16 NC counties are under alert, including Chatham County.

The first store will open Thursday in Kill Devil Hills, with additional outlets planned for Rocky Mount, Elizabeth City, Greenville, Wilson and Goldsboro by the end of 2024.

Wawa in NC: 10 stores by end of 2024; 🥨 90 stores in 10 years

Wawa

As the number of juvenile offenders climbs, the state is looking at alternatives crowded detention centers to make sure young people already convicted of crimes can turn their lives around. 

Education, skills and rehab focus easing burden on NC juvenile justice system

Inside the juvenile justice system

All assets associated with the tag: North Carolina Coastal Federation

North Carolina Coastal Federation Coverage

This Earth Day, people around the world will celebrating our planet. This year's theme, "Planet Versus Plastic," has inspired a group of coastal volunteers to take action against marine debris

'Trash everywhere:' Volunteers take action against marine debris at Atlantic Beach

Volunteers clean up around 1,500 pounds of litter along NC coast

TODAY. METEOROLOGIST ELIZABETH GARDNER HAS YOUR FORECAST. COMING UP. >> THIS EARTH DAY, PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR PLANET. THIS YEAR'S THEME PLANET VERSUS PLASTIC HAS INSPIRED A GROUP OF COASTAL VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST MARINE DEBRIS. THE COASTAL FEDERATION STATION STRONG HAS MORE ON THEIR EFFORTS. >> BECAUSE THERE'S TRASH EVERYWHERE, RIGHT OUT IN THE MARSH OF FORT MACON STATE PARK IN ATLANTIC BEACH, A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TREKKED TO THE MUD AND BUGS TO PICK UP TRASH. YEAH. I THINK. >> IF YOU LIVE OR EVEN VISIT YOUR REGULARLY, IT'S PART OF, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE >> A LITTLE BIT OF AN OBLIGATION FOR VOLUNTEER TOM ROBERTS. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE COST OF LIVING AT THE COAST. IT'S REAL FULFILLING BECAUSE YOU'RE YOU'RE GOING TO FIND PLENTY OF THAT RIGHT? >> THIS KIND YOU KIND OF CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO FIND UNIQUE STUFF AND LOOK FOR THOSE BOTTLES. AND ROBERTS HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERING WITH NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION FOR 8 YEARS AND WHILE FINDING AND REMOVING THE DEBRIS AND TRASH IS IMPORTANT TO ROBERTS. HE ALSO SAYS IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO SEE WHO CAN FIND THE MOST INTERESTING STAFF WHO POLL WE FOUND A MOTORCYCLE HOME ONCE THAT WAS PRETTY COOL FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION. THESE VOLUNTEER CLEANUP EVENTS ALSO OFFER AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO TRACK WHAT THEY'RE FINDING AND HOW MUCH OF IT WE TRY TO TALLY WHAT WE FIND SO THAT WE CAN >> HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS ENDING UP IN THIS OUT MARCH WHERE IT'S COMING FROM AND THEN ON TO SAY, USE THAT DATA TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR CLEANUP EFFORTS IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THE FEDERATION SAYS THAT KNOWING WHAT TYPE OF DEBRIS IS BEING FOUND CAN HELP EXPERTS DETERMINE IF THERE'S A WAY TO PREVENT IT FROM ENDING UP IN THESE INVALUABLE HABITATS ALONG THE COAST, THE LITTER MARSH CAN BE HARMFUL. IT CAN DAMAGE THE HABITAT THAT'S CRASHING THE GRASSES OR THE OTHER PLANTS AND ANIMAL LIFE IN THE SALT MARSH IN CAN ALL SAY BE DAMAGING. IF WILDLIFE TRIES TO EAT IN JUST THE MARINE DEBRIS OR BECOME ENTANGLED IN IT DURING THE GROUP'S TO OUR CLEANUP EFFORT. MORE THAN 1500 POUNDS OF TRASH WOULD AND TIRES WERE PICKED UP. THIS REPORTING FOR THE COASTAL FEDERATION AND WRAL. I'M STATION STRONG LOT. PLUS THEY CAN MICRO-PLASTICS ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON DEBRIS FOUND. IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 9.1 BILLION TONS OF PLASTIC PRODUCED SINCE THE 1950'S. >> ONE REUSABLE BOTTLE IS

Protecting our state's coastal waters is an ongoing effort, and one nonprofit recently hit a major milestone in that endeavor.

Thousands of pieces of fishing gear removed from coastal NC waters over past decade

Coastal Federation marks 10 years of work to remove fishing gear from waters

SIMMONS IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST ON TRUTH. SOCIAL EARLIER THIS MONTH. >> PROTECTING OUR STATE'S COASTAL WATERS IS AN ONGOING EFFORTS IN ONE NONPROFIT RECENTLY HIT A MAJOR MILESTONE IN THAT ENDEAVOR. NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION, MORE 10 YEARS OF WORKING WITH COMMERCIAL FISHING CREWS TO FIND AND REMOVE THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF LOST FISHING YEAR FROM THE WATER. THE COASTAL FEDERATION STATION STRONG HAS MORE ON THE ONGOING WORK. >> ON A BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL MORNING IN SWANSBORO MOUNT LITTLETON AND CARSON WETHERINGTON ARE LOOKING FOR BUOYS. HE'S CRAB POTS. THEY'RE PULLING IN ARE NOT PROVIDING THEIR NEXT MEAL, THOUGH. WE'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING TO PULL THIS LOST OR FORGOTTEN GEAR FROM THE WATER ALTOGETHER. AREAS THAT WERE WORKING CONTINUOUSLY. YOU'RE SEEING JUST MORE OF, YOU KNOW, LOST CAUSE OR LEFTOVER PARTS ARE. >> ONE OF MY GOT THEM, YOU KNOW, MOVED AROUND FROM A STORM YOU'RE NOT SEEING JUST LIKE THE LIKE IN THIS AREA, RUNNING UP ON A LOT OF JUST PAUSE OR >> THEIR LEAGUE DEBRIS THAT'S BEEN DISCARDED SOMEWHERE OR IT'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, HIT BY A BOATER HIT BY PROPER SOMETHING BECAUSE IT'S BEEN IN THE WATER FOR SO LONG FOR YEARS. LITTLETON WHOSE A CHARTER BOAT CAPTAIN WORKED ALONGSIDE HIS FATHER AS PART OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION HAS LOST FISHING GEAR RECOVERY PROJECT. >> BUT NOW HE CONTINUES THAT EFFORT WITH HIS OWN TEAM AND HE LOVED. WE LOVED IT IS JUST ALL THAT. YOU KNOW, I WORK ON THE WATERS OF BEING ABLE TO HAVE A HAND AND KEEPING IT CLEAN IS. >> EVERYTHING TO MAKE FOR THE COASTAL FEDERATION. THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT ON A NUMBER OF FRONTS. THOSE CRAB POTS CAN CONTINUE TO AND HARM ANIMALS. THAT CAN ALSO. >> HE HAD A SON AVIGATION TO KEEP COASTAL WATERS CLEAN. THE COASTAL FEDERATION HAS PARTNERED ALONGSIDE THE DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES, MARINE PATROL TO FIND AND REMOVE THE LAST YEAR SINCE 2014, WE'VE HAD RETREATED ABOUT 20,000. A CRAB POT SINCE THE PROGRAM BEGAN. THE FEDERATION SAYS THAT NUMBER DOESN'T INCLUDE WHAT MARINE PATROL HAS FOUND. THE CLEANUP EFFORTS TAKE PLACE DURING THE BLUE CRAB CLOSURE EACH YEAR EACH YEAR THEY CLOSE THE CRAB POT IN FOR A COUPLE IN JANUARY. UP IN THE NORTHERN CENTRAL PART OF THE COAST AND IN MARCH IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COAST, MORE THAN 2000 LAST CRAB POTS WERE CLEANED UP IN JANUARY AND OVER 400 WERE COLLECTED IN MARCH, REPORTING FOR THE COASTAL FEDERATION AND WRAL. I'M STATION STRONG. >> AND THE COASTAL FEDERATIONS LOST FISHING GEAR. RECOVERY PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA COMMERCIAL

A shrinking island in Eastern Carolina is well underway to restoration after the town it protects and several groups came together to save it.

Saving Sugarloaf: Restoration to begin on shrinking NC island that protects Morehead City

Town of Morehead, Coastal Federation team up to save Sugarloaf Island

ON SOCIAL MEDIA SEVERAL TIMES SAYING THAT HE HAD PERMISSION BEFORE FILMING THIS IS A SHRINKING ISLAND IN EASTERN CAROLINA IS WELL UNDERWAY TO RESTORATION AFTER THE TOWN OF PER TAX AND SEVERAL GROUPS CAME TOGETHER. >> THE COASTAL FEDERATION STATION STRONG HAS MORE ON THE RESTORATION OF SUGARLOAF EILAT. >> THIS SMALL, UNASSUMING ISLAND MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE IT'S WORTH SAVING, BUT IT ACTUALLY PROVIDES AN INVALUABLE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT. SUGARLOAF ISLAND IS VITAL TO MOREHEAD CITY, NOT ONLY FOR ITS NATURAL RESOURCES, BUT FOR THE STORM PROTECTION. IT OFFERS OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT IS INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS DOWN HERE FOR THE PAST. 25 YEARS THE ISLAND HAS BEEN WITHERING AWAY AS STRONG STORMS, TIDES AND REST BOAT TRAFFIC HAVE TAKEN ITS TOLL BACK IN 2000 IS ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO, THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION WORKED WITH THE TOWN OF MOREHEAD CITY TO PURCHASE THE ISLAND. AND AT THAT TIME THE ISLAND WAS ACTUALLY SLATED FOR DEVELOPMENT. THERE ARE SOME PLANS IN THE WORKS AND THANKS TO THAT PURCHASE, THE ISLAND. >> I WAS ABLE TO BE PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AND BE THE NATURAL RESOURCE THAT IT IS TODAY, BOTH FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL. BUT OVER TIME SINCE THAT TIME, THE ISLAND HAS A ROW DID SIGNIFICANTLY THROUGH THE YEARS AS MUCH AS THE LENGTH OF A FOOTBALL FIELD OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE TOWN OF MOREHEAD CITY IN THE COASTAL FEDERATION, ALONG WITH OTHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A PLAN TO SAVE SUGARLOAF ISLAND, MOREHEAD CITY IS EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROJECT FINALLY KICK OFF. IT'S BEEN LONG ANTICIPATED. >> AND IT WILL GO A LONG WAY PROTECTED. NOT ONLY SUGARLOAF ISLAND, BUT THE MOREHEAD CITY WATERFRONT. THE RESTORATION PROJECT AT SUGARLOAF ISLAND IS THE FIRST TIME IN NORTH CAROLINA THAT WAVE ATTENUATION DEVICES ARE BEING USED FOR USING WAVE ATTENUATION DEVICES CALLED WINDS. >> THAT ARE DESIGNED TO SLOW DOWN THE WAVE. ENERGY AND PROTECT THE ISLAND FROM FURTHER EROSION. AND WE'RE ALSO INCORPORATING SAME OR WORSE. A COMPANY'S OYSTER CATCHER MATERIALS ARE >> THE LIVING SHORELINE APPROACH. IT WILL GENERATE OYSTER REEFS ON THE ISLAND TO PROTECT EROSION AND ALSO CREATE HABITAT. WELL, THEY MIGHT SEEM STRANGE. THEY HAVE BEEN USED IN A NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN FLORIDA AND THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN DRAMATIC AND THEY'VE USED THEM QUITE A BIT DOWN THERE AND BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL REASON WHY WE'RE USING THEM HERE IS BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO HELP PROTECT AT ISLAND. THEY GET A LOT OF SURGE. I'M ALSO THE PREDOMINANT SOUTHWEST WINDS IN THE SUMMERTIME. BUT THE STORMS HAVE REALLY ERODED THE AREA. SCIENTISTS SAY THAT WHILE SOME OF THE RESULTS OF THE RESTORATION WORK COULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM A FEW MONTHS TO A FEW YEARS TO FULLY SHOW. >> OTHER BENEFITS WILL SHOW UP MUCH SOONER IMMEDIATELY. FISH ARE GOING TO START USING THE AREA. >> CRABS ARE GOING TO START BEING USING THE AREA AND OYSTERS WILL START TO ATTACH AND GROW OVER TIME ON THE STRUCTURES AS WELL. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO COMPLETE. >> REPORTING FOR THE COASTAL FEDERATION AND WRAL. I'M STATION STRONG. >> AND THE SUGARLOAF RESTORATION PROJECT WILL STILL ALLOW FOR RECREATIONAL USE OF THE ISLAND. MOREHEAD CITY

While landfills may seem like a large pile where unwanted stuff and trash ends up, there is one landfill that's going the extra mile to recycle what it can.

THE PRELIMINARY WAR FOR TALENT, BUT I CAN GO ON A TANGENT. OKAY. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THEM. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO HANLEY. IT'S THE START OF THE NEW YEAR AND FOR MANY, THAT MAY MEAN TAKING THE TIME TO CLEAN OUT AND ORGANIZE THEIR HOMES, WHICH COULD REQUIRE A TRIP TO THE LOCAL LANDFILL WHILE LANDFILLS MAY SEEM LIKE A LARGE PILE WHERE AND WANTED STUFF IN TRASH JUST ENDS UP. THERE'S ONE LANDFILL THAT'S GOING THE EXTRA MILE TO RECYCLE WHAT IT CAN. >> NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION STATION STRONG GIVES US A LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE DOING. >> WHERE THE FINAL RESTING PLACE TRASH. THAT'S THE SIMPLEST WAY. SOME REPEAT COULD DESCRIBE THE TUSK OR LANDFALL THAT THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP OPERATES IN CRAVEN COUNTY, ALTHOUGH THE ACTUAL RECEIVE TRASH FROM 3 COUNTIES IN THE REGION WHERE WE GET ALL THE UNITS BOWL, SOLID WASTE, WHICH IS JUST HOUSEHOLD TRASH. AND WE GET ALL OF THE TRASH FROM OUR 3 COUNTIES THAT WE HAVE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SO CRAVING CARTER AND PAMLICO WHILE THEY DON'T DO ANY RECYCLING AT THEIR FACILITY, THEY ARE INVOLVED IN SEVERAL INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE WHAT ENDS UP IN THE LANDFILL. ALL LANDFILLS PRODUCE LANDFILL GAS. SO LANDFILLS ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PRODUCER OF METHANE, WHICH IS LIKE 60% OF LANDFILL GAS. WE KNOW NOTHING IS REALLY BY GREENHOUSE GAS WILL EXTRACT THAT FROM THE LANDFILL. SO IT'S BEEN CLOSED AND WILL SEND THAT OVER WE HAVE A POWER PLANT. ENERGY PLAN ON SITE. THEY'RE BP COMPANY, AND THEY WILL TURN THAT METHANE AND ELECTRICITY. BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY THING LANDFILL IS DOING TO REDUCE THEIR FOOTPRINT OR IS NOT A LOT OF OXYGEN AND A LANDFILL. SO THERE'S NOT REALLY A GREAT WAY FOR THANKS TO DECOMPOSE. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR YARD WASTE, IF WE PUT IT IN A LANDFILL, IT WOULDN'T DECOMPOSE WHAT BREAKDOWN. IT WOULDN'T GET SMALLER. SO AS A WAY TO THAT PART THAT WASTE OUT OF THE LANDFILL, WE RUN A COMPOSTING PROGRAM HERE, COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION, OYSTER SHELL RECYCLING PROGRAM AND THE MOISTURE SHOWERS. CYCLING PROGRAM IS A WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TOO. BE A PART OF MOISTURE RESTORATION EFFORTS BY RECYCLING. >> EASTER SHELLS AFTER THEY HAVEN'T NOTICED YOUR ASSISTANCE. SO WE HAVE SEVERAL TRAILERS AND DUMPSTERS LOCATED ALONG WITH COASTAL COMMUNITIES. AND THOSE ARE DROP-OFF SITE. THE SHELLS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO THE DROP-OFF SITES ARE THEN TAKEN TO STOCKPILE SITES BY COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP WHERE THEY WILL CURE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THEY WILL BE USED AND RESTORATION PROJECTS THEY'VE OFFERED. >> TO HELP HALL. >> THE DUMPSTERS TO LOCATIONS WHEN THEY'RE FULL FROM THEIR LANDFILL SITES. AND SO IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL. THEY'RE ALSO REALLY GREAT AT HELPING US TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE NEED FOR RECYCLING OYSTER SHELLS. THE COASTAL FEDERATION SAYS PUTTING OYSTER SHELLS BACK IN THE WATER HELPS TO GROW THE POPULATION OF WILD OYSTERS. >> ALL WHILE CLEANING THE WATER AND IMPROVING HABITAT FOR FISH CRABS AND SHRIMP REPORTING FOR

Coastal landfills find new ways to reduce, reuse & recycle

Every year, the state celebrates North Carolina oyster month in October. The oyster industry in North Carolina continues to grow and is expected to be worth $100 million by 2030. Meet oyster growers trying to expand their farms in the effort.

ON SPECTRUM AND THE WRAL APP ON YOUR TV OR STREAMING DEVICE, RIGHT? LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM EVERY YEAR. THE STATE CELEBRATES NORTH CAROLINA. >> WE STIR MONTH IN OCTOBER, THE OYSTER INDUSTRY IN OUR STATE CONTINUES TO GROW. HE'S EXPECTED TO BE WORTH GET THIS 100 MILLION DOLLARS BY  >> COASTAL FEDERATION STATION STRONG HAS MORE FROM LOCAL GROWERS TRYING TO EXPAND THEIR FARMS IN THAT EFFORT. >> WE ARE A FUNDAMENTAL SPECIES UNASH WHERE IT'S PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO THE ECOSYSTEM. OYSTERS ARE GREAT FOR EVERYBODY. THEY'RE GREAT FOR ECONOMY. THEY'RE GREAT WATER, QUALITY AND HABITAT. AND FOR OUR THE MORE THE BETTER IT WAS WITH THAT IDEA THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION AND PARTNER GROUPS CAME TOGETHER TO DEVISE A PLAN TO EXPAND THE OYSTER INDUSTRY IS PLAN SET A VERY AMBITIOUS GOAL FOR THE STAGE TO GROW THE MARKET VALUE OF ITS SHELLFISH. MICHAEL TRAIN, THE STREET TO 100 MILLION DOLLARS BY. >> 2030 TO REACH THAT LOFTY GOAL WITHIN THE NEXT 7 YEARS. IT TAKES OYSTER GROWERS LIKE COUNCIL MCGLADE SLASH CREEK OYSTERS. >> BUT GROWING OYSTERS IS A LABOR INTENSIVE PROCESS WHICH MCGLADE SAYS MEANS IT CAN BE TOUGH TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS. I WAS IN A VERY FRUSTRATING POINT BECAUSE >> I HAD A LOT OF DEMAND. I WORKED HARD TO DEVELOP A GOOD NETWORK OF CUSTOMERS THAT WANTED MORE OYSTERS. BUT I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SCALING UP NOW WITH THE LATEST TESTING OUT A NEW EQUIPMENT SYSTEM CALLED A FOOT FARM THAT SHE HOPES WILL HELP HER KEEP UP WITH THAT DEMAND JUST SEEMED LIKE IT SOLVED. SO MANY OF THE ISSUES THAT I WAS HAVING ON MY FARM TO FARM IS DESIGNED TO NOT LET THE OYSTER CAGES GET TANGLED UP FOR FLIPPED OVER BY THE WIND. >> THAT CAN HAPPEN WITH TRADITIONAL CAGES AND THE PLATES AS THIS SYSTEM TAKES AWAY, SOME OF THE MORE STRENUOUS WORK INVOLVED, THE POLICE TO FARMING WITH THE WITH THE ATTACHMENTS FOR FILLING IN FOR AND SEEING. THE OYSTERS COME UP OUT OF THE WATER AND THE BASKETS AND THEN THAT WASTE AND THEY COME TO WAIST HEIGHT. >> NEVER HAVE TO LIFT THEM UP. YOU NEVER HAVE TO BEND DOWN TO PUT THEM IN THE WATER. EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT A PLACE FOR YOUR BODY ISN'T A GOOD, STRONG NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE SHE IS JUST USING THIS EQUIPMENT ON PART OF HER FARM. MCGLADE SAYS SHE'S EXCITED AT HOW WELL IT'S WORKING. WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR GROWING HER BUSINESS. I THINK THAT IT COULD MAKE A HUGE >> IN TERMS OF THE SMALL FARMER. PRODUCING MORE OYSTERS WITH LESS LABOR. THAT'S THE NAME OF THE GAME. OYSTER FARMERS AND ANOTHER REGION OF THE STATE WILL ALSO BE GETTING A HELPING HAND SOON IN THE FORM OF A FACILITY THAT COULD PROVIDE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL. THE SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE HAVE. >> THIS HAVE IS A FACILITY THAT ONCE BUILT WILL PROVIDE THE GROWERS WITH CRITICAL LOGISTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH A STATE OF THE REFRIGERATION AND STORAGE ROOM FOR THE PRODUCT PLACE TO WORK PLACE TO STORE THEIR GEAR. YEAH. CULTURE HUB IS SET TO BE BUILT IN 2024 AND READY FOR USE BY 2025. REPORTING FOR THE COASTAL

Oyster growers work to expand oyster farms

Oysters are a tasty treat you might enjoy from the coast, but the left-over oyster shell can serve another purpose instead of winding up in the trash.

SUGGEST CONTACTING YOUR PEDIATRICIAN FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE. >> WELL, WE SEARCH FOR A TASTY TREAT. YOU MIGHT ENJOY FROM OUR COAST, BUT THE LEFTOVER OYSTER SHELLS CAN SERVE ANOTHER PURPOSE INSTEAD OF WINDING UP IN THE TRASH WRAL'S STATION. STRONG REPORTS ON A NEW PROJECT BRINGING LIFE TO THOSE LAWS. >> THE SOUND OF OYSTER SHELLS HITTING A KAYAK ISN'T THE TYPICAL SOUND YOU'D EXPECT TO HEAR AT A BOAT? THIS GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION AND THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ARE TAKING THESE KAYAKS JUST DOWN THE SHORELINE WHERE THEY WILL SOON BE A HOME FOR NEW OYSTERS. SO TODAY WE USE MAKESHIFT BARGES USING KAYAKS AND VOLUNTEERS. THE GROUP IS BUILDING A HATCHERY ON PEA ISLAND THAT USES RECYCLED OYSTER SHELLS IN SHALLOW WATERS LIKE BEATS MY LANDLORD AND THE RESTAURANT THAT SOME OF THESE CAME FROM. SO LIKE. >> I KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE VERY FIRST PART OF THEM COMING INTO THIS COMMUNITY, WHICH IS REALLY NEAT AND THEN LIKE IT'S ALSO JUST COOL. CAUSE LIKE SOME OF THESE ARE FROM NEIGHBORHOODS TO LIKE SOME OF MY OYSTER SHELLS THAT I HAD AT MY HOME ARE IN THIS THAT OR HAVE BEEN IN A BATCH PREVIOUSLY BEFORE THAT HAVE BEEN LAID OUT HERE. SO IT'S REALLY NEAT TO SEE COME FULL CIRCLE. MICHELLE'S WILL ACT LIKE A MAGNET FOR NEW OYSTERS TO GROW ON, WHICH WILL THEN BE HARVEST DOUBLE BY THE PUBLIC EVENTUALLY BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON HARSH WATERS. AND SO WE. >> LOOK AT DOING SOME DOWN HERE, PEA ISLAND WHERE WE KNEW THAT HISTORICALLY PEOPLE USE TO AND HARVEST TREES. BUT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF SHELL OUT IN THIS AREA. SO WE DECIDE IT TO TRY TO FIND SUITABLE HABITAT TO TRY TO BUILD SOME OF THE SHELL RACE. EXPERTS SAY OYSTER SHELLS ARE SOME OF THE BEST MATERIALS FOR NEW OYSTERS TO GROW ON. AND NOW THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF SPACE FOR THEM TO THRIVE WITHIN THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S PROJECT AROUND 10 REESE WILL BE BUILT IT WITHIN THE SITE BEHIND PEA ISLAND THIS REEF ITSELF IS ABOUT 100 FEET. WILL BY 10 FEET WIDE. THE SHELLS THAT WILL CREATE THESE NEW REESE CAME FROM THE COASTAL FEDERATIONS RESTAURANT TO REEF PROGRAM. WE'RE OYSTER SHELLS ARE RECYCLED FOR RESTORATION EFFORT. AND SO WE HAVE. >> PARTNER LEFT SIDE, WE VOLUNTEERS TO GO TO THE RESTAURANTS TO COLLECT SHELLS. USED A 5 GALLON BUCKETS AND WE DO HAVE ONE RESTAURANT PARTNER THAT HAS A 5 BY 8 DUMP TRAILER. THIS IS SIGNED ACTUALLY SEE. >> YOU KNOW, THE SHELLS GETTING RECYCLED FROM LEICESTER LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND GETTING PUT OUT HERE IN THE WATER. SCIENTISTS SAY THEY HOPE BABY OYSTERS WILL SETTLE ON THIS NEW REEF BY THE END OF SUMMER REPORTING FOR THE COASTAL FEDERATION AND STATION

Volunteers use oyster shells to build patch reefs, generating new oysters

Right now, the inner coastal waters from the Emerald Isle bridge north are closed for commercial harvest.

Lost fishing gear collected from waters of Pamlico County

Fisherman work to cleanup coastal water

Millions watched the videos of a house falling into the Atlantic Ocean in May, the third this year, but now several more houses in Rodanthe on the Outer Banks are in danger of meeting the same fate.


Outer Banks homes keep falling into the ocean, and septic tanks causing issues 

Homes in Rodanthe 

Stacia Strong reports on how the North Carolina Coastal Federation began working last year to remove several abandoned and rundown boats along the coast.

<p>APRIL OR OTHERS, JUST VISIT PAUL'S FOR LIFE IN C DOT ORG. AS WE JUST SAW A WINDY IAN SLAMMED ASHORE. HURRICANES CAN TOSSED BOATS AROUND CANALS. RIVERS AND MARINAS. AND EVEN THOUGH WE'RE 4 YEARS REMOVED FROM HURRICANE FLORENCE, THE CLEANUP OF LOST AND BROKEN DOWN BOATS FROM THAT STORM IS STILL ONGOING. STATION STRONG HAS A LOOK AT THOSE EFFORTS FROM THE COAST. &gt;&gt; IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT ON THE WATER, CHANCES ARE YOU'VE PROBABLY COME BROKEN DOWN OR ABANDONED BOAT AT SOME POINT, MANY OF WHICH END UP LIKE THAT AS A RESULT OF HURRICANES OR OTHER MAJOR STORMS. ASIDE FROM BEING AN EYESORE, HE'S RUN DOWN. VESSELS CAN ACTUALLY POSE A BIG THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS THE WATER REMOVING THESE VESSELS IS VERY IMPORTANT, NOT JUST FOR, YOU KNOW, THE CHEMICAL HAZARD ASPECT, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S DEBRIS THAT'S BEING LEFT OUT IN THE ENVIRONMENT. YOU KNOW, WITH EVERY STORM OR MAJOR TITLE EVENT THAT, THOUGH, IS JUST GOING TO BREAK UP. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET OUT OF THE WATERWAY. ITS NAVIGATION HAZARD DOESN'T LOOK GREAT FOR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE VISITING THE AREA WHO WANT TO YOU KNOW, CLEAN CRYSTAL COAST LAST YEAR. THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION BEGAN WORKING TO REMOVE A LARGE NUMBER OF ABANDONED OR RUN DOWN VOTES ALL ALONG THE COAST. WE RECEIVED FUNDING FORTUNATELY FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT GRANTS WERE SAYS AND FROM THE STATE. SO 2021, WE BEGAN OUR VESSEL REMOVALS AND WE'VE BEEN JUST CHECKING A WAY FOR A GOOD YEAR AND A HALF SO FAR. THE COASTAL FEDERATION, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS PARTNERS, INCLUDING LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, THE COAST GUARD, AND MARINE CONTRACTOR COVER MOVED AROUND 100 BOATS WITH SEVERAL MORE STILL TO GO THIS YEAR FROM THIS AREA. YOU KNOW, DO IN A PROJECT. &gt;&gt; IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE WE CAN SEE THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR BY REMOVING A BIG PILE OF DEBRIS ARE OUR BEST LESS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR A WHILE. IT'S IT'S A KIND OF A POINT OF PRIDE FOR ME PERSONALLY. AND MY CREW REALLY ENJOYS THIS WORK ONCE A BOAT HAS BEEN FOUND. THE TEEN FROM MAINSTREAM COMMERCIAL DIVERS GOES OUT AND BEGINS TO WORK TO ACTUALLY REMOVE THESE BOATS AND EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. YOU MIGHT USE A &gt;&gt; ROLLER BAGS TO GET THE BEST OUT OF THE MUD AND AT SOME OF THE LATE ON THE MARSH GRASS. WE DON'T DAMAGE THAT AND PULLED THAT SELL OUT ITS A BIG PART OF THAT IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY YOU KNOW, THIS LAST IN SOME AREAS AROUND HERE WITH MARSH GRASS AND PROTECTED ESTUARIES. AND WE DO OUR BEST TO TRY TO MINIMIZE ANY KIND OF DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT. WE'RE DOING THIS WORK WHILE EACH BOTH THAT IS PULLED OUT OF THE WATER IS DIFFERENT. OFFICIALS SAY CAN COST ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO $15,000 TO MOVE MOST VOTES. &gt;&gt; SOME OF THE LARGER VESSELS LIKE SHRIMP TRAWLERS CAN COST OVER $80,000 TO REMOVE REPORTING FOR THE COASTAL FEDERATION AND WRAL STATION STRONG. &gt;&gt; THESE GROUPS ARE HOPING TO PULL OUT SEVERAL MORE ABANDONED</p>

Coastal cleanup: Removing abandoned and derelict vessels along North Carolina coast

On Tuesday, a famous shrimp boat from North Carolina that washed ashore in Myrtle Beach during Hurricane Ian was finally freed from the sand with the help of a backhoe and another boat.

Last year, the North Carolina Coastal Federation began working to remove several abandoned and rundown boats along the coast.

Here's how NC leaders fund the removal of derelict boats along the coastline

Many people may not fully understand how their actions at their homes, on the roads, and out on the water all affect water's quality.

water is our lifeline and it's a way of life for a lot of north Carolinians, everything from commercial recreational fishing too. Oyster um growers to the tourism industry. Um All of it is all really dependent on clean water. Many people may not fully understand how their actions at their homes on the roads and out on the water all affect waters quality. Water quality for people has lots of different ways that manifest itself. So if water quality in that water is clean enough for people to drink and you also have water quality in the sense of clean enough for ecosystems to function as they need to. And all of those things directly benefit people. Dr mike peeler is a professor at U. N. C. S. Institute of Marine Sciences and he spent years researching and studying water quality. Your water quality isn't generally a problem until it's a bigger problem. And so people don't have a sense of the cumulative impacts of smaller changes that they could make to enhance and sustain water quality. Water quality doesn't just become degraded from heavy boat traffic or even littering while out on the water. It actually starts further away from the coast. I think you'd be surprised because it can be something as small as somebody not picking up after their pet on the street or on the sidewalk to um discharging of major pollutants like sewage or something that that doesn't happen very often. But but then it's really everything we do. It can be you know activities in a marina. It can be activities out on the boat, experts say it doesn't have to be all bad news since all of these impacts are things we can control, including one of the biggest culprits responsible perfecting water quality, stormwater runoff when the rain hits hard surfaces like a parking lot or when with a ditched and drained farm field. So it's really taken all that activity that we do on the land again, the pet waste and then flushing it into the water, constructing rain gardens, building permeable surfaces. And other measures can all slow this runoff and closer to the water action. Like encouraging marinas to take part in the clean marina program can help your water quality isn't generally a problem until it's a bigger problem. And so people don't have a sense of the cumulative impacts of smaller changes that they could make to enhance and sustain water quality reporting for the Coastal Federation. And I'm station strong