Press Releases

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, and other interested parties to sit on various fisheries advisory committees. Two regional advisory committees – Northern and Southern – and three standing advisory committees – Finfish, Habitat and Water Quality, and Shellfish/Crustacean – review matters referred to them by the commission, such as draft fishery management plans. Committees may also bring fisheries issues pertaining to their region or subject matter to the commission’s attention.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet Thursday, Sept. 16, at 9:00 a.m., remotely, via teleconference. 

RALEIGH – Following a comprehensive application review and public comment period, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management (DWM) has issued a permit to allow Duke Energy to construct and operate a new, lined, onsite landfill at the Mayo Steam Electric Plant for the disposal of excavated coal ash.

The N. C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. by web conference. The Coastal Resources Advisory Council (CRAC) will meet Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. also by web conference.

The commercial flounder season opens soon, and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding gill net fishermen that one of the conditions for the Estuarine Gill Net Permit (EGNP) is to allow division staff to observe gill net operations.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Nominating Committee will meet by web conference Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality invites public comment on the state’s plan to invest $67 million in Volkswagen Settlement funds. The Draft Phase 2 Mitigation plan focuses on efforts to reduce pollution impacts while incentivizing zero emission vehicles and increasing outreach to under-resourced communities.

N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources (DWR) advises the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Pamlico River due to an algal bloom and related fish kill that has lingered in the area since August 30, 2021.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a workshop by webinar over several days in September and October with the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee to review draft Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan.

On Aug. 31, 2021, DEQ’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) received a mining permit application from Piedmont Lithium Carolinas for a site in Gaston County. The application materials can be found on the Mining Program website.