RALEIGH – The Governor’s Office reports that the U-S Small Business Administration has granted Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for a disaster declaration for counties that suffered damage from Hurricane Dorian. The declaration will allow affected residents to apply for low interest SBA disaster loans. The Governor made the request after FEMA denied individual assistance for those affected by Dorian. The SBA request was described as the first step in in establishing a state relief program following FEMA’s denial.

On Friday, the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission Science Panel meets in New Bern to begin discussions on the 2020 Sea Level Rise Assessment.  The panel reviews scientific data and makes projections of how sea-level rise affects different locations along the North Carolina coast over a 30-year time frame. The 2020 report updates previous assessments from 2010 and 2015 said Tancred Miller, the Coastal and Ocean Policy Manager with the Division of Coastal Management.

A portion of Topsail Island listed for sale for nearly $8 million has limited development potential according to a local environmental group. A press release from the North Carolina Coastal Federation says their analysis of land use restrictions on the 110-acre parcel on the south end of Topsail Island shows very limited development potential.  Among limits to development is the town of Topsail Beach has zoned the parcel for conservation and local land use plans and ordinances prohibit almost all forms of development.