Press Releases

UPDATE: Some NC Counties Forecasted to have Code Orange Air Quality on Friday

As smoke from Canada continues to travel south, fine particle pollution will remain elevated in parts of North Carolina on Friday.

Recreational fishing license sales and vessel registrations will be unavailable end of June during transition to new system

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is launching a new license and vessel registration system July 1. As part of the transition to the new system, hunting and fishing licenses — including Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses — and vessel registrations will be unavailable for purchase from 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 27 to 8 a.m. Saturday, July 1.

DEQ responding to discharge event in Lincoln 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.

Code Orange Alerts Remain in Thursday’s Air Quality Forecast

North Carolina residents should continue to exercise caution while outside on Thursday due to smoke and fine particle pollution from Canadian wildfires.

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.

North Carolina continues to lead the way on addressing PFAS

North Carolina continues to lead the way on addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.   

DEQ Forecasts Code Red or Orange Air Quality for All NC on Wednesday

Due to rapidly rising levels of fine particle pollution attributed to smoke from active wildfires in Canada, all of North Carolina will be under a Code Red or Code Orange Air Quality Action Day tomorrow, June 7.

Widespread Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Issued due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke

A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day has been issued for much of North Carolina due to smoke and fine particles from active wildfires in Canada.

Lifetime of fishing awaits lucky youth attending Marine Fisheries’ Bicentennial Jamboree

A lifetime of fishing awaits one lucky youth who attends the upcoming N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Bicentennial Jamboree. Neuse Sport Shop has volunteered to sponsor a Jamboree Passport raffle, and the prize is a Lifetime Coastal Recreational Fishing License!

Eleven Projects Funded through Inaugural Food Waste Reduction Grant

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) awarded the first Food Waste Reduction grants to 11 organizations, totaling $393,264, for projects that develop the state’s food waste infrastructure. DEQ’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the grant to help local governments, non-profits and businesses reduce the amount of food waste disposed at landfills by expanding food donation networks or composting operations.