Press Releases

Natural resources in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound region provide greater and more diverse economic benefits than previously thought, according to a new report. The report estimated economic benefits exceeding $475 million for commercial sectors that depend directly on natural resources, including agriculture, forestry and commercial fishing. In addition, these sectors directly employ approximately 36,000 workers in the region, generating more than $672 million in wages each year. 

The Local Advisory Committee for the Rachel Carson component of the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve will meet at 3:30 p.m. May 17 at the NOAA/NCNERR Administration Building, 101 Pivers Island Rd., Beaufort, N.C. On the agenda will be the results of a reserve shoreline analysis.The committee of local residents, partners and leaders provide the Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve staff with guidance and feedback regarding management of the reserve site.

Seventeen counties in the western part of the state are experiencing a moderate drought due to lack of adequate rainfall, according to Thursday’s federal drought map. The last time any part of the state experienced drought conditions was September 2015.Sixty-one counties are experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Last week, 88 counties were listed as abnormally dry. Part of central North Carolina improved due to the abundance of rainfall received in the last week. Abnormally dry is not drought, but means drought could emerge without adequate rainfall.

The Alamance County town of Ossipee will gain an additional 100,000 gallons of water capacity now that a five-mile section of waterline that connects the town with the city of Burlington’s water system is complete.The project, funded by the McCrory administration’s water infrastructure program, also solves problems stemming from drought conditions that made water availability and reliability a challenge for the town.  The joining of the two systems allows Ossipee to disconnect from a well system, with the added advantage of increased water capacity for fire protection.

North Carolina environmental officials announced today that 56 water systems are being honored for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards. The facilities received the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award from the state environmental department. The awards are part of an initiative to enhance the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities.A “Gold Star” honor was given to facilities that have received the award for 10 or more consecutive years. Those facilities are Newton, Two Rivers Utilities in Gastonia, Lincolnton, and Marion.

Local Advisory Committees for the Kitty Hawk Woods and Buxton Woods Coastal Reserves and the Currituck Banks component of the National Estuarine Research Reserve will meet in May. The meetings are open to the public.

State officials have for the second year in a row recognized a company with facilities in Greensboro for having outstanding environmental performance.Sam Hayes, general counsel for the state environmental agency, on Tuesday presented officials at TE Connectivity’s Burgess Road facility with a 2015 Environmental Steward Award, one of only 23 facilities in North Carolina to earn the coveted award for a commitment to superior environmental performance.

Secretary Donald R. van der Vaart of the state environmental department has named Michael Scott as the new director of the waste management program.

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will meet May 10-11 at the Dare County Government Complex, 954 Marshall C. Collins Dr., in Manteo, N.C. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. on May 10 and 9 a.m. on May 11. The meeting is open to the public.Items on the commission’s agenda include:

A project that will create treehouses with overnight accommodations is underway through a $95,000 grant from the McCrory administration to the town of Windsor.  The water-based recreation project, located next to the historic Cashie River, will create the first fully handicap accessible treehouse village.The funding was used for land acquisition, a boardwalk, and construction of the tree houses. Town officials plan to launch an online reservation system for booking overnight stays in the treehouses. The project is expected to be completed in Oct. 2016.