The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hosting a public discussion of proposed treatments of the destructive spongy moth in Dare and Currituck counties after seeing an increase in reproducing populations from 2021 to 2022. Spongy moth, (Lymantria dispar) formerly known as gypsy moth, is an invasive insect that can cause tree defoliation and tree mortality. 

The meeting will be held Friday, Feb. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Kitty Hawk Town Hall, 101 Veterans Memorial Drive, Kitty Hawk. Staff with the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division will be available to answer questions, take comments and provide information about the spongy moth lifecycle, problems associated with infestations, available management methods, and proposed treatment options. 

Treatments are proposed for the following areas within Currituck and Dare counties:

• Corolla

• Kitty Hawk 

• Kill Devil Hills 

• Nags Head

• Whalebone

• Oregon Inlet 

Visit the NC Department of Agriculture web site for more information. 

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore will host an interagency work group meeting on Feb. 27 by web conference to discuss the topic “Property Acquisition and Financial Assistance.” The public may listen by computer or phone. 

Panelists will discuss property acquisition and financial assistance programs that may assist both owners of threatened oceanfront structures and federal, state, or local governments responsible for beach management. 

The work group was established in August 2022 and will engage with partner organizations and stakeholders to identify, research, and recommend policies and programs to establish a proactive, holistic, predictable, and coordinated approach to erosion-threatened structures and to ensure that appropriate regulatory, legal, insurance, and financial mechanisms exist. 

Threatened Oceanfront Structures Interagency Work Group
Monday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m

Join by computer
Meeting number: 2435 125 4862 
Password: IWGFEB23 (49433223 from phones) 

Join by phone 
1-415-655-0003
Access code: 2435 125 4862
Password: IWGFEB23 (49433223 from phones)

Interested parties may submit comments by email to DCMcomments@ncdenr.gov. Please list “Threatened Oceanfront Structures” in the subject line.