Press Releases

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2022 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the first state record Graysby Grouper (Cephalopholis cruentata).

The N. C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet June 8 at 1 p.m. by web conference. An additional agenda item has been added. The public may join the meeting by computer or phone.

The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will hold a public hearing on July 21, 2022, on an application by Timbermill Wind, LLC, to construct a 189-megawatt wind energy facility in Chowan County.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comments on a 2022 update to the DEQ Public Participation Plan. The Public Participation Plan includes best practices for community engagement, enhanced outreach methods and additional community resources.

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in New Hanover County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

Thirty-seven readopted fisheries rules become effective today, but most fishermen will see very little change.

The N. C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet June 8 at 1 p.m. by web conference. The public may join the meeting by computer or phone.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Recycling Program, in partnership with the Glass Recycling Foundation, recently awarded five glass recycling grants totaling $235,000 to support the long-term accessibility and stability of glass recycling in North Carolina.

The Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding fishermen to complete and return their commercial and for-hire license and permit renewals for fiscal year 2023 without delay.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until June 3, 2022 on the proposed plan to administer approximately $100.5 million in federal funds appropriated in the state budget for stormwater projects.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission voted to approve the Division of Marine Fisheries’ recommendations for Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan as its preferred management options. Final action on the amendment is scheduled for August.

The state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Monday, June 6, in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building, located at 512 N. Salisbury Street in Raleigh. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m., and the public may join in person or listen by phone.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has issued an air quality permit for the North Carolina Renewable Power facility in Lumberton, Robeson County.

The Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Board will hold its quarterly business meeting at NC State’s McKimmon Center in Room 3 at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 19.  Members of the public are invited to attend in person or listen online.