Press Releases

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Oak Island. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have receded, and pumping has ceased.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will meet Aug. 19-20 at the Doubletree by Hilton Raleigh Midtown, 2805 Highwoods Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27604. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

MOREHEAD CITY – Advisories against swimming were posted today at two sound-side sites in Brunswick County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) recently confirmed a new state record for Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa).

Many areas in North Carolina received rain over the last week, continuing to ease widespread drought. However, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Thursday, most of the state is still in moderate to severe drought, with Brunswick County experiencing the worst drought conditions. With many reservoir levels still below normal, the public is still encouraged to conserve water.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources is accepting comments on proposed rule changes related to its dam safety program, and will hold multiple public hearings in September to receive feedback. 

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Oak Island. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

Mining permit applications can now be processed electronically through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) AccessDEQ portal, marking another step forward in the digitization of application processes across the Department.Prior to this change, mining permit applications were delivered in multiple formats, often relying on postal mail to process information.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory for a sound-side swimming area in Beaufort County.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) will hold a public hearing on Aug. 17 to accept public comments on the Weatherization Assistance Program’s Annual State Plan.