The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled a public hearing to discuss proposed shellfish leases in Pender County. The event will occur at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Participants may attend in-person at the Topsail Beach Town Hall, or online via Webex.
James B. Pumphrey and Benjamin Slay have applied for a 0.51-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Topsail Marshes. Meanwhile, Thomas A. Cannon seeks two 1.33-acre shellfish bottom leases in Banks Channel. Each site will be marked at the corners with signage identifying it as a Proposed Shellfish Bottom Lease and/or Water Column Lease, along with the relevant lease numbers.
Public comments on the applications can be made during the hearing, either in person or online. Those wishing to speak via Webex must register by 4 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, at deq.nc.gov/pender-county-shellfish-lease-hearing-speaker-registration. In-person attendees may sign up to comment between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. the day of the event.
For attendees requiring additional information, materials including the Webex link, call-in number, presentation slides, and biological investigation reports, can be found at deq.nc.gov/news/events/pender-county-shellfish-lease-hearing.
Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, through the following channels:
– Online: deq.nc.gov/pender-county-shellfish-lease-hearing-comment-form
– Mail:
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Shellfish Lease & Aquaculture Program
P.O. Box 769
3441 Arendell St., Morehead City, NC 28557
Marla Chuffo of the Division’s Habitat and Enhancement Section is available for more information at 252-515-5480 or marla.chuffo@deq.nc.gov.
