Press Releases

North Carolina’s Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) has expanded its Severe Drought category (D2 classification) for parts of 31 counties as of Nov. 7. Impacted counties range from Cherokee County in the west to Moore County in the east. Severe Drought is the second category of the four drought classifications based on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Portions of an additional 39 counties in western North Carolina are considered to be in Moderate Drought category (D1 classification).

The North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission will meet at 10 a.m. on Nov. 16. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone.

RALEIGH –The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a community information meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Roseboro-Salemburg Middle School Gym/Auditorium in Roseboro.DEQ will share updates on the sampling of private drinking water wells in neighborhoods near the Sampson County landfill for PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.  Staff will be available to answer questions from the public about these efforts.When:        Thursday, November 16 at 6 p.m.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board will meet by teleconference at 10 a.m. Nov. 13. The board will consider one license application that was tabled at the Oct. 25 meeting.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking feedback from stakeholders and the public to develop an action-based, achievable, and inclusive Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan for the 2024-2034 cycle.Survey feedback offers respondents the opportunity to influence the next decade of solid waste and materials management in North Carolina. Responses are also key to ensure the plan contributes to NCDEQ’s mission to provide science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians. 

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality will hold a series of public information sessions in November and December to provide information and gather feedback on the Department's planned application for the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG).

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has awarded more than $2.8 million to nine local governments to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Wildfire smoke in western North Carolina may be producing unhealthy air quality in at least five counties, and residents are urged to take precautions.Cherokee, Clay and Macon counties may experience Code Red air quality conditions, defined as air that is unhealthy for anyone to breathe. Residents should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors in these areas. Anyone sensitive to air pollution, including children, older adults and people with asthma, should avoid outdoor exertion.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person Nov. 15-17 at the Islander Hotel and Resort, 102 Islander Dr., Emerald Isle. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Nov. 9 at the Beaufort Hotel, 2440 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., and a public comment period is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to 3 minutes per person. Prior to the commission meeting, the Coastal Resources Advisory Council (CRAC) will meet Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. at the same location. Both meetings are open to the public.