WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — The Coastal Land Trust has purchased 182 acres surrounded by the Croatan National Forest, marking the second time it's used settlement money to save North Carolina land.

The trust said in a news release earlier this week that it's purchased the property in Craven County, using grant money and funds from a $7.3 million settlement between the state Transportation Department and the Sierra Club. The deal closed May 1.

In November, the Wilmington-based conservation organization used settlement money to buy 113 acres at the Gale Creek Preserve near Newport.

The settlement between the state and environmental groups involved the new U.S. 70 bypass in Havelock.