Press Releases

The Division of Marine Fisheries’ scoping period for Kingfishes (sea mullet) begins today, providing fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to provide input about stock and fishery issues, and share ideas on management strategies for the scheduled 5-year review of the N.C. Kingfishes Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Carteret County.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for approximately $2.5 million in funding through Phases 3 and 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) to help coastal communities design and implement projects that strengthen local resilience to coastal hazards. Applications are due Nov. 10, 2026, by 5 p.m. 

The NC Environmental Management Commission will meet Sept. 9-10 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.

Recreational flounder season starts tomorrow, and the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is reminding recreational fishermen that a new law requires them to report their harvest of flounder, as well as four other species.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold a public hearing on Sept. 28, 2026, to accept public comments on the Clean Water Act 401 Water Quality Certification Application for Stamey Farm Road Data Center/Compass Data Center in Iredell County. 

The Master Plan Update Committee of the State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet via teleconference on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The public may listen to the meeting online or by phone.

DEQ issued air quality permits to Amazon Data Services and Duke Energy that cap emissions and include additional emissions testing and monitoring requirements.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently established a new state record for Cubera Snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus). David Ashman of Mohnton, Penn., caught the 85-pound fish on July 31 off of Hatteras. Ashman replaced the existing state record Cubera Snapper that weighed 58 pounds, 8 ounces, landed by Thomas Madsen in 2022.

Almost all of North Carolina received some rain the past week, easing the year-long drought in a few areas. But most of the state remains in drought conditions, with several counties stuck in a stubborn extreme or exceptional drought, the two worst categories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Thursday. Because many reservoirs and groundwater levels are still below normal in these areas, the public is encouraged to conserve water.