State water quality officials have listed a swimming advisory at an area of Bogue Sound in Morehead City after testing showed bacteria levels have dropped to safe standards.
water quality
Rachel Carson Reserve: Beaufort’s barrier to raging storms
In our ongoing look at the Coastal Area Management Act’s 50th anniversary this year, this Carteret County jewel of the Coastal Reserve Program also provides important protection.
Groups seek to block Mattamuskeet algaecide treatment
The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club, citing the threat to migratory birds, has filed a challenge in federal court to block the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from allowing an experimental algaecide treatment of Lake Mattamuskeet.
12 derelict vessels to be removed from New Hanover waters
The North Carolina Coastal Federation, marine contractors, local governments and the Wildlife Resources Commission are working together this week to remove a dozen vessels from different locations in New Hanover County, including Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach.
State issues certificate for Lake Mattamuskeet treatment
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality said Thursday its Division of Water Resources had approved a certificate of coverage to allow BlueGreen Water Technologies to conduct a pilot study of a treatment for cyanobacteria within a limited area of the state’s largest freshwater lake starting June 1.
Park Service urges public to avoid debris on Rodanthe beach
Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials are advising visitors to avoid the beach adjacent to Ocean Drive because of exposed wires, pipes and septic systems.
New plan details strategy to save, restore NC’s salt marshes
The North Carolina Salt Marsh Action Plan released Wednesday has the overarching goal “to protect, restore, and facilitate the migration of salt marshes in North Carolina to minimize loss of function, benefits, and acreage through 2050 and beyond.”
Swift Creek advisory lifted in Craven County
State water quality officials have lifted the advisory to avoid a several-mile portion of Swift Creek in Craven County contaminated by an animal waste spill.
Sugarloaf Island hybrid restoration project sees progress
Work is moving forward on a project to install wave attenuation devices, a living shoreline and seagrass to help restore the rapidly eroding barrier island that protects Morehead City’s downtown waterfront.
Officials issue swim advisory for Morehead City access
State recreational water quality officials posted a sign advising against swimming at the Sunset Drive public access to Bogue Sound in Morehead City.
Wildlife groups seek to intervene in Pasquotank man’s case
The National Wildlife Federation and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation say Robert White’s dispute with the EPA and the Corps of Engineers could result in further narrowing of wetland protections with devastating water quality and economic effects.
Totals on PFAS-contaminated utilities ‘coming down daily’
The state’s top drinking water protection official told the Environmental Management Commission Thursday that a shrinking number of North Carolinians get their drinking water from public systems with at least one of the synthetic chemicals that exceeds new federal limits.
Biser urges environmental commission to hear PFAS rules
NCDEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser is urging the Environmental Management Commission to move forward this week with setting surface and groundwater standards for PFAS, a move the NC Chamber opposes.
Cooper sets $148M aside for environment in FY 25 budget
The Cooper administration has recommended more than $148 million go toward conservation and resiliency in his proposed fiscal 2025 budget released last week.
Hog waste spill prompts advisory for part of Swift Creek
The Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources staff were alerted Tuesday to animal waste in ditches from an unknown source later identified as St. John Farm in Grifton.
Street inundation linked to elevated bacteria in creek: Study
N.C. State researchers found elevated levels of fecal bacteria in water samples collected from a tidal creek in Beaufort and town streets following rainfall.
