The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026, on proposed shellfish leases in Hyde County. The hearing will be held at the Hyde County Courthouse, 40 Oyster Creek Road, Swan Quarter, NC 27885, and through Webex.
The hearing will address the following applications:
- Mary Ellen Van Salisbury has applied for a 1.99-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in East of Long Shoal Point to Bluff Point/Rodanthe to Ocracoke (Nos. 26-040BL and 26-041WC).
- John Bundy has applied for a 1.08-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Spencer Bay (Nos. 26-046BL and 26-047WC).
The areas will be marked at each corner as a proposed shellfish bottom and/or water column lease with the above numbers.
To comment through Webex, register by 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, 2026, using the Hyde County speaker registration form. In-person speakers must sign up at the hearing location between 5-6 p.m. Dec. 15. Registration is not required to listen online.
The Webex link, telephone access instructions, presentation and biological investigation reports will be posted as available on the Hyde County hearing webpage.
The Division will also accept sworn written comments for up to 24 hours after the hearing concludes. Comments may be submitted by either method:
- Online: Complete the Hyde County hearing comment form.
- Mail: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Lease & Aquaculture Program, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.
Questions may be directed to the Shellfish Lease & Aquaculture Program at 252-515-5480 or SLAP@deq.nc.gov.
AT A GLANCE
| WHO: | NCDEQ Division of Marine Fisheries |
| WHO: | Public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Hyde County |
| WHO: | Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. |
| WHO: | Hyde County Courthouse 40 Oyster Creek Rd. Swan Quarter, N.C. 27885 |
| ONLINE: | Hearing information and Webex access |