Press Releases

N.C. Environmental Management Commission to meet Jan. 7-8

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet Jan. 7-8 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. 

Commercial Fishing Resource Funding Committees to meet Jan. 14

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Commercial Resource Fund Committee and the Funding Committee for the N.C. Commercial Fishing Resource Fund will meet jointly on Jan. 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. via WebEx.

NCDEQ Division of Water Resources issues water quality certification with conditions for Transco’s proposed natural gas pipeline project

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued a water quality certification with conditions to strengthen protections for wetlands, waterways and streambanks impacted by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC’s (Transco’s) proposed expansion of a natural gas pipeline.

NC air quality has vastly improved since ‘90s, DEQ report shows

The latest update to DEQ's “Air Quality Trends in North Carolina” report shows emissions of harmful air pollutants like ozone and fine particles continue a long-running downward trend.

DEQ modifies air quality permit for Domtar Paper Co.

After reviewing public comments, the Division of Air Quality issued a modified Title V air quality permit to Domtar Paper Co. in Martin County.

Sampson County landfill operator agrees to install treatment system for groundwater contaminated with forever chemicals

As part of a department-wide effort to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, contamination in North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) has negotiated a special order by consent (SOC) with Sampson County Disposal LLC to phase in treatment and removal of PFAS from groundwater. 

DEQ Division of Water Resources issues revised permit for Vanceboro Quarry

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued the revised wastewater discharge permit for Martin Marietta Materials Inc.’s Vanceboro Quarry.

Mechanical oyster season extended in Pamlico Sound due to collaboration with stakeholders

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has extended the mechanical oyster harvest season in portions of Pamlico Sound as the result of adaptive management measures that included collaboration with stakeholders.

Striped Bass season will open April 1, 2026, in Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announces a one-month striped bass season will open April 2026 for parts of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers and their tributaries. The season will be open April 1–30 for both recreational and commercial fisheries.

Fisheries ask public to report cold stunned trout

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries wants to remind the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.