The Environmental Management Commission has advanced proposed changes that would codify an existing, long-term agreement with an association of wastewater dischargers into the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.
DEQ
State Artificial Reef Program looking for advisers, input
Regional advisers and public feedback are needed to recommend materials and reef sites for enhancements in five areas over five years.
Science panel applies 2022 sea level report projections to NC
The Coastal Resources Commission’s science panel has released its “North Carolina 2024 Sea Level Rise Science Update” that applies the findings of a 2022 federal-level sea level rise technical report to North Carolina.
State sets temporary allowable PFAS limits in groundwater
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources released interim maximum allowable concentrations to help define cleanup targets for groundwater contaminated with high levels of the chemical compounds.
Van der Vaart: Likely carcinogen does not equal carcinogen
Chief Administrative Law Judge and Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings Dr. Donald van der Vaart revoked permit limits of 1,4-dioxane for municipal wastewater treatment plants that discharge a compound the EPA calls a likely human carcinogen into the drinking water sources of tens of thousands.
Cooper names Mary Penny Kelley as new DEQ secretary
Mary Penny Kelley has been named as the new secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.
Division awards $2.8 million in public water access grants
The Division of Coastal Management made the awards to 14 local governments to improve public access to coastal beaches and waters.
Swim advisories posted for Carteret, New Hanover sites
Routine water testing revealed that bacteria levels at the accesses on sounds in Carteret County and New Hanover County exceed state and Environmental Protection Agency recreational water quality standards.
Commission advances rule for straw bales in lieu of fencing
The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved the fiscal impact analysis of the proposed rule, which officials don’t expect to result in a significant increase in the use of straw bales to curb erosion.
EJ council to hold public mapping tool meetings
Virtual meetings are scheduled for the next three Tuesdays for the Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council’s mapping and public engagement subcommittees to review with the public a new environmental justice mapping tool and answer questions.
State fisheries sinks tug at artificial reef off Cape Lookout
The Thomas Dann joins two other vessels at AR-305, the 183-foot Spar and the 439-foot Aeolus, sunk in 2004 and 1988, respectively.
Resilient Coastal Communities Program awards 20 grants
The grants are for the program’s Phases 3 and 4 for communities to cover local costs of moving their projects “from concept to completion, building a stronger future by protecting residents and the coastal economy,” DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser said.
Hearing Aug. 28 on six proposed Onslow shellfish leases
The Division of Marine Fisheries is holding the hearing that begins at 6 p.m. in the Holly Ridge Community Room.
Commission members balk on 5 proposed PFAS standards
Committees of the Environmental Management Commission stalled proposed health standards for most of the eight synthetic compounds put forth, including two the EPA classified as likely carcinogens.
Cooper declines to sign bill delaying catch-reporting rule
The controversial measure that requires recreational anglers and commercial fishermen to report their catch of five named species takes effect late next year.
Bill change adds terminal groin, limits historical site rules
Language to “rein in” the Division of Coastal Management’s authority has been removed, but a Coastal Area Management Act review could return during the next session.
