Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold multiple public hearings and a 90-day comment period on six draft Animal Feeding Operations general permits. These general permits are for eligible non-discharge swine, cattle and poultry facilities with liquid waste management systems and animal feeding operations with farm digester systems. Public input received at the events and through Nov. 3, 2023, will be considered in the development of the general permits, which will become effective in Fall 2024.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources (DWR) advises the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Chowan River due to an algal bloom that has lingered in the area since July 12, 2023.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has completed its Department-wide email address change. Now, all DEQ email addresses will use the @deq.nc.gov domain.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit #NC0090000 to Colonial Pipeline Company (Colonial Pipeline) for remediation of a major petroleum spill near Huntersville, Mecklenburg County.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is investigating a discharge event related to foam substance reported in Lincoln and Gaston County waterways on June 6-7. The source of the discharge has been identified by DWR as untreated animal waste from Gar-Mac Dairy of Crouse in Lincoln County (AWC550002) as the result of a broken hydrant in their irrigation system.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will receive public comment through June 5 as part of the renewal process for six Animal Feeding Operations General Permits. 

Consistent and heavy April rainfall has resulted in a clear drought map for North Carolina on the U.S. Drought Monitor as reported through the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC). Since May 4, 2023, all of North Carolina’s 100 counties were determined to be free from drought or abnormally dry conditions.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a public stakeholder input session May 9, 2023, as part of the renewal process for six Animal Feeding Operations General Permits. Input from the event, as well as input received during the 60-day comment period through June 5, will be considered in the development of the draft permits which will become effective in 2024.

El Departamento de Calidad Medioambiental (DEQ, por sus siglas en ingles) de Carolina del Norte celebrará una sesión pública el 9 de mayo de 2023 para recibir comentarios y opiniones de las partes interesadas, como parte del proceso de renovación de seis permisos generales para operaciones de alimentación de animales. Los comentarios y opiniones recibidas en el evento, así como durante el período de comentarios de 60 días (hasta el 5 de junio), se tendrán en cuenta en la elaboración de los proyectos de permisos, que entrarán en vigor en el 2024.