Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) is investigating the structural failure of a hog lagoon at DC Mills Farm in Trenton that resulted in the release of approximately one million gallons of untreated animal waste.  DWR is investigating the cause of the failure and will take enforcement action to hold the appropriate parties accountable based on the results of that investigation.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will host a public meeting on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 on the draft permit modifications for four animal (swine) feeding operations participating in a biogas processing project with Align RNG, LLC. Members of the public are invited to attend online or by phone and provide their comments on the proposed permit modifications.  

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.

With the arrival of the Christmas holiday, 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.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has fined Sandler Utilities at Mill Run, LLC $62,517.96 for failure to effectively manage, maintain and operate its sewer collection system that serves the Eagle Creek Subdivision, a community of approximately 400 homes located in Moyock, in Currituck County.  

RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper has released the following statement on North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan's appointment to lead the United States Environmental Protection Agency:

Stricter harvest restrictions will take effect Jan. 1, 2021 for the commercial and recreational striped bass fisheries in the Albemarle Sound Management Area. The reduced harvest is needed to end overfishing on the Albemarle-Roanoke striped bass stock.

The blue crab season closures will go into effect Jan. 1-31, 2021 in North Carolina state waters north and east of the Highway 58 bridge and March 1-15, 2021 south and west of the Highway 58 bridge. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission approved measures to end overfishing and achieve sustainable harvest with the adoption of the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 at its February 2020 meeting.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is requesting input on locations for 2021 oyster cultch planting.