Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until June 30, 2023, on several draft Intended Use Plans for the State Revolving Funds and proposed changes to the Priority Rating System for the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure Program and the Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments program.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) awarded the first Food Waste Reduction grants to 11 organizations, totaling $393,264, for projects that develop the state’s food waste infrastructure. DEQ’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the grant to help local governments, non-profits and businesses reduce the amount of food waste disposed at landfills by expanding food donation networks or composting operations.

An amended rule goes into effect today that pertains to the classification of shellfish waters near marinas.

The Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet virtually on Wednesday, June 7th at 10:00 am.  The public is invited to attend the meeting online. An in-person listening location is also available in the Archdale Building in Raleigh.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Oak Island. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have rescinded, and pumping has ceased.

The North Carolina Mining Commission’s Committee on Rules Readoption will meet virtually on June 2, 2023, beginning at 10 a.m., to continue discussion regarding readoption of Mining Program rules last adopted in 2010. The public is invited to attend by computer or phone.

The application period opens June 1 for N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve local advisory committees. Community members are needed for each of the Coastal Reserve’s ten sites: Bird Island Reserve, Bald Head Woods Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Buxton Woods Reserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, Currituck Banks Reserve, and Emily and Preyer Buckridge Reserve.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission acted today approving supplemental management measures to address overfishing of striped mullet in state waters.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will meet June 15 at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, 203 South Front Street, New Bern. A public input and comment period is scheduled for noon. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to three minutes per person. The meeting is open to the public.

State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Oak Island. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will receive public comment through June 5 as part of the renewal process for six Animal Feeding Operations General Permits. 

A new slot limit for recreationally-caught striped bass will go into effect June 1 in North Carolina ocean waters to comply with action taken by the Atlantic State’s Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board.

The application period opens June 1 for N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve local advisory committees. Community members are needed for each of the Coastal Reserve’s ten sites: Bird Island Reserve, Bald Head Woods Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Buxton Woods Reserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, Currituck Banks Reserve, and Emily and Preyer Buckridge Reserve.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Mangrove Snapper, or gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus).

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is accepting public comment and will hold a public hearing on the draft Title V air quality permit for Sapphire Renewable Natural Gas, a new facility in Sampson County.