No plastic bags on Outer Banks

"We cannot permit the plastic bag to become North Carolina’s state flower. I think the dogwood is plenty good enough."

- State Senator Josh Stein (D-Wake)

Three counties in the Outer Banks of North Carolina are moving to the front of a national effort to discourage the use of plastic bags in retail stores. Freshman State Senator Josh Stein spearheaded the effort in the General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 1018, which would ban most uses of plastic bags in Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties.  The measure would protect sea turtles and their nesting areas, which are threatened by the suffocating garbage, and help lessen unsightly litter in an area known for its natural beauty.

Coastal Conversation, Continued

On a lovely May evening, a coalition of environmental groups hosted “A Coastal Evening”.  More than 70 individuals came to the Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill to hear from two former DENR Secretaries and Dr. Stanley Riggs of ECU share their thoughts about how to manage North Carolina’s beaches in the age of climate change.  Dr. Riggs, a leading coastal geologist, gave a compelling explanation of how exactly our coasalt communities and the $2 billion/yr tourism industry are at serious risk going forward due to poor management and a lack of foresight.

We are “continuing the conversation” online at http://www.coastalconversation.com/ please share your ideas as we work to develop a responsible vision for our coast.

Wetlands in danger: Now, it’s up to EPA

North Carolinians who value the remarkable natural heritage of the Albermarle-Pamlico Sound are looking to EPA to protect valuable wetlands and primary fish habitat after the Army Corps of Engineers failed to intervene in a planned expansion of a phosphate mining operation in Eastern North Carolina. At stake are 4000 acres of wetlands and nearly five miles of tidal creeks and streams, including designated primary fishing habitat, along the Pamlico River in Beaufort County.  

NC Sierra Club, represented by Southern Environmental Law Center is among the groups challenging the flawed permit issued by the NC Division of Water Quality to PCS Phosphate. The permit would allow the single largest destruction of wetlands in the state’s history.

EPA has called the impacts “unacceptable” and has elevated proposed mining expansion for national review.   The question now is if EPA will exercise its authority to veto some or all of PCS’s proposal.

Outings

Visit our statewide outings calendar for up-to-date outings in your area. And be sure to check out TRAILS.

In the News

Panel stiffens scrutiny for air pollutants | Charlotte Observer | May 22, 2009

"It's long overdue,” Molly Diggins, state director of the Sierra Club, said after the vote by the Environmental Management Commission. “It is ironic that, at a time when there's a push to reduce use of coal, it's been exempt from the state's health-based standard.”

Plastic Bags Must Go, Basnight Says | Charlotte Observer | May 13, 2009

Environmentalists counter that the bags require energy to make and usually end up in landfills. “On the coast they can be a problem for marine life,” said Molly Diggins, who heads the Sierra Club's North Carolina chapter.

Lawmakers scale back toxic emissions plan | Associated Press | May 13, 2009

Molly Diggins with the state Sierra Club said the amended bill is a reasonable alternative that doesn't damage the air quality program.

Must Reads

Rules on Falls Lake stagnates | News & Observer | May 25, 2009

Falls Lake supplies drinking water for 435,000 Wake County residents. Like Jordan Lake, it is designated "impaired waters" under the federal Clean Water Act. Federal and state laws require the state to cut pollution in such waters and manage them to keep pollutants at acceptable levels.

Should state regulate coal ash ponds more closely? | Charlotte Observer | May 12, 2009

But legislation sponsored by Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, surely deserves exploration while the legislature is in session. Her bill would expand requirements, such as liners, for landfills and ponds, authorize the state to collect fees for landfills and storage ponds, require monitoring of ponds, phase out the storage of some materials and remove the exemption of coal ash ponds from dam safety laws.

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