The economic benefits of biodiversity and habitat preservation from off-road vehicle restrictions put in place in 2012 on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore far outweigh the costs, according to a recent study.
Habitat Restoration
Beaufort Applies For Marine Debris Grant
Beaufort commissioners recently approved applying for a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine debris removal grant to begin cleaning up Taylor’s Creek and adjacent waters.
Burr Hears Lake Mattamuskeet Concerns
Sen. Richard Burr recently met with Hyde County officials to hear their concerns about federal money for flood mitigation, storm recovery and restoration of Lake Mattamuskeet’s watershed and its lodge.
Officials Look to Clean Up Taylor’s Creek
Stakeholders from various agencies, including the town of Beaufort, the Coast Guard and the Rachel Carson Reserve, met recently to outline a plan to address the longstanding problems of marine debris and illegal moorings in Taylor’s Creek.
Navassa’s Soil Contamination Contained
Samples from more than 50 wells on and around the former Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. site show that creosote contamination is not spreading beyond the 251-acre Superfund site, officials said Tuesday.
Catching Waves to Save Historic Shoreline
The effort to restore and protect the eroded shoreline at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site hinges largely on technology that absorbs the energy of destructive waves created by passing ships.
Alliance Seeks to Restore Lake Mattamuskeet
Hyde County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state Wildlife Resources Commission have joined forces to create a watershed restoration plan for Lake Mattamuskeet.
NOAA Funds Aquaculture Debris Cleanup
A recently announced federal grant will be used to help pay for removal of debris from an abandoned aquaculture operation littering public trust waters in Carteret County.
Stewards Aim to Protect Beach-Nesting Birds
The Emerald Isle Waterbird Stewards Program, under the supervision of the Wildlife Resources Commission, is working to protect beach-nesting least terns and Wilson’s plovers, both of special concern in North Carolina.
Agency Moves to Revamp Red Wolf Program
The Fish and Wildlife Service is considering public input as it overhauls its red wolf recovery program, a controversial effort to save an endangered species.
Can New Reef Design Save Historic Shoreline?
The Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site’s storm-battered shoreline on the Cape Fear will soon test how a new oyster reef design curbs erosion in a high-energy wave environment.
Town: Park Without Ball Fields Not Worth It
Faced with a state report discouraging plans to develop much of the last maritime forest in Emerald Isle for ball fields, town officials say the proposed land deal may not happen without them.
Will Park Plan Save or Ruin Maritime Forest?
A new state report indicates that Emerald Isle’s plan to buy nearly 30 acres of maritime forest for preservation and athletic fields may conflict with conservation goals.
Plan Limits Hunting at Carson Reserve
Officials recently announced plans for new restrictions on hunting at the Rachel Carson Reserve in Carteret County, where visitors increasingly enjoy other activities.
Extent of Navassa’s Mess Clearer; What Next?
Ongoing environmental monitoring is providing more detail on the extent of creosote contamination in Navassa, as residents face decisions on site’s future.
Marine Debris Cleanup Effort Expanded
An annual project that puts commercial fishermen to work ridding northeastern North Carolina waterways of derelict fishing gear expanded this year to include the state’s entire coast.