The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a meeting of the Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Division’s Central District Office, 5285 U.S. 70 West, Morehead City.
The committee will consider three third-party hearing requests submitted under N.C. General Statute 113-202(g), each challenging the Division Director’s April 15 approval of proposed shellfish leases. The in-person hearing is open to the public but will not include an opportunity for public comment.
Committee members will hear oral arguments from each petitioner, Division staff and lease applicant. After presentations conclude, the committee will deliberate and vote on each challenge.
A public hearing for each lease was held on Mar. 13, 2025.
Meeting materials will be released as they become available.
Agenda Overview
Hearing 1
Petitioner
Thomas Peralto
Lease Applicant
C.I. Salts Oyster Company, LLC (Ralph Brittingham, agent)
Lease Location
4.22-acre bottom and water column lease in North Bay
Petition Received
April 23
Hearing 2
Petitioner
Merleon Creech
Lease Applicant
Jacob Milchuck
Lease Location
6.17-acre bottom and water column lease in Adams Creek
Petition Received
May 15
Hearing 3
Petitioner
Corey McMahon
Lease Applicant
Jacob Milchuck
Lease Location
6.17-acre bottom and water column lease in Adams Creek
Petition Received
May 15