Press Releases

Stricter harvest restrictions will take effect Jan. 1, 2021 for the commercial and recreational striped bass fisheries in the Albemarle Sound Management Area. The reduced harvest is needed to end overfishing on the Albemarle-Roanoke striped bass stock.

RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper has released the following statement on North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan's appointment to lead the United States Environmental Protection Agency:

The Division of Coastal Management (DCM) invites communities and contractors to apply to participate in Phases 1 and 2 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), which aims to equip communities with additional capability to understand and enhance coastal resilience at the local level. DCM is requesting applications from interested municipal and county governments in the 20 coastal CAMA counties, as well as professional services from qualified organizations to provide technical assistance to selected localities.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is requesting input on locations for 2021 oyster cultch planting.

RALEIGH – State and federal officials together with Multistate Trust representatives will hold two online public meetings regarding the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp – Navassa Superfund site on Tuesday, December 15. Topics will include remediation progress and plans at each of the site’s operable units (OUs) as well as information on the amended Proposed Plan for OU1.

The blue crab season closures will go into effect Jan. 1-31, 2021 in North Carolina state waters north and east of the Highway 58 bridge and March 1-15, 2021 south and west of the Highway 58 bridge. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission approved measures to end overfishing and achieve sustainable harvest with the adoption of the Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 at its February 2020 meeting.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 9:00 a.m., remotely, via teleconference. The public may listen to the meeting by phone.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will remotely hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 6 p.m.

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management, along with the Environmental Protection Agency and Town of Davidson, will co-host an online public information meeting on December 15 to discuss the results and next steps following recent expanded soil sampling for asbestos within one-quarter mile of the former Carolina Asbestos Corporation site in Davidson.

The Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force Wednesday released its first biannual report outlining policy recommendations to address disparities in communities of color disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.  The Environmental Justice and Inclusion Subcommittee provided recommendations to increase the consideration of environmental justice and equity concerns in state decision-making and address environmental and economic impacts in disadvantaged communities.