Press Releases

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries wants to remind the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters. No cold stun events have been reported yet this winter, but conditions during or following the imminent winter storm may cause one or more to occur in coastal creeks and bays.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality seeks public comment on a draft permit for Roseburg Forest Products to construct and operate a new lumber sawmill in Halifax County. Public comment will be accepted until February 17, 2022.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board will meet by teleconference at 10:30 a.m. April 7. The board will consider license applications that are deemed complete and submitted by February 21. The public may listen to the meeting through a conference call line by dialing 919-212-5733. To avoid disrupting the meeting, members of the public are asked to mute themselves and not announce their names when they call.

Anglers who want to commemorate that big saltwater fishing catch in 2021 have a couple of extra weeks this year to apply for a citation from the N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has modified aquaculture permit conditions to facilitate the cultivation of more finfish species in upland facilities by exempting these operations from size and possession limits.

REMINDER: State Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Plan to Administer American Rescue Plan Act’s State Fiscal Recovery Funding (deadline: Jan. 12, 2022)

Due to increased cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, three upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission advisory committee meetings will be held by web conference only.

RALEIGH – This year, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) took key actions to protect the environment and health of all North Carolinians and to address the impacts of climate change. “DEQ is committed to protecting the resources and people of our state,” said Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser. “We look forward to the opportunities in the year ahead to help communities replace aging infrastructure, improve air and water quality and build a more resilient North Carolina.”

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality has submitted the Volkswagen Mitigation Plan for Phase 2 of the state’s share of a national settlement with the automaker. 

As the holiday season winds down, the N.C. Division of Coastal Management is providing guidance to property owners, organizations and towns that plan to accept natural Christmas trees for use in dune restoration and/or beach sand fencing. Natural Christmas trees may be used for sand fencing but must be free of decorations and should be placed in a manner that meets the State’s rules for sand fencing.