Carteret County Shellfish Lease Hearing — March 31, 2026

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Carteret County beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the hearing was held in person at the Central District Office, 5285 Hwy 70 W, Morehead City, and virtually via Webex.

The hearing will cover the following proposed shellfish lease applications in Onslow County:

1. William K. Harris – Shellfish Bottom and Water Column – Nos. 25-005BL / 25-006WC – 4.46 acres – West Thorofare Bay

The areas will be marked at each corner as a Proposed Shellfish Bottom Lease and/or Water Column Lease with the above numbers.

How to join the public hearing

Attend in person

• Where: Central District Office, 5285 Hwy 70 W, Morehead City, NC 28557
• When: Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

Join online (Webex)

• Joining link: ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=m3b33d037e5a92d7fd98615545f366ea6
• Webinar number / Access code: 2428 941 4942
• Attendee password: sCSh39Y9dNK
• Join by phone (US toll): +1-415-655-0003
• Phone access code: sCSh39Y9dNK

How to provide comments at the hearing

Members of the public may comment on the proposed shellfish leases in person at the hearing or by Webex.

To speak via Webex

• You must pre-register to speak no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 30, 2026.
• Speaker registration (Webex): deq.nc.gov/carteret-county-shellfish-lease-hearing-speaker-registration

To speak in person

• You should register to speak at the meeting location between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026.

Sworn written comments

Sworn written comments may be submitted up to twenty-four (24) hours following the proceedings. Written comments may be submitted in two ways:

1. Online comments – Use the online form at:
   • deq.nc.gov/carteret-county-shellfish-lease-hearing-comment-form

2. Mailed comments – Mail to:

   NC Division of Marine Fisheries
   Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program
   PO Box 769
   Morehead City, NC 28557

Meeting materials

Presentation (PDF)

• To be published when available

Biological investigation reports

• William K. Harris – Nos. 25-005BL / 25-006WC

Contacts

Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program (hearing and lease questions)

• Phone: (252) 515-5480
• Email: SLAP@deq.nc.gov

Media inquiries

• Patricia Smith, Public Information Officer
• Phone: (252) 515-5500