From the Editor 



Y2K Odyssey 



Finally, it is here. The Year 2000. 



What will the new year bring for coastal North 

 Carolina? How about the new decade, century or 

 millennium? 



I am more prone to observe the present or 

 reflect upon the past, rather than to predict the 

 future. But there is one prediction I can assure. 

 Change. 



The last few months of 1999 were full of 

 change. Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd and Irene hit the 

 state in quick succession. Floyd's floodwaters in 

 particular took a tremendous toll. 



As inland communities like Tarboro and 

 Kinston work to rebuild this year, North Carolina 

 Sea Grant scientists will continue to evaluate the 

 impact of floodwaters mixing in the sounds, 

 estuaries and coastal ocean waters. 



While Hurricane Floyd overshadowed Dennis, 

 there were some changes associated with the earlier storm. For 

 example. Dennis' extended stay along the North Carolina coast 

 postponed the relighting of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. 



The beacon had been scheduled to resume during a ceremony 

 over the Labor Day weekend. Instead the switch was turned Nov. 1 3. 

 The lighthouse was moved last summer, away from the encroaching 

 waves of the Atlantic Ocean. 



Some folks will argue the lighthouse will never be the same in its 

 new setting in a maritime forest. But others were thankful for the 

 move, as thousands came out for the relighting ceremony. 



Speaking of Hatteras Island, some had feared that Dennis cut a 

 new inlet through the island. Those concerns were quelled as 

 geologists explained the damage to N.C. 12 was from overwash, and a 

 new section of highway was quickly built. 



But farther south, along the Core Banks, Hurricane Dennis did 

 offer a prime example of the dynamic combination of storms and 

 inlets. The storm cut a new inlet in the vicinity of the Old Drum Inlet 

 — and not far from Drum Inlet dredged by the Army Corps of 

 Engineers in recent years. 



That area is low and prone to overwash, and has seen various 

 inlets through the centuries, explains William J. Geary. A geologist at 

 the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Cleary is co-author of 

 Shifting Shorelines: A Pictorial Atlas of North Carolina Inlets, which 



was featured in the last issue of Coastwatch. 



Cleary says only time will tell if the new inlet 

 will stabilize and deepen. If it does, it could be at the 

 expense of the Corps-created inlet nearby. 



In this, our first issue in 2000, we note a 

 change ourselves. Senior editor Renee Wolcott 

 Shannon has joined the NC State University 

 Alumni Office, but she left behind several stories. 

 We will miss Renee's strong writing, friendly smile 

 and artistic flair. 



We ask you to share our welcome to Pam 

 Smith, who joins us from NC State News Services. 

 Pam grew up on Long Island's Great South Bay — 

 and she is eager to return her focus to coastal issues. 

 In fact, she says it is like coming home. 



In this issue, we take time to look back at the 

 U.S. Lifesaving Service as the Chicamacomico 

 Historical Association sponsors the historical 

 preservation of the first of a series of lifesaving stations built on the 

 Outer Banks in 1874. 



The preservation efforts, led by Ken Wenberg, include not only 

 the unique architectural aspects of the buildings, but also the recovery 

 of long-forgotten records of the early days of the lifesaving service and 

 the brave surfmen and superintendents. Later this year, we hope to 

 look at more recent changes in the Lifesaving Service's descendant, 

 the U.S. Coast Guard. 



Ann Green takes a step back in time as she visits with retired 

 merchant marines at The Sailors' Snug Harbor in Sea Level. These 

 sailors may live on solid ground these days, but their hearts and spirits 

 are still tied to the sea. 



Ann also looks at the past and the future of oyster harvests in 

 North Carolina — from traditional harvesters whose efforts have been 

 hampered by pollution and disease, to aquaculturists who are looking 

 to revive the state's oyster market. 



And we share the stories of an educator, who encourages a new 

 generation of potential marine scientists, and of biologists working to 

 keep the red wolf as a distinct species. If the winter winds are keeping 

 you inside, we offer a selection of adventure books to keep your 

 attention. 



Welcome to 2000: A Coastal Odyssey. 



Katie Mosher, Managing Editor 



Contributors 



Writers: 



Ann Green D Katie Mosher D Renee Wolcott Shannon B Julie Ann Powers D Pam Smith 



Photographers: 



Barron Crawford D Michael Halminski a George Harrison D Herman Lankford Q Erica Balmer Q Scott D. Taylor 



