The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on two proposed shellfish bottom and water column lease applications in Hyde County at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2026. The hearing will be held in person and virtually via Webex pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-202(f).
Hearing Details
- Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2026
- Time: Beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern
- In-person location: Hyde County Courthouse, 40 Oyster Creek Rd, Swan Quarter, NC 27885
- Virtual attendance: Webex; meeting access information will be posted on this page when available.
Proposed Shellfish Lease Applications
- Mary Ellen Van Salisbury — 1.99 acres in E. of Bluff to Long Sh./Rodan; proposed shellfish bottom lease No. 26-040BL and water column No. 26-041WC.
- John Bundy — 1.08 acres in Spencer Bay; proposed shellfish bottom lease No. 26-046BL and water column lease No. 26-047WC.
The proposed lease areas will be marked at each corner as proposed shellfish bottom and/or water column leases, identified by the corresponding application numbers.
How to Attend and Comment
Attend or Speak in Person
Members of the public may attend at the Hyde County Courthouse. Anyone wishing to provide oral comments in person must register to speak at the hearing location between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
Attend or Speak via Webex
Members of the public may attend the hearing virtually via Webex. The webinar link and telephone call-in details will be posted on this page when available. People attending only to observe do not need to register to speak.
Anyone wishing to provide oral comments via Webex must register to speak virtually no later than 4 p.m. Monday, December 14, 2026.
Submit Sworn Written Comments
Sworn written comments may be submitted up to 24 hours following the conclusion of the hearing proceedings by either of the following methods:
- Online: Use the Hyde County Shellfish Lease Hearing Comment Form.
- By mail: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program, PO Box 769, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557.
Meeting Materials
Biological investigation reports for the proposed applications and the hearing presentation will be posted on this page as they become available.
Contact Information
Shellfish Lease & Aquaculture Program
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Phone: (252) 515-5480
Email: SLAP@deq.nc.gov