North Carolina’s Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, a long-term strategy for supporting coastal fisheries, is due for its five-year update, and the three state commissions that adopt rules for air and water quality, state fisheries, and coastal development, respectively, are set to soon send draft changes out for public comment.
DEQ
Officials to discuss work, next steps at Navassa Superfund Site
Navassa residents and interested members of the public may attend a community meeting on July 28 to receive updates to ongoing and upcoming work at the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. – Navassa Superfund Site.
Cape Fear area water utilities notified of elevated 1,4-dioxane discharge
Several downstream drinking water suppliers, including Brunswick and Pender counties, and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, have been notified that elevated levels of 1,4-dioxane were detected in a July 10 sample collected upstream from the Asheboro Wastewater Treatment Plant.
NC coast is state’s greatest investment; new budget treats it so
Commentary: Bipartisan agreement this year, combined with nurtured relationships, sound science and practical problem-solving, resulted in permanent funding to rid coastal waters of abandoned and derelict vessels and money for projects that improve water quality, bolster resilience and help preserve the natural resources that sustain economy and our quality of life.
Work begins for periodic update of state coastal habitat plan
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality staff are to present outlines for the new issue papers for the 2026 update to the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, the state’s long-term strategy to protect coastal habitat, a necessity for a sustainable seafood industry.
Audit reveals hundreds of potentially contaminated landfills
A state audit released Monday found that more than three-quarters of almost 700 identified landfill sites where municipal solid waste disposal occurred without regulatory oversight have never been investigated by state environmental regulators.
Residents urged to conserve water as drought persists
Dry conditions continue across North Carolina this week, despite localized heavy rainfall in portions of the state.
Opponents call EPA proposal on persistent PFAS ‘dangerous’
Speakers during an online public hearing Tuesday largely and roundly criticized the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal federal drinking water limits for four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and delay the deadline for water utilities to comply with limits for related compounds by two years.
DEQ seeks feedback on draft river basin action plans
The public may provide feedback on draft plans for the Lumber and Tar-Pamlico river basin action strategies during a July 20 virtual information session.
Advocates challenge proposed Castle Hayne quarry expansion
Environmental groups argue that Martin Marietta’s preferred plan to enlarge its Castle Hayne quarry would permanently destroy 140-plus acres of pristine wetlands and around 10 acres of open water classified as primary nursery and strategic habitat areas, and essential fish habitat.
EMC to hear progress on habitat protection plan update
The 15-member Environmental Management Commission are scheduled to hear an update to the N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan at its July 9 meeting.
Officials urge responsible behavior when visiting Masonboro
State Division of Coastal Management and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office officials are urging visitors to Masonboro Island Reserve this holiday weekend to act responsibly on the island and surrounding waters.
Stein to Chemours: ‘Pay to help us clean up the pollution’
Gov. Josh Stein says Environmental Protection Agency’s settlement agreement with Chemours on PFAS pollution will likely do little to help North Carolina and that the state Environmental Management Commission and EPA handling of these contaminants were “unfortunate steps.”
Science panel to present hardened structure report findings
The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission is expected to hear from its science advisory panel its findings on the effects hard structures have on sandy, open-ocean coastlines.
Sept. 1-14 is recreational flounder season for all NC waters
Fishers are allowed to keep one fish per day if it is 15 inches or longer that they caught with hook and line only in inland, coastal and joint fishing waters.
Volunteer Pony Patrollers protect public, Carteret wild horses
For the fourth year, volunteers are spending their days on Shackleford Banks and Rachel Carson Reserve in an effort to guide visitors on safely observing Carteret County’s wild horses.
