Press Releases

NCDEQ breaks ground on a natural infrastructure pilot project to address chronic flooding in the Stoney Creek Watershed, Goldsboro

Today, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson and the DEQ Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) held a groundbreaking of the Stoney Creek Watershed Flood Mitigation Pilot Project to address chronic flooding impacting businesses, roadways and access to emerg

Public comment opens for draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will accept public comment on draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4 from April 1 to April 30. Draft Amendment 4 would expedite the sector allocation shift to 50/50 (commercial/recreational) by one year to 2025.

NC Mining Commission to meet on April 8, 2025

The North Carolina Mining Commission will meet at 1 p.m. on April 8, 2025, in Raleigh. The public is invited to attend in person or online.

Moderate drought expands in western North Carolina

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council expanded the moderate drought classification to include 70 counties in the latest advisory released Thursday.

NCDEQ Division of Coastal Management to hold second public hearing on Mid-Currituck Bridge CAMA application

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) Division of Coastal Management (DCM) will hold a public hearing on April 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the Currituck Extension Center located at 120 Community Way, Barco, to hear public comment on North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and North Carolina Turnpike Authority’s (NCTA) Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) application for the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge project.

DEQ Extends Code Purple Air Quality Forecasts in Western NC Due to Wildfires; Code Red in Buncombe County

Smoke from South Carolina wildfires has the potential to create very unhealthy air quality in Transylvania and Henderson Counties on Friday, and other nearby counties, including Buncombe County, may also experience unhealthy air quality from smoke. Residents are urged to take precautions.

DEQ Forecasts Code Purple Air Quality in Western NC Due to Wildfires

Smoke from South Carolina wildfires has the potential to create very unhealthy air quality in Transylvania County on Thursday, and other nearby counties may also experience unhealthy air quality from smoke. Residents are urged to take precautions.

Changes to 18 Marine Fisheries Rules became effective today

Changes to 18 Marine Fisheries Commission rules became effective today. Among the changes, five of the rules pertain to data collection and harassment prevention for the conservation of marine and estuarine resources, and one rule makes the administration of shellfish leases more efficient. Changes to the remaining rules removed outdated requirements and make minor conforming and clarifying changes.

Western NC Code Red Air Quality Alert Expanded Due to Wildfires

Smoke from wildfires in Polk County and South Carolina will continue to produce unhealthy air quality and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is expanding air quality alerts in western North Carolina.

NCDEQ provides progress update on Flood Resiliency Blueprint, Spring 2025 Update

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint (Blueprint) within the Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) released the report, More Resilient