CITIZENS WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHY COAST Winter 2011 • A Publication of the North Carolina Coastal Federation • Vol. 29 No. 1 PULL-OUT CALENDAR OF EVENTS INSIDE! LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES BAN ON BEACH HARDENING UNDER ATTACK, AGAIN DIRECTOR’S LETTER VOLUME 29 • NUMBER 1 Power Shift in Raleigh Coastal Review is the quarterly newsletter of the North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF). NCCF is a non-profit tax-exempt organization dedicated to involving citizens in Diminishes Clout of East decisions about managing coastal resources. Its aim is to share technical information and resources to better represent current and long-term economic, social and environmental interests of the North Carolina Coast. BY TODD MILLER, Executive Director NCCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Republicans control the N.C. General Assembly for the first time in 100 years. President Melvin Shepard, Jr. – Sneads Ferry That big headline news overshadowed perhaps an even more important power shift that Vice President Dick Bierly – Morehead City hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention: Politicians from urban areas now firmly control the Treasurer Olivia Holding – Raleigh Secretary Joseph Ramus – Beaufort state legislature. Eyualem Abebe, Elizabeth City; Gerry Barrett, Atlantic; Liz Brinker, Last fall’s election swept many long-time incumbents from rural areas out of power. Many Currituck;Veronica Carter, Leland; Matthew Converse, Moyock; Ernie Foster, held key leadership posts for decades. The shift may be permanent. Hatteras; James Barrie Gaskill, Ocracoke; Bill Hunneke, Greenville; Leonard Jenkins, Leland; Joseph Kilpatrick, Winston-Salem; Mary Hunter Martin, The rise of the cities’ political influence mirrors the state’s growing urbanization. More than Raleigh; Randy Mason, Emerald Isle; Midge Ogletree, Columbia; David M. 60 percent of the state’s population now lives in cities or what the U.S. Census Bureau calls Paynter, Wilmington; Rich Peruggi, Bolivia; Lewis Piner, Wendell; Richard “urban clusters”. Powers, New Bern; John Runkle, Chapel Hill; Allie Sheffield, Surf City; Bland Simpson, Chapel Hill; Donna Snead, Emerald Isle; Doug Wakeman, We’re not likely to see a Marc Basnight again. The Dare County Democrat retired in January Pittsboro; Ginger Webster, Kitty Hawk after 27 years in the N.C. Senate and 18 years as its top leader. During his tenure as one of the STAFF state’s most powerful and enduring politicians, Basnight used his political clout to take care of Headquarters eastern North Carolina. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Todd Miller: [email protected] With Basnight no longer providing leadership on coastal and rural issues, it’s not clear who DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Rachael Carlyle: [email protected] DEPUTY DIRECTOR Lauren Kolodij: [email protected] will fill the void he left. There could even be a strong backlash against past priorities that he and BUSINESS MANAGER Jo Ann Marsh: [email protected] his fellow rural legislators made sure were funded. Assistant DIRECTOR Christine Miller: [email protected] DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Sally Steele: [email protected] Gov. Beverly Perdue is from New Bern and knows our coast well. She could yet become a DIRECTOR champion for the coast by fighting to fund programs that safeguard and restore its Assistant DIRECTOR Frank Tursi: [email protected] administrative assistants Rose Rundell: [email protected] resources, and by standing firm and vetoing any laws that allow terminal groins to degrade Emily Farmer: [email protected] our ocean beaches. COASTAL FELLOW Ana Zivanovic-Nenadovic: [email protected] Unless new political leaders who care about the coast emerge, budgets of programs that Legislative LOBBYIST Rob Lamme: [email protected] protect coastal water quality and fisheries habitat and promote good land use could be slashed. Northeast There’s also talk of dismantling trust funds used to buy sensitive coastal lands, establish parks, Coastal Advocate Jan DeBlieu: [email protected] COASTAL SCIENTIST Erin Fleckenstein: [email protected] restore wetlands and fisheries, manage stormwater and build infrastructure. Coastal Education Coordinator Sara Hallas: [email protected] That’s because the new legislative leaders face a $3.7 billion budget shortfall and made a Central promise not to raise taxes. They must cut discretionary spending between 15 and 40 percent to COASTAL SCIENTIST Dr. Lexia Weaver: [email protected] Coastal Education Coordinator Sarah Phillips: [email protected] balance the budget. JONES ISLAND MANAGER Sam Bland: [email protected] While the cuts on state funding for all environmental programs (that’s money that comes Southeast directly from N.C. taxpayers and not from the federal budget) would come to only about 1 Coastal Advocate Mike Giles: [email protected] percent of the existing deficit, don’t expect meager savings to spare environmental programs SENIOR COASTAL SCIENTIST Tracy Skrabal: [email protected] Coastal Education Coordinator Ted Wilgis: [email protected] from big budget cuts unless strong political leadership emerges to protect them. In the past, coastal residents could rely on the people they elected to effectively watch out for their interests. No longer. Now they must depend on the good will and generosity of the political leaders who represent the hundreds of thousands of “uplanders” who so often visit the coast. So if you’re from an inland area, it’s more important than ever to let your legislators know 3609 Highway 24 (Ocean), Newport, NC 28570 that protecting and restoring our coast is a wise investment. Phone: 252-393-8185 • Fax: 252-393-7508 Astute politicians pay attention to what people really care about. In this new era of urban NE Office: 128 Grenville St. Manteo, NC 27954 • Ph: 252-473-1607 SE Office: 530 Causeway Dr., Suite F1, Wrightsville Beach, NC political leadership in Raleigh, it will take much more than “a village” to watch out for our coast. 28480 • Ph: 910-509-2838 We need the entire state to speak up and not be shy about doing so. E-Mail: [email protected] • www.nccoast.org Let your legislators know how you feel about protecting and restoring the coast. Find out who The North Carolina Coastal Federation is located on Highway 24 in Ocean, represents you by going to: N.C., between Swansboro and Morehead City. Our offices, nature library www.ncga.state.nc.us/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html and shop are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. member: Layout/DESIGN: by 8 Dot Graphics COVER PHOTO: Rachael Carlyle, NCCF MEMBERS Coastal Cohorts Concert in Wilmington The long-awaited Wilmington Coastal Cohorts Concert is set for Saturday, March 26, in the beautifully renovated Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. The Cohorts have been celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a tour since early 2010, and the Wilmington concert marks the tour finale. WELCOME OUR NEWEST BUSINESS FRIENDS Our list of business friends who offer members discounts and special offers continues to grow. Since the last newsletter, we’ve added three new businesses. Help us welcome them by visiting them when you can. The Moss House extends the welcome mat to members. Cohorts Bland Simpson, Jim Wann & Don Dixon • Moss House Bed and Breakfast, Washington The band’s talented musicians are Jim benefits are available at $100, $250, $500 • Kelly’s Restaurant, Nags Head Wann on guitar, Bland Simpson on piano and and $1,000 levels through the N.C. Coastal • Parrot Head Charters & Recreational Don Dixon on bass. The Cohorts will Federation. Sponsor forms are online at Boating Services, Bolivia perform songs and stories from their www.nccoast.org or call Development Visit www.nccoast.org for a full listing of popular CD’s King Mackerel & The Blues Are Director Sally Steele at 252-393-8185 Business Friends and their special offers for Running and Wild Ponies. Their original ext.108 or email her at [email protected]. federation members. music celebrates life on the Carolina coast with a combination of ballads and upbeat FEDERATION tunes, flavored by humor and the poetry of TOPS 10,000 the natural world. MEMBERS “The Cohorts are thrilled to bring our On November 2, music to coast lovers across North Carolina,” Captain Bert and Becky said Simpson, who also serves on the Felton of Southport federation’s Board of Directors. “While we’re Capt. Bert Felton is joined the federation all having a good time, we’ll be helping out often seen on the through our Web site to the Coastal Federation by raising funds and Solomon T on the Cape Fear River. push the membership awareness about the need to conserve our LAST CALL FOR 2011 over the 10,000 mark. beautiful rivers, sounds and seashore.” PHOTO CONTEST With this honor comes a place in the Tickets are available now through Thalian We’ve received some great photos for our federation’s history and a prize package that Hall at www.thalianhall.org or 910-632-2285 2011 Photo Contest, but there’s still time to includes tickets and V.I.P. seating at the March or 800-523-2820. Tickets are $28 for Prime get your entry in. Send us your best photo of 26 Coastal Cohorts Concert. Seating; $24 for Choice Seating; and $20 for your favorite place along North Carolina’s As long-time coastal residents, the Feltons NCCF members, which offers members the coast and maybe you’ll be a winner. Emerald are avid birders, local historians and best seating available. Discounted member Isle Realty is sponsoring the contest with naturalists. Several years ago they put tickets are available only by phone. cash prizes totaling almost $1,000. Entries together their own small company that offers Sponsorships with complimentary will be accepted until April 15. Complete maritime heritage tours out of the old harbor tickets, reserved seating and other exclusive details can be found at www.nccoast.org. at Southport. Congratulations to the Feltons. Coastal Review • winter 2011 3 GENERAL Assembly Our federal oyster project created almost 50 acres of oyster reefs while employing almost 200 people.