Press Releases

RALEIGH – Based on current information, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has determined that Colonial Pipeline has significantly underestimated the volume of gasoline released from the August 14, 2020, spill in Mecklenburg County’s Oehler Nature Preserve near Huntersville’s town limits.

The North Carolina Oil and Gas Commission will meet virtually on Tuesday, November 10. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. The public may join the meeting by computer or phone.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are developing Amendment 2 to the N.C. Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan. The Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public scoping period Nov. 2-15, 2020 to solicit public comments on potential management strategies for the upcoming amendment.

The Division of Coastal Management (DCM) will select up to 20 municipal and county governments throughout the 20 coastal counties of North Carolina to receive no-cost direct technical assistance services to complete Phases 1 and 2 of the N.C.  Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP). These phases will include community engagement, a risk and vulnerability assessment, and development of a portfolio of resilience projects and actions to integrate within existing local planning initiatives.

The recreational black sea bass fishery will close Tuesday, Dec. 1 in all coastal waters north of Cape Hatteras.

As of November 1, 2020, the use of methyl bromide for log fumigation is regulated by a new state emissions rule and an amendment to North Carolina’s state air toxics rule. This action is the result of a multi-year rulemaking process involving the Environmental Management Commission, Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board, community groups and stakeholders across North Carolina. 

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will hold its meeting Monday, November 23, remotely via teleconference. The public is invited to listen to the meeting online or by phone.

RALEIGH – After a thorough review and public participation process, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has approved the closure plan detailing the excavation of coal ash impoundments at the Allen Steam Station located in Belmont. DEQ has determined that the closure plan meets the requirements of the Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA) and is protective of public health and the environment.

The Viable Utility Reserve Committee of the State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet Friday, Oct. 30 at 10:00 a.m., remotely, via teleconference. The public may listen to the meeting by phone.  

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will hold a public hearing on Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. by web conference to consider amendments to 15A NCAC 07H .0304 AECs within Ocean Hazard Areas and 15A NCAC 07H .0312 Technical Standards for Beach Fill Projects. The public may join the meeting online.