A controversial shellfish aquaculture bill appeared stalled at the week’s end, but the N.C. General Assembly has already approved dozens of coastal provisions in their rush to wrap up the session by the end of the month.
North Carolina legislators have approved the NC Farm Act of 2018, which includes provisions to restrict farm nuisance lawsuits.
Among other coastal provisions, Republicans’ state budget proposal released Monday commits $15 million for a dredge for Oregon Inlet and $5 million to the N.C. Policy Collaboratory for GenX research.
GenX-related bills filed late last week in the N.C. General Assembly quickly drew criticism from environmental groups and a former regulator that they could create unintended consequences in the enforcement of existing pollution laws.
Republicans in the House Committee on N.C. River Quality blasted them as ‘political,’ but UNC Wilmington and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority officials say their study reports on GenX and other contaminants in the water supply are accurate.
Disagreements over how to address GenX and other emerging contaminants were heated Friday but the state Senate passed its version of a funding bill, which some say falls short.
New questions regarding the state’s regulatory authority have emerged as the debate continues over how to respond to the issue of GenX and other emerging contaminants.
Despite the House’s unanimous support of a bill with money to address GenX in drinking water supplies in the southeastern part of the state, Senate leaders say they need more time to consider options.
The House Select Committee on North Carolina River Quality approved legislation Thursday that mandates three GenX-related studies and a review of the science for health advisories but includes no additional funding for the studies or state response.
This year saw changes in the state and federal government that will likely shape environmental policy in the coming year.
The North Carolina General Assembly is ramping up to its return to Raleigh Jan. 10, 2018, with plans to address immediate needs related to GenX and other emerging contaminants.
The legislature, in its recent override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of House Bill 56, created a new state fund to help local governments pay for beach re-nourishment projects, but where that money will come from remains uncertain.
Winner of 12 North Carolina Press Association awards in 2018