Press Releases

Division of Marine Fisheries seeks input on draft spending plan for additional federal COVID-19 fisheries relief

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking input from the public on a draft spending plan for $4.5 million in federal fisheries relief that Congress approved in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CARES Act II). The spending plan must be approved by NOAA Fisheries for the state to receive the funding.

DEQ names new Assistant Secretary for the Environment

Secretary Dionne Delli-Gatti announced a key leadership appointment for the Department of Environmental Quality. Sushma Masemore will serve as the Assistant Secretary for the Environment. 

RELEASE: Air Permit Issued for Madison Asphalt LLC

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has issued an air permit for Madison Asphalt LLC, a drum-mix asphalt plant in Marshall, NC.

REMINDER: North Carolina Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board to Meet June 7

The state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Monday, June 7, via WebEx, to continue discussion from the previous presentations on PFAS research and grouping strategies.

New Research Measures Economic Losses from Further Declines in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuary

Through funding from the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP), an interdisciplinary team of researchers at NC State University and Duke University have published a report that estimates the market and nonmarket economic losses from declines in submerged aquatic vegetation in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary.

RELEASE: Air Quality Committee to hold special meeting on June 15

A special meeting of the Air Quality Committee (AQC) of the NC Environmental Management Commission is being announced for Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 9 a.m.

Marine Fisheries Commission moves forward with amendment to Shrimp Plan

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted on Thursday to take Draft Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 out for public comment and advisory committee review.

RELEASE: Draft Air Permit for Duke Belews Creek Impoundment Closure Actions

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) will host a public hearing on Monday, June 21 on a draft permit modification for the Duke Energy Belews Creek Steam Station.

Public Hearing on Proposed Changes to State’s Surface Water Quality Standards

The Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources will conduct an online public hearing July 20, 2021, on proposed revisions to the 15A NCAC 02B .0200 and .0300 Surface Water Quality Standards and Classifications. Written public comments are being accepted through August 3, 2021.

Climate Change Interagency Council to meet Wednesday, May 26

The N.C. Climate Change Interagency Council will hold an online meeting on May 26 to discuss state building energy consumption and the agency resilience strategy reports.