Press Releases

The NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for FY2027 funding through the North Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program. The BIG Program provides competitive grant funding to construct, renovate and maintain boating infrastructure serving transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted two water quality swimming advisories for sound-side swimming areas in Brunswick County.

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson announced today eight grants awarded through the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) to support projects that advance environmental stewardship and community engagement across the region. The APNEP Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) awarded $298,963 in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DEQ.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) will meet Aug. 19-20 at the Doubletree by Hilton Raleigh Midtown, 2805 Highwoods Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27604. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Aug. 26-27 at the Dare County Government Complex, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting online. The Coastal Resources Advisory Council (CRAC), a 20-member group that provides the CRC with local government perspectives and advice, will meet in person at 10 a.m. on Aug. 26.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Oak Island. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have receded, and pumping has ceased.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) recently confirmed a new state record for Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa).

MOREHEAD CITY – Advisories against swimming were posted today at two sound-side sites in Brunswick County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Oak Island. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory for a sound-side swimming area in Beaufort County.