Press Releases

Officials with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality are urging the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Chowan River due to an algal bloom that has lingered in the area since June 12.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Secretary Michael S. Regan made the following statement Tuesday after Chemours’ announcement regarding GenX: “Chemours’ announcement today to capture, remove and safely dispose of the wastewater that contains the chemical compound known as GenX from the Cape Fear River is a step in the right direction. However, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services plan to continue to investigate this issue until we have answers to address the concerns of downstream water users.

Staff with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will sample the water in the Cape Fear River for an unregulated chemical compound known as GenX starting today and continuing Thursday. DEQ staff will sample at 12 locations this week and will continue collecting samples for analysis in the same locations for the next three weeks. Today, DEQ staff in the Fayetteville regional office are collecting water samples at the Chemours plant that produces GenX during industrial processes, the Bladen Bluff intake and their finished water, and a water supply well in Bladen County.

Officials with the N.C. Division of Water Resources announced today that the location of a failed pipe segment that caused a June 13 wastewater spill in Durham County has been identified and repaired. The repair was completed Wednesday.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is leading a state investigation regarding reports of an unregulated chemical in the Cape Fear River.

Officials with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and state Attorney General’s Office announced Friday that the state has issued an emergency declaration and will move forward with plans to breach Woodlake Dam in Moore County to ensure the safety of downstream communities.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding watermen they need to renew their commercial fishing licenses and permits by June 30 to continue fishing, or in some cases, keep their licenses.

State environmental officials are reopening and expanding their nationwide search for a director for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

The state Division of Air Quality has awarded $180,986 in grants for projects to reduce air pollution from mobile sources.

The state Division of Air Quality has awarded $180,986 in grants for projects to reduce air pollution from mobile sources.