North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality officials are holding a public hearing April 22 in Raleigh to hear comment on proposed changes to the state’s surface water quality standards, including the addition of standard for E. coli as an indicator of disease-causing organisms in certain recreational waters.
DEQ
State accepting public comments on annual energy plan
The Weatherization Assistance Program’s annual state plan serves residents in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the state save energy and reduce their utility bills.
State ends bluefin tuna, billfish reporting requirements
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has ended its longstanding Highly Migratory Species Catch Card program for bluefin tuna and billfish.
Drought, dry conditions persist in coastal counties
The latest weekly advisory from the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council shows drought conditions continue to grip much of the state.
Second public hearing set for mid-Currituck bridge project
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management is hosting a public hearing in Currituck County next month on the proposed mid-Currituck bridge project.
No NC limit on 1,4-dioxane means water customers bear costs
It costs an additional $1-$3 million a year to remove 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen, from drinking water drawn from the Cape Fear River, costs that could be avoided if upstream polluters were required to reduce the amount of the compounds they discharge.
DEQ chief: Emerging compounds ‘top priority’ for state
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson said addressing PFAS and other emerging compounds is a top priority during the N.C. Water Resources Research Institute’s annual conference Thursday.
NC officials promote joining state government workforce
Last week, NCDEQ officials and staff tried to recruit for the long-understaffed agency during a conference, and the governor’s office announced a website for those displaced due to Hurricane Helene or recent federal cuts.
Volunteers sought to count for coastal ‘Terrapin Tally’
The 11th annual volunteer headcount of diamondback terrapins in coastal waters from Carteret County to Brunswick County kicks off next month.
5 eastern NC counties experiencing severe drought
Of the 99 counties experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions in the state, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow and Pamlico counties are classified as experiencing severe drought.
Draft plan would evenly shift southern flounder catch quotas
A draft amendment to the state’s Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan would level the catch quota 50/50 between commercial and recreational fishers a year ahead of schedule.
State officials: Burning trash against North Carolina law
Careless debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in North Carolina, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality has issued a reminder that, “If it doesn’t grow, don’t burn it.”
Commission set to further curb state wetlands protections
The Environmental Management Commission is to consider Thursday moving to public comment with a proposed amendment to align the state’s definition of wetlands with the federal definition, which was narrowed by a May 2023 Supreme Court decision.
CAMA county governments may apply for resiliency funding
Local governments within the state’s 20 coastal counties and contractors may apply for the next round of funding for resiliency projects.
State seeks impaired watershed restoration project proposals
The Department of Environmental Quality expects to receive $1.5 million in federal grants to fund all or portions of eligible watershed restoration projects.
DEQ adds meetings on greenhouse gas reduction efforts
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is hosting a series of public meetings to discuss efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
