Press Releases

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Deadline extended for public comments on draft Carolina Lithium air quality permit

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is providing an additional week to submit public comments on the draft air quality permit for Carolina Lithium, a proposed lithium mine and processing facility in Gaston County. 

State seeks contractor to update North Carolina Beach and Inlet Management Plan

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) #16-101362-000 seeking a qualified contractor to update the North Carolina Beach and Inlet Management Plan (BIMP), a comprehensive management tool for the state’s 320 miles of oceanfront beaches and 19 active tidal inlets.

DEQ’s Reedy Creek campus now open

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) officially opened its new Reedy Creek campus this week, offering new capabilities for staff, researchers and the public. On Thursday, Oct. 15, DEQ held a ribbon-cutting event at the new site, 4407 Reedy Creek Road in West Raleigh. The space will include offices for the Department’s lab staff, Raleigh Regional Office staff, and a new training and hearing room that will hold public meetings beginning this fall.

Water quality swimming advisory lifted for sound-side site in Brunswick County

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory for a sound-side swimming area in Brunswick County.

REMINDER: State invites communities to apply for Phases 3 and 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program  

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for approximately $2.5 million in funding through Phases 3 and 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) to help coastal communities design and implement projects that strengthen local resilience to coastal hazards. Applications are due Nov. 10, 2026, by 5 p.m. 

DEQ Flood Resiliency Blueprint to hold public open houses in French Broad River Basin

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint will hold three in-person public open houses in the French Broad River Basin to gather community feedback on flood resilience approaches, community preferences and regional priorities.  

Water quality swimming advisory issued for sound-side site in Carteret County

MOREHEAD CITY – An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Carteret County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

N.C. Coastal Resources Commission to meet Oct. 28-29

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Oct. 28-29 at the Double Tree New Bern Riverfront, 100 Middle St., New Bern. Members of the public may attend in person or join the meeting online.

State announces pause to MCAS Cherry Point Federal Consistency review

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) announced today it is pausing its federal consistency review of proposed updates to training activities and operations within the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Range Complex.

N.C. Coastal Management to conduct training for local permit officers

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) will conduct a fall training workshop Oct. 14-15 in Manteo for local permit officers in the northern region of their 20 coastal-county service area.  

Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board meeting rescheduled.

The NC Division of Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 29 by conference call. This meeting was previously scheduled for Oct. 14.

Water quality swimming advisory issued for sound-side site in Brunswick County

MOREHEAD CITY – An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Brunswick County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

Cultch Planting Reef Program releases stakeholder survey ahead of oyster habitat enhancement efforts slated for 2027 .

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ Cultch Planting Program is asking for public input on nine prospective cultch planting sites for future projects to enhance oyster habitat.

Water quality swimming advisory issued for a sound-side site in Carteret County

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Carteret County where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

Topsail Nature Preserve reopens following invasive plant treatment

The Topsail Nature Preserve has reopened to the public following the completion of herbicide treatment to control the highly invasive Common Reed (Phragmites australis). The treatment has been completed and visitors may now safely return to the Preserve and its beach areas.