Press Releases

Water Challenge: DEQ and The North Carolina Arboretum ecoEXPLORE Launch Citizen Science Badge Program for Kids  

ecoEXPLORE, an initiative of The North Carolina Arboretum that encourages kids to connect with the outdoors and engage in citizen science online, is partnering with the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in a new badge challenge for kids centered on hydrology and aquatic habitats.

State coastal commission to hold special meeting July 16

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet by conference call on Thursday, July 16 at 11 a.m.

State Water Infrastructure Authority to meet July 8 via teleconference

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet Wednesday, July 8 at 9:00 a.m., remotely, via teleconference. The public may listen to the meeting by phone.

REMINDER: State encourages social and community responsibility if considering July Fourth holiday at Masonboro Island Reserve

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is urging the public not to celebrate Independence Day at Masonboro Island Reserve this year due to the potential spread of COVID-19 from mass gatherings. Those who do plan to visit the reserve for the July Fourth holiday should act responsibly by observing social distancing measures, including the current state requirement to wear face coverings in public

N.C. Environmental Management Commission to meet July 8 - 9, 2020

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) will meet remotely Wednesday and Thursday, July 8-9 by teleconference. The public is invited to attend the meetings online or by phone. Agendas for the committee meetings on Wednesday and the full commission meeting on Thursday are available here

REMINDER: State encourages social and community responsibility if considering July Fourth holiday at Masonboro Island Reserve

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is urging the public not to celebrate Independence Day at Masonboro Island Reserve this year due to the potential spread of COVID-19 from mass gatherings. Those who do plan to visit the reserve for the July Fourth holiday should act responsibly by observing social distancing measures, including the current state requirement to wear face coverings in public.  

State encourages social and community responsibility if considering July Fourth holiday at Masonboro Island Reserve

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are urging the public not to celebrate Independence Day at Masonboro Island Reserve this year due to the potential spread of COVID-19 from mass gatherings. Those who do plan to visit the reserve for the July Fourth holiday should act responsibly by observing social distancing measures, including the current state requirement to wear face coverings in public.  

Wake Stone Public Hearing Continuation

The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will continue the digital public hearing on a permit modification for Wake Stone Corporation on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 to accommodate pre-registered speakers.

Wake Stone Public Hearing Reminder

DEQ Secretary statement on WesternGeco seismic testing decision

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is disappointed to learn of U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s decision to override North Carolina's Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Consistency Objection to WesternGeco’s proposal to conduct Geological and Geophysical (Seismic) surveys off the North Carolina coast.