Press Releases

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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. 

REMINDER: Topsail Nature Preserve to temporarily close for invasive plant treatment

The Topsail Nature Preserve, including its beaches and parking lot, will temporarily close to the public during the morning of Oct. 7 while a licensed contractor conducts herbicide treatment to control the highly invasive Common Reed (Phragmites australis).

Recreational anglers can donate Red Snapper carcasses to science; enter for chance to win fishing reels!

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will collect Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2026 federal recreational Red Snapper fishing season, held Oct. 9-11. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

Topsail Nature Preserve to temporarily close for invasive plant treatment

The Topsail Nature Preserve, including its beaches and parking lot, will temporarily close to the public during the morning of Oct. 7 while a licensed contractor conducts herbicide treatment to control the highly invasive Common Reed (Phragmites australis).

NCDEQ receives national innovation award for Hurricane Helene response

The NC Department of Environmental Quality has received an innovation award from the Environmental Council of States (ECOS) for its work streamlining grant and loan application processes to repair and strengthen local governments’ drinking water and wastewater systems damaged by Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina honors 66 drinking water treatment plants with AWOP awards

The NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Resources has honored 66 water treatment plants for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards in 2025. The division’s Public Water Supply Section awarded the facilities the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award, which is part of a state effort to enhance the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities.