Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will collect flounder carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2025 season, held Sept. 1-14. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has awarded more than $2.25 million in grants to fund 10 projects that will expand and improve public access to the state’s treasured beaches and coastal waterways.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary advisory for ocean waters along parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The action was taken because bacteria levels in water samples meet state and federal standards for swimming and water play. A federal beachfront closure remains in effect.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 at the Tryon Palace - History Center, 529 S. Front St., New Bern. The regular business meeting of the CRC will be called to order at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 and will resume at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28. A public input and comment period is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Aug. 27. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to 3 minutes per person. The public may attend the CRC meeting in person or join online.

MOREHEAD CITY – An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Dare County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (“Division”) has denied a mining permit application from Horizon 30 LLC in accordance with the North Carolina Mining Act of 1971.

North Carolinians can breathe easy knowing our state has met every federal health-based air quality standard for a full decade, bringing tremendous benefits to the state’s health and economy.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries today announced the 2025 commercial flounder season opening dates for Internal Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) is holding a virtual meeting via Webex on September 11, 2025, to share information and updates on the Draft North Carolina Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) as part of the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG). 

The Buxton Woods Reserve site of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve is now open to visitors after closing Aug. 18 due to the threat of damage from Hurricane Erin, and to protect public safety from the potential risk of downed trees, flooding and other hazards.