Press Releases

Two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, taking more than 100 lives and causing an estimated $60 billion in damage. One of the top priorities at the NC Department of Environmental Quality has been helping communities recover and rebuild to make communities more resilient and safer when facing future disasters.

Two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, taking more than 100 lives and causing an estimated $60 billion in damage. One of the top priorities at the NC Department of Environmental Quality has been helping communities recover and rebuild to make communities more resilient and safer when facing future disasters.

MOREHEAD CITY – Advisories against swimming were posted today at two sound-side sites in Carteret County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advise the public to avoid swimming in ocean and sound-side waters in Dare County affected by hazardous weather conditions.

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson joined coastal communities, resilience partners and consultants in New Bern today to celebrate five years of the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) and look ahead to the next phase of helping communities turn resilience priorities into action.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint Program (Blueprint) will hold a public information session on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. to provide information and gather feedback on two draft flood resilience plans: the Cape Fear River Basin Action Strategy and the White Oak River Basin Action Strategy.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting public review and comment on a request for review of a federal consistency submission for a proposed update to training activities and operations within the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Range Complex.

On Sept. 16, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted in federal court a proposed consent decree and accompanying draft restoration plan to address damages to the Roanoke River caused by the Weyerhaeuser Plymouth Mill.

Effective Sept. 14, Michael Pjetraj has been named the director of the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR). He replaces Richard Rogers, who retired Aug. 31.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a public hearing on Sept. 28, 2026, to accept public comments on the Clean Water Act 401 Water Quality Certification Application for Stamey Farm Road Data Center/Compass Data Center in Iredell County.