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Greenpeace ship docks in Southport to protest

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012, 12:52pm
Greenpeace ship docks in Southport to protest

SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – The newest Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior is in Southport this weekend.

While the ship is drawing large crowds, it could also draw some controversy.

The ship is visiting the state to target Duke Energy, which Greenpeace says is polluting North Carolina as well as preventing it from developing clean energy and job opportunities in the offshore wind industry.

"We're telling people this is a utility company that needs to move away from coal and nuclear and towards clean and renewable energies like wind and solar power instead,” said Greenpeace spokesman James Turner.

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Watch out for fire, burns planned for SENC

Submitted by Heather Setzler, Executive Producer, Theater/Arts Reporter
Thursday, January 5th, 2012, 11:40am
Watch out for fire, burns planned for SENC

SOUTHEAST NC (WECT) - Fires will burn across Southeastern North Carolina in the coming months, but it's all part of a bigger plan.

The Nature Conservancy has scheduled some controlled burns.  They are low-intensity fires that mimic natural fire.  They help improve the ecosystem by removing shrubs and low-growing plants and protect the public from larger wildfires.

The Conservancy will burn in several places around the area, including:

  • Green Swamp Preserve (Brunswick Co.)
  • Myrtlehead Savanna Preserve (Brunswick Co.)
  • Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve (Brunswick Co.)
  • Old Dock Savanna Preserve (Columbus Co.)
  • Angola Creek Flatwoods Preserve (Pender Co.)
  • McLean Savanna Preserve (Pender Co.)

To see a map of all the preserves where there will be burning, click here.

Th

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Nature Conservancy adds 463 acres near Green Swamp

Submitted by Scott Saxton, News Director
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012, 2:39pm

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The Nature Conservancy announced recently its acquired 463 acres in Brunswick County, on the east side of the Conservancy's Green Swamp Preserve.

The land includes 100 acres of longleaf pine. The plan is to add more pine and improve the wildlife habitat, according to the conservancy, which is a long-term project.

The conservancy funded the project with a $450,000 Environmental Enhancement Grant from the NC Department of Justice and $300,000 from an anonymous private donor.  Ducks Unlimited helped steer money from another project's grant to this one.

Copyright 2012 WECT.  All rights reserved.

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Christmas tree recycling free in January

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Monday, December 26th, 2011, 3:34pm
Christmas tree recycling free in January

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – During the month of January, Christmas trees may be recycled at the Brunswick County Landfill free of charge, according to the Brunswick County website.

Christmas trees may also be recycled at the Brunswick County convenience sites for a fee of $5 per tree.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

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DENR requiring Brunswick Co. to remove lime sludge from wetlands

Submitted by Justin West, Assignment Manager
Monday, December 19th, 2011, 11:21am
DENR requiring Brunswick Co. to remove lime sludge from wetlands

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Brunswick County Commissioners will discuss a contract with AECOM Technical Services for the removal of lime sludge that was discharged from the NC 211 Water Treatment Plant.

According to North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources reports, the lime sludge has been in the wetlands for more than 10 years, and DENR is now requiring the County to remove the lime sludge from wetlands adjacent to the 211 Water Treatment Plant.

In addition to the removal of the sludge, AECOM would be in charge of monitoring both water and vegetation in the surrounding area for a period of three years. AECOM would install five permanent photo stations, which will monitor vegetation on an annual basis at the end of each growing season. AECOM will sample surface water in Beaverdam Creek for three consecutive years following the removal of the lime sludge.

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Swimming advisory lifted for area near Southport

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Friday, September 23rd, 2011, 3:01pm
Swimming advisory lifted for area near Southport

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The water quality swimming advisory has been liften because water testing showed that bacteria levels have dropped below the state and Enviornmental Protection Agency's standards set for swimming and water play.

Original news release

An advisory against swimming was posted Thursday, Sept. 22 for the public park on Fish Factory Road near Southport, according to Patricia Smith, the Public Information Officer for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

State officials reportedly found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state and Environmental Protection Agency's recreational water quality standards.

The beach is not closed. A sign was posted at the location that reads:

ATTENTION SWIMMING IN THIS AREA IS NOT RECOMMENDED. BACTERIA TESTING INDICATES LEVELS OF CONTAMINATION THAT MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. THIS ADVISORY AFFECTS WATERS WITHIN 200’ OF THIS SIGN. OFFICE OF THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR

People swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than the action level have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections, according to the news release.

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Military's remote control plane crashes in Oak Island

Submitted by Will Tapper, Reporter
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011, 1:29pm
Military's remote control plane crashes in Oak Island

OAK ISLAND, NC (WECT) – A large model plane was shot down during Marine military training and washed on shore Wednesday in Oak Island.

Tim Mock, from the Cape Fear Regional Jetport, said the aircraft was about 12 feet wide. The town put the remnants of the model plane behind the airport, he said.

Training was held in Onslow Beach on Saturday, Sept. 17 by the Second Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, based at Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point. They were conducting surface-to-air defense training and were blasting the model planes out of the sky, according to 1st Lt. Megan Greathouse.

The aircraft is a UAT or Unmanned Aerial Target, specifically called the “Griffon MQM-170.” What was found is the remains of two of the targets out of 40 that were used during the exercise.

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