Press Releases

Awards Presented for Outstanding Source Water Protection Efforts

The N.C. Source Water Collaborative – a statewide drinking water protection group – has announced the winners of the Source Water Protection Awards during the Water Resources Research Institute’s annual conference, held last month.

DEQ Celebrates Earth Day with the Release the State K-12 Environmental Literacy Plan

State and local leaders gathered today at Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary School to celebrate Earth Day with students and release the state’s new K-12 Environmental Literacy

State coastal commission to meet in Manteo April 24-25

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet April 24-25 at the Dare County Government Center, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. on April 24 and resume at 9 a.m. on April 25. A public input and comment period is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on April 25. 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. The Coastal Resources Advisory Council (CRAC) will meet April 24 at 1 p.m. at the same location. This meeting will be in-person only.

Marine Fisheries Commission to meet by web conference on April 18

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference on April 18, beginning at 11 a.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on Webex. A listening station will be established at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office at 5285 Highway 70 West, Morehead City.

April 16 N.C. Mining Commission meeting cancelled

The North Carolina Mining Commission meeting planned for April. 16, 2024, has been cancelled.

Water quality swimming advisory lifted for sound-side site in Onslow County

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory for a sound-side swimming area in Onslow County.

Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership funds four Engagement and Stewardship Projects

The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) has awarded four Engagement and Stewardship grants, totaling $94,250, to organizations located in central and northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.

Division of Marine Fisheries seeks Eastern oyster and hard clam advisers

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists and other interested parties to sit on the Shellfish Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee, specifically for Eastern oyster and hard clam.

Marine Fisheries Commission to meet by web conference on April 18

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will meet by web conference on April 18, beginning at 11 a.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on Webex.

DEQ details next steps for water systems as EPA announces PFAS standards for drinking water

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known to occur in drinking water. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been working with water systems to assess PFAS levels. Based on all available data, more than 300 water systems in our state have PFAS levels that will exceed the new standards