Eight of 10 N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve sites reopened to visitors on today after closures due to Hurricane Florence.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) continues to update their dashboard snapshots daily with information from key areas of concern related to damage from Hurricane Florence. Today, aerial footage from Duke Energy Sutton Site (near Wilmington) and images from H.F. Lee (near Goldsboro) inspections were added to the dashboard.
As waters begin to recede and residents make their way back home, state environmental officials share guidance on the best methods for disposing of storm debris in the wake of Hurricane Florence.
Coastal property owners who need to replace docks, piers, bulkheads or similar structures damaged by Hurricane Florence along sounds, rivers and creeks may be authorized to do so more quickly through an emergency general permit offered by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management.
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission meetings scheduled for Sept. 19 and Sept. 20 in Raleigh have been cancelled. New meeting dates will soon be announced and posted on the commission website at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-commissions/environmental-management-commission.
The N.C. Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board meeting planned for Sept. 24 has also been cancelled. More information on the board’s meetings is available online at:https://deq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation/secretaries-science-advisory-board.
Marine Fisheries meetings cancelled due to storm impacts
In response to the recent update by Duke on the wastewater discharge at the Sutton Plant, DEQ Communications Director Megan S. Thorpe offered the following comment:
DEQ has been closely monitoring all coal ash impoundments that could be vulnerable in this record breaking rain event. As soon as it is safe to do so, DEQ will be onsite at the Sutton Steam Plant to conduct a thorough inspection. Once the damage is assessed, DEQ will determine the best path forward and hold the utility accountable for implementing the solution that ensures the protection of public health and the environment.
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission meeting that was scheduled for Sept. 19-20 in Wilmington has been cancelled due to the potential impacts from Hurricane Florence and the need for state officials to focus on post-storm damage assessments and response.
All coastal waters in North Carolina will temporarily close to shellfish harvest at sunrise Thursday