Topics Related to NCDENR

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries will implement adaptive management with a harvest moratorium in the Albemarle Sound Management Area. Despite recent management actions taken by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), the Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass stock continues to be overfished and to experience overfishing.

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Carteret County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

The North Carolina Mining Commission’s Committee on Rules Readoption will meet virtually on August 29, 2023, beginning at 1 p.m., to continue discussion regarding readoption of Mining Program rules last adopted in 2010. The public is invited to attend by computer or phone. During its meeting, the Committee will consider administrative and technical changes or updates to the existing rules that were deemed necessary by the Commission, which are available on the Mining Commission website. Information on subsequent meetings, if necessary, will be announced at a later point.

The Division of Marine Fisheries is developing Amendment 5 to the N.C. Eastern Oyster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Amendment 3 to the N.C. Hard Clam FMP. The division will hold a public scoping period Sept. 11-22 to solicit input on potential management strategies for the upcoming amendments and discuss stakeholder priorities. Scoping is the best opportunity for the public to inform the plan.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit NC0026123 to the City of Asheboro, located in Randolph County.

During its Fall 2023 funding round, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is offering Emerging Contaminants funding, available to local government units, non-profit water corporations and investor-owned drinking water companies for planning or construction projects addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in water or wastewater systems. An informational webinar about this Emerging Contaminants/PFAS funding is available on Aug. 31. 2:00-3:30 p.m., online or by phone.

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

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced the 2023 commercial estuarine flounder season opening dates by Southern Flounder Management Area and Gear Category.

The Viable Utility Committee of the State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet via teleconference on Tuesday, Aug. 15, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet in-person Aug 23-25 at the Hilton North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube.