Press Releases

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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.

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 Changes to the remaining rules removed outdated requirements and make minor conforming and clarifying changes.

Code Red Air Quality Expected through Saturday from Polk County Wildfires

UPDATE: The Division of Air Quality extended the air quality alerts described below. For the most up-to-date air quality forecasts, visit the Air Quality Portal. 

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

REMINDER: State invites communities and contractors to apply for Phases 1 through 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) Division of Coastal Management (DCM) invites communities and contractors to apply to participate in Phases 1 through 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), which aims to equip communities with additional capability to understand and enhance coastal resilience at the local level. DCM estimates that approximately $2 million will be available for Phases 1 and 2 in FY 2025-2026 and approximately $6 million will be available for Phase 3 and Phase 4 projects in FY 2025-2026. The application deadline for both community and contractor applications is April 25, 2025, by 5 p.m.

Drought, abnormally dry conditions continue in North Carolina

In the latest advisory, the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council classified five counties in Eastern North Carolina as experiencing severe drought, or D2 conditions: Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow and Pamlico counties. Fifty-eight counties are classified as experiencing moderate drought, or D1 conditions. Another 36 counties are classified as abnormally dry.

Two State Water Infrastructure Authority Committees to meet March 19

Two State Water Infrastructure Authority committees will meet via Webex on Wednesday, March 19 as indicated below. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.

Marine Fisheries Commission advances proposal for sector allocation in Southern Flounder fishery

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission today took a step towards adoption of draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 4 by approving the draft plan for public and advisory committee review. Draft Amendment 4 would move the already scheduled sector allocation shift to 50/50 (commercial/recreational) in Amendment 3 up by one year to 2025.

Citizen scientists needed for 11th annual Terrapin Tally

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) Division of Coastal Management (DCM) Coastal Reserve program and partners from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), NC State Parks, Bald Head Island Conservancy, NC Audubon, NC Aquariums and National Park Service are recruiting volunteers to participate in the 2025 Terrapin Tally.

Public Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Shellfish Leases in Craven County

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Craven County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2. The hearing will be held in-person at the Craven Community College - Havelock Campus, 305 Cunningham Blvd, STEM Building, Room 134, Havelock, NC 28532, and by Webex.

REMINDER: DEQ to Hold Public Engagement Sessions on the Development of Federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office is holding a series of public engagement opportunities in February and March to provide information and gather feedback on the Department’s initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the federal Climate

N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission advisory committees meet to discuss blue crab adaptive management

Three advisory committees to the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet this month to accept public comment, discuss, and vote on recommendations for adaptive management for the draft Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 Revision.

DEQ Reminds Residents, Businesses that Burning Trash is Against State Law

The open burning of trash, metal, plastic and all other man-made materials not only harms the environment and poses a public health risk, it’s against state law.

NC DEQ Directs Chemours to Significantly Expand Well Testing

At NC DEQ's direction, Chemours is significantly expanding sampling eligibility for PFAS contamination in private drinking water wells around the Fayetteville Works plant, now including portions of Harnett and Hoke counties.

UNC Chapel Hill Withdraws DEQ Application for Air Quality Permit Modification

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) will no longer process an application submitted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) to modify its Title V air quality permit after UNC withdrew its application.