Plan offers resilience solutions for roadways, buildings, farms and communities Ocean, N.C. – On the heels of 2020 becoming North Carolina’s second wettest year ever, the North Carolina Coastal Federation is releasing a plan to address more frequent and intense rain events that cause communities to flood, and pollute waterways across the state. The…
Details
On Jan. 27, President Biden signed an Executive Order that directs the Secretary of the Interior to pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands and offshore waters to the extent possible. This action represents a significant step towards the permanent protection of our coast from the impacts of offshore oil and gas…
Details
OCEAN — For the seventh year in a row, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator—the highest possible rating from the nonprofit evaluator. According to Charity Navigator, this is a level of consistent excellence that only 7% of charities achieve. “Being one of the top environmental non-profits is something…
Details
Formerly, Atlantic white-cedar was a well-established ecosystem in the peatlands along the Alligator River and in the Great Dismal Swamp. The trees thrived in the waterlogged, peat-rich soil, which is made up of partially decayed plant material. However, in the 1700s these lands were ditched and drained for timber and access. Ultimately, many of these acres were converted…
Details
Chefs and diners covet what they consider to be the “Cadillac” of oysters that grows in Stump Sound in Onslow County. The clean fresh and salt water that mix together in the sound is perfectly balanced to produce large, firm and tasty oysters. Now thanks to a $75,000 grant to the North Carolina Coastal Federation…
DetailsOCEAN – This year, the Town of Swansboro and the North Carolina Coastal Federation will continue their partnership to work for clean coastal waters. Plans are in the works to reduce polluted runoff entering Ward Creek from an existing street end outfall. The team will design and install an infiltration chamber at the public right-of…
Details
WANCHESE – The North Carolina Coastal Federation is set to begin its seventh year of the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project this week. Thirty-one commercial watermen along the northern and central coast will set out into the sounds to collect lost crab pots. With the help of various partners, commercial fishermen and women are hired…
Details
HATTERAS, N.C. – The North Carolina Coastal Federation announced that the 2021 Hatteras Island Oyster Roast will not proceed, but the non-profit has plans to move forward with the event in 2022. This would have been the eighth roast for the Federation, with the first taking place in 2014. Over 500 people attended the 2020…
Details
OCEAN, N.C.—Given that 2020 was such a difficult year, the North Carolina Coastal Federation is pleased to share some really remarkable and encouraging accomplishments. Thanks to the significant contributions of many partners and supporters, the federation has continued protecting and restoring the state’s coast this year. The federation overcame many challenges and tested out new…
Details
The hard surfaces of parking lots usually contribute to polluted stormwater runoff and flooding by directing it to storm drains or surface waters. However, a new project at UNC-Wilmington is reversing this course and reducing runoff The North Carolina Coastal Federation partnered with engineering firm Coastal Stormwater Services, Inc., Flora Landscapes, UNC-Wilmington and the City…
Details
Applications to assist with the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project in 2021 are open until Dec. 15, 2020. WANCHESE — Every year, crab pots and other fishing gear are lost in our sounds, creating hazards for boats and marine life. The North Carolina Coastal Federation is seeking applications to help clean up this debris through…
Details
North Carolina Coastal Federation and North Carolina Division of Coastal Management partner on large scale marine debris and vessel removal project WILMINGTON –The N.C. Division of Coastal Management, in partnership with the North Carolina Coastal Federation, received nearly $2 million dollars in funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program for the…
Details
The North Carolina Coastal Federation would like to congratulate the accomplishments of Rahdiaz “Ray” Delvillar, for completing his second AmeriCorps quarter-time term. In partnership with the federation and River City Community Development Corporation, during the past year Ray contributed over 460 volunteer service hours. AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of…
Details
Offshore Drilling Moratorium Expanded to NC President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum on Sep. 25 that expanded an offshore drilling moratorium to the waters off the coast of North Carolina. The memorandum to the Department of Interior states, “this withdrawal prevents consideration of this area for any leasing for the purposes of exploration, development, or…
Details
Senator Tillis issued a news release on Monday, September 21 announcing that “North Carolina will be included in a Presidential Memorandum withdrawing new leasing for offshore oil and gas developments for the next 12 years. Under the order leases for the purposes of offshore development are prohibited between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2032.” …
Details
The North Carolina Coastal Federation will be removing large-scale marine debris in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound with a grant award from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. The federation will coordinate the project in partnership with Dare County and the N.C. Division of Coastal Management. The major goal of this NOAA Marine…
Details
The end of summer marked the completion of construction of a 2,460-foot granite sill living shoreline at the town of Oriental’s Whittaker Pointe peninsula. The federation worked with the town, Quible & Associates P.C., Carolina Marine Structures, Restoration Systems and local residents to construct the large-scale living shoreline that now helps protect the nearly 300…
Details
Wanchese, N.C.—From a tasty supper to the sound, the North Carolina Coastal Federation recently built its first oyster reef entirely from oyster shells collected by local restaurants. The creation of this reef kicks off the group’s Restaurant to Reef Oyster Shell Recycling program that turns oyster shells collected from dining establishments into new habitat for…
Details
Just after Labor Day, President Trump extended a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in a portion of the Central and most of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and expanded the decade-long ban to planning areas off the coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. During his remarks, the President extended “congratulations to Florida, Georgia,…
Details
Baby oysters and many coastal species will soon have a new home in the Pamlico Sound. The North Carolina Coastal Federation, in partnership with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (division), has been recommended for funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to add 15 acres of new oyster reef habitat in Pamlico…
Details
Participants logging in from over 100 computers joined the North Carolina Coastal Federation to celebrate the 2020 Pelican Awards from their homes. On Thursday, Aug. 6, winners from up and down the coast shared inspiring stories of coastal stewardship, as well as their work to protect and restore the coast. Although this year’s celebration was…
Details
There is no doubt that seismic blasting to explore for oil and gas off our coast will have negative effects on fish and marine mammals and will limit public access to ocean waters for recreational and commercial fishers. Because of this, the Coastal Federation joined the State of North Carolina in objecting to WesternGeco’s proposal…
Details
OCEAN – Continuing its efforts to foster the shellfish mariculture industry, and with the support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has completed a feasibility study to determine the most prominent needs of the shellfish industry and propose a plan to address them. The ultimate…
Details
SWAN QUARTER – Hyde County and East Carolina University contracted the North Carolina Coastal Federation to advance community engagement and implementation of the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan. This restoration plan outlines steps that need to be taken to maintain the way of life within the county and improve water management and water quality in…
Details
Three high school seniors honored by the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s expanded awards program OCEAN – The North Carolina Coastal Federation is honoring three graduating high school seniors with the 2020 Coastal Stewardship Award. Henry Ferrell of Wilmington, Ella Harlacher of Swansboro, and Dylan Gray of Hatteras have been selected to receive the annual award…
Details