Press Releases

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for approximately $3 million in available funding to help local governments improve public access to coastal beaches and waters for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access program provides matching funds to local governments in 20 coastal counties to construct low-cost public access facilities. The pre-application period for fiscal year 2023-24 grants closes on April 28 at 5 p.m.

The five advisory committees to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission are scheduled to meet in April to discuss various fisheries topics. The meetings will be held in person and live-streamed on YouTube.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is awarding grants to 15 coastal communities for technical assistance in risk assessment and resilience planning work through the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP). A total of $1.1 million will be provided for completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the RCCP. DCM will contract with nine third-party service providers for direct technical assistance services to the localities.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold three outreach meetings in the coming weeks to talk with charter/for-hire fishing owners and operators.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) recently issued a Title V air quality permit to Pregis PolyMask, Inc., a protective tape manufacturing facility in Catawba County.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) invites communities to apply for Phase 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), which will fund the implementation or construction of planned, prioritized, and engineered resilience projects in the 20 coastal counties.

The Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will hold a special meeting on Cumulative Impacts on March 16th at 6 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend in-person or online.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has launched an online public records request form, making it easier for the public to access agency records. The new form is part of DEQ efforts to improve efficiency, tracking and fulfillment of requests by DEQ staff.

Sixty-nine Marine Fisheries Commission rules go into effect today, including rules pertaining to marking requirements for commercial pots and trotlines; license and permit suspensions and revocations; shellfish and crustacea management and processing; recordkeeping requirements and tournament licenses; and importation permits. The rules were amended and/or readopted under a state mandated periodic review schedule.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality State Energy Office will hold a public hearing March 27 and accept public comments on the Weatherization Assistance Program’s five-year plan under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Members of the public are invited attend in person or online.