"It'll get quieter once we get out on the river/' Cape Fear Riverkeeper Bouton "Bouty" Baldridge shouts 

 above the cacophony of traffic clattering across the steel grid of Wilmington's Memorial Bridge. 



Cape Fear Riverkeeper "Bouty" Baldridge is in his element on the river near Wilmington. 

 The evolving urban waterfront presents environmental challenges. 



The Cape Fear River flows past the diverse habitats of a host of plants and animals. 



He pushes the skiff away from the boat 

 ramp just across Surry Street from Cape Fear 

 River Watch headquarters — a no-nonsense, 

 one-story, cinder block building dwarfed by 

 the towering bridge. 



The gray morning sky hints of rain. But 

 Baldridge, who is clad in deck shoes, khakis, 

 an expedition hat and a short-sleeved River 

 Watch shirt, doesn't seem to notice the bite in 

 the damp air. He's in his element on the Cape 

 Fear River. 



He maneuvers the skiff into the channel 

 and cruises upriver, passing in review of the 

 USS North Carolina and Wilmington's 

 evolving urban waterfront. Once deemed 

 undesirable by local gentry because of the 

 clutter of commerce, the waterfront district has 

 been rediscovered as prime real estate. 

 Derelict buildings are being replaced by pricey 

 condos. Abandoned sites are being prepared 

 for new hotels to accommodate an expanding 

 tourist trade. 



The local economy seems poised to cash 

 in on a port-deepening project that is designed 

 to bolster the state's import-export capabilities. 

 It also could entice the cruise ship industry to 

 name Wilmington a port-of-call. 



Change has its benefits, Baldridge notes. 

 A major push is under way to clear away 

 decaying boats at the river's edge and rusting 

 debris on nearby dredge spoil islands. 

 Scattered reminders of long-gone industries 

 linger within view of a revamped waterfront 

 that includes marinas, floating homes and a 

 yacht-building operation. 



Baldridge slows the skiff as he enters the 

 waters of the North East Cape Fear River to 

 share a dreamscape that could become a 

 unique addition to this burgeoning economy 

 — ecotourism. 



He points toward an undeveloped island 

 ringed by marsh, criss-crossed by canals and 

 creeks, and dotted with cypress and pine trees. 



Continued 



COASTWATCH 



