Public Information Contacts

DEQ’s public information officers, or PIOs, assist residents, stakeholders and media representatives with information and public records requests.  Our PIOs will help answer your questions or direct a complaint to the appropriate staff. 
Email DEQ Public Affairs

For public records, start with our online records resources or submit a public records request.  This system allows us to better track and fulfill requests in the order they are recieved. If you have questions after submitting your request, please email us. 
Email DEQ Public Records

Learn more about requesting public records 

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Public Information Officers listed by Division

Tab/Accordion Items

Public Information Officer for the Division of Air Quality: Shawn Taylor, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-8446

  • Air permits and rules
  • Motor vehicle emissions, emissions inspection program, and clean vehicle grants
  • Odor or dust issues
  • Air quality forecasts, including ozone and particulate matter
  • Air Awareness education programs
  • Raleigh pollen trends

Public Information Officer for the Division of Coastal Management: Christy Simmons, Office Phone Number: (252) 515- 5409. 

  • Permitting for Coastal Development
  • Sea Level Rise
  • Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change
  • Clean Marinas
  • Living Shorelines
  • Coastal Land Use Planning
  • Coastal Reserve Areas
  • Coastal Resources Commission
  • Grant Funding for Beach Access and Local Planning

Public Information Officer for the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources: Kat Russell, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-9237

Public Information Officer for the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service: Katherine Lucas, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-8233

Public Information Officer for the Division of Marine Fisheries: Patricia Smith, Office Phone Number: (252) 515- 5528 

Hot Topics:

  • Shellfish Leases
  • Striped Bass
  • Flounder
  • Crab
  • Shrimp Petition for Rulemaking
  • Spotted Seatrout

General Interest:

  • Saltwater Fishing Regulations
  • Saltwater Recreational Fishing
  • Commercial Fishing
  • Saltwater Fishing Licenses
  • Commercial Fishing Licenses
  • Shellfish Leases
  • Oyster Sanctuaries
  • Artificial Reefs
  • Coastal Recreational Fishing License Grants
  • Commercial Fishing Resource Fund Grants
  • Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG)
  • N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament (Citation Program)
  • Fisheries Management
  • Marine Patrol
  • Marine Fisheries Commission
  • Coastal Habitat Protection Plan
  • Gill nets
  • Trawl nets
  • Ocean fishing piers
  • Fishery Reform Act
  • Sea turtle interactions with fishing gear
  • Marine mammal strandings
  • Coastal Swimming Advisories
  • Shellfish closures
  • Shellfish sanitation

Public Information Officer for the Division of Mitigation Services: Sascha Medina, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-8672

  • In-Lieu Fee Mitigation
  • Flood Resiliency Blueprint
  • Natural Infrastructure Program

 

 

Public Information Officer for the Division of Waste Management:  Katherine Lucas, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-8233

Public Information Officer for the Division of Water Infrastructure: Cathy Akroyd, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-9187

  • State Water Infrastructure Authority
  • Statewide Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Master Plan
  • Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure program
  • Clean Water State Revolving Fund
  • Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
  • State Wastewater and Drinking Water Reserve Programs
  • Asset and Inventory Assessment Grant Program
  • Merger/ Regionalization Feasibility Grant Program

Public Information Officer for the Division of Water Resources: Laura Oleniacz, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-8604

 
Public Information Officer for the Division of Water Resources: Josh Kastrinsky,  Office Phone Number: (919) 707-3645 or Kat Russell, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-9237

 

Public Information Officer for the State Energy Office: Sascha Medina, Office Phone Number: (919) 707-8672

  • Energy Efficiency
  • Weatherization
  • Clean Energy
  • Energy Workforce Development
  • Energy Assurance

Director of Public Affairs: Sam Chan, Office phone number: (919) 707-8670

Deputy Communications Director: Josh Kastrinsky, Office phone number: (919) 707-3645

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