The state is requiring two companies with facilities near the Port of Wilmington to adopt additional control measures after investigating resident complaints about the impact of dust in their neighborhoods.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) issued a news release Monday stating Enviva Pellets and Basaga International must do a better job of controlling fugitive dust coming from their Wilmington locations. 

"State regulation requires a facility to prevent fugitive dust from extending beyond its property boundaries and causing or contributing to substantive complaints or excess fugitive dust emissions," according to the release. "DAQ requires a facility to develop and implement a fugitive dust control plan after the Division observes excess dust leaving a property’s boundary or substantiates two dust complaints within a 12-month period."

DAQ notified Enviva Pellets LLC – Wilmington Port, the name of the wood pellet manufacturer’s storage and shipping facility on Turtle Dove Court in Wilmington, of the requirements after DAQ identified that facility as the source of two substantiated fugitive dust complaints.

The plan must identify the sources of the dust at the facility and methods to control it, the release stated. The agency has to review and approve the plan before it's implemented.

“We are investigating the concerns raised and monitoring the situation daily," Enviva officials stated in an email Monday afternoon. "We will continue to work in partnership with local officials. Enviva remains committed to the health and safety of our people and local communities.”

Enviva has been in the midst of financial problems, declaring bankruptcy in March. 

Earlier this year, DAQ also required Basaga International, a wood-chipping facility on Woodbine Street in Wilmington, to develop a fugitive dust control plan after identifying it as the source of multiple dust complaints from nearby residences.

"DAQ expects to finalize the details of Basaga’s fugitive dust control plan in the coming days," according to the release. "DAQ may require updates or changes to a fugitive dust control plan after it is implemented if the control measures fail to adequately prevent off-site dust impacts."

Taner Basaga, owner and CEO of Basaga International, said he had no comment about the DAQ's announcement on Monday.

The release stated that those with concerns about dust from a facility can report a complaint to the Wilmington Regional Office by calling (910) 796-7215.

Editor's Note: This version of the story has been updated to include a statement from Enviva.