Press Releases

Marine Fisheries Commission asks to reopen Southern Flounder Plan; Fisheries Director aligns flounder regulations with Wildlife rules in Joint Fishing Waters

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) wants to look at ways to allow more recreational access to flounder fishing in the future.

REMINDER: DEQ Accepting Comments on Revisions to State Plan that Would Remove Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program from 18 Counties

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is accepting public comments on draft revisions to the Inspection & Maintenance State Implementation Plan.

Public comments are accepted through Sept. 4.

Precautionary water quality swimming advisory lifted for ocean-side areas along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Dare County

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary advisory warning the public against swimming near two areas along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Rodanthe and Buxton.

Agencies release Threatened Oceanfront Structures report

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and the National Park Service’s Cape Hatteras National Seashore (NPS CHNS) today released the report, Managing Threatened Oceanfront Structures: Ideas from an Interagency Work Group. This report is the result of a year-long collaboration between local governments and state and federal agencies via virtual meetings and public workshops. DEQ will use the report to guide next steps, as the state works to address threatened oceanfront structures.

REMINDER: State coastal commission to meet in Beaufort Aug. 27-28; Coastal Resources Advisory Council to meet Aug. 27

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Aug. 27 and 28 at the Beaufort Hotel, 2440 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort. The regular business meeting of the CRC will be called to order at 3 p.m. on Aug. 27 and will resume at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28. An in-person public comment period is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 27. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to 3 minutes per person. The public may attend the CRC meeting in-person or watch online. The Coastal Resources Advisory Council will meet in-person only Aug. 27, at 1 p.m. at the same location.

NCDEQ Division of Water Resources advises the public to avoid agal bloom in Chowan River

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) advises the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in parts of the Chowan River in Chowan and Bertie counties due to an algal bloom that has lingered in the area since Aug. 16. The bloom has been observed from near the community of Rockyhock to below the U.S. 17 bridge over the Chowan River near Edenton.

Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for most sound-side sites after Tropical Storm Debby

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials have now lifted the precautionary against swimming issued due to Tropical Storm Debby for all but eight locations.

DAQ Issues Air Quality Permit to Terra-Mulch Products

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has issued a Title V air quality permit to Terra-Mulch Products, LLC in Catawba County.

From Sound to Satellite: New Red Drum Tagging Study Launches in Pamlico Sound

As North Carolina’s state saltwater fish, the Red Drum is not only a popular target for anglers but also a species of significant economic importance. While annual data supports these claims, several key questions remain unanswered: Where do Red Drum spawn? How far do they travel? How often do they pass through the ocean inlets, and do they head north to Virginia or make their way beyond South Carolina?

REMINDER: DEQ to Give Update Today on Fine Particle Air Pollution in North Carolina

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) invites residents to hear updates on fine particulate matter air pollution in North Carolina.