PUBLIC NOTICE
The City of Southport has had several inquiries about potential clear cutting of trees near the Indigo Phase II/Waterway development site. The trees being removed are for the installation of the development’s county- and state-approved stormwater retention pond.
Southport emergency response crews are aware of the controlled burning occurring near Indigo Plantation. Please note that since Indigo Phase II/Waterway has not been annexed into the city yet, that the development falls under Brunswick County development rules and regulations. This controlled burning is in Brunswick County’s jurisdiction.
By State statute, Brunswick County does not have the authority to issue/deny the burn permits for the types of burns referenced below, North Carolina Forestry Service does and is governed by sections of North Carolina General Statute 106 Chapter 106 – Article 78 (ncleg.net).
- Municipalities may regulate burn bans at their discretion in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 106-942.
- For the unincorporated areas of Brunswick County, the County must operate within its authority and cannot operate outside those NC general statutory limits.
To speak with a member of the NC Forest Service, if the area being burned is larger than 5 acres, you may visit https://www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts/contacts_main.htm for a directory of contacts for the regional and district offices.
We encourage those with concerns to contact the NC Division of Environmental Quality at 910-796-7215 for assistance, their page related to air quality is linked here. Their specific website page containing information for open burning is Open Burning | NC DEQ.
Brunswick County provides information on open burning at https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/fire-marshal/burn-ban-open-burning/, including contact information for the Fire Marshall, Andrew Thompson.
