Press Releases

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UPDATE: Public Engagement Session in Fayetteville on the Development of the Federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan Relocated

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality State Energy Office’s upcoming public engagement session in Fayetteville will now be held at the Cumberland County East Regional Public Library.

N.C. Environmental Management Commission to meet March 12-13

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet March 12-13 in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone. 

License sales at Division of Marine Fisheries Manteo Office closed Tuesday and Wednesday

License sales at the Division of Marine Fisheries Manteo Office will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday this week (March 4-5), reopening on Thursday, March 6.

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 14, 2025 on updates to several Intended Use Plans (IUPs) and Project Priority Lists, and until March 31, 2025, for new draft Intended Use Plans and proposed Priority Rating Systems for the State Revolving Fund and Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure (CDBG-I) programs.

2025 Ozone Season Begins Tomorrow

March 1 marks the beginning of the 2025 ozone season as state and local environmental agencies renew their daily air quality forecasts for ozone across North Carolina.

NCDEQ Division of Water Resources to hold public hearing on proposed changes to N.C. water quality standards

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a public hearing on April 22 to hear public comment on proposed changes to North Carolina’s surface water quality standards, including the addition of standard for E. coli as an indicator of pathogens, or disease-causing organisms, in recreational waters.

Coastal Resources Commission presents former coastal management deputy director with Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award

During the Feb. 2025 regular business meeting of the NC Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) in New Bern, NC, former Division of Coastal Management (DCM) Deputy Director, Michael “Mike” Lopazanski was recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award. Granted by the Office of the Governor to honor those who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments, the award is the highest civilian honor in the state of North Carolina.

Division of Marine Fisheries announces scoping period for Southern Flounder

The NCDEQ’s Division of Marine Fisheries is seeking public input as it develops Amendment 5 to the N.C. Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan (FMP). A public scoping period will be held from March 1 through March 31, providing stakeholders an opportunity to share feedback on potential management strategies and priorities for the amendment. The scoping period will include four scoping meetings.

DEQ to Hold Additional 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 additional engagement sessions as part of a series of public engagement opportunities in February and March to provide informat

N.C. Environmental Management Commission Water Quality Committee special meeting canceled

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission Water Quality Committee meeting, originally scheduled for today, Tuesday, Feb. 25, in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh, has been canceled.

NCDEQ Division of Water Resources approves permit for Vanceboro Quarry

After receiving feedback at a public hearing and during the comment period, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources has approved the renewal of the permit regulating wastewater discharge from Martin Marietta Materials Inc.’s Vanceboro Quarry.

REMINDER: State coastal commission to meet in New Bern Feb. 26-27; Coastal Resources Advisory Council to meet Feb. 26

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Feb. 26 and 27 at the DoubleTree New Bern Riverfront, 100 Middle Street, New Bern. The public may attend the CRC meeting in-person or watch online.

DEQ to hold hearing next month for proposed “express permitting” rules

The Department of Environmental Quality will hold a hearing next month for the adoption of proposed rules 15A NCAC 01X .0101-.0106, .0201-.0203, and .0301-.0303, “Express Permitting,” as required by S.L. 2023-134, s. 12.13.(b). The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March18, 2025, in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh. Online attendance will also be available via Webex.

Governor Stein, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Announce $265M for Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects Statewide

Governor Josh Stein announced today that communities statewide will receive more than $265 million in funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. These loans and grants will help to pay for 99 projects in 45 different counties.

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