Press Releases

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has rescheduled three Observer Trip Scheduling System (OTSS) training sessions that were cancelled due to inclement weather.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will close coastal and joint waters in North Carolina to both commercial and recreational spotted seatrout harvest effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 due to widespread cold stun events.

Due to the forecasted inclement weather, the Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has cancelled the three Observer Trip Scheduling System training sessions that were slated for this week. The meetings will be rescheduled and the dates and times announced later.

North Carolina’s Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) has classified 11 counties in eastern North Carolina as experiencing severe drought conditions, also known as D2, in the latest drought advisory issued Thursday.

Today, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality launched Energy Saver North Carolina, which includes more than $208 million dollars for federally funded rebates. The rebates are designed to make it more affordable for households to install cost-saving measures such as heat pumps, electrical panels and insulation. Energy Saver NC also serves as an opportunity to create new businesses, support more than 2,300 jobs and boost local economies.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries wants to remind the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is accepting public comment and will hold a public hearing on a draft air quality permit modification for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) cogeneration facility.The public hearing will be on Jan. 16. Public comments will be accepted until Jan. 23.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program has finalized its five-year timeline for ocean reef enhancements funded by Coastal Recreational Fishing License revenues.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is extending the deadline to apply for more than $1.1 million in funding for clean vehicle replacements.Applications for the 2024 Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions Grant will now be accepted through Jan. 31, 2025.

The Environmental Management Commission (EMC) is accepting public comment on proposed rule changes that would codify discharge requirements for certain existing wastewater treatment plants in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin in the rules. The rules are part of a strategy designed to manage the inputs of nutrients into the basin that can cause fish kills, harmful algal blooms and other water quality impacts.