in funding for water system upgrades
Town commissioners plan to seek an additional USDA loan to complete the work that’s months behind and designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality and repair old infrastructure.
Brunswick fires, sues water treatment plant contractor
Citing repeated delays and poor workmanship, Brunswick County on July 25 filed a lawsuit against and terminated the contracting company it hired to expand and upgrade the Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
More than $240M awarded for water, wastewater upgrades
Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects in a handful of coastal counties are among 48 projects selected to receive funding grants.
First turtle patrol beach sweep nets 120 pounds of trash
More than 120 pounds of trash, predominately plastics, were picked up off Holden Beach’s ocean shore during the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol’s first beach sweep.
Global wetlands loss strips trillions in economic benefits
An intergovernmental report concludes that if the world’s wetlands continue to vanish and deteriorate it may equate to tens of trillions in economic loss.
