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Historical Highlights
Jan DeBlieu, author and longtime environmental activist in Manteo became the NCCF's third Coastkeeper. She began active duty in March and covers an area from the Virginia line south to Ocracoke. Her territory adjoins that of the Cape Lookout Coastkeeper, which extends to Sneads Ferry where the Cape Fear Coastkeeper takes over until one reaches the South Carolina border.
- The public ceremony to open Emerald Isle Woods was held on May 2. The 40-acre property was purchased through a $2.4 million grant from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The undeveloped land allows the Town of Emerald Isle in Carteret County to manage and prevent polluted stormwater runoff.
- NCCF members rallied at Hammocks Beach State Park for the May 3 annual meeting and Coastal Celebration. The full day event offered 17 field trips, entertainment and workshops.
- Coastkeepers posted their new "Sewer Patrol" on the NCCF web site, highlighting the misdoings of chronic polluters in eight coastal counties. The website contains a comprehensive database by county of all sewage discharges that were fined at least twice in the last five years. The website is a new tool to encourage the public to watch for polluters within their communities, thereby improving enforcement.
- In an important decision that affirms federal protection of wetlands, a federal judge ruled that the development company of Holly Ridge Associates acted illegally when it ditched and drained over 200 acres of wetlands in Onslow County without a permit. The ruling came in a case brought by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of the NC Shellfish Growers Association and the NC Coastal Federation. The case arose from massive wetland ditching and drainage in southeastern NC during the late 1990's.
- The NC Environmental Management Commission approved the final Phase II Stormwater rules that will guide the expansion of federal Clean Water Act permits for stormwater systems to counties and municipalities across the state. The final Phase II rule extends the timeline for local governments to implement post-construction stormwater controls by two years from the date local governments receive their permits from the state. The rule also sets a threshold of 12% built-upon-area within ½ mile of shellfish waters, which provides the most stringent rule in the state – a direct result of NCCF's lobbying efforts.
- Through Time Warner Cable, the NCCF began production of a monthly cable show in May, titled "Coastal Review." The half-hour show is aired weekly from Raleigh, east and features issues and events along the coast.
- The ninth annual State of the Coast Report was released on October 3 at three regional press conferences. In the report, the NCCF called on NC's political leaders to appoint a special commission or legislative committee to decide if the state needs to overhaul its 30-year-old programs meant to protect its coastal environment. Instead of the customary grades, this year's report featured 22 Pelican Awards, which were given to people, organizations, state agencies and local governments to highlight outstanding efforts in 2003 to protect the coast's natural resources.
- The Cape Fear Coastkeeper organized the effort to create a master plan for oyster habitat restoration in North Carolina. The Plan brings more than 20 groups together to coordinate restoration efforts. As part of this Plan, NCCF conducted oyster restorations at various locations in Carteret, Onslow and New Hanover counties.
- NCCF saw a number of new legislative initiatives, including the "Living Shorelines" Law. The bill was introduced by Representative Keith Williams (R-Onslow), on behalf of the NCCF and creates a general permit for marsh and sill projects. The bill will speed up the process and promote natural shoreline erosion control projects over chemically-treated wooden bulkheads which destroy marine habitat.
- NCCF's staff lobbyist worked with Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight (D-Dare) to enact a state law that prohibits the construction of hardened structures to protect property and infrastructure along the oceanfront and inlets.
- NCCF's staff lobbyist worked with Sen. Cecil Hargett (D-Onslow), Rep. Jean Preston (R-Carteret) and Sen. Jean Preston (R-Carteret) and Sen. Marc Basnight (D-Dare) to pass bills creating an NCCF license plate. It is one of a handful in the state in which the design is allowed to cover the entirety of the plate.
- Shoreline and marsh restorations were completed at Oriental, Columbia and Stump Sound with NOAA funding made available through NCCF's partnership with Restore America's Estuaries.
- In November, the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund approved a $972,000 grant to purchase 52 acres at Morris Landing near Holly Ridge. The property helps to protect the relatively unpolluted waters of Stump Sound, an extremely productive fisheries area for shellfish, shrimp and finfish.
- NCCF's education program in partnership with Progress Energy engaged middle school students in the construction of six wetland nurseries at schools, and conducted restoration projects at six coastal waterfront sites.
- NCCF was awarded a three-year grant to work with the Shellfish Sanitation Section to assist in developing more effective strategies for surveying the state's coastal shorelines and identifying sources of pollution.
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12-03-08: Trucks Using Ports May Reduce Emissions
