Press Releases

The N.C. Division of Water Resources (DWR) is urging the public to avoid contact with green or blue water, specifically in the Albemarle Sound and adjoining waterbodies, after receiving reports of discolored water observed in Edenton, Rocky Hock and Elizabeth City. Division staff are monitoring the blooms and have sent samples to the Water Sciences Section for analysis.

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) has partnered with the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs (NCCIA) and others to support Tribal communities in the Albemarle-Pamlico region in considering climate resilience during community planning.

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is urging the public not to celebrate Independence Day at Masonboro Island Reserve this year due to the potential spread of COVID-19 from mass gatherings. Those who do plan to visit the reserve for the July Fourth holiday should act responsibly by observing social distancing measures, including the current state requirement to wear face coverings in public.  

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acting as Natural Resource Trustees, have released the final Phase 1 Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment that identifies 10 projects, totaling $12 million, to offset environmental harm due to releases at the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. Superfund site in Navassa.

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are urging the public not to celebrate Independence Day at Masonboro Island Reserve this year due to the potential spread of COVID-19 from mass gatherings. Those who do plan to visit the reserve for the July Fourth holiday should act responsibly by observing social distancing measures, including the current state requirement to wear face coverings in public.  

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has reopened the public comment period for the coal ash closure plan at the Buck Power station in Rowan County. The closure plan is required under the Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA). Due to an issue with delivery of public comments submitted to DEQ by email, DEQ asks anyone who submitted comments by email previously to resubmit those comments.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is postponing the public hearing scheduled for Monday, June 29, 2020, on the draft permits for two proposed Carolina Sunrock LLC facilities.  Based on a request from county health officials and to address community concerns, the public hearing will be held on August 3, 2020, and the comment period will be extended until August 7, 2020.  Details on the rescheduled hearing will be provided with the appropriate 30-day notice.

The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will continue the digital public hearing on a permit modification for Wake Stone Corporation on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 to accommodate pre-registered speakers.

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Carteret County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming alert at a sound-side site in Brunswick County.