Press Releases

Water quality swimming advisories issued for two sound-side sites in Beaufort County

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

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.

Division of Marine Fisheries releases annual Fishery Management Plan Review

Want to know what the latest data says about Spotted Seatrout, Blue Crab or Southern Flounder in North Carolina? Find out by reading the DEQ Division of Marine Fisheries’ (DMF) 2023 Fishery Management Plan Review, released today.

UPDATED - N.C. Oil and Gas Commission to meet Aug. 6

NOTE: Please note the meeting location has been changed to the 5th Floor Conference Room in the Archdale Building.

UPDATE: Comment period for NOAA’s Proposed Rule to Amend the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule extended to Aug. 31

Due to continued public interest, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has received an extension from NOAA to conclude the division’s review of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources federal consistency submission regarding the proposed amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule (“speed rule”). The comment period was scheduled to end at 5 p.m. on July 31 but has now been extended until 5 p.m. on Aug. 31.

Water quality swimming advisory lifted for sound-side site in New Hanover County

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

Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for ocean site in Oak Island where floodwater pumping occurred

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.

Advisories lifted for North Carolina waters after South Hill, Va., fire

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recommended local health departments in the areas surrounding Lake Gaston lift recreational and fish consumption advisories for the Roanoke River near the North Carolina state line.

Precautionary swimming advisory issued for ocean area in Oak Island where floodwater pumping has occurred

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.

Water quality swimming advisories lifted for two ocean-side sites in Dare County

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted water quality swimming advisories at two ocean-side sites in Dare County.