Press Releases

RALEIGH – Following a comprehensive application review and public comment period, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management (DWM) has issued a permit to allow Duke Energy to expand the existing onsite, lined-landfill at the Roxboro Steam Electric Plant for the disposal of excavated coal ash.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Carteret County.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Oak Island. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have rescinded, and pumping has ceased.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality has issued a renewed air permit to the Wake Stone Corporation-Triangle Quarry for the operation of existing mining equipment at the site. The permit renewal includes no significant changes or modifications.

State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Oak Island. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding potential shellfish lease applicants that the 2021 application period ends next Monday.

Commercial fishermen sold 42.9 million pounds of fish and shellfish to North Carolina seafood dealers in 2020, a decrease of 19% from 2019 and about a 23% decrease from the previous five-year average.

The N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Steering Committee will meet by web conference at 1 p.m. Aug. 3.

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Carteret 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.