Press Releases

The Environmental Management Commission (EMC) is accepting public comments on proposed standards for three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31. The EMC and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold two additional hearings in December to receive public comment.

La Comisión de Gestión Ambiental (EMC) está aceptando comentarios públicos sobre las normas propuestas para tres sustancias perfluoroalquiladas (PFAS) en aguas subterráneas entre el 1 de noviembre y el 31 de diciembre. La EMC y el Departamento de Calidad Ambiental (DEQ) celebrarán dos audiencias adicionales en diciembre para recibir comentarios del público.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint is providing funding to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), Division of Soil and Water Conservation Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) to implement stream debris and sediment removal projects. DEQ is allocating over $4.7 million to 32 StRAP projects that will help communities across North Carolina prevent flooding during large storm events.  

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program sank a 55-foot trawler at AR-305, off Cape Lookout, last week.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission this week chose preferred management measures for the N.C. Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1 that merged recommendations from its advisory committees, as well as public comment, with proposals from the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) Science Panel is scheduled to meet via web conference on Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. to continue its review of Inlet Hazard Area boundaries. The public may listen to the meeting by computer or phone.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is accepting public comments on an analysis of smoke impacts in North Carolina from the 2023 Canadian wildfires. This analysis, called an Exceptional Events Demonstration, is intended to support DAQ’s recommendation that the state be designated in attainment with a stricter air quality standard for fine particulate matter.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting project applications for funding to help coastal cities and towns in North Carolina recover from hurricane damage. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. on Jan. 24.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint is working with the North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) to implement flood reduction and floodplain protection projects. DEQ is allocating over $9 million to 15 NCLWF projects that will provide an estimated 465 acre-feet of flood water retention, or 152 million gallons, during flood events. 

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Edenton National Fish Hatchery have joined together to enhance the Striped Bass population in the lower Cape Fear River in hopes of boosting natural reproduction in the waterway.