Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Onslow County at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the Holly Ridge Community Center, 404 Sound Rd, Holly Ridge, NC 28445, and by web conference.

In 2025, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) supported communities recovering from Hurricane Helene, took actions to address PFAS contamination and continued to protect the state’s natural resources for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resource (DWR) has released data from a preliminary study that found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in soil, wastewater and biosolids, the nutrient-rich organic material after wastewater has been treated. The study is the agency’s first investigation assessing PFAS concentrations in biosolids across the state.

Dry conditions are widespread in North Carolina, according to the latest update from the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council released on Thursday.

Chris Lee was formally pinned during a ceremony today as the new Colonel of the N.C. Marine Patrol, the top law enforcement officer at the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet Jan. 7-8 in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone. 

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has been granted additional time by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to complete its review of a federal request to deepen and widen the Wilmington Harbor, extending the decision deadline from Jan. 5, 2026, to Jan. 19, 2026.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management is providing guidance to property owners, organizations and towns that plan to accept natural Christmas trees for use in dune restoration.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has launched an online application form for Underground Storage Tank (UST) permits for newly constructed facilities.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Resource Fund Committee and the Funding Committee for the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund will meet jointly on Jan. 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. via WebEx.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued a water quality certification with conditions to strengthen protections for wetlands, waterways and streambanks impacted by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC’s (Transco’s) proposed expansion of a natural gas pipeline.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet Jan. 7-8 in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone. 

The latest update to DEQ's “Air Quality Trends in North Carolina” report shows emissions of harmful air pollutants like ozone and fine particles continue a long-running downward trend.

After reviewing public comments, the Division of Air Quality issued a modified Title V air quality permit to Domtar Paper Co. in Martin County.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued the revised wastewater discharge permit for Martin Marietta Materials Inc.’s Vanceboro Quarry.