Press Releases

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Applications now open for the 2026 Shellfish Lease Program

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has opened the 2026 application period for the state’s Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program. Individuals interested in leasing public coastal waters to cultivate shellfish may submit applications through Aug. 1, 2026.

DEQ reminds residents, businesses that burning trash is against state law

DEQ’s Division of Air Quality is reminding North Carolinians: If it doesn’t grow, don’t burn it. The open burning rule limits what can be burned outdoors and when.

UPDATE: Division of Marine Fisheries accepting Gulf Flounder carcass donations; participants may win prizes

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has updated freezer sites for collecting Gulf Flounder carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2026 spring season, held March 9-22 in ocean waters from Portsmouth Island to the South Carolina line. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

Governor Stein, DEQ Secretary Wilson Announce $17 Million in Grants to Address PFAS in New Hanover County, Highlights Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects

Today Governor Josh Stein and Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson visited Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's Sweeney Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington to announce $17 million in grants to protect families from forever chemicals like PFAS and GenX in their drinking water. The funds will be used to extend waterlines to connect more than 300 homes with contaminated wells to CFPUA's supply of safe drinking water. This funding follows the Governor's recent announcement of more than $472 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across 66 counties. As part of that investment, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority received $17.8 million to support replacement and capacity upgrade of the Southside Water Reclamation Facility.

Governor Stein’s team visits Lady Marian Dam to highlight $2.7 million grant to address hurricane damage

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson and Matt Calabria, Director of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), traveled to Lady Marian Dam in McDowell County today to highlight the Department’s recent awards of $7.3 million to address at-risk dams that were damaged by Hurricane Helene. 

DEQ Flood Resiliency Blueprint to hold public information session

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint program (B

North Carolina Mining Commission to meet March 10

The N.C. Mining Commission will meet on March 10 in Raleigh for its regular quarterly meeting.

Division of Marine Fisheries accepting Gulf Flounder carcass donations; participants may win prizes

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will collect Gulf Flounder carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2026 spring season, held March 9-22 in ocean waters from Portsmouth Island to the South Carolina line. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

REMINDER: Sheepshead regulations to change March 1

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding fishermen that Sheepshead regulations will change for both recreational and commercial fisheries beginning March 1. The Division is implementing changes because of increases in sheepshead harvest, particularly juvenile fish, in recent years.

Ozone season begins Sunday

March 1 marks the beginning of the 2026 ozone season as state and local environmental agencies restart their daily air quality forecasts for ozone across North Carolina.

N.C. Environmental Management Commission to meet March 11-12

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet March 11-12 on the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone. 

NCDEQ issues decision on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Consistency Determination for Wilmington Harbor Dredging Project 

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has completed its review of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) Federal Consistency Determination and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Wilmington Harbor Section 403 Navigation Improvement Project. DCM has objected to the Corps’ Consistency Determination because the 403 Proposal and supporting documentation did not supply sufficient information about PFAS, flooding, and placement of dredged material to allow DCM to adequately evaluate consistency with North Carolina’s enforceable coastal laws and policies.

NCDEQ, NCDOJ continue to pursue cleanup of illegal mine in Western North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) have taken additional legal measures to ensure an unpermitted Mitchell County mine site is properly returned to a safe and stable condition.

NC’s greenhouse gas emissions lowest in decades, but temporary uptick projected

DEQ's updated North Carolina greenhouse gas inventory shows declines in emissions since 2005 and projects a slight uptick in the coming years.

Marine Fisheries Commission proposes five-fish recreational bag limit for draft Atlantic Bonito rule

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission took a step toward state management of Atlantic Bonito, including a five-fish recreational bag limit in draft rule language. The vote occurred at the Commission’s quarterly business meeting this week.