The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Carteret County at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, 5285 U.S. 70 West, Morehead City.
Rebekah Williams of Beaufort has applied to lease approximately 3.15 acres of water bottom and water column in the Newport River for a shellfish aquaculture operation.
Samuel Boyd of Morehead City has applied to lease three contiguous areas, approximately 4.85 acres, 4.83 acres and 4.49 acres, of water bottom and water column in Bogue Sound.
The Sandbar Oyster Company, operated by Niels Lindquist, of Morehead City, has applied to lease approximately 3.50 acres of water bottom and water column in Mossy Shoal in North River, 3.81 acres of water bottom and water column in Muddy Bay in the North River Marshes and 4.8 acres of water bottom and water column in the Newport River.
Maps of the proposed leases are available here.
The public may comment on the proposed leases at the meeting or in writing until 5 p.m. on Jan. 17. Written comments should be submitted to the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.
The application file and biologist report for the proposed leases are available for inspection weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters Office, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.
For more information, contact Steve Murphey, Habitat and Enhancement Section chief, at 252-808-8046 or Steve.Murphey@ncdenr.gov.