Press Releases

Extreme, severe drought expand in parts of North Carolina

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) expanded its severe drought classification and classified two countiesas in extreme drought in the latest advisory issued Thursday.

State Announces $253M for Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Projects Statewide

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that communities statewide will receive more than $253 million in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure funding and stormwater construction grants to help pay for 70 projects in 30 counties statewide, including 51 construction projects. The awards include emerging contaminants (PFAS) funding and funding for lead service line inventories and replacements.

REMINDER: State coastal agency accepts comments regarding NOAA’s Proposed Rule to Amend the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management is accepting public comment on a request for review of a federal consistency submission from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources proposing amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule (“speed rule”).

DEQ recognizes state agencies, universities, community colleges for energy reductions and progress on Executive Order 80 targets

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office recognizes thirteen state agencies, universities and community colleges for their significant energy reductions and progress towards Executive Order 80’s goal.

The North Carolina State Emergency Response Team Actively Monitors and Prepares for Impacts Resulting from the South Hill, VA Fire

The North Carolina State Emergency Response Team is in close coordination with agencies in Virginia regarding the ongoing environmental issue resulting from the South Hill, Virginia, warehouse fire that occurred on July 6.

Water quality swimming advisory lifted for sound-side site in Dare County

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

Reminder: State to hold public input session on the Home Energy Rebates Programs

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a virtual public input session on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., to solicit community feedback on the proposed Home Energy Rebates Programs, under the Inflation Reduction Act.

New recreational, commercial harvest reporting requirements delayed to Dec. 1, 2025

New harvest reporting requirements for recreational and commercial fisheries have been delayed by one year and will now become effective on Dec. 1, 2025.

Virginia Department of Health issues recreational water, fish consumption advisories for waters along NC border

The Virginia Department of Health has issued a recreational swimming and fish consumption advisory for surface waters, including the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers, that extend to the North Carolina-Virginia border. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) is sharing this advisory for public awareness of residents and visitors in the potentially affected areas of Warren, Northampton and Halifax counties near the Virginia border.

State Water Infrastructure Authority to meet July 16 in Raleigh and via teleconference

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet via teleconference on Tuesday, July 16, from 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.