Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until June 3, 2022 on the proposed plan to administer approximately $100.5 million in federal funds appropriated in the state budget for stormwater projects.

The Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding fishermen to complete and return their commercial and for-hire license and permit renewals for fiscal year 2023 without delay.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted to approve the Division of Marine Fisheries’ recommendations for Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan as its preferred management options. Final action on the amendment is scheduled for August.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold public hearings on June 21 and 23 to accept comments on the draft discharge permit for a proposed groundwater treatment system at the Chemours Fayetteville Works facility that would substantially reduce the PFAS entering the Cape Fear River via contaminated groundwater. Chemours is required to remove at least 99% of PFAS from the contaminated groundwater before discharge. Currently, contaminated groundwater flowing into the river is not intercepted or treated.

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

State recreational water quality officials today notified the public that testing of ocean waters along parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore showed bacteria levels that meet state and federal standards for swimming and water play.

The Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments on the draft Intended Use Plans, including Priority Rating Systems, for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Priority Rating System for the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure Program until June 15, 2022.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person May 25-26 at the Beaufort Hotel, 2440 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25 and at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 26. The commission will hold in-person public comment sessions at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 and near the beginning of the meeting on Thursday, May 26. Public comment will not be taken through web conference. The following information pertains to in-person public comment:

New shrimp management measures will go into effect May 15 in North Carolina state waters. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission approved the measures to reduce bycatch and protect habitat with the adoption of the Shrimp Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 at its February business meeting.

State recreational water quality officials today advise the public to be aware of potential pollution from possible septic system failures in ocean swimming waters along parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.