Press Releases

State Climate Change Interagency Council to Meet April 26

The N.C. Climate Change Interagency Council will hold its third meeting on April 26 at the NC State Archives Building in Raleigh. The agenda will focus on Section 9 of Executive Order 80, including the development of the North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and discussion with the climate science experts partnering with the state on that effort.

State coastal agency offering two free low impact development workshops in May

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management is offering two free workshops for real estate professionals, homeowners associations and property owners in May.

Memo: Comments of the NC Department of Environmental Quality and the NC Office of the Attorney General on Proposed Revised Waters of the United States (“WOTUS”) Rule

To: Interested Parties
Date: Monday, April 15, 2019
RE: Comments of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the North Carolina Office of the Attorney General
   on Proposed Revised Waters of the United States(“WOTUS”) Rule

Today, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and N.C. Attorney General submitted comments on behalf of North Carolina in opposition to the draft Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

DEQ Issues General Permits for Swine, Cattle and Wet Poultry

The N.C . Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today issued three general permits for animal operations: the Swine General Permit, the Cattle General Permit, and the Wet Poultry General Permit. The revisions to the previous permits are increasingly protective of the environment and public health. The 2019 permit also includes measures to promote technology, efficiency and transparency in record keeping and reporting.

Public Listening Sessions on the Development of the Clean Energy Plan

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality will hold public listening sessions on the development of the state’s Clean Energy Plan, on April 11 in Elizabeth City and May 17 in Greensboro. The public sessions will include updates from the stakeholder workshop process and give attendees an opportunity to provide public comment on key energy issues.

MEDIA ADVISORY: State coastal commission will meet April 17-18 in Manteo

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will meet April 17-18 at the Dare County Government Complex, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo.

MEDIA ADVISORY: State Water Infrastructure Authority to meet April 9 and 10 in Boone

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10, at the High Country Council of Government building, 468 New Market Boulevard, Boone 28607. The meeting is open to the public, with an opportunity for informal public comments.

Currituck Banks Reserve closed April 8-12 during USDA Wildlife Services operation

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management is closing the Currituck Banks Reserve to the public from April 8 to April 12, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services program conducts an aerial wildlife damage management operation for feral swine on lands north of Corolla.

Coastal permit now available for marsh sill living shorelines

A general permit for marsh sills, a type of “living shoreline,” is now available to people in coastal North Carolina who want to stabilize estuarine shorelines.

DEQ Orders Duke Energy to Excavate Coal Ash at Six Remaining Sites

Today, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) ordered Duke Energy Progress, LLC to excavate all remaining coal ash impoundments in North Carolina. After conducting a rigorous scientific review of Duke Energy’s proposals for Allen, Belews, Cliffside/Rogers, Marshall, Mayo and Roxboro facilities, and conducting public listening sessions in impacted communities, DEQ has determined excavation of all six sites is the only closure option that meets the requirements of Coal Ash Management Act to best protect public health. The coal ash must be disposed of in a lined landfill.