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.”
DEQ
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.
Navassa Superfund site progress update set for next week
Ongoing and future work at the former Kerr-McGee Chemical Corps site in Navassa will be discussed during a March 4 meeting at the town’s community center.
Old-Growth Forest Network adds Bald Head Island Reserve
A nearly 200-acre forest of large, old live oak trees on Bald Head Island has been added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network.
Committee calls special meeting on industry dischargers
Updated Feb. 25: The Environmental Management Commission’s water quality committee special meeting scheduled for Feb. 25 has been canceled, NCDEQ officials announced Tuesday morning.
Water quality officials monitor weekend hog waste spill
State Division of Water Resources officials say more than 80,000 gallons of hog waste spilled into tributaries of the Northeast Cape Fear River over the weekend.
State Energy Office seeks feedback on lowering emissions
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office will be taking suggestions in a series of public meetings to discuss how the state can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Division to hold flounder advisory committee workshop
The workshop will be Monday at the Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office in Morehead City.
New state program to help households save money, energy
Energy Saver North Carolina initially will focus on single-family, owner-occupied housing, particularly those in high energy-burdened, disadvantaged regions and in areas with storm impacts, according to the state.
EPA to NC: Solvent discharge limits deadline ‘mandatory’
A pending lawsuit notwithstanding, the Environmental Protection Agency has put North Carolina on notice: There’s no extension of the time frames for addressing the federal agency’s objections regarding the discharge of 1,4 dioxane into waters upstream of the Cape Fear.
Environmental Secretary Reid Wilson fills top agency roles
Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson last week named to his staff several individuals familiar to those in and around state government.
Coastal Land Trust secures final million to buy ‘The Point’
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding $1 million to the state and conservation organizations to protect the 150-acre, undeveloped tract at the southern end of Topsail Beach.
Incoming environmental chief Reid Wilson revisits his roots
Former Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson sees important opportunities and challenges in terms of public health and environmental protection in his new role as Department of Environmental Quality secretary in the Stein administration.
