The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled a meeting for the Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee. The session is set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at the Division’s Central District Office in Morehead City.
The committee will review three third-party hearing requests filed under N.C. General Statute 113-202(g). These requests challenge the Division Director’s approval from April 15 regarding proposed shellfish leases. While the public can attend the hearing, there will be no opportunity for public comment.
During the meeting, committee members will listen to oral arguments from each petitioner, as well as from Division staff and lease applicants. Following these presentations, the committee will deliberate and vote on each challenge.
The first hearing involves petitioner Thomas Peralto challenging a lease application by C.I. Salts Oyster Company, LLC, represented by Ralph Brittingham. This concerns a 4.22-acre bottom and water column lease in North Bay with a petition received on April 23.
The second and third hearings involve petitioners Merleon Creech and Corey McMahon respectively, both challenging applications by Jacob Milchuck for a 6.17-acre bottom and water column lease in Adams Creek. Both petitions were received on May 15.
A public hearing for each lease was previously held on March 13, 2025.
Meeting Details:
– Who: Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee
– What: Meeting to consider third-party challenges to shellfish leases
– When: 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 25
– Where: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office, Morehead City
Meeting materials are available online at https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/events/shellfish-lease-review-committee-hear-three-third-party-challenges.
