Press Releases

Shrimp Amendment 2 management measures implemented

New shrimp management measures will go into effect May 15 in North Carolina state waters. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission approved the measures to reduce bycatch and protect habitat with the adoption of the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 at its February business meeting.

Extreme high tides may cause pollution in ocean in parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore

State recreational water quality officials today advise the public to be aware of potential pollution from possible septic system failures in ocean swimming waters along parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

DEQ Accepting Applications for $18 Million to Restore Beaches from Coastal Storm Damage

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting project applications from local governments for coastal storm damage mitigation projects in accordance with General Statute 143-215.73M.

N.C. Sedimentation Control Commission to meet May 19

The N.C. Sedimentation Control Commission will meet in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building (512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh 27603) on Thursday, May 19, 2022. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m., and the public may join in person, by Webex or by phone.

Division of Water Infrastructure Receives Record Number of Applications for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funding

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure Spring 2022 application period closed with a record number of applications and more than $3 billion in requests for water and wastewater infrastructure funding.

REMINDER: Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board to hold quarterly meeting in-person on May 19

The Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Board will hold its quarterly business meeting at NC State’s McKimmon Center in Room 3 at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 19.  Members of the public are invited to attend in person or listen online.

REMINDER: DEQ hosting public meeting May 9 in Wilmington to discuss well sampling in Lower Cape Fear area

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will host a public meeting on Monday, May 9, at the Lumina Theatre on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus to share information and answer questions about the private drinking water well sampling Chemours is required to conduct in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties.

Coastal Reserve to hold local advisory committee meetings

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will hold local advisory committee meetings May 18 through 26 for eight reserve sites. All meetings are open to the public.

State Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Plan to Administer American Rescue Plan Act’s Funding for Stormwater Projects

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until June 3, 2022 on the proposed plan to administer approximately $100.5 million in federal funds appropriated in the state budget for stormwater projects.

Water quality swimming advisory issued for sound-side site in Dare County

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-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