Local Fis
BY DOUG RUTTER
If the N.C. Marine Fisheries Comr
open local waters to mechanical cla
won't be the fault of hundreds of har
loudly opposed the proposal Monday ni
About 300 people from Brunswick i
counties, mainly supporters of hand clr
a Marine Fisheries Commission publ
Brunswick County Government Centei
proposal to open local waters to mechs
The Commission is currently c
possiDUllies concerning mechanical cl
North Carolina. The state will either
state waters to mechanical harvesting,
areas which have been harvested me
past.
Mechanical clam harvesting is now
a four-month season in waters from Ne'
County through Core Sound. The seasor
through March 31.
Although there are about 14,000 h
the state and only 350 mechanical harvi
harvest is almost evenly split between
This economic inequality and the fact
clam harvesting is known to have hi
Ocean Isle
Beach Acc
BY DOUG BUTTER
Ocean Isle Beach Commissioners
this week set a 9 a.m. public hearing
for May 24 at town hall concerning
possible beach access locations at the
east enn 01 uie island.
Daring Tuesday's regular monthly
meeting, Building Inspector Druid
Roberson said the town had reapplied
for state grants which would
help fund small parking areas at
either Ashevilie or Whiteville streets.
He said the town has received
preliminary approval for the grant
funding a beach access facilty at
Ashevilie Street, but added that the
town could probably use the money
for either location if the grant gets
final approval.
Orderly parking is needed at the
east end, Roberson said, because it is
a popular fishing spot and people
often cause dune erosion when they
walk to the beach at undesignated
areas.
As a means of controlling erosion,
he added, sand fences and "Keep Off
Dunes" signs have recently been
erected where people tend to take
shortcuts.
Ramp Considered
Also this week, Roberson informed
commissioners of the difficulties involved
in extending a ramp which
would provide access to the beach for
handicapped persons.
The idea of extending an existing
handicap ramp located east of the
causeway from a deck overlooking
the strand onto the beach was first
brought to the attention of the board
in March. Ocean Isle resident Paul
Justice, who initially raised the
issue, returned this week wondering
what had been decided.
Roberson explained that if a handicap
ramp were constructed, it
would have to be built according to
state code. The state requires a very
gradual slope, no greater than one
inch down for each foot in length, as
well as a six-foot long rest area every
30 feet.
\ 9 & 12 M
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hermen <
various types of mar
nission decides to the groups,
m harvesting, it During the 90-mi
id clammers who and clam dealers vo
ght in Bolivia. ing more state wate
ind New Hanover would put many of t
imming, attended In addition to str
ic hearing at the clammers who took
: to shout down a sion, State Rep. E.
inical harvesting. position of local si
onsidering three legislation to oul
am harvesting in Brunswick, New Hi
open or close all commission opens cl
or open only those Outlining the em
chanically in the the economic impac
on local shellfishenr
permitted during it before, we're still I
w River in Onslow wishes and do what'i
i lasts from Dec. 1 involved."
In addition to 1
and clammers in Carolina Beach, spo
esters, the annual Fear Baymens Assi
the two factions, nnch ri^ia i?,?
f"*"' ?wi JUIIL inn
?that mechanical necessary
irmful effects on "We will see thai
i Board Disc
:ess, Handic
The existing deck is 15 feet high, he I
flHHoH luifk rlnnn i. It I
ouuvu, nun aitjjj lCUUlIlg IU U1L" 1
beach and a ramp would almost have
to extend into the ocean if it were con- i
strueted according to code. i
"It just makes it a major engineer- (
ing project to get down from it," he 1
added.
Roberson said he would look at
some other areas on the island where f
the dunes are not as high and where it f
may be feasible to extend a I
wheelchair ramp to the beach. i
Personnel Discussed 1
In other business Tuesday commissioners
met in executive session for
about 30 minutes to discuss a personnel
matter, but took no action. I
Mayor Betty Williamson said the 1
matter pertained to the patrol officer |
vacancy in the police department.
Curtiss Pritchard, the town's new
chief of police, was present for part
of the closed session. The mayor had
saia octore mat me town would allow
its new chief some input before the
board hires another officer.
Payment Approved
Town commissioners also transferred
$148,641 from a reserve fund into
the water department checking account
to help finance the new 12-inch
water line. The transfer will help
fund an initial payment of $205,272 to
Zeigler Construction Company of
Sumter, S.C., for work completed on
the project and $2,657 to Boney &
Associates of Kaleigh for engineering
services.
Work on the line should be completed
by June 1 and will help meet
water needs during the tourist
season.
Other Business
In other business Tuesday, commissioners:
Adjourned to reconvene at 8:30
a.m. May 17 for a budget workshop.
Mayor Williamson said she and the
town clerk have been working on
next year's budget and that next
week's meeting should take about an
hour. She added that a tentative |
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STATE LEGISLA1
Dppose
ine life has created friction between
inute public hearing local clammers
iced numerous concerns about openirs
to mechanical harvest, saying it
hem out of business,
one opposition from about two dozen
their turn addressing the commisDavid
Redwine also supported the
hellfishermen and vowed to seek
latii mooh oninol hapnaotina ?
TM?N6 (.1
mover and Pender counties if the
lam dredging statewide,
dronmental impacts of dredging and
t mechanical harvesting would have
ten, Redwlne said, "We were against
against it and I hope you'll follow our
s right for the majority of the people
Hedwinc, Harry Van Essendelft of
kesman for the newly-formed Cape
Delation, said the organization will
against mechanical harvesting if
I this state passes legislation," he ad:usses
ap Ramp
budget may be ready for adoption at
'.he May 24 meeting.
Renewed a contract with Wilmington
CPA John Carraway to audit
he town for fiscal year 1387-88 at a
:ost of $4,500. The fee is the same as
ast year.
Transferred $4,000 from the water
and slit! $7,500 from the con'..agency
und to pay a 5 percent deposit to
rarmers Home Administration for
epurchase of the town's water
>onds. (See related story this issue.)
Asked Roberson to erect "No
Wake" signs in the canals. The signs
had been requested during last
month's public hearing on the proposed
canal dredging project. The
board is also expected to discuss the
dredging project during the May 24
special meeting.
Heard from Roberson that 20
building permits were issued in April
at a construction valuation of
$323,646. Fees collected totaled
$3,900.
THE BRUNSWICK^ BEACON
Established Nov. 1. 1962
Telephone 754-6890
Published Every Thursday
A t AAnir. C?,n?4
Shollotte. N. C. 20459
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
One Year $7.50
Six Months $4.00
ELSEWHERE IN NORTH CAROLINA
One Year SI0.00
Six Months S6.00
ELSEWHERE IN U.S.A.
One Year $12.50
Six Months $7.00
Second class postage paid at
the Post Office in Shaiiotte,
hi. C. 28459. USPS 777-780.
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THE B
ION PROPOSED
Mechanical C
ded. "There are 14,000 of us and if every one of us has 10
friends we can persuade, we have a potent political
force."
According to a letter Van Essendelft distributed at
the hearing, the major concern of the organization right
now is to oppose mechanical clamming statewide. The
group, which first met April 29, is also concerned with
controlling development along coastal inland waters and
basically ensuring the future of the shellfishing industry.
Many of those who spoke during the hearing focused
on the harmful environmental effects of mechanical
clam dredging on marine life, and specifically on future
ciaui populations.
"The reason these people want to come down here is
because they ruined the bottoms up there," said Bob
Thorsen of Southport.
If all state waters were opened to clam dredging, he
added, it would be years before local sheUfishermen
could afford to purchase dredges and take part in the
harvest.
Several speakers also mentioned the economic hardship
which would befall local hand clammers and their
families if the state opened all waters to clam dredging.
Some almost reached the point of tears as they pleaded
with members of the commission.
"Do not allow mechanical machines in our bays or
we're all doomed to suffer," said James Stanley. "We
have to feed a whole lot more people than the mechanical
dredgers."
Another concern touched upon Monday was that local
clammers had voiced opposition five months ago to a
similar proposal to open local waters to mechanical
harvesting.
A Qminlnl W... ., ?l J 1 1J
iuuu? uimgici, a t ui iiauituw11 Uldlll UCQICI , aflIU
shellfishermen are tired of traveling to Bolivia to oppose
the same issue time and time again. "We didn't want it 12
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: I tea THE BRUNSWICK BEACON
i^91BP5^ ~ V
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i
RUNSWICK BEACON, Thursday, May 12, 1988?Page 3-A
'lam Harvest
years ago and we sure don't want it now," she emphasized.
Local fishermen last joined forces in December to oppose
a state proposal to open parts of Brunswick County
to mechanical harvesting. The Marine Fisheries Com
mission considered the idea as a means of relieving some
financial stress during the "red tide" infestation, which
did not spread into local waters until late January. Alter
a few hours of loud opposition, the area remained closed
to dredges,
Brunswick County resident Clayton Lewis likened
the debate over mechanical harvesting to an "old sore"
which never heals and is reopened every so often by the
state. "As long as this remains a rich area for clamming
we're gonna have these meetings it seems."
The Marine Fisheries Commission will make a decision
on this issue and 15 other proposals before the board
this year during a meeting slated for June 16 and 17 in
Morehead City.
Dr. William Hogarth, director of the state Division of
Marine Fisheries, said Monday the decision will be based
on innut from tho QPVnn rmhlir> hoorinne
, ... ? |<UWUV livmulgo OV.IICUUICU 1VJI
sites aiong the coasi as weii as various sources ul
ecological data concerning the effects of mechanical
harvesting.
Individuals not able to attend the public hearing can
still mail written comments which will be taken into account
before the commission makes its decision.
Mr. and Mrs. Willie Curtis Fulford of Supply are urging
all local shellfishermen and other concerned citizens
to write to the commission opposing the mechanical
harvest of clams in North Carolina.
Written comments must be received no later than
June 1 and can be addressed to Chairman. Marine
Fisheries Commission, N.C. Division of Marine
Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.
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