Press Releases

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will reopen the Rachel Carson, Masonboro Island, and Bird Island Reserves to visitors on May 9, 2020 as North Carolina enters Phase 1 of the state’s plan of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by webinar starting at 9 a.m. May 14

Fifteen lucky fishermen won $100 each in a recent N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Multi-Species Tagging Program yearly drawing.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by webinar starting at 9 a.m. May 14.

DEQ has successfully increased equity, transparency and environmental protection in the permitting of swine operations under the 2018 Title VI settlement agreement with citizen groups, which expired on May 3, 2020.  Title VI is a federal civil rights law that requires agency recipients of federal funds to act in a nondiscriminatory manner.  DEQ has produced a report (available online) which details DEQ’s significant progress on community engagement and transparency and the fulfillment of the terms of the agreement.

Today, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) joined the North Carolina Attorney General and 16 states in filing suit opposing the EPA’s final rule defining “Waters of the United States”.  The rule is set to take effect on June 22, 2020.

The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is extending the comment period on the draft permits for the two proposed Carolina Sunrock LLC facilities until June 15, 2020 at 5 p.m. and may extend further at the appropriate time.

The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) will host an online public hearing on May 4 to receive comment on the proposed rules to regulate emissions of methyl bromide at log fumigation operations. The public hearings initially scheduled for March 17, 2020 and March 18, 2020 were cancelled due to guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Renewal packets for fiscal year 2021 commercial and for-hire fishing licenses and permits are in the mail, and the Division of Marine Fisheries is asking fishermen to complete and return the applications without delay.

RALEIGH – After a thorough review and public participation process, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has approved the closure plans detailing the excavation of coal ash impoundments at three Duke Energy facilities – Cliffside/Rogers Energy Complex, Marshall Steam Station and Mayo Steam Station. DEQ has determined that the closure plans meet the requirements of the Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA) and are protective of public health and the environment.