Press Releases

State certifies state record Red Hind

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified a new state record Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus).

Public Hearing for Nash County Landfill Remedial Action Plan Set for October 3

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management is holding a public hearing with an opportunity for public comment on the Draft Remedial Action Plan for the Nash County Landfill (it is also known as Red Oak Landfill).

NC Environmental Management Commission to Meet September 13-14 in Carteret County

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) will meet Wednesday, Sept. 13, and Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at the Wayne West Building at Carteret Community College, 3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC. The public may attend in person or via remote access. Room information and remote access links will be posted on the EMC webpage.

Secretary Biser Begins Tenure as ECOS President

During the fall meeting of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) this week, members elected Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser of North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality to serve as president. 

REMINDER: 2023 Recreational flounder season opening dates, harvest areas, and possession limits

The 2023 recreational flounder season for Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters will open at 12:01 a.m. on Friday Sept. 15, 2023, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The possession limit will be one flounder per person per day.

State officials advise against swimming in coastal waters impacted by Tropical Storm Idalia

State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters from Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk south to the South Carolina State Line affected by Tropical Storm Idalia.

REMINDER: DEQ Offering Informational Webinar Aug. 31 on Funding for Projects Addressing PFAS in Water or Wastewater Systems

During its Fall 2023 funding round, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure is offering Emerging Contaminants funding, available to local government units, non-profit water corporations and investor-owned drinking water companies for planning or construction projects addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in water or wastewater systems. An informational webinar about PFAS funding is scheduled for Aug. 31, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Threatened Oceanfront Structures Interagency Work Group postpones meeting scheduled for Aug. 30

Due to ongoing preparations for the approaching storm and the State of Emergency issued by Governor Roy Cooper, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore have postponed the interagency work group meeting scheduled for Aug. 30.

N.C. Mining Commission Committee on Rules Readoption Aug. 29 meeting canceled

The North Carolina Mining Commission’s Committee on Rules Readoption meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2023, has been canceled. Information on a rescheduled meeting will be communicated when determined.

Marine Fisheries Commission hears need for striped bass harvest moratorium in Albemarle Sound

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries will implement adaptive management with a harvest moratorium in the Albemarle Sound Management Area. Despite recent management actions taken by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), the Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass stock continues to be overfished and to experience overfishing.