Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has completed its review of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) Federal Consistency Determination and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Wilmington Harbor Section 403 Navigation Improvement Project. DCM has objected to the Corps’ Consistency Determination because the 403 Proposal and supporting documentation did not supply sufficient information about PFAS, flooding, and placement of dredged material to allow DCM to adequately evaluate consistency with North Carolina’

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) have taken additional legal measures to ensure an unpermitted Mitchell County mine site is properly returned to a safe and stable condition.

DEQ's updated North Carolina greenhouse gas inventory shows declines in emissions since 2005 and projects a slight uptick in the coming years.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission took a step toward state management of Atlantic Bonito, including a five-fish recreational bag limit in draft rule language. The vote occurred at the Commission’s quarterly business meeting this week.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) will hold a public hearing on March 12 to accept public comments on the Weatherization Assistance Program’s Annual State Plan. The plan describes the administration of the program for fiscal year 2027, as required by federal regulations. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or online.

 Governor Josh Stein announced today that 145 projects in 66 counties across the state will receive more than $472 million in funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The awards will help cities, towns and counties strengthen infrastructure to better withstand future storms, improve existing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, reduce contamination by forever chemicals, and identify and replace lead pipes.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has rescheduled the Lines of Communication meetings in North Carolina that were postponed due to inclement weather in early February.

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Feb. 25 and 26 at the Dunes Club, 710 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting online.

The funding application period for the Recycling Infrastructure Grant program, which focuses on repairs in Helene-damaged regions, will close at the end of this week. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) a $25 million grant to support these efforts, part of a larger $61 million EPA award to DEQ. The award also includes funding for debris cleanup, pesticide removal, and brownfields development. Visit the NCDEQ Hazardous Waste Management State Program

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet in person in Raleigh and via teleconference (Webex) on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 9 am – 4:15 pm. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.