Reprinted from Outer Banks Voice - After six months of meetings, a subcommittee of the N.C. 12 Task Force has reached a consensus on what areas of the vulnerable road that connects Ocracoke and Hatteras with the northern Outer Banks should be the top priorities for keeping the transportation link open.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that it has finalized contracts with BP and Equinor for the Empire Wind 2 and Beacon Wind 1 offshore wind farms.

Cape St. Claire is forging ahead this month on two long-awaited projects to help alleviate beach erosion, stop water from pooling in streets, and provide habitat for wildlife.

The Biden administration today announced a blockbuster wind sale in the waters off New York, alongside a bundle of clean energy initiatives aimed at speeding up renewable deployment and modernizing the country’s aging and vulnerable electricity grid.

On the surface, the future of the Chesapeake Bay appears about as murky and dark as deep water. The latest report released last week by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation observes that it’s unlikely that pollution limits agreed to by watershed states and supervised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are going to be met by a 2025 deadline.

WILMINGTON — The Port of Wilmington can handle the largest container ships that call on the East Coast, but only if those ships aren’t full.

Toms River officials delivered on their pledge to bring the former Joey Harrison’s Surf Club property under public ownership by the end of 2021. And now that the new year is upon us, the focus of both officials and residents has turned to the future of the oceanfront site.

The storm-swept beaches of the Outer Banks will soon be replenished with millions of tons of sand from the Continental Shelf.

Large white shrimp — the kind that might star in a white-wine scampi — have been riding warmer waters into the Chesapeake Bay in growing numbers. Their increased presence could be the first culinary boon of climate change in the region (invasive blue catfish notwithstanding).

EMERALD ISLE — Emerald Isle commissioners Tuesday night will receive a report from an engineering firm on a proposal to relocate the channel to and from the regional boating access facility in Bogue Sound.

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH — The Town of North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen approved two resolutions Wednesday to help alleviate some of the town’s debt and allow it to move forward with its beach nourishment projects.

Over the next 90 days, communities across Virginia will be able to apply for $40 million in grants to address the effects of recurrent flooding, sea level rise and extreme weather. Applications are due by 4 p.m. April 8, according to a DCR press release.

Visitors ferry to Fire National Seashore to swim, enjoy the beaches, walk in the maritime forest, tour historic buildings, and spend time with family and friends. But 50 years from now, climate change might submerge a good portion of the park.

N.C. 12 has reopened to traffic between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe after overwash breeched the dunes at S-Turns earlier this morning. The NCDOT says to drive with care, as there are still areas with sand and water on the roadway.

Island property owners lose round 1 in fight for beach and dune restoration funds

TOPSAIL ISLAND — “Some people don’t believe it when you say climate change, but it’s here,” Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin said. He was speaking at a Dec. 15 open house for the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), a statewide effort Topsail Island was accepted into.

Dollar volume for Manhattan Beach home sales hit a record total of $3.554 billion, reports local real estate broker Dave Fratello on his MB Confidential blog. The 2020 total of $2.563 billion was the previous high.

White shrimp are steadily moving into the lower Chesapeake and its rivers. “We started picking up shrimp pretty consistently five or six years ago, more and more of these larger shrimp,” said Joe Rieger, deputy director of restoration for the Elizabeth River Project.

The new federal review of an area planned for wind energy eliminates spots closest to Brunswick County beaches and splits the remaining site into three pieces. The area considered for leasing – Wilmington East – starts about 15 nautical miles south of Bald Head Island.

New Jersey's offshore wind developers will help fund research on marine life, paying $10,000 per megawatt of capacity to help New Jersey scientists better understand the impacts of wind farms on the Atlantic Ocean's ecosystem.

Workers finally started this month a long-stalled $1.7 billion federal project to mitigate storm damage from the South Fork to Fire Island, more than a half century after the idea was proposed.

The federal investment in the project is $16.9 million, which is 65% of the total cost. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, said state and local funds will make up the remaining cost.

EMERALD ISLE — Carteret County officials announced Tuesday afternoon they have hired Ryan Davenport of the state Division of Coastal Management as shore protection officer manager, replacing Greg Rudolph, who resigned in November after 20 years in the job in order to pursue new opportunities.

Large white shrimp — the kind that might star in a white-wine scampi — have been riding warmer waters into the Chesapeake Bay in growing numbers. Their increased presence could be the first culinary boon of climate change in the region (invasive blue catfish notwithstanding).

All items are anticipated to be successfully closed by Q1 2023. Installation of the mammoth project in waters off the coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia is expected to begin in 2024.