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Celeste Gracia
Environment ReporterCeleste Gracia has been at WUNC since September 2019. She moved over as environment reporter after starting off as morning producer. She's interested in covering several topics within her beat, including climate change and environmental justice.
Celeste graduated from the University of North Texas. She previously interned at CBS News Radio in New York and Morning Edition in Washington D.C.
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The police headquarters for the town of Chapel Hill is currently located at 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. In 2013, toxic coal ash was discovered on this site. A new draft agreement on how to move forward with this property is now available for public comment.
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State environmental officials are working to adopt groundwater and surface water standards for toxic chemicals known as PFAS. But the rule making process is taking longer than expected.
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The project to save North Carolina’s Sugarloaf Island could offer a solution for coastal erosion across the country.
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Sugarloaf Island is a small, barrier island that protects the downtown waterfront of Morehead City. A multimillion-dollar project is underway to help restore the eroding island.
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Conservation groups argue the use of this chemical treatment will harm wildlife in a well-known bird sanctuary.
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A new study from researchers at N.C. State University looks at how flood waters impact water quality. The findings also shed light on how sea level rise is affecting outdated infrastructure.
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In April, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced $27.25 million will be invested in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound. USFWS Director Martha Williams talks about this funding and its implications.
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State environmental officials will treat the Eno River for hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant that disrupts the natural habitat. Treatment started on May 15 and will continue through the end of August.
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The state Groundwater and Waste Management Committee did not take up a vote during Wednesday's meeting to move forward with groundwater standards for PFAS. This comes after the North Carolina Chamber asked state officials to delay action on adopting these standards.
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Conservation groups are suing the Forest Service over allegedly using misleading data to justify large logging projects in the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest. Two other recently filed lawsuits take issue with proposed projects.