Press Releases

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Recycling Program recently provided $492,937 in recycling business development grants to 16 North Carolina recycling companies. The grants are projected to create 108 new jobs and generate more than $1.3 million in new, private business investments while reducing the state’s dependence on landfill disposal.

North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) and Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (DA&CS) are alerting citizens who recently purchased aquarium plants. Specifically, moss balls, an aquatic plant used in home aquariums, were found to be contaminated with an invasive and potentially destructive, fresh water species called zebra mussels.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has rescheduled the public hearing on the Madison Asphalt, LLC draft air permit to Monday, May 3 at 6 p.m.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has awarded the second group of rebates for Level 2 charging projects to be funded by the NC Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement Program. This group of rebates includes twenty-nine projects totaling $496,000.00.  To date, DEQ has awarded $918,000 in Level 2 rebates for 59 projects from the $1.1 million available for the program.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference on March 31 beginning at 1 p.m.

The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will hold a public hearing on the Scott Farm Road Mine application on Monday, March 29 at 6 p.m.

Changes to two marine fisheries rules are now in effect. One of the rules pertains to tarpon and the other to the transfer of Standard and Retired Standard Commercial Fishing Licenses. Marine Fisheries Commission rule 15A NCAC 03M .0509, as now amended, prohibits the possession of tarpon and makes it illegal to gaff, spear, or puncture tarpon by any method other than hook and line.

The state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Monday, April 5, via WebEx, to continue discussion on PFAS toxicity testing.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Meeting scheduled for this afternoon has been postponed.  

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet by web conference on Monday, March 22 at 11:00 a.m. to discuss two litigation cases. The CRC will receive information on Kastberg v. DCM, 20 EHR 03105 and consult with its attorney regarding Batson v. Coastal Resources Commission, COA No 21-110.  The meeting will be limited to these two agenda items. The second agenda item will be handled in closed session. The public may join the open session of the Commission by computer or phone.