Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has named Tancred Miller as the new director of the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) effective Jan. 29.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists and other interested parties to sit on the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Pender County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. The hearing will be held in-person at the Surf City Municipal Complex, Council Chambers, 214 Florence Way, Hampstead, and by WebEx.

The Viable Utility Committee of the State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet via teleconference on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 2-4 p.m. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.

The public comment period on several proposed N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) temporary rules ends Feb. 1. The CRC held public hearings Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 to receive comment on the temporary rules: 07H .0507, .0508, .0509, 07I .0702, 07J .0203, .0204, .0206, .0207, .0208, 07M .0401, .0402, .0403, .0701, .0703, .0704 and .1101. Written comments must be received or postmarked by 5 p.m. Feb. 1.

The North Carolina Mining Commission meeting planned for Jan. 16, 2024, has been cancelled.

Drought conditions continued to improve across North Carolina due to heavy rains. The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) removed the severe drought (D2) classification for all of western North Carolina – with the exception of parts of Cherokee and Clay counties.

Telephone numbers at Division of Marine Fisheries offices in Morehead City will change on Wednesday, Jan. 17 when a new phone system is installed at the Headquarters and Central District offices.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is now accepting applications for coastal storm recovery projects such as ocean beach renourishment or artificial dunes.