Dr. Beach likes Hatteras

The beach at Cape Hatteras was named the fifth-best beach in the country in an annual survey by Florida International University professor (and NCSU graduate) Steven Leatherman, who is also known by the friendly nickname "Dr. Beach."

Leatherman ranks beaches on 250 criteria, including the look and feel of the sand, water quality, weather, facilities and crowds. A top score is 250.

Leatherman described the beach at Cape Hatteras as "providing some of the best board surfing along the East Coast, as well as the most famous lighthouse in the United States, Cape Hatteras attracts beachgoers to its historic fishing villages."

The best beach in the country is Sarasota's Siesta Beach. ...

San Diego's Coronado Beach was runner-up. Rounding out the top 10 were No. 3, Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii; No. 4, Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.; No. 5, Cape Hatteras in North Carolina; No. 6, St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle; No. 7, Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.; No. 8, Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.; No. 9, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii, and No. 10, Cape Florida State Park near Miami.

A No. 1 spot on the popular list annual typically brings a 15-to-20-percent boost in visitors for the beach destinations.

ENC tourism up

People sure hit the beaches this summer.

As summer fades to fall, midyear lodging numbers confirm reports from area coastal towns that summer 2010 was an improvement over the previous year.

“I think overall we had a pretty good summer,” said Surf City Mayor Zander Guy. “The day tripper business has been tremendous this year.” ...

Whether they came for the day or overnight, Crystal Coast Tourism Authority Executive Director Carol Lohr said visitors also made a strong appearance along the Carteret County’s beaches and at area attractions.

“I think we’re seeing a bit of a turn in the economy,” she said. “We had perfect beach weather, which is always good, and I think people wanted to get out and spend time together with their family. We’re a good value for the dollar.”

Lohr said the Crystal Coast may have also seen some visitors over the summer who came here instead of the Gulf of Mexico due to the oil spill.

According to the July 2010 Monthly Lodging Report conducted by Smith Travel Research, the latest numbers show an upward swing in occupancy, good news for tourism in North Carolina.

Statewide, hotel/motel occupancy increased 9.8 percent in July 2010, compared to July 2009. When looking at the Eastern region, which includes Lenoir, Greene and Jones, as well as Carteret, there was a 10-percent gain in occupancy rates when comparing July 2009 to July 2010. ...

Quick hits: Lumbees get new chair, Bobcats on a roll and State Farm drops beach insurance

Lumbees welcome new tribal chairman
"Lumbee Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett took office on Thursday in a ceremony punctuated with a beating drum, cheers, praise for God and continued commitment to pursue full official tribal recognition from the federal government," says the Fayetteville Observer.

" 'It is with great pleasure that I accept this noble position,' Swett said during his inauguration speech. 'It is a responsibility that I take seriously, and one that I will pour my heart and soul into ... because it concerns you.' ..."

These Bobcats are getting hard to ignore

"The Charlotte Bobcats are 14-4 at home this season. Their best previous home record after 18 games is 10-8. These are the only seasons in which they were above .500 at this juncture," writes the Charlotte Observer's Tom Sorensen.

"I'm not sure what the difference is. Perhaps it's the fans. There were about 7,500 at Time Warner Cable Arena Tuesday for Charlotte's thrilling comeback victory against Houston. ..."

State Farm drops insurance on barrier islands

"State Farm is dropping protection for homeowners whose insured property is on one of North Carolina’s barrier islands," says the Jacksonville Daily News.

"Approximately 140 homeowners in Onslow, Carteret and Pender counties will be receiving notices of non-renewal, according to Russ Dubinsky, the spokesman for State Farm Insurance Company of North Carolina. ..."

Yeah, N.C. beaches!

North Carolina's beaches can boast clean beach waters, according to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The states' beaches with the cleanest beach-water samples were Delaware, New Hampshire and Virginia, with N.C. and Georgia tying for fourth. South Carolina's came in 19th among the 30 states reviewed. Louisiana came in last.

North Carolina (and Georgia) can boast just 2 percent of her beach-water samples "failing to pass muster," according to McClatchy Newspapers.

Nationwide, the total number of beach-closing days due to water pollution topped 20,000 in 2008 for the fourth straight year.

"Pollution from dirty storm-water runoff and sewage overflows continues to make its way to our beaches," said Nancy Stoner, a water analyst with the environmental group. "From contracting the flu or pink eye to jeopardizing millions of jobs and billions of dollars that rely on clean coasts, there are serious costs to inaction." ...

A third list in the report uses a five-star rating system to assess 200 popular beaches across the country. ...

In North Carolina ... seven of 10 rated beaches get four stars, and none receive fewer than two. ...

Dr. Beach loves Cape Hatteras

Not sure how on Earth I missed this. (I mean, I look forward to the wacky Dr. Beach's Best Beach list every year!)

Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka "Dr. Beach," released a couple weeks ago his latest top 10 list of the best American beaches. Making the top 10 was Cape Hatteras, last year's runner-up.

The best beach was Hanalei, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. (The beach photo ain't Hanalei, but it IS Kauai.

Here is the list of top 10 beaches for 2009 Dr. Beach --- that would be N.C. State graduate Dr. Beach, thank you very much.

1. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.

3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.

4. Coronado Beach, San Diego

5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

6. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

7. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, N.C.

8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.

9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

Well that's no fun

I've had to avert my eyes in Aruba and Nice, but never in, say, Atlantic Beach. But apparently nude sunbathing is an issue in the Old North State.

"Sunbathers in Brunswick County may no longer be able to avoid those tan lines," says the Associated Press.

"The Star-News of Wilmington reports that officials are trying to stop sunbathers from flaunting it all on Bird Island. The island near Sunset Beach has long been a gathering place for those who want to bask in the nude.

"A local physician recently complained about the nudity after a sightseeing trip with his children. County Commissioner Marty Cooke says he did some research and found that Bird Island was not an official nude beach and that the full exposure is against state law...."

Plus, it could give you a nasty burn.

Quick hits: Hemlocks quickly dying and Duke Energy gives $1 million to N.C. coast

Study: Hemlocks dying quickly
"A tiny insect may be killing Eastern hemlocks across the Southern Appalachians even faster than expected, U.S. Forest Service researchers said Thursday.

"Most of the evergreen trees, called a 'keystone species' for their important ecological role, could be gone within a decade," says the Charlotte Observer. "Hemlock forests shelter dozens of species of birds and shade mountain streams, cooling the water for trout.

"The rapid death of the trees may also disrupt the way carbon cycles through the forests and into the atmosphere, said the research published by the Forest Service's Southern Research Station in Asheville. ..."

Duke set to give $1 million to N.C. coast

"Duke Energy will donate $1 million to help a fragile coastal N.C. peninsula adapt to climate change, the Nature Conservancy will announce today," according to the Observer.

"The money from one of the United States' largest utility sources of carbon dioxide, the gas linked to global warming, will help the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge cope with rising sea levels.

"The refuge sits on the 2,100-square-mile Albemarle Peninsula, just inside the Outer Banks. The peninsula has very high vulnerability to sea-level rise, one of the hallmarks of climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a January report. ..."

Quick hits: Bad news for SE N.C./NE S.C.

Tourism drops at N.C. beaches
"It appears there were fewer visitors to beaches in southeastern North Carolina this year," according to published reports.

"The Star-News of Wilmington reported that many operators in New Hanover and Brunswick counties reported fewer visitors and less spending than last year. ...

"In New Hanover, the room occupancy tax collected in the first six months of 2008 was slightly lower than the same time last year.

"In Brunswick County, there was a slight increase for the first six months of the year, although June collections were down 7 percent. ..."

Hard Rock Park owner files Chapter 11
"Hard Rock Park has closed for the year after losing a whole lotta money," according to the Star-News.

"The owner of the Myrtle Beach amusement park filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday, ending an inaugural season that fell far below projections for the 55-acre, $400 million rock ’n’ roll attraction. When it opened in April, park officials planned to stay open through what it called 'rocktoberfest' and even have some programs during the Christmas season. ..."

'Stay-cation, happy to get away'

If there is one brightside to the rising cost of gasoline, it is that tourists -- both from North Carolina and from our nearby neighbors -- may opt to enjoy what the Old North State has to offer instead of heading off to Disney World or Paris.

"Visitor spending increased 7.4 percent across North Carolina last year, to a record $17.1 billion, according to information released Tuesday by the state Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development," and according to WRAL.com.

“Our very important state tourism industry continues to grow, even as the national economy is struggling,” Gov. Mike Easley said in a statement. “Tourism is a key economic driver, particularly for several of our rural and urban counties, and plays a critical role in adding new jobs to our economy and supports our other economic development efforts.”

Domestic travelers' expenditures reached $16.5 billion, up 7.2 percent from 2006, while international travelers’ expenditures increased to $607 million, a 13.2 percent jump from the previous year.

Visitor expenditures created 198,900 jobs and nearly $4.2 billion in payroll income statewide last year. Employment increased 2.2 percent, and payroll jumped 4.3 percent from 2006. Visitor spending also generated close to $2.7 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments, up 4.6 percent from 2006.

Earlier reports had stated that our nice, clean beaches saw an increase in visitors, but apparently so did most Triangle-area counties.

"Wake County was one of six counties to register double-digit growth in visitor spending, with a 10.7 percent increase to almost $1.5 billion. Nash County saw the largest jump statewide at 12.7 percent, to $218 million," said the report.

"All Triangle-area counties saw increased tourism spending, except for Lee County, which registered a 0.4 percent decrease."

N.C. beaches are clean. Brilliant!

North Carolina can boast some of the cleanest beaches in which to swim in the nation, according to a recent report.

"Nancy Stoner, director of the clean water project for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which compiles the report, said only 1 percent of water samples collected at North Carolilna beaches exceeded the bacterial standards last year," according to the News & Observer.

"Of 240 sites tested weekly or bi-weekly at North Carolina beaches along the ocean and soundfronts, 14 sites had levels of bacteria that exceeded safe limits once or more last year, the Natural Resources Defense Council announced.

"Carteret County had the most trouble spots with four, followed by New Hanover and Currituck and Dare counties with three each, and Chowan with one."

According to the report, the safest spots were Jockey's Ridge Soundside Access in Dare County, Park on Woodhouse Drive in Grandy, Currituck County, Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach at Waynick Blvd. between Snyder and Seashore streets in New Hanover, Cedar Island Beach Area southeast of the Wildlife Ramp in Carteret County, Chowan River Wildlife Ramp on the east side of the bridge in Chowan County, Fort Fisher Beach adjacent to the NCWRC Ramp in New Hanover County, Roanoke Sound, Manteo Waterfront on the southwest side of Doug in Dare County, and Core Sound White Point in Carteret County. All tested with 7 percent levels of bacteria.

OBX beach garners "best of" honors

Carova Beach, the Chardonnay-colored beach along North Carolina's Outer Banks, has been noted as one of North America's Best Beaches by ShermansTravel.com.

"This barrier beach covers the upper stretches of the Outer Banks and is the most undeveloped of an already Spartan beach chain. Part of what keeps the region mellow is the lack of paved roads, with Highway 12 stopping north of Corolla," writes Shermans. "Four-wheel-drive is a must, as the only route to these beaches is a ride on the sand or a primitive system of dirt roads connecting vacation homes in the wooded interior. Drive slowly to see the wild horses (descendants of shipwrecked Spanish mustangs) that roam the protected dunes. ..."

Quick hits: Rail in N.C.'s future, but sandbags are not

N.C.'s future rides on trains
"Just a few weeks ago Congress, for the first time in 32 years, increased vehicle fuel economy standards.

"Just a few weeks ago in Mecklenburg County, residents voted overwhelmingly to keep a tax to help pay for improved mass transit.

"And just a few weeks ago, the Association of American Railroads released a report that 2007 was the U.S. railroads' second best year ever for total volume, intermodal traffic and revenue -- and oil hit $100 a barrel.

"People and businesses in this country and North Carolina are beginning to think differently about our transportation future," writes Scott Saylor of the North Carolina Railroad Company in a special piece to the Charlotte Observer. "Travel and shipping delays caused by crowded, dangerous highways, environmental pollution from exhausts, and soaring energy costs are weighing on public opinion and the political process. ..."

Sandbags no longer to hold back ocean along N.C. coast
"A state decision to enforce a coastal regulation requires property owners along the North Carolina coast to remove sandbags from land threatened by the creeping Atlantic Ocean," says WRAL's Bill Leslie.

"State officials argued that the implementation of the regulation only honored the intent for sandbags to be temporary guardians against the Atlantic. But homeowners said the loss of the protection of sandbags will ensure the destruction of their homes, many of which are retirement investments.

" 'This is going to be catastrophic for the homeowners, for the state, for everybody,' said Yogi Harper, the owner of both a beach house protected by sandbags and a business that installs them. ..."

Ocracoke's No. 1!

Ya gotta like this.

"Move over, Florida and Hawaii," writes the Associated Press. "Your beaches are no longer the best. The nation's best place to get a tan and enjoy the ocean's waves in 2007 is North Carolina's Ocracoke Island, a place so remote that even people in the offices of 'Dr. Beach' - Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman [and N.C. State grad] - didn't know where to find it on the map."

"It's not the end of the world, but you can see it from here," Leatherman said from Ocracoke, the first beach not in Florida or Hawaii to earn the top spot in his annual ranking of the nation's top 10 spots on the shore.

Technically, it's Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach that is the nation's best. But Leatherman said there's little that separates those 300 yards of postcard-perfect sand from the rest of the island, almost all of which is protected from development as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

"Here, you have 14 miles of unspoiled, undisturbed barrier beach," said Leatherman, director of Florida International's laboratory for coastal research. "Where do you ind that in the world?"

Ocracoke is at the southern end of the Outer Banks, the fragile chain of barrier islands along North Carolina's coast known as the "graveyard of the Atlantic." Accessible only by boat or private plane, there are only about 800 full-time residents of the island where the pirate Blackbeard met his untimely death at the hands of the Royal Navy in 1718.

This rise to the top spot shouldn't be too surprising. "Dr. Beach" has consistently ranked Ocracoke highly on his list. The island ranked No. 3 in 2006 and No. 2 in 2005. But, by winning this year, it will be retired from consideration, along with other past champions.

"Earning the No. 1 ranking on the 'Dr. Beach' list is usually a tourism booster," writes the AP. "When the north beach at Florida's Fort De Soto was named the best in 2005, Leatherman said, the number of hits on a related Web site jumped in one day from 1,000 to 10,000. ..."

Wind power catching on at N.C.'s coast

There's rarely a lack for wind along North Carolina's coast. And so some smart folks are trying to tap that for energy reasons, according to WRAL.com

The National Park Service is using a wind turbine to generate electricity for the Coquina Beach bathhouse just south of Nags Head.

“You’re looking at 15 to 20 years on the payback. But if you’re planning to be there awhile, the investment makes sense,” said Jeff Brooks, of N.C. GreenPower.

The 2.5-kilowatt wind turbine produces enough power to operate the bathhouse, and any leftover power is released on to the local power grid. Officials said the power generated is small, but the implications are tremendous.

“I think the Coquina wind turbine, while small in capacity, is a huge step forward for wind power in North Carolina,” Brooks said. ...

At Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the idea is catching on. George Barnes, superintendent of the park, said the idea just makes sense.

“Jockey’s Ridge was formed by the wind. You can tell today the wind is blowing ... the winds are never not blowing out here,” he said.

Within a year, Barnes hopes to be operating at least one wind turbine to help generate power for the visitors center. He said the center gets 1.2 million visitors a year, and he hopes that project will help spread the word about wind power.

“It’s bound to reach some of ‘em,” he said. “Get people thinking.”

Of course, some people are concerned that there would be hundreds -- if not thousands -- of turbines blocking people's views of the oceans. But a few sound like a great start.

1-year deadline on beach sandbags

Coastal counties in North Carolina have one year to remove sandbags from beaches, according to new rules by the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC).

The CRC, on Thursday, "showcased some real frustration over sandbags," according to the Wilmington Star-News.

"Sentiment ranged from making the bags biodegradable, which would limit how long they'd stay on the beach, to completely outlawing them."

Under North Carolina law, sandbags are supposed to be temporary erosion-control measures to buy time for property owners until a longer-term solution such as relocating threatened homes or a beach nourishment can take place.

But in many cases the "temporary" nature of the fabric bags, which were supposed to be limited to two years in the ground, has been lost.

Case in point is The Riggings in Kure Beach, where sandbags have protected the condominium complex from the encroaching ocean for more than two decades.

Now a deadline of May 2008 is looming for most of North Carolina's sandbags to be pulled.

Few expect a mass removal of the protective structures next summer, especially considering the amount of coastal property that could be put at risk.

State regulators agree that there are aesthetic issues with the sandbags, though the main problem is they don't solve the erosion problem "but simply shift it to another spot along the beach."

While any policy change or push to have bags removed is likely leading to a tussle with the General Assembly, which has overruled unpopular CRC decisions in the past, [CRC Chairman Courtney] Hackney said the sandbag issue is really a fundamental question of what North Carolina wants for its coast.

"We have been treating sandbags as hardened structures in everything but name," he said. "So the real question is, 'Do we want seawalls or beach?'

"And if the state wants beach, then we're going to have to come up with money to renourish the beaches. It's that simple."

Ocracoke: Second-best beach for shells

North Carolina's Ocracoke Island has been named the second-best beach for shells, by Coastal Living magazine.

No. 1 on the top 10 list is Florida's Sanibel Island.

"The rare Scotch bonnet, state shell of North Carolina, sometimes turns up [on Ocracoke's beach]," writes the magaziine. "Even during the frenetic summer season, few tourists venture outside Ocracoke Village at the south end of this 16-mile-long Outer Banks island. In winter, when restless weather stirs up all sorts of treasures from the deep, only the gulls are likely to share the northern beaches. Stephen 'Dr. Beach' Leatherman ranked Ocracoke third on his 2006 'top beaches' list. ..."

Behind Ocracoke are beaches in Bandon, Ore.; Galveston, Texas; Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii; Flag Ponds Nature Park, Lusby, Md.; Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga.; Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas; Great Peconic Bay, Long Island, N.Y.; and Stinson Beach, Calif.