Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)’s Division of Water Resources has opened the public comment period for the reissuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for animal operations through July 15, 2022.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released health advisory values for four PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): GenX, PFOA, PFOS and PFBS. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are moving quickly to evaluate the state’s drinking water supplies based on these health advisories and determine appropriate next steps to assess and reduce exposure risks. 

The Climate Change Interagency Council will meet on June 23^rd via WebEx.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the first state record Pompano Dolphinfish (Coryphaena equiselis), and it may break the world record.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program completed several reef enhancements during the last weeks in May.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) released the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Level 2 Workplace Program rebates under the Volkswagen Mitigation Plan.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in cooperation with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, City of Durham, Durham County, Town of Hillsborough and Orange County will be treating the Eno River for hydrilla beginning next week through August 31, 2022.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will begin issuing the new Estuarine Flounder Dealer Permit on Monday, June 13. This permit will be required for seafood dealers to purchase estuarine-caught flounder from fishermen during the 2022 commercial southern flounder season this fall.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference at 11:30 a.m. June 23 to vote on final approval of nine Joint Rules.

The Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments on the draft Intended Use Plans, including Priority Rating Systems, for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Priority Rating System for the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure Program until June 15, 2022.

The North Carolina Mining Commission will meet in Raleigh on June 21, 2022. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend in person, by computer or phone.

State and federal officials together with Multistate Trust representatives will hold meetings on June 13 and 14 regarding plans for the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp – Navassa Superfund site. Members of the public are welcome to attend the events in person or participate in the meetings online or by phone.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is hosting a virtual public meeting on June 22 at 5:30 p.m. to provide information about shellfish leases and Shellfish Aquaculture Enterprise Areas (SEAs) in and around Bogue Sound. The public meeting will also serve as an opportunity for interested stakeholders to provide feedback to the Division in its efforts to address issues related to shellfish leases.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality announced the agency’s Action Strategy for PFAS today during an event in Wilmington.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in New Hanover County.