Press Releases

The commercial flounder season opens soon, and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding gill net fishermen that one of the conditions for the Estuarine Gill Net Permit (EGNP) is to allow division staff to observe gill net operations.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Nominating Committee will meet by web conference Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality invites public comment on the state’s plan to invest $67 million in Volkswagen Settlement funds. The Draft Phase 2 Mitigation plan focuses on efforts to reduce pollution impacts while incentivizing zero emission vehicles and increasing outreach to under-resourced communities.

N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources (DWR) advises the public to avoid contact with green or blue water in the Pamlico River due to an algal bloom and related fish kill that has lingered in the area since August 30, 2021.

On Aug. 31, 2021, DEQ’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) received a mining permit application from Piedmont Lithium Carolinas for a site in Gaston County. The application materials can be found on the Mining Program website.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will hold a workshop by webinar over several days in September and October with the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee to review draft Amendment 2 to the Estuarine Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries commission will meet by web conference at 2 p.m. Sept. 9 to vote on amendments and readoption of nine rules pertaining to waters managed jointly with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Sgt. Odell Williams is the N.C. Marine Patrol Officer of the year for 2021, an honor which he says the officers who work with him deserve as much as he does.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct an online public hearing October 28, 2021 on a proposed site-specific standard for chlorophyll-a in High Rock Lake in Davidson and Rowan counties. Written public comments are being accepted through November 15, 2021.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will conduct an online public hearing October 28, 2021 on proposed revisions to the Environmental Management Commission’s (EMC) Fresh Surface Water Quality Standards for Class C Waters in 15A NCAC 02B .0211 to adopt a site-specific standard for chlorophyll-a in High Rock Lake. Written public comments are being accepted through November 15, 2021.