An American alligator sunning at North River Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County slides in for a dip recently as March temperatures rose. The 6,000-acre preserve is the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s project to return farmland back to its original state and to use the wetlands to naturally treat polluted runoff. The Coastal Federation publishes Coastal Review. Photo: Doug Waters
wetlands
Land trust to buy 60-acre, New Hanover County-owned tract
The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust is launching a public and private campaign to raise $3 million to buy and preserve about 60 acres in Wilmington.
Amid record growth, groups protect tracts from development
Population growth on the North Carolina coast has ramped up pressure on conservation groups to acquire and set aside land, such as the more than 2,000 acres in coastal counties recently protected from development, areas with natural landscape features that reduce flood risk, improve water quality and provide vital habitat.
New year, new definition: Feds set to limit water protections
The public has until Monday to comment on the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed changes to the “waters of the United States” definition that are expected to limit eligibility for federal water quality safeguards.
Public hearing Tuesday on proposed ‘WOTUS’ definition
A hearing is set for next week on the proposed definition rolled out last month for “Waters of the United States,” which outlines the waterbodies eligible for protection under the federal Clean Water Act, that conservationists warn will leave millions of acres of nontidal wetlands vulnerable to pollution, harm fish habitat and worsen flooding.
EPA, Army Corps leaders publish revised ‘WOTUS’ definition
Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers officials said Monday that proposed changes to the existing “waters of the United States” definition are to focus on relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water.
Carolina Beach volunteer planting rescheduled for Thursday
The volunteer planting, which was originally scheduled to take place Monday, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday in a 10-acre wetland that is being restored in Carolina Beach State Park.
Builder vows fight to develop land that includes Sledge Forest
Copper Builders founder Wade Miller says misconceptions are fueling opposition to his proposed Hilton Bluffs development on a portion of 4,000 acres including a nationally threatened forest; opponents say entire tract should be conserved.
Coastal Federation lauds environmental stewards, volunteers
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.”
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.
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.
Efforts to curb flooding at battleship memorial yield results
Land around the Battleship North Carolina and its parking area is recreating itself, luring birds, diminishing flood frequency, and providing what the museum’s leaders hope to become a living lab.
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.
Environmental Management Commission to meet July 9-10
The state commission that adopts rules to protect natural resources is expected to hear this week updates on existing measures to improve air and water quality, but the bulk of the July 9-10 meeting will concentrate on the mandated periodic review process for several existing rules.
Hearing on mandated wetland redefinition draws no support
Those who spoke Thursday during a public hearing in Raleigh urged the Environmental Management Commission to work with legislators to rescind the amendment narrowing state protections.
Coastal Federation urges public to weigh in on wetland rule
The nonprofit organization that publishes Coastal Review is calling on residents to speak out next week on the legislatively mandated rule change that would diminish North Carolina’s water quality protections.
