DEQ Chief Deputy Secretary John Evans tells us about the measures taken by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission to address concerns about the sustainability of the Southern Flounder fishery. Click here to read his opinion piece in the Carteret County News-Times: http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/opinions/columns/article_9...
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Without strong leadership, few organizations are successful. This rule certainly holds true for NC state and local government organizations. For the past sixteen months, select managers from across North Carolina state and local government organizations have worked to improve their skills and become better leaders through participation in the Certified Public Manager® Program (CPM). Dena Wilkins graduated as a Certified Public Manager® on October 3rd at 2 p.m. at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, NC.
Continue ReadingRALEIGH – State environmental officials have issued key permits that allow Duke Energy to safely dispose of coal ash at its L.V. Sutton Energy Complex in Wilmington. The state solid waste permit and isolated wetland permit issued last week give Duke Energy approval to start building a double-lined, industrial landfill at the Sutton facility. The on-site industrial landfill will be used to safely dispose of coal ash now stored in unlined ponds and other wastes generated at the Sutton facility.
Continue ReadingSecretary van der Vaart talks with Tyler Cralle about the gas shortage in North Carolina, and how Governor McCrory’s diverse energy portfolio can prevent a pipeline leak from becoming a crisis. Click hear to learn about the pipeline leak and what can be done in the future: https://soundcloud.com/tylercralle/secretary-donald-van-der-vaart
Continue ReadingSecretary Donald R. van der Vaart presented Thomas Slusser with a certificate this week for completing the department’s North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program. This presentation was especially noteworthy, as Slusser is not an educator by profession but works in the DEQ Division of Waste Management's Pre-Regulatory Landfill Unit, which is a risk-based program that mitigates the health and environmental risks associated with old municipal landfills.
Continue ReadingRead the Jacksonville Daily News to learn about DEQ Secretary Donald van der Vaart’s recent tour of an Onslow County quarry: http://www.jdnews.com/news/20160919/nc-leaders-visit-richlands-quarry
Continue ReadingState environmental officials announced that they will be accepting comment on a proposed consent order between the state environmental deparment and Duke Energy that imposes additional requirements and penalties for seeps from Duke Energy’s Riverbend facility located in Gaston County. The proposed order, along with the facility’s water discharge permit issued earlier this year, will ensure both continued protection of the environment and ultimate closure of the facility.
Continue ReadingMarine Patrol Officer Gene Maready was honored with a plaque in the shape of North Carolina and a certificate naming him Marine Fisheries Enforcement Officer of the Year at the Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet Saturday. The Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards, presented by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, honor individuals, associations, businesses and others who have exhibited unwavering commitment to conservation in the state.
Continue ReadingDEQ Secretary Donald R. van der Vaart visited the North Carolina Arboretum recently to award Meghan Baker with a certificate for completing her North Carolina Environmental Education Certification. Baker is an extension agent with Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Service and provides educational outreach to small farmers, youth, and community members in Buncombe County through field-based workshops during the growing season and trainings in the winter.
Continue ReadingSecretary van der Vaart recently visited Watauga Opportunities, Inc. in Boone, North Carolina to learn firsthand how DEQ’s Waste Reduction Partners was able to help the company become more environmentally-friendly, while also implementing cost-saving strategies.
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