Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting public comment through Oct. 17, 2024, on the 2024 Broad River Basin Plan. Basin plans help state and local leaders identify areas needing additional protection, restoration or preservation to ensure waters of the state are meeting water quality standards.

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

MOREHEAD CITY – An advisory against swimming was posted today at an ocean-side site in Dare 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.

MOREHEAD CITY – Advisories against swimming were posted today at two sound-side sites 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.

The N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Sept. 23 at the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Washington Regional Office, 943 Washington Square Mall, Highway 17, Washington, NC 27889 and by web conference.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries, in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will conduct dye study training in the Cape Fear River, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The dye, which may cause the water to appear reddish or pinkish in a portion of the river, will be released from the Carolina Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant for a 12-hour period, beginning in the early morning.

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

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

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters from Mason Inlet down to Shallotte Inlet, to include Holden Beach, Long Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, Bald Head Island, Kure Beach, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach that are being heavily impacted by Tropical Cyclone 8.

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

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 lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in New Hanover County.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has awarded more than $2.8 million to fourteen local governments to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) Science Panel is scheduled to meet via web conference on Sept. 10 at 2:30 p.m. to continue its review of Inlet Hazard Area boundaries. The public may listen to the meeting by computer or phone.