FROM THE EDITOR 



Keeping Pace 



On June 5, our forum "North Carolina's Changing Waterfronts: 

 Coastal Access and Traditional Uses" drew nearly 200 people to New Bern. 



On June 20, we hosted a symposium and reception to mark the 30th 

 anniversary of the North Carolina Sea Grant College Program. 



On June 30, Ronald Hodson retired after 25 years with Sea Grant, nine 

 of them as director. And on July 1, Michael Voiland took the helm. 



North Carolina Sea Grant doesn't expect the pace to slow as summer 

 moves toward autumn. 



At press time, we are waiting for the N.C General Assembly to 

 complete its review of a proposal to create a study committee on waterfront 

 access. The recommendation from the Joint Legislative Committee on 

 Seafood and Aquaculture calls for Sea Grant to provide administrative 

 support for a committee that would represent a wide range of coastal 

 perspectives. 



Late last summer, Sea Grant recognized that coastal access was a 

 growing concern — one that touches all aspects of our diverse outreach 

 program. We set aside funds for the project and our entire staff worked 

 together to develop the meeting format and agenda. 



As we were identifying potential speakers, coastal access issues also 

 were arising on the agendas of the state's Marine Fisheries Commission, 

 Coastal Resources Commission and many local governments in the coastal 

 region. A group of coastal scientists wrote a resolution to express their 

 concern that access is dwindling, and the N.C. Coastal Federation chose 

 access as the topic for its annual "State of the Coast" report. 



By the day of our forum, newspapers from Raleigh to the coast had 

 written detailed stories on how development has brought changes to eastern 

 North Carolina: fewer docking spots for commercial fishing captains who 

 rely on access for their livelihood, and for anglers planning a weekend on the 

 coastal rivers and sounds; also fewer fishing piers and family-run motels for 

 folks of modest means to enjoy a day or two at the coast. 



IN THIS ISSUE 



Contributing Writers: 

 Kathleen Angione ° Ann Green ° Jamie Harris 

 Katie Mosher □ Erin Seiling □ Pam Smith 



Contributing Photographers: 

 Mark Buckler ° Randy Davey a Brian Efland 

 Andy Garman □ Michael Halminski ° Daniel Kim 

 Erin Seiling □ Harry Simmons ° Scott Taylor □ Rhonda Wooten 



North Carolina's diverse coast offers countless interestingsubjects. 

 The large dots on the map indicate story settings in this issue — 

 including Raleigh, Hatteras Island and Currituck Banks. 



News stories also highlighted longtime coastal residents who are moving 

 away — some to escape high taxes as their property's value skyrocketed, 

 others to cash in on their land's value to provide for their families — and 

 residents who are struggling to stay in the place they call home. 



Some forum participants came looking for options now available here. 

 But most came to learn from the experiences of folks in Maine and Florida 

 who have taken broad views of the complex topic. 



The access issue will not be resolved quickly in North Carolina, nor 

 will one solution suit all our unique coastal communities. 



In this issue of Coastwatch, we highlight the changing waterfront on 

 Hatteras Island, as well as access issues related to parking in beach towns. 

 Keep an eye on www.ncseagrant.org for updates on access topics. 



The Autumn issue of Coastwatch will give details on our 30th 

 anniversary symposium, including the keynote address from William Ross, 

 N.C. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. The event also 

 gave us a chance to thank Ron Hodson for his career of service to the North 

 Carolina coast. 



As colleague Jim Murray describes Ron, "What you see is what you 

 get." Ron has never been afraid to ask the tough questions — of his staff, 

 of researchers seeking funding, of state officials and stakeholders debating 

 controversial topics. 



Ron explains that he always wanted an opportunity to work hard. He 

 found that opportunity and made the most of it. On behalf of the North 

 Carolina Sea Grant staff, I thank him for the many lessons — in science and 

 in life — that he has shared with us. 



As you read this letter, our new director, Mike Voiland, will be settling 

 in. He will have already visited coastal communities and offered an interview 

 to UNC-TV's North Carolina Now. 



Watch for news about Mike and his goals for Sea Grant in future issues 

 of Coastwatch. 



Katie Mosher, Managing Editor 



