Press Releases

Comment period opens, public hearing scheduled for one marine fisheries rule.

Today, Gov. Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and DEQ Sec. Reid Wilson filed comments opposing the proposed PFAS deal between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chemours. The comments urge the federal government to withdraw the proposed settlement, which would do almost nothing to address the damage Chemours has done in North Carolina.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for FY2027 funding through the North Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program. The BIG Program provides competitive grant funding to construct, renovate and maintain boating infrastructure serving transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer.

Today Governor Josh Stein and Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson provided an update on ongoing drought conditions.

The North Carolina Oil and Gas Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Raleigh.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission Water Quality Committee will hold a special virtual meeting at 2 p.m. on Aug. 4. Members of the public may attend by computer or phone.  

The application deadline is approaching for those who wish to be considered for a Standard Commercial Fishing License (SCFL) this fall. The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries SCFL Eligibility Board will meet Oct. 14 to consider license applications that are deemed complete and submitted by Sept. 21.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Nags Head. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have receded, and pumping has ceased.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted two swimming advisories in Dare County.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Carteret County.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Nags Head. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

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

Even as rain has fallen over much of North Carolina, the majority of the state is still facing drought conditions. The rain has not made up for double-digit precipitation deficits that have been building since last fall. North Carolinians are encouraged to conserve water as the long-running drought continues to impact water reservoirs and other water supplies.