Press Releases

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REMINDER: Public hearings scheduled on proposed 1,4-dioxane monitoring, minimization rules

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will hold three public hearings to hear public comment on proposed rules for monitoring and minimizing 1,4-dioxane, a substance likely to cause cancer, in wastewater discharged into North Carolina’s surface waters from certain facilities. The hearings are part of a comment period that began on March 16.

REMINDER: Public hearings scheduled on proposed PFAS monitoring, minimization rules

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will hold three public hearings to receive public comment on proposed rules for monitoring and minimizing three PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in wastewater discharged into North Carolina’s surface waters. The hearings are part of a comment period that began on March 16. 

N.C. Mining Commission Rules Committee to meet March 27

The North Carolina Mining Commission Rules Committee will meet at 11 a.m. on March 27, 2026, online via WebEx.

North Carolina Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board to meet April 1

The Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, April 1, at 10 a.m., online via WebEx.

REMINDER: Striped Bass season opens April 1 in portions of Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries reminds fishermen that a one-month striped bass season will open April 1 in portions of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers and their tributaries.

DEQ releases roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) released the NC Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which identifies resilience and carbon reduction measures to meet

DEQ accepting water quality restoration proposals through May 29

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting funding proposals until May 29 for projects seeking to restore impaired waterways impacted by nonpoint source pollution, which is caused by water runoff that carries pollutants into waterways.

REMINDER: “Lines of Communication” meetings to be held next week

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries reminds fishermen that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold its Lines of Communication meetings in North Carolina next week.

Audiencias públicas sobre las normas propuestas para monitorear y reducir el 1,4-dioxano

La Comisión de Gestión Medioambiental (EMC) de Carolina del Norte llevará a cabo tres audiencias para escuchar los comentarios del público sobre las normas propuestas para monitorear y reducir el 1,4-dioxano, una sustancia que probablemente causa cáncer y que se encuentra en las aguas residuales vertidas en las aguas superficiales de Carolina del Norte, procedentes de determinadas instalaciones. Las audiencias son parte de un período de comentarios públicos que inicia el 16 de marzo.

Audiencias públicas sobre las normas propuestas para monitorear y reducir las PFAS

La Comisión de Gestión Medioambiental (EMC) de Carolina del Norte llevará a cabo tres audiencias para escuchar los comentarios del público sobre las normas propuestas para monitorear y reducir tres PFAS (sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas) que se encuentran en las aguas residuales que se vierten en las aguas superficiales de Carolina del Norte. Las audiencias son parte de un período de comentarios que inicia el 16 de marzo.

Master Plan Update Committee of the State Water Infrastructure Authority to meet March 18 by Teleconference

The Master Plan Update Committee of the State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet via teleconference on Wednesday, March 18, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.

Public hearing scheduled on proposed adoption of Weatherization Assistance Program service provider

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) will hold a public hearing on April 8 to accept comments on the proposed adoption of a regional service provider in eastern North Carolina for the NC Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) under the Infrastruc

Public Hearing on proposed shellfish leases in Pamlico County scheduled for March 24

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries, through its Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program, will hold a public hearing on proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Pamlico County at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The hearing will be held in person at the Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main St., Bayboro, NC 28515 and via Webex.

DEQ accepting public comments on draft water and wastewater funding Intended Use Plans

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments until March 30, 2026, on updates to several Intended Use Plans (IUPs) and Project Priority Lists, and until April 13, 2026, for new draft Intended Use Plans and proposed Priority Rating Systems for the State Revolving Fund programs.

DEQ Division of Water Resources to launch new Clean Water Act 401 general certification process

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is launching a new process for certain construction projects and other activities with impacts to waters or wetlands as part of updates to the state's Clean Water Act 401 general certifications that take effect on Sunday, March 15.