Press Releases

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun implementing a revised water control plan at Kerr Lake dam, as negotiated by the Corps, the state’s lead environmental agency, other state and federal agencies, non-government organizations and Dominion. Under the revised plan, when the water level in Kerr Lake is above the new guidelines, water releases from the dam that flow into the Roanoke River and floodplain will occur in larger amounts and for shorter periods of time than they have in the past.

A new environmental rule will reduce paperwork for more than 1,400 business owners while freeing up resources North Carolina will use to protect air quality. The businesses that would qualify for air permit exemptions include food manufacturing and colleges and universities.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public meeting on a proposed new artificial reef near Oregon Inlet. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. June 16 in Room 168 of the Dare County Administrative Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo. Staff with the division’s Artificial Reef Program will receive comment on the proposed siting of the reef at 35° 41.672’N/ 75° 26.313’W, which is approximately 8 nautical miles south-southeast of Oregon Inlet. At this site, the reef would be situated in 67 to 72 feet of water.

Governor Pat McCrory has awarded $75,000 in grants to five coastal cities and towns for local planning and management that will help them prepare for the future. The awards are:

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public meeting on a proposed new artificial reef near Oregon Inlet. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. June 14 in Room 168 of the Dare County Administrative Building, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo. Staff with the division’s Artificial Reef Program will receive comment on the proposed siting of the reef at 35° 41.672’N/ 75° 26.313’W, which is approximately 8 nautical miles south-southeast of Oregon Inlet. At this site, the reef would be situated in 67 to 72 feet of water.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking public input on a proposed oyster sanctuary near Wysocking Bay. Comments will be accepted at a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. June 14 in the Hyde County Government Building, 30 Oyster Creek Road, Swan Quarter. Staff with the state’s Oyster Sanctuary Program will discuss a plan to construct Gull Shoal Oyster Sanctuary, a 10-acre sanctuary located about 4 miles (3.5 nautical miles) southeast of Wysocking Bay. Those in attendance will be asked for input on the plan.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has added a public comment period to the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting of the Joint Law Enforcement Agreement Advisory Group. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Craven County Agricultural Center, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern. Public comment will be accepted at the end of the meeting. A meeting agenda is attached.

Local Advisory Committees for six coastal reserves will meet in May and June. The meetings are open to the public.

It might be hard to believe, but getting to work for some state employees can be one of the most enjoyable times of the day. That is, if they’re not driving in Raleigh traffic. Many employees in the state environmental agency ride the bus, carpool or bike to and from work rather than battle rush hour congestion in their own vehicles.

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission adopted stricter blue crab regulations at its meeting last week. The measures are meant to improve the condition of the state’s blue crab stock. Commercial and recreational crabbers should expect most of the regulations to take effect in early June. The commission voted to: