Maintaining the natural dynamic between fire and water in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is key in the latest plan to restore, protect and conserve this unusual landscape.
water quality
Precautionary swimming advisory lifted at most NC sites
State recreational water quality officials lifted Friday the precautionary advisory against swimming issued Aug. 31 due to Tropical Storm Idalia in all coastal waters.
Decades of water quality safeguards erased, advocates say
Groups that have for more than 40 years led the fight for clean water say the public may not be fully aware of the potentially devastating effects the latest federal rule could have for NC wetlands.
EMC to hear Coastal Habitat Protection Plan presentation
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission meets Sept. 13-14 at Carteret Community College in Morehead City.
New federal rule puts 2.5 million acres of wetlands in peril
The Clean Water Act rule issued Tuesday redefines “waters of the United States” and leaves unprotected wetlands with no surface connection to navigable water bodies.
NC closes shellfish waters, issues swim advisory after storm
The temporary shellfish closures and swimming advisories cover from Dare County to the South Carolina line and are due to heavy rainfall and resultant polluted runoff associated with Tropical Storm Idalia.
Scientist urges more Vibrio awareness as risk moves north
Recent data finds that warming coastal waters from climate change impacts have resulted in Vibrio wound infections spreading north along the East Coast, and those with health issues are urged to immediately seek medical attention if exposed.
Neuse monitoring shows high salinity from dry weather
Conditions checked through the Neuse River Estuary Modeling and Monitoring, or ModMon, Project show low river flow and saltier-than-normal water.
State urges caution after 3 Vibrio-related deaths
During this period when North Carolina saltwater and brackish waters remain warm, state health officials advise that those with wounds could be exposed to Vibrio, which can lead to illness.
State issues swimming advisory for access near Frisco
The swimming advisory posted Thursday is for the Sandy Bay sound-side access near Frisco, along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
State lifts swimming advisories at two Morehead City sites
Testing shows bacteria levels had dropped below the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.
Hearings set on draft animal feeding operations permits
Public comment is due by Nov. 3 on general permits for eligible nondischarge swine, cattle and poultry facilities with liquid waste management systems, and animal feeding operations with farm digester systems.
Comment deadline Oct. 2 on proposed fisheries rule changes
A public hearing is set for Aug. 16 in Morehead City for the 103 proposed rule changes to be considered by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission for oyster sanctuaries, the shellfish lease program, and commercial shellfish sanitation.
Study is first to sample NC rivers, streams for microplastics
North Carolina researchers have estimated the amount of plastic pollution the size of grains of sand that are entering the Pamlico Sound from the Neuse River Basin. It’s a lot.
Carteret offers three new oyster recycling drop-off sites
New and newly decorated oyster shell recycling drop-off dumpsters are now in place at three county convenience sites.
Ongoing study may show overlooked algal bloom causes
A year into a 30-month public science study, preliminary data appears to show that higher than expected nutrient loads in minor tributaries may contribute to increasingly regular and persistent blue-green algal blooms in northeastern North Carolina rivers.
