Press Releases

MOREHEAD CITY – Advisories against swimming were posted today at two sound-side sites in Brunswick County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

Many areas in North Carolina received rain over the last week, continuing to ease widespread drought. However, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Thursday, most of the state is still in moderate to severe drought, with Brunswick County experiencing the worst drought conditions. With many reservoir levels still below normal, the public is still encouraged to conserve water.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources is accepting comments on proposed rule changes related to its dam safety program, and will hold multiple public hearings in September to receive feedback. 

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory for a sound-side swimming area in Beaufort County.

Mining permit applications can now be processed electronically through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) AccessDEQ portal, marking another step forward in the digitization of application processes across the Department.Prior to this change, mining permit applications were delivered in multiple formats, often relying on postal mail to process information.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Oak Island. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) will hold a public hearing on Aug. 17 to accept public comments on the Weatherization Assistance Program’s Annual State Plan. 

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is taking another step toward its goal of modernizing the state’s environmental application process by offering an electronic option to submit Title V air quality permit applications through the AccessDEQ portal.Businesses that operate as a major source of air emissions and are required to obtain Title V air quality permits under the Clean Air Act can upload all required application materials to DEQ directly online rather than mailing applications to DEQ’s Division of Air Quality.  

Comment period opens, public hearing scheduled for one marine fisheries rule.

The Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, August 5, at 10 a.m., online via