Press Releases

Recreational and commercial Spotted Seatrout cold stun harvest closure extended

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has extended the Spotted Seatrout cold stun harvest closure through June 30, in accordance with the state’s fishery management plan.

State Water Infrastructure Authority to meet in person April 16 and April 17 in Edenton and via teleconference

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet in person in Edenton and by teleconference, via Webex, on Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17. The public may attend in person or listen to the meeting online or by phone.

Public hearing set for proposed shellfish leases in Pender County

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025, on proposed shellfish leases in Pender County. The hearing will be held both in-person at the Topsail Beach Town Hall, 820 S. Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach, N.C. 28445, and virtually via Webex.

DEQ State Energy Office to hold public hearing on Weatherization Assistance Program annual plan

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office will hold a public hearing on April 17 and accept public comments on the Weatherization Assistance Program’s Annual State Plan. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or online.

REMINDER: NCDEQ Division of Water Resources to hold public hearing on proposed changes to N.C. water quality standards

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a public hearing on April 22 to hear public comment on proposed changes to North Carolina’s surface water quality standards, including the addition of standard for E. coli as an indicator of pathogens, or disease-causing organisms, in recreational waters.

Division of Marine Fisheries discontinues HMS Catch Card Program

Anglers who catch Bluefin Tuna and billfishes in North Carolina no longer need to report those catches to the state. As of today, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has discontinued its Highly Migratory Species Catch Card Program.

Coastal Reserve to hold Spring local advisory committee meetings

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will hold Spring local advisory committee meetings April 22-23 for the following reserve sites. All meetings are in-person only and open to the public.  

DEQ Accepting Public Comment on First-Time Title V Air Permit for Edwards Wood Product’s Laurinburg Sawmill

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is now accepting public comments on a draft Title V air quality permit for Edwards Wood Products, Inc. – Laurinburg Saw Mill #2 in Scotland County.

Public comment opens for draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will accept public comment on draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4 from April 1 to April 30. Draft Amendment 4 would expedite the sector allocation shift to 50/50 (commercial/recreational) by one year to 2025.

Moderate drought expands in western North Carolina

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council expanded the moderate drought classification to include 70 counties in the latest advisory released Thursday.