Coastal Issues
Ocean and sound-side swimming waters may be polluted from excessive rains
MOREHEAD CITY – State officials today advise the public to avoid swimming in all coastal waters statewide due to high rainfall and flooding from recent storms that may have led to excessive bacteria in the water. “Waters impacted by these storms can contain elevated levels of bacteria that can make people sick,” said J.D. Potts,…
Read MoreStatement on recusal from vote on seismic testing resolution
On Monday I was recused from a vote on a resolution related to offshore drilling and seismic testing. I was also recused from a vote on the same issue last month. The reason is that one of my business interests is a website on which I sell advertising. I have current and recent advertisers who…
Read MoreSouthport ferry terminal certified as North Carolina Clean Marina
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s ferry terminals in Southport and Fort Fisher are the newest facilities to be certified as North Carolina Clean Marinas, a designation given to marinas that exceed minimum environmental regulatory requirements. The Clean Marina program illustrates how marina operators can help safeguard the environment by using management and operation techniques that…
Read MoreNew Brunswick County Digital Flood Maps Available for Review
RALEIGH – On Tuesday, August 18, 2015, residents and business leaders in Brunswick County communities will be able to review and discuss the latest flood hazard and flood risk data. Now available digitally, preliminary flood hazard information can be layered on top of the county’s parcel data so property owners can better determine potential risks…
Read MoreGovernor McCrory Congratulates Southport on Being Named Happiest Seaside Town in America
RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor Pat McCrory congratulated Southport, N.C. on its recognition as the Happiest Seaside Town in America by Coastal Living Magazine. Southport will be featured in the magazine’s July/August issue. “Southport’s beauty and spirit make it truly deserving of this honor,” Governor McCrory said. “I commend the residents of Southport for their hard work…
Read MoreNaCo: Final “Waters of the US” rule comes up short
The National Association of Counties distributed the following on June 1, 2015: by Julie Ufner, Associate Legislative Director, National Association of Counties The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced their final Clean Water Rule: Definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which would increase the number of…
Read MoreNaCo Preliminary Analysis of “Waters of the US” Rule
The National Association of Counties distributed the following on May 27, 2015: After more than a year of voicing serious concerns and calling for clarity on the federal proposal to redefine “waters of the U.S.,” the National Association of Counties (NACo) has expressed disappointment that counties went unheard in the final rule that the U.S.…
Read MoreStatement on Vote Against Sales Tax Referendum
BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County Commissioner Frank Williams made the following statement Monday after voting against a proposal to put a referendum for a quarter-cent sales tax on the May primary ballot: “My vote against this proposal should not be misinterpreted as a vote against funding our schools or against supporting our coastal communities. While I strongly support our public schools…
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