Historical Highlights

1982

• The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) was formed under the leadership of Todd Miller, NCCF's executive director and first staff member. The organization was formed in response to threats from the peat mining industry and operated out of the home of Todd Miller.

1983

• NCCF began working with fishermen in Onslow County to halt the construction of 340 condominiums on Permuda Island.
• Citizens were rallied to oppose the peat mining of 120,000 acres of wetlands between the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds by working with fishermen, environmentalists and scientists. The issue gained national attention, including coverage on the CBS Evening News and PBS's MacNeil-Lehrer Report.

1984

• The Peat Methanol Associates proposal to mine 120,000 acres of peat was defeated. NCCF helped achieve approval of new peat mining water quality rules that effectively prohibit large-scale peat mining in the State. Those wetlands formerly targeted for peat mining are now mostly preserved as National Wildlife Refuges.
• NCCF focused on proposals for centralized wastewater treatment projects in coastal areas such as Atlantic Beach. NCCF emphasized the need for planning and managed growth prior to development of regional systems that allow for increased development.

1985

• A successful suit was filed against the State for their permit to Sugarloaf Properties to build a marina and condominiums on Hoop Pole Creek in Atlantic Beach. Eleven years later, the property adjacent to open shellfishing waters was purchased by NCCF and permanently protected.
• With three other groups, NCCF filed suit against the NC Environmental Management Commission asking that three proposed Bogue Banks shopping centers require National Pollution of Discharge Elimination System Permits for their storm water management system. Pressure eventually led to the State's adoption of more effective rules.

1986

• After three years of work to protect Permuda Island in Onslow County from development, permits for a massive condominium project were denied. Today the island is publicly owned as a natural and historic estuary preserve.
• NCCF mobilized citizen support for the Division of Environmental Management's proposed stormwater runoff rules.

1987

• With encouragement from NCCF, Congress designated the estuaries of the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds as National Concern. This designation led to the creation of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study (APES), a multi-million dollar project cosponsored by the State and the Environmental Protection Agency.
• From 1987 to 1992, NCCF worked to ensure active citizen involvement and preparation in the APES Conservation Management Plan.

1988

• In partnership with WRAL-TV 5 in Raleigh, NCCF produced Save Our Sounds – a promotion to provide state wide environmental awareness and education through a book titled Sound Advice, an award winning documentary, public service announcements, weekly news reports, and a Coastal Celebration Festival that attracted 10,000 participants.
• In partnership with other environmental groups, NCCF filed a federal lawsuit over the failure of the US Army Corps of Engineers to protect 404 wetlands.
• The first Citizens Guide to Coastal Water Resource Management was published and distributed free of charge by NCCF. The guide provides an easy to understand reference for individuals who want to become more involved in coastal resource management.
• NCCF reviewed and commented on five coastal pulp and paper mill permits and pollution monitoring reports to determine whether or not they were meeting permitted pollution discharge standards.

1989

• Todd Miller accepted an invitation from Congress to testify at its water quality hearings.
• At the invitation of NCCF, former CBS news anchor, Walter Cronkite visited Onslow County to rally support for WRAL\TV's Save Our Sounds Campaign. At the event Cronkite stated that only with an aroused, active constituency will public officials be able to make the hard decisions required to turn this (environmental degradation) around.
• NCCF analyzed pollution from TexasGulf Chemical Co. in Aurora and found that discharges from the company's phosphate mining operation did not conform with federal standards. As a result of that study and meetings with NCCF, the company installed an innovative waste recycling system that dramatically reduced phosphorus and fluoride discharges to the river.
• NCCF participated in public hearings on the environmental impact study prepared for Mobil Corporation's oil drilling exploration plan.
• A lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of the Federation and other groups was settled ensuring better regulation of wetlands and protection from peat mining.

1990

• A Citizen's Guide to Coastal Resource Management Through Local Government was updated and distributed free of charge by NCCF.
• Stormwater runoff rules were strengthened and better rules to regulate marina sites in shellfish waters were obtained through NCCF efforts.
• NCCF took a leadership role in the State's designation of 10 percent of coastal waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) – the State's most protective water quality classification.
• After much public pressure organized by NCCF, Governor Jim Martin publicly opposed Mobil Oil Corporation's proposal to make exploratory drills off the North Carolina Coast.