Press Releases

State Recommends EPA Designate North Carolina in Compliance with Tougher Air Quality Standard

The State of North Carolina has made a recommendation to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the organization designate all 100 counties in the state as meeting a stricter federal air pollution standard set last year.

DEQ Issues Air Quality Permit Modification to International Paper – Riegelwood Mill for Emission Reductions

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has issued a modified air quality permit to International Paper – Riegelwood Mill in Columbus County.

Marine Fisheries Commission to meet Feb. 19-21 in Kitty Hawk

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in person Feb. 19-21 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, N.C. 27949. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

NCDEQ Division of Water Resources identifies elevated 1,4-dioxane levels in Asheboro WWTP’s wastewater

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has identified elevated 1,4-dioxane levels discharged from the City of Asheboro Wastewater Treatment Plant to Hasketts Creek, which drains to the Deep River within the Cape Fear River Basin. 1,4-Dioxane is categorized by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen, or a substance that likely can cause cancer.

DEQ to Hold Public Engagement Sessions on the Development of Federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office is holding a series of public engagement opportunities in February and March to provide information and gather feedback on the Department’s initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the federal Climate

North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission to meet Feb. 6

The North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission will meet in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh at 10 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2025.

Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board to meet

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries Standard Commercial Fishing License Eligibility Board will meet by teleconference at 10:30 a.m. on April 17. The board will consider license applications that are deemed complete and submitted by March 28.

Division of Water Resources to hold public hearing on Mid-Currituck Bridge proposal

DWR will hold a public hearing on Feb. 27 at the Currituck County Center to hear public comment on North Carolina Department of Transportation and North Carolina Turnpike Authority’s 401 water quality certification application for the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge project.

State officials announce availability of fiscal year 2025 grants to improve public beach access

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is announcing the availability of approximately $2 million in funding to help local governments in 20 coastal counties improve public access to coastal beaches and waters for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Division of Marine Fisheries will hold Southern Flounder Advisory Committee Workshop

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold an in-person workshop January 27 with the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee to review draft Amendment 4 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan.