The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. They administer regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and also works to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina’s needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment.
The Marine Sewage Pumpout and Dump Station Grant Program focuses on mitigating the environmental impact of marine sewage from boats in North Carolina. Its main goals are to make sewage pumpout and dump stations as accessible as other routine boating services like fueling, thereby protecting the state’s water quality and ensuring the wellbeing of people who use these waters. Specifically, the program provides financial assistance to various boating facilities for the installation and renovation of these stations, with grants of up to $20,000. It targets private and commercial marinas, gas/service docks, fish houses/seafood dealers, and other boat docking facilities in the 20 coastal counties of North Carolina, in alignment with the objectives of the federal Clean Vessel Act of 1992.