Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has issued the revised wastewater discharge permit for Martin Marietta Materials Inc.’s Vanceboro Quarry.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has extended the mechanical oyster harvest season in portions of Pamlico Sound as the result of adaptive management measures that included collaboration with stakeholders.

As part of a department-wide effort to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, contamination in North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) has negotiated a special order by consent (SOC) with Sampson County Disposal LLC to phase in treatment and removal of PFAS from groundwater. 

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announces a one-month striped bass season will open April 2026 for parts of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers and their tributaries. The season will be open April 1–30 for both recreational and commercial fisheries.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries wants to remind the public to report any cold stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.

Governor Josh Stein today announced $270 million in awards to repair and strengthen the resilience of water systems in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

There’s more bluefish in the sea! As a result, the bag limit for recreationally caught bluefish will increase on Jan. 1 in North Carolina Coastal Fishing Waters and Joint Fishing Waters.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) continues to accept public comments through Dec. 20 on the review of a federal request to deepen and widen the Wilmington Harbor. The comment period for reviewing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District’s federal consistency determination for the proposed Wilmington Harbor 403 Navigation Project, pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act, was originally open through Dec. 5.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet in person in Raleigh and via teleconference (Webex) on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 9 am – 3 pm. The public may also listen to the meeting online or by phone.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has launched the Western NC Recovery Grants Program to help communities affected by Hurricane Helene rebuild and secure long-term recovery funding. The program provides free grant-writing and technical assistance to towns, counties, councils of government and eligible nonprofits across the 39 federally declared disaster counties in western North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.