NC DEQ Press Releases

NC Mining Commission Rules Committee to Meet April 27

The North Carolina Mining Commission Rules Committee will meet at 11 a.m. on April 27, 2026, online via WebEx. An in-person listening station will also be available in the Fifth Floor Conference Room at the Archdale Building in Raleigh. The meeting agenda and other materials will be posted online prior to the meeting.

Recreational Black Sea Bass Season Opens May 1 North of Cape Hatteras with Liberalized Regulations

The NC DEQ Marine Fisheries Division announces the recreational Black Sea Bass season opening May 1, 2026, in state waters north of Cape Hatteras. New regulations set a 13-inch minimum size limit and 15-fish daily bag limit with a season running May 1 through December 31. These liberalized rules reflect a coastwide 20% regulatory liberalization adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for 2026 and 2027.

$215M Awarded for 66 Water Infrastructure Projects Across North Carolina

The State Water Infrastructure Authority approved over $215 million for 66 water infrastructure projects across 26 North Carolina counties. Approximately $196 million targets communities with significant damage from Hurricane Helene. Recipients include towns replacing lead service lines, studying PFAS contamination, and rebuilding wastewater systems. The award is the fourth round of federal disaster funding, bringing total Helene-related water infrastructure funding to $861 million.

30 North Carolina Counties Under Extreme Drought

North Carolina reports 30 counties under extreme drought (D3 conditions), with most counties experiencing severe or moderate drought. Water systems in extreme drought counties must follow their Water Shortage Response Plans and submit weekly water use reports. The statewide open burning ban remains in effect until further notice. Many rain gauge stations report among their top five lowest rainfall amounts since the start of the year.

State Water Infrastructure Authority Meeting April 15-16 Hendersonville

The NC DEQ announces the State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet April 15-16, 2026 in Hendersonville, NC and via Webex. The authority is an independent body responsible for awarding federal and state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects and developing the state water infrastructure master plan. Public attendance is available in person or online.

Advisory Flood Maps Released for Five Eastern NC River Basins

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Flood Resiliency Blueprint has released improved flood mapping and risk data for five river basins in Eastern North Carolina. New non-regulatory advisory flood maps are now available in the Flood Resiliency Blueprint Tool for the Neuse, Lumber, Tar-Pamlico, White Oak and Cape Fear river basins. The maps, developed in partnership with NC Emergency Management's Floodplain Mapping Program, aim to help local governments and communities make informed decisions about flood resilience.

Coastal Resources Commission Meets April 15-16

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will hold its regular meeting on April 15-16, 2026, at the Town of Ocean Isle Beach, 111 Causeway Drive. A field trip to Ocean Isle Beach Terminal Groin is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 15, with the full commission meeting beginning at 9 a.m. on April 16. An in-person public comment period is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on April 16.

15 Counties Extreme Drought, Precipitation Deficit 10 Inches

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council reports 15 counties now in extreme drought (D3 conditions), with precipitation totals nearly 10 inches below normal over the past six months. Counties in extreme drought are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plans, report weekly water use online, and adhere to conservation measures. The N.C. Forest Service has issued a statewide burn ban and canceled all burning permits effective March 28.

N.C. Coastal Resources Commission Meeting April 15-16

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will hold its full commission meeting on April 16, 2026 at 9 a.m. at the Town of Ocean Isle Beach, 111 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach, NC. A public comment period is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on April 16. The CRC establishes policies for the N.C. Coastal Management Program and adopts rules for CAMA and the N.C. Dredge and Fill Act.