Press Releases

REMINDER: DEQ Accepting Public Comment on Draft Water and Wastewater Funding Intended Use Plans and Priority Rating Systems

The Division of Water Infrastructure is accepting comments on the draft Intended Use Plans, including Priority Rating Systems, for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Priority Rating System for the Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure Program until June 15, 2022.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Virtual public meeting scheduled to provide information and receive feedback from stakeholders interested in shellfish leases in and around Bogue Sound

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is hosting a virtual public meeting on June 22 at 5:30 p.m. to provide information about shellfish leases and Shellfish Aquaculture Enterprise Areas (SEAs) in and around Bogue Sound. The public meeting will also serve as an opportunity for interested stakeholders to provide feedback to the Division in its efforts to address issues related to shellfish leases.

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

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in New Hanover County.

DEQ Announces Action Strategy for PFAS

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality announced the agency’s Action Strategy for PFAS today during an event in Wilmington.

2022 Recreational Flounder season announced for Sept. 1-30

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries today announced that the 2022 recreational flounder season will open at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.

State certifies first state record Graysby Grouper

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the first state record Graysby Grouper (Cephalopholis cruentata).

REMINDER: State coastal commission to meet by web conference June 8

The N. C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet June 8 at 1 p.m. by web conference. An additional agenda item has been added. The public may join the meeting by computer or phone.

Public hearing scheduled July 21 on wind energy facility application in Chowan County

The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will hold a public hearing on July 21, 2022, on an application by Timbermill Wind, LLC, to construct a 189-megawatt wind energy facility in Chowan County.

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

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in New Hanover County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

DEQ accepting public comment on updated Public Participation Plan

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comments on a 2022 update to the DEQ Public Participation Plan. The Public Participation Plan includes best practices for community engagement, enhanced outreach methods and additional community resources.