Press Releases

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Public hearing to be held on the proposed Bogue Banks Water Treatment Plant wastewater discharge permit

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a hearing on Oct. 20 as part of a public comment period on a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for a new water treatment plant in Emerald Isle. The permit regulates pollutants discharged in the facility’s treated wastewater.

North Carolina’s year-long drought worsens in some parts of the state

Below-average rainfall, coupled with unseasonably warm temperatures, worsened North Carolina’s year-long drought in some parts of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday.

Catawba College to sustain North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program after state funding ends

A statewide program that has certified more than 1,600 environmental educators is finding a new home at Catawba College. The North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program will move from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to Catawba’s Center for the Environment on October 1. The transition will preserve the certification program, its staff, and all the programs and resources that connect educators across the state, including its listserv and calendar.

NCDEQ awards second round of grants to repair high-hazard dams damaged by Hurricane Helene

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson traveled to Turner Shoals Dam in Polk County today to announce the Department’s second round of Dam Safety grants totaling more than $3.4 million to address at-risk dams that were damaged by Hurricane Helene. DEQ’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) awarded $6.6 million earlier this year to address six high-hazard dams that were also damaged during Hurricane Helene.

NCDEQ Secretary joins Hot Springs Helene recovery celebration, wastewater treatment plant ribbon cutting

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson joined partnership agencies today at the Town of Hot Springs Helene Recovery Celebration, featuring a ribbon cutting for the Town's wastewater treatment

State coastal agency seeks public comment on federal consistency review for MCAS Cherry Point Range Complex

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting public review and comment on a request for review of a federal consistency submission for a proposed update to training activities and operations within the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Range Complex.

DEQ Launches New Online Resource for The Topsail Nature Preserve

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has launched a new webpage for The Topsail Nature Preserve, providing residents and visitors with a central online resource for information about the Preserve, public access, responsible recreation and DCM’s management and stewardship efforts.

DEQ to hold public hearing on Carolina Lithium draft air quality permit

The Division of Air Quality will hold a public hearing on Oct. 13 to receive public comments on a draft air quality permit for Carolina Lithium in Gaston County.

Save the dates for scoping period for Red Drum Fishery Management Plan review

Red Drum is North Carolina’s official state saltwater fish, and a popular one at that. Those who fish for Red Drum, also known as puppy drum, redfish, bull drum and channel bass, should save the dates for an upcoming scoping period, which includes four public meetings.

Attorney General Jackson, DEQ Secretary Wilson announce nearly $600M deal with DuPont/Chemours in largest state environmental damages recovery

Attorney General Jeff Jackson and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson today announced

State Water Infrastructure Authority to meet Sept. 16 in Raleigh and via teleconference

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2026, in-person in Raleigh and virtually, via WebEx.

Observer Trip Scheduling System notifications restored

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has fixed a technical issue with the Observer Trip Scheduling System (OTSS) that had been affecting the system’s automated fisherman selection and confirmation number notifications.

North Carolina drought expands in some parts of the state

A week that saw parts of North Carolina receiving near or above average rainfall was not enough to improve drought conditions statewide, with the extreme drought worsening in parts of the northern Piedmont, according to the U.S.

Division of Marine Fisheries releases annual Fishery Management Plan Review

Wondering about the science behind management of state marine fisheries species? Check out the 2025 Fishery Management Plan Review, released today by the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).

La División de Recursos Hídricos del Departamento de Calidad Ambiental de Carolina del Norte (NCDEQ) celebrará una audiencia pública sobre la solicitud de certificación de calidad del agua 401 correspondiente a Stamey Farm Road/Compass Data Center

La División de Recursos Hídricos (DWR) del Departamento de Calidad Ambiental de Carolina del Norte celebrará una audiencia pública el 28 de septiembre de 2026, para recopilar comentarios del público sobre la solicitud de certificación de calidad del agua 401, en virtud de la Ley de Agua Limpia, correspondiente al centro de datos de Stamey Farm Road/Compass Data Center, en el condado de Iredell.