BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The Natural Resources Defense Council released its 21st annual beach report Wednesday.

During a conference call with officials from the NRDC, 2010 statistics were released about North Carolina’s beaches. Of the 30 Coastal and Great Lakes states that were monitored, North Carolina ranked seventh in beach water quality, with 4% of its samples exceeding national standards.

New Hanover County was listed as the county to exceed the state’s daily maximum bacterial standards the most with 4%. Dare and Brunswick counties followed with 3%, and Pamlico and Carteret exceeded the rate 2% of the time. Pender, Beaufort and Currituck counties only exceeded it 1% of the time.

The public beach access at the west end of Oak Island Drive had the highest recorded percentage of samples exceeding state standards in Brunswick County. The water there was tested 21 times in 2010 and 10% of those tests were higher than state bacterial standards.

Here is a list of other Brunswick County beach percentages:

• Public access, 46thth St./SE and E. Beach Drive in Oak Island (tested 36 times/yr; exceeded state standards 6%)
• Public access, 58th St./SE and E. Beach Drive in Oak Island (tested 36 times/yr; exceeded state standards 6%)
• Public access at Ocean Dr. and Keziah St. (tested 35 times/yr; exceeded state standards 3%)
• Public access, east end of Sunset Beach (tested 34 times/yr; exceeded state standards 3%)

Beach pollution can cause skin rashes, respiratory infections, stomach flu, and ear, nose and throat issues, especially for senior citizens and children. NRDC officials encourage beachgoers to avoid swimming within 72 hours of a big rain or near a storm drain.

They also offer several tips for people to help prevent beach pollution. Here are some simple steps:

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Firefighters in Brunswick County are battling a woods fire that popped up in Grissettown at the intersection of 17 and 904 Tuesday afternoon.

According to Scott Gardner no homes are being threatened at this time. Crews with the NC Forestry Service are at the scene and will monitor the situation throughout Tuesday night.

The size of the fire is unknown at this time.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies in Brunswick County have made several drug related arrests.

Kimberly Ann Stephens, 41 of Shallotte is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond for:

• Trafficking Opium / Heroin
• Conspiracy to sell and deliver Schedule 4 controlled substance
• Possession with intent to sell and deliver counterfeit controlled substance
• Sell or deliver counterfeit controlled substance
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver Schedule 2 controlled  substance
• Possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver Schedule 3 controlled substance