Press Releases

Anglers who want to commemorate that big saltwater fishing catch in 2021 have a couple of extra weeks this year to apply for a citation from the N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has modified aquaculture permit conditions to facilitate the cultivation of more finfish species in upland facilities by exempting these operations from size and possession limits.

REMINDER: State Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Plan to Administer American Rescue Plan Act’s State Fiscal Recovery Funding (deadline: Jan. 12, 2022)

Due to increased cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina, three upcoming Marine Fisheries Commission advisory committee meetings will be held by web conference only.

RALEIGH – This year, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) took key actions to protect the environment and health of all North Carolinians and to address the impacts of climate change. “DEQ is committed to protecting the resources and people of our state,” said Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser. “We look forward to the opportunities in the year ahead to help communities replace aging infrastructure, improve air and water quality and build a more resilient North Carolina.”

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality has submitted the Volkswagen Mitigation Plan for Phase 2 of the state’s share of a national settlement with the automaker. 

As the holiday season winds down, the N.C. Division of Coastal Management is providing guidance to property owners, organizations and towns that plan to accept natural Christmas trees for use in dune restoration and/or beach sand fencing. Natural Christmas trees may be used for sand fencing but must be free of decorations and should be placed in a manner that meets the State’s rules for sand fencing.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold an online listening session about the Draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 on Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. The listening session prefaces three Marine Fisheries Commission advisory committee meetings where public comment will be accepted. NCDMF Listening Session Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. Join via WebEx

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) is accepting comments until January 12, 2022 on the proposed plan to administer approximately $1.6 billion in federal funds appropriated in the state budget for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) has issued a mining permit for the Carolina Sunrock – Prospect Hill facility, covering 630 acres in Caswell County.