Press Releases

Severe drought has emerged in parts in western North Carolina after months of record heat and below-average rainfall, according to Thursday’s federal drought map.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has issued an air permit for the Enviva Pellets Sampson facility located in Sampson County, which includes added requirements to address concerns of people in the community.

State recreational water quality officials today are alerting the public that initial testing at a sound-side site in Carteret County showed levels of bacteria exceeding the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality swimming standards.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Dare County.

State and federal partners, led by the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP), have published a map of the extent and density of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in North Carolina’s sounds during 2013. SAV, also known as seagrasses or underwater grasses, improve water clarity and quality, decrease shoreline erosion, and are an essential habitat for many fishery and wildlife species.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) continues to investigate the presence of PFAS compounds in groundwater wells located in New Hanover County.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming alert at a sound-side site in Carteret County.

The Emily and Richardson Preyer Buckridge Coastal Reserve site near Columbia reopened to visitors today after closure due to Hurricane Dorian.

Forty-five counties in the western and central parts of the state are experiencing a moderate drought due to lack of adequate rainfall, according to Thursday’s federal drought map. Moderate drought is the first category of the four drought classifications. The four drought categories are moderate, severe, extreme and exceptional, ranging from least to most detrimental.

State recreational water quality officials today are alerting the public that initial testing at a sound-side site in Carteret County showed levels of bacteria exceeding the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality swimming standards.