Press Releases

Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for most ocean-side sites after Tropical Storm Debby

State officials today lifted the precautionary advisory against swimming issued due to Tropical Storm Debby for all but two ocean-side sites. All sound-side areas remain under advisory.

DEQ Reminds Residents, Businesses that Burning Trash is Against State Law

RALEIGH – The open burning of trash, metal, plastic and all other man-made materials not only harms the environment and poses a public health risk, it’s against state law.

Marine Fisheries Commission to meet Aug. 21-23 in Raleigh

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in person Aug. 21-23 at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills, in Raleigh. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

DEQ to Give Update on Fine Particle Air Pollution in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) invites residents to hear updates on fine particulate matter air pollution in North Carolina.

State officials advise against swimming in coastal waters impacted by Tropical Storm Debby

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters from Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk south to the South Carolina State line affected by Tropical Storm Debby.

North Carolina Mining Commission to meet on August 13

The North Carolina Mining Commission will meet at 1 p.m. on August 13, 2024, in Raleigh. The public is invited to attend in person or online.

Governor Cooper and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Granholm Announce Federal Funding to Strengthen Power Grid and Increase Renewable Energy Capacity

Today, Governor Roy Cooper joined United States Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to announce new funding through the Department of Energy to enhance North Carolina’s electrical grid and increase capacity for renewable energy storage. They were joined by N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser and other officials as they announced the second round of funding through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program at the Duke Energy facility in Garner.

Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board to meet

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board will meet by teleconference at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22. The board will consider license applications that are deemed complete and submitted by Oct. 1.

State transports wild foal off island for veterinary care

On Monday, August 5, a days-old wild horse, and resident of the Rachel Carson Reserve, was seen exhibiting signs of extreme distress. Paula Gillikin, NCDEQ Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve site manager for the Rachel Carson Reserve, observed and examined the female foal at the Reserve. After consulting with the Reserve’s local equine veterinarian, the Division subsequently moved the horse from the Reserve for further examination and treatment.

Division of Marine Fisheries sinks tugboat on artificial reef off Cape Lookout

The N.C. DEQ Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program sank a tugboat, Thomas Dann, on Aug 1 at AR-305, off Cape Lookout.