Press Releases

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has certified a new state record speckled trout (Cynoscion nebulosus) that bests a fish that held the title for more than 60 years. Todd Spangler, of Merritt, caught the 12-pound, 8-ounce fish in the lower Neuse River in Pamlico County on Feb 9. The previous state record speckled trout weighed 12 pounds, 4 ounces and was caught off Wrightsville Beach in 1961. The International Game Fish Association All Tackle World Record spotted seatrout stands at 17 pounds, 7 ounces, and was caught in 1995 off Ft. Pierce Fla.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is now accepting applications for DC Fast Charging Infrastructure grants under Phase 2 of the Volkswagen Mitigation plan.  The Request for Proposal (RFP) released today details how to apply for the $4,997,424 available for funding new DC Fast charging sites along identified priority corridors to support zero emission vehicle (ZEV) travel.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person Feb. 23-25 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New Bern Riverfront, 100 Middle St, New Bern. The meeting also will be livestreamed on YouTube.

  The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Resources has approved a buffer authorization request by Wake Stone Corporation for the proposed construction of a bridge over Crabtree Creek based on a revised application. 

The N.C. Sedimentation Control Commission will meet virtually on Tuesday, February 22, 2022., The meeting will begin at 10 a.m., and the public may join the meeting by computer or phone.

The Division of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting proposals for approximately $1.3 million in federal grant money to address the State’s water bodies most impacted by nonpoint pollution.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will hold its meeting Monday, February 28, remotely via teleconference. Members of the public are welcome to participate online or by phone. Internet access is not required to attend the meeting.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Feb.10 at the Beaufort Hotel, 2440 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort. A public input and comment period is scheduled for noon. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to three minutes per person. Prior to the commission meeting, the Coastal Resources Advisory Council (CRAC) will meet at 3 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the same location. Both meetings are open to the public. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, all attendees should wear a mask and maintain social distance during the meeting.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s administration plan for the approximately $1.6 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery funds for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure is now available online.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is now accepting applications for the Transit and Shuttle Bus Program grants under Phase 2 of the Volkswagen Mitigation plan.  The Request for Proposal (RFP) released today details how to apply for the $13.5 million available to replace older, diesel transit or shuttle buses with cleaner low emission vehicles to significantly reduce NOx emissions and improve air quality.