Press Releases

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated a combined $686 million to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene-related drinking water, wastewater and septic system projects, with a focus on resiliency and a goal of reducing risk and vulnerability in systems as they face future storms. DEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure is now accepting applications year-round for these projects.

The Division of Air Quality is accepting public comment on a draft air quality permit modification for Columbia Plywood Corporation - Columbia Carolina Division, a plywood manufacturing facility in McDowell County.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet Sept. 10-11 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. 

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will collect flounder carcasses from recreational fishermen during the 2025 season, held Sept. 1-14. The carcasses will be used for research purposes.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has awarded more than $2.25 million in grants to fund 10 projects that will expand and improve public access to the state’s treasured beaches and coastal waterways.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary advisory for ocean waters along parts of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The action was taken because bacteria levels in water samples meet state and federal standards for swimming and water play. A federal beachfront closure remains in effect.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 at the Tryon Palace - History Center, 529 S. Front St., New Bern. The regular business meeting of the CRC will be called to order at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 and will resume at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28. A public input and comment period is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Aug. 27. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to 3 minutes per person. The public may attend the CRC meeting in person or join online.

North Carolinians can breathe easy knowing our state has met every federal health-based air quality standard for a full decade, bringing tremendous benefits to the state’s health and economy.

MOREHEAD CITY – An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Dare 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.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries today announced the 2025 commercial flounder season opening dates for Internal Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters.