Article 21.
Water and Air Resources.
§ 143-211. Declaration of public policy.
(a) It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this State to provide for the conservation of its water and air resources. Furthermore, it is the intent of the General Assembly, within the context of this Article and Articles 21A and 21B of this Chapter, to achieve and to maintain for the citizens of the State a total environment of superior quality. Recognizing that the water and air resources of the State belong to the people, the General Assembly affirms the State's ultimate responsibility for the preservation and development of these resources in the best interest of all its citizens and declares the prudent utilization of these resources to be essential to the general welfare.
(b) It is the public policy of the State to maintain, protect, and enhance water quality within North Carolina. Further, it is the public policy of the State that the cumulative impact of transfers from a source river basin shall not result in a violation of the antidegradation policy set out in 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 131.12 (1 July 1997 Edition) and the statewide antidegradation policy adopted pursuant thereto.
(c) It is the purpose of this Article to create an agency which shall administer a program of water and air pollution control and water resource management. It is the intent of the General Assembly, through the duties and powers defined herein, to confer such authority upon the Department of Environmental Quality as shall be necessary to administer a complete program of water and air conservation, pollution abatement and control and to achieve a coordinated effort of pollution abatement and control with other jurisdictions. Standards of water and air purity shall be designed to protect human health, to prevent injury to plant and animal life, to prevent damage to public and private property, to insure the continued enjoyment of the natural attractions of the State, to encourage the expansion of employment opportunities, to provide a permanent foundation for healthy industrial development and to secure for the people of North Carolina, now and in the future, the beneficial uses of these great natural resources. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the powers and duties of the Environmental Management Commission and the Department of Environmental Quality be construed so as to enable the Department and the Commission to qualify to administer federally mandated programs of environmental management and to qualify to accept and administer funds from the federal government for such programs. (1951, c. 606; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1158, s. 2; 1989, c. 135, s. 1; c. 727, s. 218(102); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 1998-168, s. 1; 2006-259, ss. 31(b), 31(c); 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
§ 143-212. Definitions.
Unless a different meaning is required by the context, the following definitions apply to this Article and Articles 21A and 21B of this Chapter:
(1) "Area of the State" means a municipality, a county, a portion of a county or a municipality, or other substantial geographic area of the State designated by the Commission.
(2) "Commission" means the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.
(3) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Quality.
(4) "Person" includes individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, institutions, corporations, municipalities and other political subdivisions, and governmental agencies.
(5) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Environmental Quality.
(6) "Waters" means any stream, river, brook, swamp, lake, sound, tidal estuary, bay, creek, reservoir, waterway, or other body or accumulation of water, whether surface or underground, public or private, or natural or artificial, that is contained in, flows through, or borders upon any portion of this State, including any portion of the Atlantic Ocean over which the State has jurisdiction. (1987, c. 827, s. 152A; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(103); 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1004, s. 19(b); 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1028, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(u), (v).)
§ 143-213. Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms as used in this Article and Articles 21A and 21B of this Chapter are defined as follows:
(1) The term "administratively complete" means that all information required by statute, regulation, or application form has been submitted to the Department for the purpose of processing a permit application.
(1a) The term "air cleaning device" means any method, process or equipment which removes, reduces, or renders less noxious air contaminants discharged into the atmosphere.
(2) The term "air contaminant" means particulate matter, dust, fumes, gas, mist, smoke, or vapor or any combination thereof.
(3) The term "air contamination" means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants which contribute to a condition of air pollution.
(4) The term "air contamination source" means any source at, from, or by reason of which there is emitted into the atmosphere any air contaminant.
(5) The term "air pollution" shall mean the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants in such quantities and duration as is or tends to be injurious to human health or welfare, to animal or plant life or to property or that interferes with the enjoyment of life or property.
(5a) The terms "animal waste" and "animal waste management system" have the same meaning as in G.S. 143-215.10B.
(6) to (8) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 153.
(9) Whenever reference is made in this Article to "discharge" or the "discharge of waste," it shall be interpreted to include discharge, spillage, leakage, pumping, placement, emptying, or dumping into waters of the State, or into any unified sewer system or arrangement for sewage disposal, which system or arrangement in turn discharges the waste into the waters of the State. A reference to "discharge" or the "discharge of waste" shall not be interpreted to include "emission" as defined in subdivision (12) of this section.
(10) The term "disposal system" means a system for disposing of waste, and including sewer systems and treatment works.
(11) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 153.
(12) The term "emission" means a release into the outdoor atmosphere of air contaminants.
(12a) The term "farm digester system" means a system, including all animal waste management equipment and lagoon covers, by which gases are collected and processed from an animal waste management system for the digestion of animal biomass for use as a renewable energy resource. The collected gases shall be used as a renewable energy resource as quickly as feasible, but within six months of the collection of the gases, and during that period the gas shall be flared rather than vented. A farm digester system shall be considered an agricultural feedlot activity within the meaning of "animal operation" and shall also be considered a part of an "animal waste management system" as those terms are defined in G.S. 143-215.10B.
(12b) The term "lagoon cover" means a structure or material that covers a lagoon receiving animal waste as part of an animal waste management system. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "lagoon" includes a lagoon as defined in G.S. 106-802(1) or a storage pond.
(13) The term "outlet" means the terminus of a sewer system, or the point of emergence of any waste or the effluent therefrom, into the waters of the State.
(14) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 153.
(14a) The term "renewable animal biomass energy resource" means any renewable energy resource, as defined in G.S. 62-133.8(a)(8), that utilizes animal waste as a biomass resource, including a farm digester system.
(15) The term "sewer system" means pipelines or conduits, pumping stations, and force mains, and all other construction, devices, and appliances appurtenant thereto, used for conducting wastes to a point of ultimate disposal.
(16) The term "standard" or "standards" means such measure or measures of the quality of water and air as are established by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1 and G.S. 143-215.
(16a) "Stormwater" means the flow of water which results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or a snowmelt.
(17) The term "treatment works" means any plant, septic tank disposal field, lagoon, pumping station, constructed drainage ditch or surface water intercepting ditch, incinerator, area devoted to sanitary landfill, or other works not specifically mentioned herein, installed for the purpose of treating, equalizing, neutralizing, stabilizing or disposing of waste.
(18) "Waste" shall mean and include the following:
a. "Sewage," which shall mean water-carried human waste discharged, transmitted, and collected from residences, buildings, industrial establishments, or other places into a unified sewerage system or an arrangement for sewage disposal or a group of such sewerage arrangements or systems, together with such ground, surface, storm, or other water as may be present.
b. "Industrial waste" shall mean any liquid, solid, gaseous, or other waste substance or a combination thereof resulting from any process of industry, manufacture, trade or business, or from the development of any natural resource.
c. "Other waste" means sawdust, shavings, lime, refuse, offal, oil, tar chemicals, dissolved and suspended solids, sediment, and all other substances, except industrial waste, sewage, and toxic chemicals which may be discharged into or placed in such proximity to the water that drainage therefrom may reach the water.
d. "Toxic waste" means that waste, or combinations of wastes, including disease-causing agents, which after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any organism, either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction) or physical deformities, in such organisms or their offspring.
(19) The term "water pollution" means the man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological, or radiological integrity of the waters of the State, including, but specifically not limited to, alterations resulting from the concentration or increase of natural pollutants caused by man-related activities.
(20) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 153.
(21) The term "watershed" means a natural area of drainage, including all tributaries contributing to the supply of at least one major waterway within the State, the specific limits of each separate watershed to be designated by the Commission.
(22) The term "complex sources" means any facility which is or may be an air pollution source or which will induce or tend to induce development or activities which will or may be air pollution sources, and which shall include, but not be limited to, shopping centers; sports complexes; drive-in theaters; parking lots and garages; residential, commercial, industrial or institutional developments; amusement parks and recreation areas; highways; and any other facilities which will result in increased emissions from motor vehicles or stationary sources.
(23) The term "effluent standards or limitations" means any restrictions established pursuant to this Article on quantities, rates, characteristics and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological and other constituents of wastes which are discharged from any pretreatment facility or from any outlet or point source to the waters of the State.
(24) The term "point source" means any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including, but specifically not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, or concentrated animal-feeding operation from which wastes are or may be discharged to the waters of the State.
(25) The term "pretreatment facility" means any treatment works installed for the purpose of treating, equalizing, neutralizing or stabilizing waste from any source prior to discharge to any disposal system subject to effluent standards or limitations.
(26) The term "pretreatment standards" means effluent standards or limitations applicable to waste discharged from a pretreatment facility.
(27) The term "Clean Air Act" refers to the federal Clean Air Act, as amended, codified generally at 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.
(28) The term "nonattainment area" refers to an area which is shown to exceed any national ambient air quality standard for such pollutant.
(29) The term "prevention of significant deterioration" refers to the statutory and regulatory requirements arising from the Clean Air Act designed to prevent the significant deterioration of air quality in areas with air quality better than required by the national ambient air quality standards.
(29a) Reserved.
(29b) "Title II" means Title II of the 1990 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standards Act (Pub. L. 101-549, 104 Stat. 2471, 42 U.S.C. § 7521 et seq.).
(29c) "Title III" means Title III of the 1990 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act (Pub. L. 101-549, 104 Stat. 2531, 42 U.S.C. § 7412 et seq.).
(29d) "Title IV" means Title IV of the 1990 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act (Pub. L. 101-549, 104 Stat. 2584, 42 U.S.C. § 7651 et seq.).
(29e) "Title V" means Title V of the 1990 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act (Pub. L. 101-549, 104 Stat. 2635, 42 U.S.C. § 7661 et seq.).
(29f) through (29o) Reserved.
(29p) "Title V Account" means the Account established in G.S. 143-215.3A(b).
(30) The term "waste treatment management practice" means any method, measure or practice to control plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal and drainage from raw material storage which are associated with, or ancillary to the industrial manufacturing or treatment process of the class or category of point sources to which the management practice is applied. Waste treatment management practices may only be imposed, supplemental to effluent limitations, for a class or category of point sources, for any specific pollutant which has been designated as toxic or hazardous pursuant to sections 307(a)(1) or 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
(31) "Wood heater" means a fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, wood-fired hydronic heater, wood-burning forced-air furnace, or masonry wood heater or other similar appliance designed for heating a residence or business or for heating water for use by a residence through the combustion of wood or products substantially composed of wood. (1951, c. 606; 1957, c. 1275, s. 1; 1959, c. 779, s. 8; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1971, c. 1167, s. 4; 1973, c. 821, ss. 1-3; c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1979, c. 545, ss. 8-10; c. 633, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, ss. 153, 154; 1989, c. 135, s. 2; c. 447, s. 1; c. 742, s. 7; 1991, c. 287, s. 1; c. 403, s. 1; c. 552, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 889, ss. 1, 2; c. 1028, s. 2; c. 1039, s. 13; 1993, c. 400, ss. 1(a)-(c); 2012-187, s. 11; 2014-120, s. 51(a); 2015-286, s. 4.3(b); 2021-78, s. 11(a); 2023-63, s. 14; 2023-134, s. 12.11(b), (c).)
§ 143-214. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1262, s. 23.
§ 143-214.1. Water; water quality standards and classifications; duties of Commission.
(a) Development and Adoption of Classifications and Standards. - The Commission is hereby directed and empowered, as rapidly as possible within the limits of funds and facilities available to it, and subject to the procedural requirements of this Article:
(1) To develop and adopt, after proper study, a series of classifications and the standards applicable to each such classification, which will be appropriate for the purpose of classifying each of the waters of the State in such a way as to promote the policy and purposes of this Article most effectively;
(2) To survey all the waters of the State and to separately identify all such waters as the Commission believes ought to be classified separately in order to promote the policy and purposes of this Article, omitting only such waters, as in the opinion of the Commission, are insufficiently important to justify classification or control under this Article; and
(3) To assign to each identified water of the State such classification, from the series adopted as specified above, as the Commission deems proper in order to promote the policy and purposes of this Article most effectively.
(b) Criteria for Classification. - In developing and adopting classifications, and the standards applicable to each, the Commission shall recognize that a number of different classifications should be provided for (with different standards applicable to each) so as to give effect to the need for balancing conflicting considerations as to usage and other variable factors; that different classifications with different standards applicable thereto may frequently be appropriate for different segments of the same water; and that each classification and the standards applicable thereto should be adopted with primary reference to the best usage to be made of the waters to which such classification will be assigned.
(c) Criteria for Standards. - In establishing the standards applicable to each classification, the Commission shall consider and the standards when finally adopted and published shall state: the extent to which any physical, chemical, or biological properties should be prescribed as essential to the contemplated best usage.
(d) Criteria for Assignment of Classifications. - In assigning to each identified water the appropriate classifications (with its accompanying standards), the Commission shall consider, and the decision of the Commission when finally adopted and published shall contain its conclusions with respect to the following factors as related to such identified waters:
(1) The size, depth, surface area covered, volume, direction and rate of flow, stream gradient and temperature of the water;
(2) The character of the district bordering said water, including any peculiar suitability such district may have or any dominant economic interest or development which has become established in relation to or by reason of any particular use of such water;
(3) The uses and extent thereof which have been made, are being made, or may in the future be made, of such water for domestic consumption, bathing, fish or wildlife and their culture, industrial consumption, transportation, fire prevention, power generation, scientific or research uses, the disposal of sewage, industrial wastes and other wastes, or any other uses;
(4) In revising existing or adopting new water quality classifications or standards, the Commission shall consider the use and value of State waters for public water supply, propagation of fish and wildlife, recreation, agriculture, industrial and other purposes, use and value for navigation, and shall take into consideration, among other things, an estimate as prepared under section 305(b)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act amendments of 1972 of the environmental impact, the economic and social costs necessary to achieve the proposed standards, the economic and social benefits of such achievement and an estimate of the date of such achievement;
(5) With regard to the groundwaters, the factors to be considered shall include the natural quality of the water below land surface and the condition of occurrences, recharge, movement and discharge, the vulnerability to pollution from wastewaters and other substances, and the potential for improvement of the quality and quantity of the water.
(e) Chapter 150B of the General Statutes governs the adoption and publication of rules under this Article.
(f), (g) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 156.
§ 143-214.1A. Water quality certification requirements for certain projects.
(a) The following requirements shall govern applications for certification filed with the Department pursuant to section 401 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(1), for maintenance dredging projects partially funded by the Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund and projects involving the distribution or transmission of energy or fuel, including natural gas, diesel, petroleum, or electricity:
(1) Within 30 days of the filing of such application, a supplemental application, or a supplemental information on a pending application, the Department shall (i) determine whether or not the application is complete and notify the applicant accordingly and (ii), if the Department determines an application is incomplete, specify all such deficiencies in the notice to the applicant. The applicant may file an amended application or supplemental information to cure the deficiencies identified by the Department for the Department's review. An application may be deemed incomplete only if it does not provide sufficient information necessary for the Department to determine if the proposed discharges into navigable waters will comply with State water quality requirements. If the Department fails to issue a notice as to whether or not the application is complete within the requisite 30-day period, the application shall be deemed complete. As used in this section, State water quality requirements means water quality standards approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1313(c)(3) and in effect for purposes of the federal Clean Water Act.
(2) Within five days of the date the application is deemed complete, the Department shall issue a public notice soliciting comment on the application. The Department shall either approve or deny an application within (i) 60 days of the date the application is deemed complete if no public hearing is held or (ii) 90 days of the date the application is deemed complete if a public hearing is held. Failure of the Department to approve or deny the application within the requisite 60-day or 90-day period, as applicable, shall result in a waiver of the certification requirement by the State, unless the applicant agrees, in writing, to an extension of time, which shall not exceed one year from the State's receipt of the application for certification. The 60-day or 90-day period, as applicable, for the Department to approve or deny an application established by this subdivision shall constitute the "reasonable period of time" for State action on an application for purposes of 33 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(1), absent a negotiated agreement with the federal permitting or licensing authority to extend that time frame for a period not to exceed one year.
(3) The Department shall issue a certification upon determining that the proposed discharges into navigable waters will comply with State water quality requirements. The Department shall include as conditions in a certification any applicable effluent limitations or other limitations necessary to assure the proposed discharges into navigable waters will comply with State water quality requirements. The Department shall not impose any other conditions in a certification.
(4) The Department shall deny a certification application only if it determines that no reasonable conditions would provide assurance that the proposed discharges into navigable waters will comply with State water quality requirements. The denial shall include a statement explaining why the Department determined the proposed discharges into navigable waters will not comply with the State water quality requirements.
(5) The Department may grant, deny, or waive certification but shall not require an applicant to withdraw an application.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term "maintenance dredging project" means the repetitive removal of naturally recurring deposited bottom sediment such as sand, silt, and clays in an existing navigation channel. The navigation channel may be a previously permitted channel that was constructed or maintained under permits issued by the State or federal government. If the navigation channel in use is a natural channel or, if a human-made channel was constructed before permitting was necessary, there shall be evidence that the channel was continuously used for a specific purpose. "Maintenance dredging project" does not include activities that increase the original depth and width of a human-made or natural channel to allow a new or expanded use of the channel. (2023-137, s. 7(a).)
§ 143-214.2. Prohibited discharges.
(a) The discharge of any radiological, chemical or biological warfare agent or high-level radioactive waste to the waters of the State is prohibited.
(b) The discharge of any wastes to the subsurface or groundwaters of the State by means of wells is prohibited. This section shall not be construed to prohibit (i) the operation of closed-loop groundwater remediation systems in accordance with G.S. 143-215.1A or (ii) injection of hydraulic fracturing fluid for the exploration or development of natural gas resources.
(c) Unless permitted by a rule of the Commission, the discharge of wastes, including thermal discharges, to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean over which the State has jurisdiction are prohibited. (1973, c. 698, s. 2; c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 157; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 786, s. 2; 2012-143, s. 3(b).)
§ 143-214.2A. Prohibited disposal of medical waste.
(a) Violation. - It is unlawful for any person to engage in conduct which causes or results in the dumping, discharging, or disposal directly or indirectly, of any medical waste as defined in G.S. 130A-290 to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean over which the State has jurisdiction or to any waters of the State.
(b) Civil Penalty. -
(1) A civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) may be assessed by the Secretary against any person for a first violation of this section and an additional penalty of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) may be assessed for each day during which the violation continues. A civil penalty of not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) may be assessed by the Secretary for a second or further violation and an additional penalty of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) may be assessed for each day during which the violation continues.
(2) In determining the amount of the penalty the Secretary shall consider the factors set out in G.S. 143B-282.1(b). The procedures set out in G.S. 143B-282.1 shall apply to civil penalty assessments that are presented to the Commission for final agency decision.
(3) The Secretary shall notify any person assessed a civil penalty of the assessment and the specific reasons therefor by registered or certified mail, or by any means authorized by G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4. Contested case petitions shall be filed within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment.
(4) Requests for remission of civil penalties shall be filed with the Secretary. Remission requests shall not be considered unless made within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment. Remission requests must be accompanied by a waiver of the right to a contested case hearing pursuant to Chapter 150B and a stipulation of the facts on which the assessment was based. Consistent with the limitations in G.S. 143B-282.1(c) and (d), remission requests may be resolved by the Secretary and the violator. If the Secretary and the violator are unable to resolve the request, the Secretary shall deliver remission requests and his recommended action to the Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions of the Environmental Management Commission appointed pursuant to G.S. 143B-282.1(c).
(5) If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after notice of assessment has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment, unless the violator contests the assessment as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, or requests remission of the assessment in whole or in part as provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection. If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after the final agency decision or court order has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment.
(6) Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996).
(7) The clear proceeds of civil penalties assessed pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.
(c) Criminal Penalties. -
(1) A person who willfully violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(2) A person who willfully violates this section and in so doing releases medical waste that creates a substantial risk of physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the offense is guilty of a Class F felony which may include a fine not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per day of violation.
(d) Restoration. -
(1) Any person having control over medical waste discharged in violation of this section shall immediately undertake to collect, remove, and dispose of the medical waste discharged and to restore the area affected by the discharge as nearly as may be to the condition existing prior to the discharge. If it is not feasible to collect and remove the medical waste, the person responsible shall take all practicable actions and measures to otherwise contain, treat, and disperse the medical waste; but no chemical or other dispersants or treatment materials shall be used for such purposes unless they shall have been previously approved by the Department.
(2) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision (1), the Department is authorized and empowered to utilize any staff, equipment and materials under its control or supplied by other cooperating State or local agencies, and to contract with any agent or contractor that it deems appropriate to take such actions as are necessary, to collect, investigate, perform surveillance over, remove, contain, treat or disperse or dispose of medical waste discharged into the waters of the State in violation of this section, and to perform any necessary restoration. The Secretary shall keep a record of all expenses incurred in carrying out any project or activity authorized under this section, including actual expenses incurred for services performed by the State's personnel and for use of the State's equipment and material.
(3) Every person owning or having control over medical waste discharged in violation of, or in circumstances likely to constitute a violation of this section, upon discovery that the discharge of medical waste has occurred, shall immediately notify the Department, or any of its agents or employees, of the nature, location and time of the discharge and of the measures which are being taken or are proposed to be taken to contain, remove, treat and dispose of the medical waste. The agent or employee of the department receiving the notification shall immediately notify the Secretary or such member of the permanent staff of the Department as the Secretary may designate.
(4) Any person who discharges medical waste in violation of this section or violates any order or rule of the Commission regarding the prohibitions concerning medical waste, or fails to perform any duty imposed regarding medical waste, and in the course thereof causes the death of, or injury to fish, animals, vegetation or other resources of the State, or otherwise causes a reduction in the quality of the waters of the State below the standards set by the Commission, or causes the incurring of costs by the State for the containment, removal, treatment, or dispersal, or disposal of such medical waste, shall be liable to pay the State damages. Such damages shall be an amount equal to the cost of all reasonable and necessary investigations made or caused to be made by the State in connection with such violation and the sum of money necessary to restock such waters, replenish such resources, contain, remove, treat, or disperse, or dispose of such medical waste, or otherwise restore such waters and adjacent lands prior to the injury as such condition is determined by the Commission in conference with the Wildlife Resources Commission, the Marine Fisheries Commission, and any other State agencies having an interest affected by such violation (or by the designees of any such boards, commissions, and agencies).
(5) Upon receipt of the estimate of damages caused, the Department shall give written notice by registered or certified mail to the person responsible for the death, killing, or injury to fish, animals, vegetation, or other resources of the State, or any reduction in quality of the waters of the State, or the costs of the removal, treatment or disposal of such discharge, describing the damages and their causes with reasonable specificity, and shall request payment from such person. Damages shall become due and payable upon receipt of such notice. The Environmental Management Commission, if collection or other settlement of the damages is not obtained within a reasonable time, shall bring a civil action to recover such damages in the superior court in the county in which the discharge of waste or the damages to resources occurred, or in Wake County if the discharge or resource damage occurs in the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The assessment of damages is not a contested case under G.S. 150B-23.
(6) "Person having control over medical waste" shall mean, but shall not be limited to, any person using, storing, or transporting medical waste immediately prior to a discharge of such waste into the waters of the State, and specifically shall include carriers and bailees of such medical waste. (1989, c. 742, s. 8; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1036, s. 9; 1993, c. 539, ss. 1016, 1312; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 743, s. 12; 1998-215, s. 60.)
§ 143-214.2B. Storage of waste on vessels.
The operator of a vessel in the State's waters shall take precautions to ensure that certain items do not enter and contaminate the waters. The operator shall store fuel, oil, paint, varnish, solvent, pesticide, insecticide, fungicide, algicide, or any other hazardous liquid in one or more closed containers that are adequate to prevent the release of the items into the waters of the State. (1993, c. 466, s. 5.)
§ 143-214.3. Revision to water quality standard.
(a) Any person subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.1 may petition the Commission for a hearing pursuant to G.S. 143-215.4 for a revision to water quality standards adopted pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1 as such water quality standards may apply to a specific stream segment into which the petitioner discharges or proposes to discharge.
(b) Upon a finding by the Commission that:
(1) Natural background conditions in the stream segment preclude the attainment of the applicable water quality standards; or
(2) Irretrievable and uncontrollable man-induced conditions preclude the attainment of the applicable water quality standards; or
(3) Application of effluent limitations for existing sources established or proposed pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1 more restrictive than those effluent standards and limitations determined or promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 301 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in order to achieve and maintain applicable water quality standards would result in adverse social and economic impact, disproportionate to the benefits to the public health, safety or welfare as a result of maintaining the standards; and
(4) There exists no reasonable relationship between the cost to the petitioner of achieving the effluent limitations necessary to comply with applicable water quality standards to the benefits, including the incremental benefits to the receiving waters, to be obtained from the application of the said effluent limitations;
Then the Commission shall revise the standard or standards, as such standard may apply to the petitioner, provided that such revised standards shall be no less stringent than that which can be achieved by the application of the highest level of treatment which will result in benefits, including the incremental benefits to the receiving waters, having a reasonable relationship to the cost to the petitioner to apply such treatment, as determined by the evidence; provided, however, in no event shall these standards be less stringent than the level attainable with the application by the petitioner of those effluent standards and limitations determined or promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 301 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; provided, further, that no revision shall be granted which would endanger human health or safety. (1979, c. 929; 1987, c. 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-214.4. Certain cleaning agents containing phosphorus prohibited.
(a) No person may manufacture, store, sell, use, or distribute for sale or use any cleaning agent containing phosphorus in the State, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(b) As used in this section, "cleaning agent" means a laundry detergent, dishwashing compound, household cleaner, metal cleaner or polish, industrial cleaner, or other substance that is used or intended for use for cleaning purposes.
(c) This section shall not apply to cleaning agents which are used:
(1) In agricultural or dairy production;
(2) To clean commercial food or beverage processing equipment or containers;
(3) As industrial sanitizers, metal brighteners, or acid cleaners, including those containing phosphoric acid or trisodium phosphate;
(4) In industrial processes for metal, fabric or fiber cleaning and conditioning;
(5) In hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, other health care facilities, or veterinary hospitals or clinics;
(6) By a commercial laundry or textile rental service company or any other commercial entity: (i) to provide laundry service to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, other health care facilities, or veterinary hospitals or clinics; (ii) to clean textile products supplied to industrial or commercial users of the products on a rental basis; or (iii) to clean professional, industrial or commercial work uniforms;
(7) In the manufacture of health care or veterinary supplies;
(8) In any medical, biological, chemical, engineering or other such laboratory, including those associated with any academic or research facility;
(9) As water softeners, antiscale agents, or corrosion inhibitors, where such use is in a closed system such as a boiler, air conditioner, cooling tower, or hot water heating system;
(10) To clean hard surfaces including windows, sinks, counters, floors, ovens, food preparation surfaces, and plumbing fixtures.
(d) This section shall not apply to cleaning agents which:
(1) Contain phosphorus in an amount not exceeding five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) by weight which is incidental to manufacturing;
(2) Contain phosphorus in an amount not exceeding eight and seven-tenths percent (8.7%) by weight and which are intended for use in a commercial or household dishwashing machine;
(3) Are manufactured, stored, sold, or distributed for use solely outside the State.
(e) The Commission may permit the use of a cleaning agent which contains phosphorus in an amount exceeding five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) but not exceeding eight and seven-tenths percent (8.7%) by weight upon a finding that there is no adequate substitute for such cleaning agent, or that compliance with this section would otherwise be unreasonable or create a significant hardship on the user. The Commission shall adopt rules to administer this subsection.
(f) Any person who manufactures, sells or distributes any cleaning agent in violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable only by a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).
(g) Any person who uses any cleaning agent in violation of the provisions of this section shall be responsible for an infraction for which the sanction is a penalty of not more than ten dollars ($10.00). Notwithstanding G.S. 14-3.1(a), the clear proceeds of infractions pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2. (1987, c. 111, s. 1; c. 817; c. 827, s. 154; 1993, c. 539, s. 1017; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1998-215, s. 61; 2006-203, s. 88.)
§ 143-214.5. Water supply watershed protection.
(a) Policy Statement. - This section provides for a cooperative program of water supply watershed management and protection to be administered by local governments consistent with minimum statewide management requirements established by the Commission. If a local government fails to adopt a water supply watershed protection program or does not adequately carry out its responsibility to enforce the minimum water supply watershed management requirements of its approved program, the Commission shall administer and enforce the minimum statewide requirements. The reduction of agricultural nonpoint source discharges shall be accomplished primarily through the Agriculture Cost Share Program for Nonpoint Source Pollution Control.
(b) Development and Adoption of Water Supply Watershed Classifications and Management Requirements. - The Commission shall adopt rules for the classification of water supply watersheds and that establish minimum statewide water supply watershed protection requirements applicable to each classification to protect surface water supplies by (i) controlling development density, (ii) providing for performance-based alternatives to development density controls that are based on sound engineering principles, or (iii) a combination of both (i) and (ii). The Commission may designate water supply watersheds or portions thereof as critical water supply watersheds and impose management requirements that are more stringent than the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements. The Commission may adopt rules that require that any permit issued by a local government for a development or construction activity conducted by that local government within a designated water supply watershed be approved by the Department prior to issuance. Any variance from the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements must be approved by the Commission prior to the issuance of a permit by a local government. Except as provided by G.S. 160D-913, the power to implement this section with respect to development or construction activities that are conducted by State agencies is vested exclusively in the Commission.
(c) Classification of Water Supply Watersheds. - The Commission shall assign to each water supply watershed in the State the appropriate classification with the applicable minimum management requirements. The Commission may reclassify water supply watersheds as necessary to protect future water supplies or improve protection at existing water supplies. A local government shall not be required to submit a revised water supply watershed protection program to the Commission earlier than 270 days after it receives notice of a reclassification from the Commission.
(d) Mandatory Local Programs. - The Department shall assist local governments to develop water supply watershed protection programs that comply with this section. Local government compliance programs shall include an implementing local ordinance and shall provide for maintenance, inspection, and enforcement procedures. As part of its assistance to local governments, the Commission shall approve and make available a model local water supply watershed management and protection ordinance. The model management and protection ordinance adopted by the Commission shall, at a minimum, include as options (i) controlling development density, (ii) providing for performance-based alternatives to development density controls that are based on sound engineering principles, and (iii) a combination of both (i) and (ii). Local governments shall administer and enforce the minimum management requirements. Every local government that has within its jurisdiction all or a portion of a water supply watershed shall submit a local water supply watershed management and protection ordinance to the Commission for approval. Local governments may adopt such ordinances pursuant to their general police power, power to regulate the subdivision of land, zoning power, or any combination of such powers. In adopting a local ordinance that imposes water supply watershed management requirements that are more stringent than those adopted by the Commission, a local government must comply with Article 6 of Chapter 160D of the General Statutes. This section shall not be construed to affect the validity of any local ordinance adopted for the protection of water supply watersheds prior to completion of the review of the ordinance by the Commission or prior to the assumption by the Commission of responsibility for a local water supply watershed protection program. Local governments may create or designate agencies to administer and enforce such programs. The Commission shall approve a local program only if it determines that the requirements of the program equal or exceed the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements adopted pursuant to this section.
(d1) A local ordinance adopted to implement the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements applicable to agriculture and silviculture activities shall be no more restrictive than those adopted by the Commission. In adopting minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements applicable to agriculture activities, the Commission shall consider the policy regarding agricultural nonpoint source discharges set out in subsection (a) of this section. The Commission may by rule designate another State agency to administer the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements applicable to agriculture and silviculture activities. If the Commission designates another State agency to administer the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements applicable to agriculture and silviculture activities, management requirements adopted by local governments shall not apply to such activities.
(d2) A local government implementing a water supply watershed program shall allow an applicant to average development density on up to two noncontiguous properties for purposes of achieving compliance with the water supply watershed development standards if all of the following circumstances exist:
(1) The properties are within the same water supply watershed. If one of the properties is located in the critical area of the watershed, the critical area property shall not be developed beyond the applicable density requirements for its classification.
(2) Overall project density meets applicable density or stormwater control requirements under 15A NCAC 2B .0200.
(3) Vegetated buffers on both properties meet the minimum statewide water supply watershed protection requirements.
(4) Built upon areas are designed and located to minimize stormwater runoff impact to the receiving waters, minimize concentrated stormwater flow, maximize the use of sheet flow through vegetated areas, and maximize the flow length through vegetated areas.
(5) Areas of concentrated density development are located in upland areas and, to the maximum extent practicable, away from surface waters and drainageways.
(6) The property or portions of the properties that are not being developed will remain in a vegetated or natural state and will be managed by a homeowners' association as common area, conveyed to a local government as a park or greenway, or placed under a permanent conservation or farmland preservation easement unless it can be demonstrated that the local government can ensure long-term compliance through deed restrictions and an electronic permitting mechanism. A metes and bounds description of the areas to remain vegetated and limits on use shall be recorded on the subdivision plat, in homeowners' covenants, and on individual deed and shall be irrevocable.
(7) Development permitted under density averaging and meeting applicable low density requirements shall transport stormwater runoff by vegetated conveyances to the maximum extent practicable.
(8) A special use permit or other such permit or certificate shall be obtained from the local Watershed Review Board or Board of Adjustment to ensure that both properties considered together meet the standards of the watershed ordinance and that potential owners have record of how the watershed regulations were applied to the properties.
(d3) A local government implementing a water supply watershed program shall allow an applicant to exceed the allowable density under the applicable water supply watershed rules if all of the following circumstances apply:
(1) The property was developed prior to the effective date of the local water supply watershed program.
(2) The property has not been combined with additional lots after January 1, 2021.
(3) The property has not been a participant in a density averaging transaction under subsection (d2) of this section.
(4) The current use of the property is nonresidential.
(5) At the election of the property owner, the stormwater from any net increase in built-upon area on the property above the preexisting development is treated in accordance with all applicable local government, State, and federal laws and regulations.
(6) The remaining vegetated buffers on the property are preserved in accordance with the local water supply watershed protection program requirements.
(e) Assumption of Local Programs. - The Commission shall assume responsibility for water supply watershed protection, within all or the affected portion of a water supply watershed, if a local government fails to adopt a program that meets the requirements of this section or whenever a local government fails to adequately administer and enforce the provisions of its program. The Commission shall not assume responsibility for an approved local water supply watershed protection program until it or its designee notifies the local government in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, of local program deficiencies, recommendations for changes and improvements in the local program, and the deadline for compliance. The Commission shall allow a local government a minimum of 120 days to bring its program into compliance. The Commission shall order assumption of an approved local program if it finds that the local government has made no substantial progress toward compliance. The Commission may make such finding at any time between 120 days and 365 days after receipt of notice under this subsection by the local government, with no further notice. Proceedings to review such orders by the Commission shall be conducted by the superior court pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes based on the agency record submitted to the Commission by the Secretary.
(f) State Enforcement Authority. - The Commission may take any appropriate preventive or remedial enforcement action authorized by this Part against any person who violates any minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirement.
(g) Civil Penalties. - A local government that fails to adopt a local water supply watershed protection program as required by this section or willfully fails to administer or enforce the provisions of its program in substantial compliance with the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements shall be subject to a civil penalty pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A(e). In any area of the State that is not covered by an approved local water supply watershed protection program, any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with any minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirement or more stringent management requirement adopted by the Commission for a critical water supply watershed established pursuant to this section shall be subject to a civil penalty as specified in G.S. 143-215.6A(a)(7).
The clear proceeds of civil penalties provided for in this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.
(h) Planning Grants to Local Governments. - The Secretary may make annual grants to local governments for the purpose of assisting in the development of local water supply watershed protection programs. The Secretary shall develop and administer generally applicable criteria under which local governments may qualify for such assistance. Such criteria shall give priority to local governments that are not then administering zoning ordinances in affected water supply watershed areas.
(i) Every State agency shall act in a manner consistent with the policies and purposes of this section, and shall comply with the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements adopted by the Commission and with all water supply watershed management and protection ordinances adopted by local governments. (1989, c. 426, s. 1; 1991, c. 342, s. 9; c. 471, s. 2; c. 579, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 890, s. 14; 1998-215, s. 62; 2012-200, s. 7; 2019-111, s. 2.5(k); 2020-3, s. 4.33(a); 2020-25, s. 51(a), (b), (d); 2021-164, s. 1(a); 2022-62, s. 35; 2023-137, s. 1.)
§ 143-214.6: Repealed by Session Laws 2004-195, s. 3.1, effective August 17, 2004.
§ 143-214.7. Stormwater runoff rules and programs.
(a) Policy, Purpose and Intent. - The Commission shall undertake a continuing planning process to develop and adopt a statewide plan with regard to establishing and enforcing stormwater rules for the purpose of protecting the surface waters of the State. It is the purpose and intent of this section that, in developing stormwater runoff rules and programs, the Commission may utilize stormwater rules established by the Commission to protect classified shellfish waters, water supply watersheds, and outstanding resource waters; and to control stormwater runoff disposal in coastal counties and other nonpoint sources. Further, it is the intent of this section that the Commission phase in the stormwater rules on a priority basis for all sources of pollution to the water. The plan shall be applied evenhandedly throughout the State to address the State's water quality needs. The Commission shall continually monitor water quality in the State and shall revise stormwater runoff rules as necessary to protect water quality. As necessary, the stormwater rules shall be modified to comply with federal regulations.
(a1) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) Development. - Any land-disturbing activity that increases the amount of built-upon area or that otherwise decreases the infiltration of precipitation into the subsoil. When additional development occurs at a site that has existing development, the built-upon area of the existing development shall not be included in the density calculations for additional stormwater control requirements, and stormwater control requirements cannot be applied retroactively to existing development, unless otherwise required by federal law.
(2) Redevelopment. - Any land-disturbing activity that does not result in a net increase in built-upon area and that provides greater or equal stormwater control to that of the previous development.
(b) The Commission shall implement stormwater runoff rules and programs for point and nonpoint sources on a phased-in statewide basis. The Commission shall consider standards and best management practices for the protection of the State's water resources in the following order of priority:
(1) Classified shellfish waters.
(2) Water supply watersheds.
(3) Outstanding resource waters.
(4) High quality waters.
(5) All other waters of the State to the extent that the Commission finds control of stormwater is needed to meet the purposes of this Article.
(b1) The Commission shall develop model practices for incorporation of stormwater capture and reuse into stormwater management programs and shall make information on those model practices available to State agencies and local governments.
(b2) For purposes of implementing stormwater programs, "built-upon area" means impervious surface and partially impervious surface to the extent that the partially impervious surface does not allow water to infiltrate through the surface and into the subsoil. "Built-upon area" does not include a slatted deck; the water area of a swimming pool; a surface of number 57 stone, as designated by the American Society for Testing and Materials, laid at least four inches thick over a geotextile fabric; a trail as defined in G.S. 113A-85 that is either unpaved or paved as long as the pavement is porous with a hydraulic conductivity greater than 0.001 centimeters per second (1.41 inches per hour); or landscaping material, including, but not limited to, gravel, mulch, sand, and vegetation, placed on areas that receive pedestrian or bicycle traffic or on portions of driveways and parking areas that will not be compacted by the weight of a vehicle, such as the area between sections of pavement that support the weight of a vehicle. The owner or developer of a property may opt out of any of the exemptions from "built-upon area" set out in this subsection. For State stormwater programs and local stormwater programs approved pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, all of the following shall apply:
(1) The volume, velocity, and discharge rates of water associated with the one-year, 24-hour storm and the difference in stormwater runoff from the predevelopment and postdevelopment conditions for the one-year, 24-hour storm shall be calculated using any acceptable engineering hydrologic and hydraulic methods.
(2) Development may occur within the area that would otherwise be required to be placed within a vegetative buffer required by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1 and this section provided the stormwater runoff from the entire impervious area of the development is collected, treated, and discharged so that it passes through a segment of the vegetative buffer and is managed so that it otherwise complies with all applicable State and federal stormwater management requirements. For the purpose of this subdivision, the entire impervious area of the development shall not include any portion of a project that is within a North Carolina Department of Transportation or municipal right-of-way.
(3) The requirements that apply to development activities within one-half mile of and draining to Class SA waters or within one-half mile of Class SA waters and draining to unnamed freshwater tributaries shall not apply to development activities and associated stormwater discharges that do not occur within one-half mile of and draining to Class SA waters or are not within one-half mile of Class SA waters and draining to unnamed freshwater tributaries.
(b3) Stormwater runoff rules and programs shall not require private property owners to install new or increased stormwater controls for (i) preexisting development or (ii) redevelopment activities that do not remove or decrease existing stormwater controls. When a preexisting development is redeveloped, either in whole or in part, increased stormwater controls shall only be required for the amount of impervious surface being created that exceeds the amount of impervious surface that existed before the redevelopment, irrespective of whether the impervious surface that existed before the redevelopment is to be demolished or relocated during the development activity. A property owner may elect to treat the stormwater resulting from the net increase in built-upon area above the preexisting development for the purpose of exceeding allowable density under the applicable water supply watershed rules as provided in G.S. 143-214.5(d3). This subsection applies to all local governments regardless of the source of their regulatory authority. Local governments shall include the requirements of this subsection in their stormwater ordinances.
(b4) New stormwater permits and stormwater permits that are reissued due to transfer, modification, or renewal shall require the permittee to submit an annual certification on the project's conformance with permit conditions. The annual certification shall be completed by the permit holder or their designee. The Department shall not require the annual certification to be completed by another party besides the permit holder or their designee. The Department shall provide an electronic means of submittal for the permit holder or their designee to satisfy the annual certification requirement. The addition of annual certification requirements to an existing permit or certification shall not be considered to be a new or increased stormwater control.
(b5) An applicant for a new stormwater permit, or the reissuance of a permit due to transfer, modification, or renewal, shall have the option to submit a permit application for processing to a unit of local government with permitting authority in whose jurisdiction the project to be permitted is located, or, where a unit of local government with permitting authority in whose jurisdiction the project to be permitted is located has established a joint program with one or more units of local government pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, other local governments in the joint program.
(b6) (Effective July 1, 2024) Permitting under the authority granted to the Commission by this section shall comply with the procedures and time lines set forth in this subsection. For any development necessitating stormwater measures subject to this section, applications for new permits, permit modifications, permit transfers, permit renewals, and decisions to deny an application for a new permit, permit modification, transfer, or renewal shall be in writing. Where the Commission has provided a digital submission option, such submission shall constitute a written submission. The Commission shall act on a permit application as quickly as possible. The Commission may conduct any inquiry or investigation it considers necessary before acting on an application and may require an applicant to submit plans, specifications, and other information the Commission considers necessary to evaluate the application. If the Commission fails to act on an application for a permit or for a renewal of a permit as specified in this subsection after the applicant submits all information required by the Commission, the application shall be deemed approved without modification. [The following provisions apply:]
(1) The Commission shall perform an administrative review of a new application and of a resubmittal of an application determined to be incomplete under subdivision (3) of this subsection within 10 working days of receipt to determine if the information is administratively complete. If complete, the Commission shall issue a receipt letter or electronic response stating that the application is complete and that a 70-calendar day technical review period has started as of the original date the application was received. If required items or information is not included, the application shall be deemed incomplete, and the Commission shall issue an application receipt letter or electronic response identifying the information required to complete the application package before the technical review begins. When the required information is received, the Commission shall then issue a receipt letter or electronic response specifying that it is complete and that the 70-calendar day review period has started as of the date of receipt of all required information. The Commission shall develop an application package checklist identifying the items and information required for an application to be considered administratively complete.
(2) If, during the 70-calendar day technical review period, the Commission determines that the application meets the standards for issuance of a stormwater permit, it shall issue the permit.
(3) If, during the 70-calendar day technical review period, the Commission determines that additional information is required to continue processing the application, the Commission and the applicant shall comply with the following:
a. The Commission shall issue a letter or electronic response with a list of the additional information required to issue the permit.
b. The applicant shall have 30 calendar days from the date the letter or electronic response is sent to submit the additional information to the Commission.
c. If the applicant fails to provide the required information within 30 calendar days, the Commission shall return the application to the applicant, the application is deemed denied, and the applicant must resubmit a complete application with a new application fee before the project may be reviewed.
d. Upon receipt of the required information from the applicant, the Commission shall have 30 calendar days to complete the technical review and issue the permit, issue the permit with modifications, deny the permit, or issue a letter or electronic response with a list of additional information required to continue processing the application, and the review process will proceed in accordance with sub-subdivision b. of this subdivision.
e. After issuing a letter or electronic response requesting additional information under this subdivision, the Commission shall not subsequently request additional information that was not previously identified as missing or required in that additional information letter or electronic response. The Commission may request additional information if required for the technical review based on any new information, changed circumstances, or changed designs provided by the applicant in the response under sub-subdivision b. of this subdivision. Where the Commission identifies information that should have been requested, the Commission may include conditions in or modifications to the permit upon issuance addressing this information but shall not deny the permit because of the missing information. This prohibition on permit denial shall not apply where an application was deemed denied under sub-subdivision c. of this subdivision.
(b7) (Effective July 1, 2024) All permits issued pursuant to this section for which an expiration date is specified shall be issued for a term not to exceed eight years.
(c) The Commission shall develop model stormwater management programs that may be implemented by State agencies and units of local government. Model stormwater management programs shall be developed to protect existing water uses and assure compliance with water quality standards and classifications. A State agency or unit of local government may submit to the Commission for its approval a stormwater control program or a stormwater permitting program for implementation within its jurisdiction. To this end, State agencies may adopt rules, and units of local government are authorized to adopt ordinances and regulations necessary to establish and enforce stormwater control programs and stormwater permitting programs. Units of local government are authorized to create or designate agencies or subdivisions to administer and enforce the programs. Two or more units of local government are authorized to establish a joint program or a joint stormwater permitting program and to enter into any agreements that are necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the program.
(c1) Any land-use restriction providing for the maintenance of stormwater best management practices or site consistency with approved stormwater project plans filed pursuant to a rule of the Commission, local ordinance, or permit approved by the Commission shall be enforced by any owner of the land on which the best management practice or project is located, any adjacent property owners, any downstream property owners who would be injured by failure to enforce the land-use restriction, any local government having jurisdiction over any part of the land on which the best management practice or project is located, or the Department through the remedies provided by any provision of law that is implemented or enforced by the Department or by means of a civil action, without first having exhausted any available administrative remedies. A land-use restriction providing for the maintenance of stormwater best management practices or site consistency with approved stormwater project plans filed pursuant to a rule of the Commission, local ordinance, or permit approved by the Commission shall not be declared unenforceable due to lack of privity of estate or contract, due to lack of benefit to particular land, or due to lack of any property interest in particular land. Any person who owns or leases a property subject to a land-use restriction under this section shall abide by the land-use restriction.
(c2) The Department shall transfer a permit issued under this section for a stormwater management system from the declarant of a condominium or a planned community to the unit owners association, owners association, or other management entity identified in the condominium or planned community's declaration upon request of a permittee if the Department finds that (i) common areas related to the operation and maintenance of the stormwater management system have been conveyed to the unit owners association or owners association in accordance with the declaration; (ii) the declarant has conveyed at least fifty percent (50%) of the units or lots to owners other than a declarant; and (iii) the stormwater management system is in substantial compliance with the stormwater permit issued to the permittee by the Department. In support of a request made pursuant to this subsection, a permittee shall submit documentation to the Department sufficient to demonstrate that ownership of the common area related to the operation and maintenance of the stormwater management system has been conveyed from the declarant to the association and that the declarant has conveyed at least fifty percent (50%) of the units or lots to owners other than a declarant. For purposes of this subsection, declarant of a condominium shall have the same meaning as provided in Chapter 47C of the General Statutes, and declarant of a planned community shall have the same meaning as provided in Chapter 47F of the General Statutes.
(c3) In accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration August 28, 2007, Advisory Circular No. 150/5200-33B (Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or Near Airports), neither the Department nor any local government shall require the use of stormwater retention ponds, stormwater detention ponds, or any other stormwater control measure that promotes standing water in order to comply with this section, or in order to comply with any local ordinance adopted under G.S. 143-214.5, at public airports that support commercial air carriers or general aviation services. Development projects located within five statute miles from the farthest edge of an airport air operations area, as that term is defined in 14 C.F.R. § 153.3 (July 2011 Edition), shall not be required to use stormwater retention ponds, stormwater detention ponds, or any other stormwater control measure that promotes standing water in order to comply with this section or with any local ordinance. Existing stormwater retention ponds, stormwater detention ponds, or any other stormwater control measure that promotes standing water in order to comply with this section, or with any local ordinance, and that is located at a public airport or that is within five statute miles from the farthest edge of an airport operations area may be replaced with alternative measures included in the Division of Water Resources' Best Management Practice Manual chapter on airports. In order to be approved by the Department, alternative measures or management designs that are not expressly included in the Division of Water Resources' Best Management Practice Manual shall provide for equal or better stormwater control based on the pre- and post-development hydrograph. Any replacement of existing stormwater retention ponds, stormwater detention ponds, or any other stormwater control measure that promotes standing water shall be considered a minor modification to the State general stormwater permit, and a variance to allow any replacement shall be considered a minor variance under any local government ordinance adopted under G.S. 143-214.5.
(c4) The Department and local governments shall deem runways, taxiways, and any other areas that provide for overland stormwater flow that promote infiltration and treatment of stormwater into grassed buffers, shoulders, and grass swales permitted pursuant to the State post-construction stormwater requirements and to be in compliance with any local government water supply watershed management protection ordinance adopted under G.S. 143-214.5.
(c5) The Department may transfer a permit issued pursuant to this section without the consent of the permit holder or of a successor-owner of the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur as provided in this subsection:
(1) The Department may require the submittal of an application for a permit transfer when all of the following conditions are met:
a. The permit holder is one of the following:
1. A natural person who is deceased.
2. A partnership, limited liability corporation, corporation, or any other business association that has been dissolved, has completed the winding up of the business as required by law or equity, and does not have a successor-in-interest to the permit.
3. A person or entity who has been lawfully and finally divested of title to the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur through foreclosure, bankruptcy, or other legal proceeding.
4. A person or entity who has sold the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur.
b. The successor-owner is one of the following:
1. A person or entity holding title to the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur.
2. The claimant of the right to engage in the permitted activity.
3. An association, as defined in G.S. 47C-1-103 or G.S. 47F-1-103.
4. Any other natural person, group of persons, or entity deemed appropriate by the Department to operate and maintain the permit.
c. There will be no substantial change in the permitted activity.
(1a) The permit transfer application shall be submitted jointly by the permit holder and the successor-owner except that the successor-owner may solely submit the application in any of the following circumstances:
a. The permit holder is a natural person who is deceased or is a business association that is described by sub-sub-subdivision (1)a.2. of this subsection.
b. The successor-owner requests that the Department accept the application without the signature of the permit holder.
(1b) When the permit transfer conditions set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection are met on or after July 1, 2021, the Department shall require that a permit transfer application be submitted within 90 days.
(1c) When the permit transfer conditions set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection were met prior to July 1, 2021, the Department may request a permit transfer application at any time after determining that the permit transfer conditions have been met and may require this application be submitted within 180 days of the request. Where a permit holder can demonstrate to the Department that the activity on the property was in substantial compliance with its permit in the period either 12 months immediately before or after the conditions of subdivision (1) of this subsection were met, then the requirements included in subdivision (1d) of this subsection shall be the sole responsibility of the successor-owner.
(1d) If the activity on the property does not conform to the approved plans and permit conditions, then the permit transfer application shall include one of the following:
a. A written schedule of actions to bring permitted activities into compliance with the approved plans and permit conditions within one calendar year.
b. If there has been or will be a modification to the permitted activity, an application for a permit modification. For low density permits, the permit modification application may include a request for an updated built-upon area limit pursuant to subsection (c6) of this section.
(1e) If the permit holder is a person or entity described in sub-sub-subdivision (1)a.4. of this section, or if the permit holder is the declarant of a condominium or a planned community and the successor-owner is an association as described in sub-sub-subdivision (1)b.3. of this section, the permit holder shall be responsible for satisfying the requirements of subdivision (1d) of this section and for bringing the property into substantial compliance with the approved plans and permit conditions before the permit is transferred.
(2), (3) Repealed by Session Laws 2021-158, s. 4(a), effective September 16, 2021.
(4) Notwithstanding changes to law made after the original issuance of the permit, the Department shall not impose new or different design standards on the project without the prior express consent of the successor-owner.
(c6) With respect to low density permits issued prior to January 1, 2017, that have exceeded a permitted built-upon area limit, the permittee may submit an application for a permit modification that limits built-upon area to the current level. If this request is granted, then the Department shall reissue the permit with an updated built-upon area limit as follows:
(1) If the built-upon area for the project is less than or equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the maximum allowable built-upon area for the low density permits, the Department shall issue an updated permit based on the current amount of built-upon area. The permittee shall include compliance with the updated built-upon area limit in the annual certification required by subsection (b4) of this section.
(2) If the built-upon area exceeds one hundred ten percent (110%) of the maximum allowable built-upon area for low density permits at the time of permit issuance, then the Department shall require the permittee to mitigate the impacts of the excess built-upon area to the greatest extent practicable by the addition of one or more stormwater control measures on the property before issuing an updated permit.
(c7) The Department shall not require an applicant for a new permit to take any action with respect to an unaffiliated adjacent property and shall not condition issuance of a new permit on action to be taken by an existing permit holder with respect to the permitting of an unaffiliated adjacent property. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Applicant" means the person applying for a new permit to be issued pursuant to this section and, if the applicant is a business entity, applicant also includes (i) the parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the applicant, (ii) a partner, officer, director, member, or manager of the business entity, parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the applicant, and (iii) any person with a direct or indirect interest in the applicant, other than a minority shareholder of a publicly traded corporation who has no involvement in management or control of the corporation or any of its parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates.
(2) "Unaffiliated adjacent property" means a property (i) for which the applicant does not have, and has not had, an ownership interest and (ii) that is not subject to a permit issued pursuant to this section that also governs the property for which the new permit is sought.
(3) As used in this section, the words "affiliate," "parent," and "subsidiary" have the same meaning as in 17 Code of Federal Regulations § 240.12b-2.
(c8) The Department shall rescind a permit issued under this section without the consent of the permit holder where the permitted development has not been initiated within five years after the date of permit issuance. No less than 90 days prior to rescission, the Department shall notify the permit holder of its intent to rescind the permit and allow the permit holder 60 days in which to respond and request an extension of the permit.
(d) The Commission shall review each stormwater management program submitted by a State agency or unit of local government and shall notify the State agency or unit of local government that submitted the program that the program has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. The Commission shall approve a program only if it finds that the standards of the program equal those of the model program adopted by the Commission pursuant to this section.
(d1) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-265, s. 19, effective July 17, 2013.
(d2) Repealed by Session Laws 2008-198, s. 8(a), effective August 8, 2008.
(e) On or before October 1 of each year, the Department shall report to the Environmental Review Commission on the implementation of this section, including the status of any stormwater control programs administered by State agencies and units of local government. The status report shall include information on any integration of stormwater capture and reuse into stormwater control programs administered by State agencies and units of local government. The report shall be submitted to the Environmental Review Commission with the report required by G.S. 113A-67 as a single report. (1989, c. 447, s. 2; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(q); 1997-458, s. 7.1; 2004-124, s. 6.29(a); 2006-246, s. 16(b); 2007-323, s. 6.22(a); 2008-198, s. 8(a); 2011-256, s. 1; 2011-394, s. 6; 2012-200, ss. 1, 6; 2013-121, s. 1; 2013-265, s. 19; 2013-413, ss. 51(a), 57(h); 2014-90, s. 2; 2014-115, s. 17; 2014-120, s. 45(a); 2015-149, s. 1(a); 2015-286, s. 4.20(b); 2017-10, ss. 3.12, 4.15(b); 2017-104, s. 2; 2017-211, s. 8; 2018-145, s. 26(a), (b); 2021-158, s. 4(a); 2021-164, s. 1(b); 2021-189, s. 4.7; 2023-108, s. 13.1(a); 2023-134, s. 12.12(a); 2023-137, s. 2.)
§ 143-214.7A. Stormwater control best management practices.
(a) The Department of Environmental Quality shall establish standard stormwater control best management practices and standard process water treatment processes or equivalent performance standards for composting operations that are required to be permitted by the Division of Water Resources in the Department and the Division of Waste Management in the Department. These practices, processes, and standards shall be developed for the purpose of protecting water quality by controlling and containing stormwater that is associated with composting operations, by reducing the pollutant levels of process water from composting operations, and by reducing the opportunities for generation of such waters.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in this subsection, the Division of Water Resources shall clarify that stormwater is water that does not contact anything considered a feedstock, intermediate product, or final product of composting operations. Unless otherwise provided in this subsection, the Division of Water Resources shall clarify that wastewater is leachate and water that contacts feedstocks, intermediate products, or final product, of composting operations. The clarifications shall incorporate available scientifically valid information obtained from sampling and analyses of North Carolina composting facilities and from valid representative data from other states. In addition, the Division of Water Resources shall establish threshold quantities of feedstocks, intermediate products, and final products above which water quality permitting will be required. A Type 1 solid waste compost facility shall be subject only to applicable State stormwater requirements and federal stormwater requirements established pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1342(p)(3)(B). A Type 1 solid waste compost facility shall not be required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharge of process wastewater based solely on the discharge of stormwater that has come into contact with feedstock, intermediate product, or final product at the facility. For purposes of this section, "Type 1 solid waste compost facilities" are facilities that may receive yard and garden waste, silvicultural waste, untreated and unpainted wood waste, or any combination thereof.
(c) The Department shall establish revised water quality permitting procedures for the composting industry. The revised permitting procedures shall identify the various circumstances that determine which water quality permit is required for various composting activities. The Department shall determine whether selected low-risk subsets of the composting industry may be suitable for expedited or reduced water quality permitting procedures. The determination shall include consideration of the economic impact of regulatory decisions.
(d) In developing the practices, processes, and standards and the revised water quality permitting procedures required by this section, the Department shall review practices, processes, and standards and permitting procedures adopted by other states and similar federal programs.
(e) The Department shall form a Compost Operation Stakeholder Advisory Group composed of representatives from the North Carolina Chapter of the United States Composting Council, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the North Carolina State Agricultural Extension Service, the North Carolina Chapter of the American Water Works Association-Water Environment Federation, the North Carolina Pumper Group, the North Carolina Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America, the North Carolina Septic Tank Association, and any individual or group commenting to the Department on issues related to water quality at composting operations. The Compost Operation Stakeholder Advisory Group shall be convened periodically to provide input and assistance to the Department.
(f) The practices, processes, and standards and the revised permitting procedures shall address the site size of an operation, the nature of the feedstocks composted, the type of compost production method employed, the quantity and water quality of the stormwater or process water associated with composting facilities, the water quality of the receiving waters, as well as operation and maintenance requirements for the resulting standard stormwater control best management practices and standard process water treatment processes. (2009-322, s. 1(a)-(f); 2011-394, s. 7; 2012-200, s. 5; 2013-413, s. 57(i), (bb); 2014-115, s. 17; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
§ 143-214.7B: Repealed by Session Laws 2023-134, s. 12.14(q), effective July 1, 2023.
§ 143-214.7C. Prohibit the requirement of mitigation for certain impacts; establish threshold for mitigation of impacts to streams.
(a) Except as required by federal law, the Department of Environmental Quality shall not require mitigation for any of the following:
(1) Impacts to an intermittent stream. For purposes of this section, "intermittent stream" means a well-defined channel that has all of the following characteristics:
a. It contains water for only part of the year, typically during winter and spring when the aquatic bed is below the water table.
b. The flow of water in the intermittent stream may be heavily supplemented by stormwater runoff.
c. It often lacks the biological and hydrological characteristics commonly associated with the conveyance of water.
(2) Impacts associated with the removal of a dam when the removal complies with the requirements of Part 3 of this Article.
(b) Except as required by federal law, the Department of Environmental Quality shall not require mitigation for losses of 300 linear feet or less of stream bed. (2015-241, s. 14.30(c); 2015-286, s. 4.31(a); 2017-10, s. 3.13(a); 2017-145, s. 2(a).)
§ 143-214.8. Division of Mitigation Services: established.
The Division of Mitigation Services is established within the Department of Environmental Quality. The Division of Mitigation Services shall be developed by the Department as a nonregulatory statewide mitigation services program for the acquisition, maintenance, restoration, enhancement, and creation of wetland and riparian resources that contribute to the protection and improvement of water quality, flood prevention, fisheries, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. The Division of Mitigation Services shall consist of the following components:
(1) Restoration and perpetual maintenance of wetlands.
(2) Development of restoration plans.
(3) Landowner contact and land acquisition.
(4) Evaluation of site plans and engineering studies.
(5) Oversight of construction and monitoring of restoration sites.
(6) Land ownership and management.
(7) Mapping, site identification, and assessment of wetlands functions.
(8) Oversight of private wetland mitigation banks to facilitate the components of the Division of Mitigation Services.
(9) Restoration and monitoring of projects or land acquisitions that create or restore flood storage capacity. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.4(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2005-386, s. 3.1; 2015-1, s. 4.1; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u); 2020-79, s. 11A(a).)
§ 143-214.9. Division of Mitigation Services: purposes.
The purposes of the Division of Mitigation Services are as follows:
(1) To restore wetlands functions and values across the State to replace critical functions lost through historic wetlands conversion and through current and future permitted impacts. It is not the policy of the State to destroy upland habitats unless it would further the purposes of the Division of Mitigation Services.
(2) To provide a consistent and simplified approach to address mitigation requirements associated with permits or authorizations issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers under 33 U.S.C. § 1344.
(3) To streamline the wetlands permitting process, minimize delays in permit decisions, and decrease the burden of permit applicants of planning and performing compensatory mitigation for wetlands losses.
(4) To increase the ecological effectiveness of compensatory mitigation.
(5) To achieve a net increase in wetland acres, functions, and values in each major river basin.
(6) To foster a comprehensive approach to environmental protection.
(7) To reduce flood risk by creating or restoring flood storage capacity in streams, wetlands, and floodplains. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.4(a); 2005-386, s. 3.2; 2015-1, s. 4.2; 2020-79, s. 11A(b).)
§ 143-214.10. Division of Mitigation Services: development and implementation of basinwide restoration plans.
Develop Basinwide Restoration Plans. - The Department shall develop basinwide plans for wetlands and riparian area restoration with the goal of protecting and enhancing water quality, flood prevention, fisheries, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities within each of the 17 major river basins in the State. The Department shall develop and implement a basinwide restoration plan for each of the 17 river basins in the State in accordance with the basinwide schedule currently established by the Division of Water Resources. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.4(a); 2005-386, s. 3.3; 2013-413, s. 57(j); 2014-115, s. 17; 2015-1, s. 4.3.)
§ 143-214.11. Division of Mitigation Services: compensatory mitigation.
(a) Definitions. - The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) Compensatory mitigation. - The restoration, creation, enhancement, or preservation of jurisdictional waters required as a condition of a permit issued by the Department or by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(1a) Compensatory mitigation bank. - A private compensatory mitigation bank or an existing local compensatory mitigation bank.
(1b) Existing local compensatory mitigation bank. - A mitigation bank operated by a unit of local government that is a party to a mitigation banking instrument executed on or before July 1, 2011, notwithstanding subsequent amendments to such instrument executed after July 1, 2011.
(2) Government entity. - The State and its agencies and subdivisions, or the federal government. "Government entity" does not include a unit of local government unless the unit of local government was a party to a mitigation banking instrument executed on or before July 1, 2011, notwithstanding subsequent amendments to such instrument executed after July 1, 2011.
(3) Hydrologic area. - An eight-digit Cataloging Unit designated by the United States Geological Survey.
(4) Jurisdictional waters. - Wetlands, streams, or other waters of the State or of the United States.
(4a) Mitigation banking instrument. - The legal document for the establishment, operation, and use of a mitigation bank.
(4b) Private compensatory mitigation bank. - A site created by a private compensatory mitigation provider and approved for mitigation credit by State and federal regulatory authorities through execution of a mitigation banking instrument. No site owned by a government entity or unit of local government shall be considered a "private compensatory mitigation bank.
(5) Unit of local government. - A "local government," "public authority," or "special district" as defined in G.S. 159-7.
(b) Department to Coordinate Compensatory Mitigation. - All compensatory mitigation required by permits or authorizations issued by the Department or by the United States Army Corps of Engineers shall be coordinated by the Department consistent with the basinwide restoration plans and rules developed by the Environmental Management Commission. All compensatory mitigation, whether performed by the Department or by permit applicants, shall be consistent with the basinwide restoration plans. All compensatory mitigation shall be consistent with rules adopted by the Commission for wetland and stream mitigation and for protection and maintenance of riparian buffers.
(c) Compensatory Mitigation Emphasis on Replacing Ecological Function Within Same River Basin. - The emphasis of compensatory mitigation is on replacing functions within the same river basin unless it is demonstrated that restoration of other areas would be more beneficial to the overall purposes of the Division of Mitigation Services.
(d) Compensatory Mitigation Options Available to Government Entities. - A government entity may satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements by the following actions, if those actions are consistent with the basinwide restoration plans and also meet or exceed the requirements of the Department or of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, as applicable:
(1) Payment of a fee established by the Commission into the Ecosystem Restoration Fund established in G.S. 143-214.12.
(2) Donation of land to the Division of Mitigation Services or to other public or private nonprofit conservation organizations as approved by the Department.
(3) Participation in a compensatory mitigation bank that has been approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, provided that the Department or the United States Army Corps of Engineers, as applicable, approves the use of such bank for the required compensatory mitigation.
(4) Preparing and implementing a compensatory mitigation plan.
(d1) Compensatory Mitigation Options Available to Applicants Other than Government Entities. - An applicant other than a government entity may satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements by the following actions, if those actions meet or exceed the requirements of the United States Army Corps of Engineers:
(1) Participation in a compensatory mitigation bank that has been approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, provided that the Department or the United States Army Corps of Engineers, as applicable, approves the use of such bank for the required compensatory mitigation. This option is only available in a hydrologic area where there is at least one compensatory mitigation bank that has been approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(2) Payment of a fee established by the Commission into the Ecosystem Restoration Fund established in G.S. 143-214.12. - This option is only available to an applicant who demonstrates that the option under subdivision (1) of this subsection is not available.
(3) Donation of land to the Division of Mitigation Services or to other public or private nonprofit conservation organizations as approved by the Department.
(4) Preparing and implementing a compensatory mitigation plan.
(e) Payment Schedule. - A standardized schedule of compensatory mitigation payment amounts shall be established by the Commission. Compensatory mitigation payments shall be made by applicants to the Ecosystem Restoration Fund established in G.S. 143-214.12. The monetary payment shall be based on the ecological functions and values of wetlands and streams permitted to be lost and on the cost of restoring or creating wetlands and streams capable of performing the same or similar functions, including directly related costs of wetland and stream restoration planning, long-term monitoring, and maintenance of restored areas. Compensatory mitigation payments for wetlands shall be calculated on a per acre basis. Compensatory mitigation payments for streams shall be calculated on a per linear foot basis.
(f) Mitigation Banks. - State agencies and mitigation banks shall demonstrate that adequate, dedicated financial surety exists to provide for the perpetual land management and hydrological maintenance of lands acquired by the State as mitigation banks, or proposed to the State as privately operated and permitted mitigation banks.
(g) Payment for Taxes. - A State agency acquiring land to restore, enhance, preserve, or create wetlands must also pay a sum in lieu of ad valorem taxes lost by the county in accordance with G.S. 146-22.3.
(h) Sale of Mitigation Credits by Existing Local Compensatory Mitigation Bank. - An existing local compensatory mitigation bank shall comply with the requirements of Article 12 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes applicable to the disposal of property whenever it transfers any mitigation credits to another person.
(i) The Division of Mitigation Services shall exercise its authority to provide for compensatory mitigation under the authority granted by this section to use mitigation procurement programs in the following order of preference:
(1) Full delivery/bank credit purchase program. - The Division of Mitigation Services shall first seek to meet compensatory mitigation procurement requirements through the Division's full delivery program or by the purchase of credits from a private compensatory mitigation bank.
(2) Existing local compensatory mitigation bank credit purchase program. - Any compensatory mitigation procurement requirements that are not fulfillable under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be procured from an existing local compensatory mitigation bank, provided that the credit purchase is made to mitigate the impacts of a project located within the mitigation bank service area and hydrologic area of the existing local compensatory mitigation bank.
(3) Design/build program. - Any compensatory mitigation procurement requirements that are not fulfillable under subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall be procured under a program in which the Division of Mitigation Services contracts with one private entity to lead or implement the design, construction, and postconstruction monitoring of compensatory mitigation at sites obtained by the Division of Mitigation Services. Such a program shall be considered the procurement of compensatory mitigation credits.
(4) Design-bid-build program. - Any compensatory mitigation procurement requirements that are not fulfillable under either subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection may be procured under the Division of Mitigation Services' design-bid-build program. The Division of Mitigation Services may utilize this program only when procurement under subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection is not feasible. Any mitigation site design work currently being performed through contracts awarded under the design-bid-build program shall be allowed to continue as scheduled. Contracts for construction of projects with a design already approved by the Division of Mitigation Services shall be awarded by the Division of Mitigation Services by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP). Only contractors who have prequalified under procedures established by the Division of Mitigation Services shall be eligible to bid on Division of Mitigation Services construction projects. Construction contracts issued under this subdivision shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 8B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(j) The regulatory requirements for the establishment, operation, and monitoring of a compensatory mitigation bank or full delivery project shall vest at the time of the execution of the mitigation banking instrument or the award of a full delivery contract. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.4(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2004-188, s. 2; 2005-386, s. 3.4; 2008-152, s. 1; 2009-337, s. 1; 2011-343, s. 1.1; 2012-201, s. 5(a); 2015-1, s. 4.4.)
§ 143-214.11A. Flood storage capacity restoration and enhancement.
(a) Definition. - A flood storage project is defined as a project that creates or restores a quantity of flood storage capacity expressed in acre-feet. A flood storage project includes, but is not limited to, the creation or restoration of wetlands, streams, and riparian areas, temporary flooding of fields, pastures, or forests, and other nature-based projects that can demonstrably increase flood storage capacity.
(b) Flood Storage Capacity Basinwide Planning; Advisory Board. - To the extent of funds available for this purpose, basinwide plans developed under G.S. 143-214.10 shall include plans for restoration and enhancement of flood storage capacity to reduce the risk of flooding in flood prone areas of the State and enhance stormwater management capacity and shall set target amounts of flood storage capacity for each basin and subbasin. It is the intent of the General Assembly that appropriations, grants, and other funds received for flood storage enhancement shall be held in the Ecosystem Restoration Fund established by G.S. 143-214.12 and allocated for projects consistent with the basinwide plans, this section, and the conditions on funding for grants received in support of the program or a specific project. The Division shall establish an advisory board to guide program development and implementation.
(c) Projects funded under this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Be consistent with plans for restoration and enhancement of stormwater management or flood storage capacity included in basinwide plans developed under G.S. 143-214.10.
(2) Be designed and constructed to provide for a quantifiable increase in flood storage capacity in the designated watershed or sub-watershed based on the difference between the total number of acre-feet of flood storage in the watershed or sub-watershed before project commencement and after project completion.
(3) Incorporate a mechanism for post-construction monitoring.
(d) The Division shall comply with the procurement preferences set forth in G.S. 143-214.11(i) in procuring flood storage enhancement or restoration projects with funds set aside for those purposes. Requests for proposal shall require that projects specify the number of acre-feet of flood storage capacity enhancement or restoration in a specified watershed or sub-watershed based on the watershed planning required by this section. Submitted proposals shall be prioritized and selected based on criteria to be developed by the Division with input from the advisory board. These criteria may include analysis of costs and benefits, compatibility with and maintenance of working lands, and ecological benefits.
(e) The Division shall include in the annual report required by G.S. 143-214.13 information on projects funded under this section. The report shall include a list and description of projects funded, the amount of State funds and total budget for each project, and the amount of flood storage capacity enhanced or restored for each project. (2020-79, s. 11A(e); 2021-180, s. 5.9(s).)
§ 143-214.12. Division of Mitigation Services: Ecosystem Restoration Fund.
(a) Ecosystem Restoration Fund. - The Ecosystem Restoration Fund is established as a nonreverting fund within the Department. The Fund shall be treated as a special trust fund and shall be credited with interest by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-69.2 and G.S. 147-69.3. The Ecosystem Restoration Fund shall provide a repository (i) for monetary contributions and donations or dedications of interests in real property to promote projects for the restoration, enhancement, preservation, or creation of wetlands and riparian areas or the enhancement or restoration of flood storage capacity, (ii) for payments made in lieu of compensatory mitigation as described in subsection (b) of this section, and (iii) for appropriations and grants supporting projects that enhance flood storage capacity and mitigate flood risk under G.S. 143-214.11A. No funds shall be expended from this Fund for any purpose other than those directly contributing to the acquisition, perpetual maintenance, enhancement, restoration, or creation of wetlands, streams, riparian areas, and the enhancement and restoration of flood storage capacity in accordance with the basinwide plan as described in G.S. 143-214.10. The cost of acquisition includes a payment in lieu of ad valorem taxes required under G.S. 146-22.3 when the Department is the State agency making the acquisition. The Department shall separately account for funds provided to the Ecosystem Restoration Fund in support of projects for enhancement or restoration of flood storage capacity under G.S. 143-214.11A.
(a1) The Department may distribute funds from the Ecosystem Restoration Fund directly to a federal or State agency, a local government, or a private, nonprofit conservation organization to acquire, manage, and maintain real property or an interest in real property for the purposes set out in subsection (a) of this section. A recipient of funds under this subsection that acquires a conservation easement or interest in real property appurtenant to a restoration project delivered to the Division of Mitigation Services may transfer the conservation easement or interest in real property to a federal or State agency, a local government, or a private, nonprofit conservation organization approved by the Division of Mitigation Services. The Department may convey real property or an interest in real property that has been acquired under the Division of Mitigation Services to a federal or State agency, a local government, or a private, nonprofit conservation organization approved by the Division of Mitigation Services to acquire, manage, and maintain real property or an interest in real property for the purposes set out in subsection (a) of this section. When a grantee of real property or an interest in real property under this subsection grants a conservation easement in the real property or interest in real property to a federal or State agency, a local government, or a private, nonprofit conservation organization approved by the Division of Mitigation Services, the grant shall be made in a form that is acceptable to the Department.
(b) Authorized Methods of Payment. - A person subject to a permit or authorization issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers under 33 U.S.C. § 1344 may contribute to the Division of Mitigation Services in order to comply with conditions to, or terms of, the permit or authorization if participation in the Division of Mitigation Services will meet the mitigation requirements of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Department shall, at the discretion of the applicant, accept payment into the Ecosystem Restoration Fund in lieu of other compensatory mitigation requirements of any authorizations issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers under 33 U.S.C. § 1344 if the contributions will meet the mitigation requirements of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Payment may be made in the form of monetary contributions according to a fee schedule established by the Environmental Management Commission or in the form of donations of real property provided that the property is approved by the Department as a suitable site consistent with the basinwide wetlands restoration plan.
(c) Accounting of Payments. - The Department shall provide an itemized statement that accounts for each payment into the Fund. The statement shall include the expenses and activities financed by the payment. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.4(a); 1997-496, s. 13; 1999-329, s. 6.1; 2004-188, s. 3; 2005-386, s. 3.5; 2015-1, s. 4.5; 2017-209, s. 14; 2020-79, s. 11A(c).)
§ 143-214.13. Division of Mitigation Services: reporting requirement.
(a) The Department of Environmental Quality shall report each year by November 1 to the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division regarding its progress in implementing the Division of Mitigation Services and its use of the funds in the Ecosystem Restoration Fund. The report shall document statewide wetlands losses and gains, compensatory mitigation performed under G.S. 143-214.8 through G.S. 143-214.12, and gains in acre-feet of flood storage capacity from projects funded under G.S. 143-214.11A. The report shall also provide an accounting of receipts and disbursements of the Ecosystem Restoration Fund, an analysis of the per-acre cost of wetlands restoration, and a cost comparison on a per-acre basis between the State's Division of Mitigation Services and private mitigation banks. The Department shall also send a copy of its report to the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly.
(b) The Department shall maintain an inventory of all property that is held, managed, maintained, enhanced, restored, or used to create wetlands or to enhance or restore flood storage capacity under the Division of Mitigation Services. The inventory shall also list all conservation easements held by the Department. The inventory shall be included in the annual report required under subsection (a) of this section. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.4(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 1999-329, s. 6.2; 2005-386, s. 3.6; 2010-142, s. 3; 2015-1, s. 4.6; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u); 2017-57, s. 14.1(h); 2020-79, s. 11A(d).)
§ 143-214.14. Cooperative State-local coalition water quality protection plans.
(a) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) "Basin" means a river basin as defined in G.S. 143-215.22G or any subbasin or segment thereof.
(2) "Coalition plan" means a water quality protection plan developed by a coalition of local governments for water quality protection of a basin.
(3) "Local government" means a city, county, special district, authority, or other political subdivision of the State.
(4) "Water quality protection" means management of water use, quantity, and quality.
(b) Legislative Findings. - This section establishes a framework to encourage State-local pollutant reduction strategies for basins under the supervision and coordination of the Commission. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Water quality conditions and sources of water contamination may vary from one basin to another.
(2) Water quality conditions and sources of water contamination may vary within a basin.
(3) Some local governments have demonstrated greater capacity than others to protect and improve water quality conditions.
(4) In some areas of the State artificial alteration of watercourses by surface water impoundments or other means may have a significant effect on water quality.
(5) Imposition of standard basinwide water quality protection requirements and strategies may not equitably address the varying conditions and needs of all areas.
(6) There is a need to develop distinct approaches to address water quality protection in basins in the State, drawing upon the resources of local governments and the State, under the supervision and coordination of the Commission.
(c) Legislative Goals and Policies. - It is the goal of the General Assembly that, to the extent practicable, the State shall adopt water quality protection plans that are developed and implemented in cooperation and coordination with local governments and that the State shall adopt water quality protection requirements that are proportional to the relative contributions of pollution from all sources in terms of both the loading and proximity of those sources. Furthermore, it is the goal of the General Assembly to encourage and support State-local partnerships for improved water quality protection through the provision of technical and financial assistance available through the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the Division of Mitigation Services, the Ecosystem Restoration Fund, water quality planning and project grant programs, the State's revolving loan and grant programs for water and wastewater facilities, other funding sources, and future appropriations. The Commission shall implement these goals in accordance with the standards, procedures, and requirements set out in this section.
(d) The Commission may, as an alternative method of attaining water quality standards in a basin, approve a coalition plan proposed by a coalition of local governments whose territorial area collectively includes the affected basin in the manner provided by this section. The Commission may approve a coalition plan proposed by a coalition of local governments whose territorial area or water quality protection plan does not include all of an affected basin if the Commission determines that the omission will not adversely affect water quality.
(e) A coalition of local governments choosing to propose a coalition plan to the Commission shall do so through a nonprofit corporation the coalition of local governments incorporates with the Secretary of State.
(f) The Commission may approve a coalition plan only if the Commission first determines that:
(1) The basin under consideration is an appropriate unit for water quality planning.
(2) The coalition plan meets the requirements of subsection (g) of this section.
(3) The coalition of local governments has formed a nonprofit corporation pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.
(4) The coalition plan has been approved by the governing board of each local government that is a member of the coalition of local governments proposing the coalition plan.
(5) The coalition plan will provide a viable alternative method of attaining equivalent compliance with federal and State water quality standards, classifications, and management practices in the affected basin.
(g) A coalition plan shall include all of the following:
(1) An assessment of water quality and related water quantity management in the affected basin.
(2) A description of the goals and objectives for protection and improvement of water quality and related water quantity management in the affected basin.
(3) A workplan that describes proposed water quality protection strategies, including point and nonpoint source programs, for achieving the specified goals and objectives; an implementation strategy including specified tasks, timetables for action, implementation responsibilities of State and local agencies; and sources of funding, where applicable.
(4) A description of the performance indicators and benchmarks that will be used to measure progress in achieving the specified goals and objectives, and an associated monitoring framework.
(5) A timetable for reporting to the Commission on progress in implementing the coalition plan.
(h) A coalition plan shall cover a specified period. The coalition plan may provide for the phasing in of specific strategies, tasks, or mechanisms by specified dates within the period covered by the plan. The Commission may approve one or more successive coalition plan periods. The coalition plan may include strategies that vary among the subareas or jurisdictions of the geographic area covered by the coalition plan.
(i) If a local government chooses to withdraw from a coalition of local governments or fails to implement a coalition plan, the remaining members of a coalition of local governments may prepare and submit a revised coalition plan for approval by the Commission. If the Commission determines that an approved coalition plan no longer provides a viable alternative method of attaining equivalent compliance with federal and State water quality standards, classifications, and management practices, the Commission may suspend or revoke its approval of the coalition plan.
(j) The Commission may approve one or more amendments to a coalition plan proposed by a coalition of local governments through its nonprofit corporation with the approval of the governing board of each local government that is a member of the coalition of local governments that proposed the coalition plan.
(k) With the approval of the Commission, any coalition of local governments with an approved coalition plan may establish and implement a pollutant trading program for specific pollutants between and among point source dischargers and nonpoint pollution sources.
(l) The Commission shall submit an annual progress report on the implementation of this section to the Environmental Review Commission on or before 1 October of each year. (1997-493, s. 1; 2005-386, s. 3.7; 2015-1, s. 4.7; 2023-70, s. 9(b).)
§ 143-214.15. Compensatory mitigation for diverse habitats.
(a) The Department of Environmental Quality shall seek more net gains of aquatic resources through compensatory mitigation by increasing wetland establishment of diverse habitats, including emergent marsh habitat, shallow open water, and other forested and non-forested wetland habitats.
(b) The Department of Environmental Quality shall further establish with the district engineer of the Wilmington District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers compensatory mitigation credit ratios that incentivize the creation or establishment of diverse wetland habitats to support waterfowl and other wildlife.
(c) The Department of Environmental Quality shall work in cooperation with the Wildlife Resources Commission to ensure that all purchased mitigation lands or conservation easements on these lands maximize opportunities for public recreation, including hunting, and promote wildlife and biological diversity. The Department and the Commission shall pursue the voluntary involvement of third-party groups to leverage resources and ensure that there is no additional cost to private mitigation bankers or the taxpayers in achieving these mitigation credits.
(d) The Stewardship Program of the Department of Environmental Quality shall maintain an inventory of all its land holdings and determine how many of those holdings are potential wildlife habitats, either as currently held or with some modification.
(e) If private individuals, corporations, or other nongovernmental entities wish to purchase any of the inventory of land suitable for wildlife habitat, then the Stewardship Program of the Department of Environmental Quality shall issue a request for proposal to all interested respondents for the purchase of the land. The State shall accept a proposal and proceed to dispose of the land only if the Department determines that the proposal meets both of the following requirements:
(1) The proposal provides for the maintenance in perpetuity of management measures listed in the original mitigation instrument or otherwise needed on an ongoing or periodic basis to maintain the functions of the mitigation site.
(2) Where the functions of the mitigation site include provision of recreation or hunting opportunities to members of the general public, the proposal includes measures needed to continue that level of access.
The instrument conveying a property interest in a mitigation site shall be executed in the manner required by Article 16 of Chapter 146 of the General Statutes, and shall reflect the requirements of this subsection.
(f) The Department of Environmental Quality shall report to the Environmental Review Commission by March 1 of each year in which there are changes in inventory during the preceding year under the provisions of this section regarding the changes. (2015-194, s. 2; 2015-241, s. 14.30(c); 2021-180, s. 12.1A.)
§§ 143-214.16 through 143-214.19. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-214.20. Riparian Buffer Protection Program: Alternatives to maintaining riparian buffers; compensatory mitigation fees.
(a) Compensatory Mitigation for Riparian Buffer Loss. - The Commission shall establish a program to provide alternatives for persons who would otherwise be required to maintain riparian buffers and who can demonstrate that they have attempted to avoid and minimize the loss of the riparian buffer and that there is no practical alternative to the loss of the buffer. This program is intended to allow these persons to perform compensatory mitigation in lieu of complying with laws and rules that require that riparian buffers be protected and maintained. All compensatory mitigation for riparian buffer loss shall be consistent with rules adopted by the Commission for protection and maintenance of riparian buffers.
(a1) Compensatory Mitigation Options Available to Government Entities. - A government entity, as defined in G.S. 143-214.11, may satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements by any of the following actions:
(1) Payment of a compensatory mitigation fee into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund established in G.S. 143-214.21.
(2) Donation of real property or of an interest in real property to the Department, another State agency, a unit of local government, or a private nonprofit conservation organization if both the donee organization and the donated real property or interest in real property are approved by the Department. The Department may approve a donee organization only if the donee agrees to maintain the real property or interest in real property as a riparian buffer. The Department may approve a donation of real property or an interest in real property only if the real property or interest in real property either:
a. Is a riparian buffer that will provide protection of water quality that is equivalent to or greater than that provided by the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost.
b. Will be used to restore, create, enhance, or maintain a riparian buffer that will provide protection of water quality that is equivalent to or greater than that provided by the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost.
(3) Restoration or enhancement of an existing riparian buffer that is not otherwise required to be protected, or creation of a new riparian buffer, that will provide protection of water quality that is equivalent to or greater than that provided by the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost and that is approved by the Department.
(4) Construction of an alternative measure that reduces nutrient loading as well or better than the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost and that is approved by the Department.
(5) Participation in a compensatory mitigation bank if the Department has approved the bank and the Department approves the use of the bank for the required compensatory mitigation.
(a2) Compensatory Mitigation Options Available to Applicants Other than Government Entities. - An applicant other than a government entity, as defined in G.S. 143-214.11, may satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements by any of the following actions:
(1) Participation in a compensatory mitigation bank if the Department has approved the bank and the Department approves the use of the bank for the required compensatory mitigation. This option is only available in a hydrologic area, as defined in G.S. 143-214.11, where there is at least one compensatory mitigation bank that has been approved by the Department.
(2) Payment of a compensatory mitigation fee into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund established in G.S. 143-214.21. This option only is available to an applicant who demonstrates that the option under subdivision (1) of this subsection is not available.
(3) Donation of real property or of an interest in real property to the Department, another State agency, a unit of local government, or a private nonprofit conservation organization if both the donee organization and the donated real property or interest in real property are approved by the Department. The Department may approve a donee organization only if the donee agrees to maintain the real property or interest in real property as a riparian buffer. The Department may approve a donation of real property or an interest in real property only if the real property or interest in real property either:
a. Is a riparian buffer that will provide protection of water quality that is equivalent to or greater than that provided by the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost.
b. Will be used to restore, create, enhance, or maintain a riparian buffer that will provide protection of water quality that is equivalent to or greater than that provided by the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost.
(4) Restoration or enhancement of an existing riparian buffer that is not otherwise required to be protected, or creation of a new riparian buffer, that will provide protection of water quality that is equivalent to or greater than that provided by the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost and that is approved by the Department.
(5) Construction of an alternative measure that reduces nutrient loading as well as or better than the riparian buffer that is lost in the same river basin as the riparian buffer that is lost and that is approved by the Department.
(b) Compensatory mitigation is available for loss of a riparian buffer along an intermittent stream, a perennial stream, or a perennial waterbody.
(c) The Commission shall establish a standard schedule of compensatory mitigation fees for payments to the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund pursuant to this section. The compensatory mitigation fee schedule shall be based on the area of the riparian buffer that is permitted to be lost and the cost to provide equivalent or greater protection of water quality in the same river basin as that provided by the riparian buffer this is lost by:
(1) Restoration or enhancement of existing riparian buffers.
(2) Acquisition of land for and creation of new riparian buffers.
(3) Maintenance and monitoring of restored, enhanced, or created riparian buffers over time.
(4) Construction of alternative measures that reduce nutrient loading.
(d) The Commission may adopt rules to implement this section. (1999-448, s. 1; 2009-337, s. 2.)
§ 143-214.21. Riparian Buffer Protection Program: Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund.
The Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund is established as a nonreverting fund within the Department. The Fund shall be treated as a special trust fund and shall be credited with interest by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-69.2 and G.S. 147-69.3. The Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund shall provide a repository for monetary contributions to promote projects for the restoration, enhancement, or creation of riparian buffers or to construct approved alternative measures that reduce nutrient loading as well or better than a riparian buffer that is lost and for compensatory mitigation fees paid to the Department. The Fund shall be administered by the Department. Moneys shall be expended from the Fund only for those purposes directly related to the restoration, acquisition, creation, enhancement, and maintenance of riparian buffers or to construct approved alternative measures that reduce nutrient loading as well or better than a riparian buffer. Compensatory mitigation fees paid into the Fund in connection with the loss of riparian buffers in a river basin and the interest earned on those fees may be used only for projects in that river basin. (1998-221, s. 1.5(b); 1999-448, s. 2; 2005-443, s. 1.)
§ 143-214.22. Riparian Buffer Protection Program: Department may accept donations of real property.
The Department may accept donations of real property and interests in real property if the real property or interest in real property is a riparian buffer or will be used to restore, create, enhance, or maintain a riparian buffer that will provide protection of water quality. (1998-221, s. 1.13; 1999-448, s. 3.)
§ 143-214.23. Riparian Buffer Protection Program: Delegation of riparian buffer protection requirements to local governments.
(a) The Commission may delegate responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements to units of local government that have the power to regulate land use. A delegation under this section shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Commission over State agencies and units of local government. Any unit of local government that has the power to regulate land use may request that responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements be delegated to the unit of local government. To this end, units of local government may adopt ordinances and regulations necessary to establish and enforce the State's riparian buffer protection requirements.
(b) Within 90 days after the Commission receives a complete application requesting delegation of responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirement, the Commission shall review the application and notify the unit of local government that submitted the application whether the application has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. The Commission shall not approve a delegation unless the Commission finds that local implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements will equal implementation and enforcement by the State.
(c) If the Commission determines that a unit of local government is failing to implement or enforce the State's riparian buffer protection requirements, the Commission shall notify the unit of local government in writing and shall specify the deficiencies in implementation and enforcement. If the local government has not corrected the deficiencies within 90 days after the unit of local government receives the notification, the Commission shall rescind delegation and shall implement and enforce the State's riparian buffer protection program. If the unit of local government indicates that it is willing and able to resume implementation and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements, the unit of local government may reapply for delegation under this section.
(d) The Department shall provide technical assistance to units of local government in the development, implementation, and enforcement of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements.
(e) The Department shall provide a stream identification training program to train individuals to determine the existence of surface water for purposes of rules adopted by the Commission for the protection and maintenance of riparian buffers. The Department may charge a fee to cover the full cost of the training program. No fee shall be charged to an employee of the State who attends the training program in connection with the employee's official duties.
(e1) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-246, s. 13.1(a), effective October 1, 2015.
(f) The Commission may adopt rules to implement this section. (1999-448, s. 1; 2012-200, s. 8(a); 2015-246, s. 13.1(a).)
§ 143-214.23A. Limitations on local government riparian buffer requirements.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Local government ordinance" means any action by a local government carrying the effect of law approved before or after October 1, 2015, whether by ordinance, comprehensive plan, policy, resolution, or other measure.
(2) "Protection of water quality" means nutrient removal, pollutant removal, stream bank protection, or protection of an endangered species as required by federal law.
(3) "Riparian buffer area" means an area subject to a riparian buffer requirement.
(4) "Riparian buffer requirement" means a landward setback from surface waters.
(b) Except as provided in this section, a local government may not enact, implement, or enforce a local government ordinance that establishes a riparian buffer requirement that exceeds riparian buffer requirements necessary to comply with or implement federal or State law or a condition of a permit, certificate, or other approval issued by a federal or State agency.
(c) Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to any local government ordinance that establishes a riparian buffer requirement enacted prior to August 1, 1997, if (i) the ordinance included findings that the requirement was imposed for purposes that include the protection of aesthetics, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational use by maintaining water temperature, healthy tree canopy and understory, and the protection of the natural shoreline through minimization of erosion and potential chemical pollution in addition to the protection of water quality and the prevention of excess nutrient runoff, and (ii) the ordinance would permit small or temporary structures within 50 feet of the water body and docks and piers within and along the edge of the water body under certain circumstances.
(d) A local government may request from the Commission the authority to enact, implement, and enforce a local government ordinance that establishes a riparian buffer requirement for the protection of water quality that exceeds riparian buffer requirements for the protection of water quality necessary to comply with or implement federal or State law or a condition of a permit, certificate, or other approval issued by a federal or State agency. To do so, a local government shall submit to the Commission an application requesting this authority that includes the local government ordinance, including the riparian buffer requirement for the protection of water quality, scientific studies of the local environmental and physical conditions that support the necessity of the riparian buffer requirement for the protection of water quality, and any other information requested by the Commission. Within 90 days after the Commission receives a complete application, the Commission shall review the application and notify the local government whether the application has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. The Commission shall not approve a local government ordinance that establishes a riparian buffer requirement for the protection of water quality unless the Commission finds that the scientific evidence presented by the local government supports the necessity of the riparian buffer requirement for the protection of water quality.
(e) Cities and counties shall not treat the land within a riparian buffer area as if the land is the property of the State or any of its subdivisions unless the land or an interest therein has been acquired by the State or its subdivisions by a conveyance or by eminent domain. Land within a riparian buffer area in which neither the State nor its subdivisions holds any property interest may be used by the property owner to satisfy any other development-related regulatory requirements based on property size, including, but not limited to, residential density and nonresidential intensity calculations and yields, tree conservation purposes, open space or conservation area requirements, setbacks, perimeter buffers, and lot area requirements.
(f) When riparian buffer requirements are included within a lot, cities and counties shall require that the riparian buffer area be shown on the recorded plat. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require that the riparian buffer area be surveyed. When riparian buffer requirements are placed outside of lots in portions of a subdivision that are designated as common areas or open space and neither the State nor its subdivisions holds any property interest in that riparian buffer area, the local government shall attribute to each lot abutting the riparian buffer area a proportionate share based on the area of all lots abutting the riparian buffer area for purposes of development-related regulatory requirements based on property size, including, but not limited to, residential density and nonresidential intensity calculations and yields, tree conservation purposes, open space or conservation area requirements, setbacks, perimeter buffers, and lot area requirements.
(g) The Commission may adopt rules to implement this section. (2015-246, s. 13.1(b).)
§ 143-214.24. Riparian Buffer Protection Program: Coordination with River Basin Associations.
(a) Prior to drafting temporary or permanent rules that require the preservation of riparian buffers in a river basin, the Department shall consult with major stakeholders who may have an interest in the proposed rules, including the board of directors or representatives designated by the board of directors of any river basin association in the affected river basin that meets all of the following criteria:
(1) The association is a nonprofit corporation, as defined by G.S. 55A-1-40.
(2) The association has as its primary purpose the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the environmental and natural resources of the river basin in which it is located.
(3) Membership in the association is open on a nondiscriminatory basis to all citizens in the river basin.
(4) The membership of the board of directors of the association includes at least one representative from each county with a significant portion of its territory in the river basin.
(5) The membership of the association includes significant representation from each of the following categories of persons:
a. Elected local officials.
b. Persons involved in agriculture.
c. Persons involved in residential and commercial land development.
d. Persons involved in forestry.
e. Representatives of community-based organizations.
f. Representatives of organizations that advocate for protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources.
g. Persons with special training and scientific expertise in protection of water who are affiliated with colleges and universities.
h. Private property owners.
i. Persons with a general interest in water quality protection.
(b) The purpose of the consultation required by subsection (a) of this section is to assure that major stakeholders who may have an interest in the proposed rules have an opportunity to inform the Department of their concerns before the Department drafts the rules. (2000-172, s. 5.1.)
§ 143-214.25. Expired.
§ 143-214.25A. Riparian Buffer Protection Program: Surface Water Identification Training and Certification Program.
(a) The Division of Water Resources of the Department shall develop a program to train and certify individuals to determine the presence of surface waters that would require the application of rules adopted by the Commission for the protection of riparian buffers. The Division may train and certify employees of the Division as determined by the Director of the Division of Water Resources; employees of units of local government to whom responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of the riparian buffer protection rules is delegated pursuant to G.S. 143-214.23; and Registered Foresters under Chapter 89B of the General Statutes who are employees of the North Carolina Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as determined by the Assistant Commissioner of the North Carolina Forest Service. The Director of the Division of Water Resources may review the determinations made by individuals who are certified pursuant to this section, may override a determination made by an individual certified under this section, and, if the Director of the Division of Water Resources determines that an individual is failing to make correct determinations, revoke the certification of that individual.
(b) The Division of Water Resources shall develop standard forms for use in making and reporting determinations. Each individual who is certified to make determinations under this section shall prepare a written report of each determination and shall submit the report to the agency that employs the individual. Each agency shall maintain reports of determinations made by its employees, shall forward a copy of each report to the Director of the Division of Water Resources, and shall maintain these reports and all other records related to determinations so that they will be readily accessible to the public.
(c) In implementing the Surface Water Identification Training and Certification Program established by this section, the Division of Water Resources of the Department of Environmental Quality shall give priority to training and certifying the most highly qualified and experienced personnel in each agency. The Division of Water Resources shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Surface Water Identification Training and Certification Program and shall submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations, if any, to the Environmental Review Commission on or before October 1 of each year. (2010-180, s. 4(a), (b); 2011-145, s. 13.25(uu); 2013-155, s. 22; 2013-413, s. 57(k), (cc); 2014-115, s. 17; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
§ 143-214.26. Nutrient offset credits.
(a) Nutrient offset credits may be purchased to offset nutrient loadings to surface waters as required by the Environmental Management Commission. Nutrient offset credits shall be effective for the duration of the nutrient offset project unless the Department of Environmental Quality finds the credits are effective for a limited time period. Nutrient offset projects authorized under this section shall be consistent with rules adopted by the Commission for implementation of nutrient management strategies.
(b) A government entity, as defined in G.S. 143-214.11, may purchase nutrient offset credits through either:
(1) Participation in a nutrient offset bank that has been approved by the Department if the Department approves the use of the bank for the required nutrient offsets.
(2) Payment of a nutrient offset fee established by the Department into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund established in G.S. 143-214.21.
(c) A party other than a government entity, as defined in G.S. 143-214.11, may purchase nutrient offset credits through either:
(1) Participation in a nutrient offset bank that has been approved by the Department if the Department approves the use of the bank for the required nutrient offsets.
(2) Payment of a nutrient offset fee established by the Department into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund established in G.S. 143-214.21. This option is only available to an applicant who demonstrates that the option under subdivision (1) of this subsection is not available.
(d) To offset NPDES-permitted wastewater nutrient sources, credits may only be acquired from nutrient offset projects located in either of the following areas:
(1) The same hydrologic area. For purposes of this subdivision, "hydrologic area" means an eight-digit cataloging unit designated by the United States Geological Survey.
(2) A location that is downstream from the source and upstream from the water body identified for restoration under the applicable TMDL or nutrient management strategy.
(e) To offset stormwater or other nutrient sources, credits may only be acquired from an offset project located within the same hydrologic area, as defined in G.S. 143-214.11.
(f) The permissible credit sources identified in subsections (d) and (e) of this section may be further limited by rule as necessary to achieve nutrient strategy objectives.
(g) No nutrient offset bank approved by the Department and owned by a unit of local government, as defined in G.S. 143-214.11, shall sell nutrient offset credits to an entity other than a government entity or a unit of local government, as those terms are defined in G.S. 143-214.11. (2009-337, s. 4(a)-(c); 2019-86, s. 1; 2023-137, s. 16(a).)
§ 143-215. Effluent standards or limitations.
(a) The Commission is authorized and directed to develop, adopt, modify and revoke effluent standards or limitations and waste treatment management practices as it determines necessary to prohibit, abate, or control water pollution. The effluent standards or limitations and management practices may provide, without limitation, standards or limitations or management practices for any point source or sources; standards, limitations, management practices, or prohibitions for toxic wastes or combinations of toxic wastes discharged from any point source or sources; and pretreatment standards for wastes discharged to any disposal system subject to effluent standards or limitations or management practices.
(b) The effluent standards or limitations developed and adopted by the Commission shall provide limitations upon the effluents discharged from pretreatment facilities and from outlets and point sources to the waters of the State adequate to limit the waste loads upon the waters of the State to the extent necessary to maintain or enhance the chemical, physical, biological and radiological integrity of the waters. The management practices developed and adopted by the Commission shall prescribe practices necessary to be employed in order to prevent or reduce contribution of pollutants to the State's waters.
(c), (d) Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 507, s. 27.
(e) Repealed by Session Laws 1997-458, s. 13.1. (1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1971, c. 1167, s. 5; 1973, c. 821, s. 4; c. 929; c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 583, s. 1; 1979, c. 633, ss. 2-4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 158; 1989, c. 168, s. 48; 1991, c. 403, s. 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 890, s. 15; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(s); 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 4; 1997-458, s. 13.1.)
§ 143-215.1. Control of sources of water pollution; permits required.
(a) Activities for Which Permits Required. - Except as provided in subsection (a6) of this section, no person shall do any of the following things or carry out any of the following activities unless that person has received a permit from the Commission and has complied with all conditions set forth in the permit:
(1) Make any outlets into the waters of the State.
(2) Construct or operate any sewer system, treatment works, or disposal system within the State.
(3) Alter, extend, or change the construction or method of operation of any sewer system, treatment works, or disposal system within the State.
(4) Increase the quantity of waste discharged through any outlet or processed in any treatment works or disposal system to any extent that would result in any violation of the effluent standards or limitations established for any point source or that would adversely affect the condition of the receiving waters to the extent of violating any applicable standard.
(5) Change the nature of the waste discharged through any disposal system in any way that would exceed the effluent standards or limitations established for any point source or that would adversely affect the condition of the receiving waters in relation to any applicable standards.
(6) Cause or permit any waste, directly or indirectly, to be discharged to or in any manner intermixed with the waters of the State in violation of the water quality standards applicable to the assigned classifications or in violation of any effluent standards or limitations established for any point source, unless allowed as a condition of any permit, special order or other appropriate instrument issued or entered into by the Commission under the provisions of this Article.
(7) Cause or permit any wastes for which pretreatment is required by pretreatment standards to be discharged, directly or indirectly, from a pretreatment facility to any disposal system or to alter, extend or change the construction or method of operation or increase the quantity or change the nature of the waste discharged from or processed in that facility.
(8) Enter into a contract for the construction and installation of any outlet, sewer system, treatment works, pretreatment facility or disposal system or for the alteration or extension of any such facility.
(9) Dispose of sludge resulting from the operation of a treatment works, including the removal of in-place sewage sludge from one location and its deposit at another location, consistent with the requirement of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(10) Cause or permit any pollutant to enter into a defined managed area of the State's waters for the maintenance or production of harvestable freshwater, estuarine, or marine plants or animals.
(11) Cause or permit discharges regulated under G.S. 143-214.7 that result in water pollution.
(12) Construct or operate an animal waste management system, as defined in G.S. 143-215.10B, without obtaining a permit under Part 1A of this Article.
(a1) In the event that both effluent standards or limitations and classifications and water quality standards are applicable to any point source or sources and to the waters to which they discharge, the more stringent among the standards established by the Commission shall be applicable and controlling.
(a2) No permit shall be granted for the disposal of waste in waters classified as sources of public water supply where the head of the agency that administers the public water supply program pursuant to Article 10 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes, after review of the plans and specifications for the proposed disposal facility, determines and advises the Commission that any outlet for the disposal of waste is, or would be, sufficiently close to the intake works or proposed intake works of a public water supply as to have an adverse effect on the public health.
(a3) If the Commission denies an application for a permit, the Commission shall state in writing the reason for the denial and shall also state the Commission's estimate of the changes in the applicant's proposed activities or plans that would be required in order that the applicant may obtain a permit.
(a4) The Department shall regulate wastewater systems under rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes except as otherwise provided in this subsection. No permit shall be required under this section for a wastewater system regulated under Article 11 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes. The following wastewater systems shall be regulated by the Department under rules adopted by the Commission:
(1) Wastewater systems designed to discharge effluent to the land surface or surface waters.
(2) Wastewater systems designed for groundwater remediation, groundwater injection, or landfill leachate collection and disposal.
(3) Wastewater systems designed for the complete recycle or reuse of industrial process wastewater.
(a5) For purposes of this subsection, "agricultural products" means horticultural, viticultural, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry, bee, and any farm products. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a permit shall not be required for a wastewater management system for the treatment and disposal of wastewater produced from activities related to the processing of agricultural products if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The activities related to the processing of the agricultural products are carried out by the owner of the agricultural products.
(2) The activities related to the processing of the agricultural products produce no more than 1,000 gallons of wastewater per day.
(3) The wastewater is not generated by an animal waste management system as defined in G.S. 143-215.10B.
(4) The wastewater is disposed of by land application.
(5) No wastewater is discharged to surface waters.
(6) The disposal of the wastewater does not result in any violation of surface water or groundwater standards.
(a6) No permit shall be required to enter into a contract for the construction, installation, or alteration of any treatment works or disposal system or to construct, install, or alter any treatment works or disposal system within the State when the system's or work's principal function is to conduct, treat, equalize, neutralize, stabilize, recycle, or dispose of industrial waste or sewage from an industrial facility and the discharge of the industrial waste or sewage is authorized under a permit issued for the discharge of the industrial waste or sewage into the waters of the State. Notwithstanding the above, the permit issued for the discharge may be modified if required by federal regulation.
(a7) For high rate infiltration wastewater disposal systems that utilize non-native soils or materials in a basin sidewall to enhance infiltration, the non-native soils or materials in the sidewall shall not be considered part of the disposal area provided that all of the following standards are met:
(1) In addition to the requirements established by the Commission pursuant to subsection (a4) of G.S. 143-215.1, the treatment system shall include a mechanism to provide filtration of effluent to 0.5 microns or less and all essential treatment units shall be provided in duplicate.
(2) Particle size analysis in accordance with ASTM guidelines for all native and non-native materials shall be performed. Seventy-five percent (75%) of all non-native soil materials specified shall have a particle size of less than 4.8 millimeters.
(3) Non-native materials shall comprise no more than fifty percent (50%) of the basin sidewall area.
(4) Systems meeting the standards set out in subdivisions (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection shall be considered nondischarge systems, and the outfall of any associated groundwater lowering device shall be considered groundwater provided the outfall does not violate water quality standards.
(b) Commission's Power as to Permits. -
(1) The Commission shall act on all permits so as to prevent, so far as reasonably possible, considering relevant standards under State and federal laws, any significant increase in pollution of the waters of the State from any new or enlarged sources. No permit shall be denied and no condition shall be attached to the permit, except when the Commission finds such denial or such conditions necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Article.
(2) The Commission shall also act on all permits so as to prevent violation of water quality standards due to the cumulative effects of permit decisions. Cumulative effects are impacts attributable to the collective effects of a number of projects and include the effects of additional projects similar to the requested permit in areas available for development in the vicinity. All permit decisions shall require that the practicable waste treatment and disposal alternative with the least adverse impact on the environment be utilized.
(3) General permits may be issued under rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. Such rules may provide that minor activities may occur under a general permit issued in accordance with conditions set out in such rules. All persons covered under general permits shall be subject to all enforcement procedures and remedies applicable under this Article.
(4) The Commission shall have the power:
a. To grant a permit with such conditions attached as the Commission believes necessary to achieve the purposes of this Article.
b. To require that an applicant satisfy the Department that the applicant, or any parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of the applicant or parent:
1. Is financially qualified to carry out the activity for which the permit is required under subsection (a) of this section; and
2. Has substantially complied with the effluent standards and limitations and waste management treatment practices applicable to any activity in which the applicant has previously engaged, and has been in substantial compliance with other federal and state laws, regulations, and rules for the protection of the environment.
3. As used in this subdivision, the words "affiliate," "parent," and "subsidiary" have the same meaning as in 17 Code of Federal Regulations § 240.12b-2 (April 1, 1990, Edition).
4. For a privately owned treatment works that serves 15 or more service connections or that regularly serves 25 or more individuals, financial qualification may be demonstrated through the use of a letter of credit, insurance, surety, trust agreement, financial test, bond, or a guarantee by corporate parents or third parties who can pass the financial test. No permit shall be issued under this section for a privately owned treatment works that serves 15 or more service connections or that regularly serves 25 or more individuals, until financial qualification is established and the issuance of the permit shall be contingent on the continuance of the financial qualification for the duration of the activity for which the permit was issued.
c. To modify or revoke any permit upon not less than 60 days' written notice to any person affected.
d. To designate certain classes of minor activities for which a general permit may be issued, after considering:
1. The environmental impact of the activities;
2. How often the activities are carried out;
3. The need for individual permit oversight; and
4. The need for public review and comment on individual permits.
e. To designate certain classes of minor activities for which:
1. Performance conditions may be established by rule; and
2. Individual or general permits are not required.
f. To issue a permit, certification, authorization, or other approval by electronic delivery, registered or certified mail, or any other means authorized by G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4.
(5) The Commission shall not issue a permit for a new municipal or domestic wastewater treatment works that would discharge to the surface waters of the State or for the expansion of an existing municipal or domestic wastewater treatment works that would discharge to the surface waters of the State unless the applicant for the permit demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commission that:
a. The applicant has prepared and considered an engineering, environmental, and fiscal analysis of alternatives to the proposed facility.
b. The applicant is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the systemwide municipal and domestic wastewater collection systems permit program adopted by the Commission.
(b1) Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 156, s. 1.
(c) Applications for Permits and Renewals for Facilities Discharging to the Surface Waters. -
(1) All applications for permits and for renewal of existing permits for outlets and point sources and for treatment works and disposal systems discharging to the surface waters of the State shall be in writing, and the Commission may prescribe the form of such applications. All applications shall be filed with the Commission at least 180 days in advance of the date on which it is desired to commence the discharge of wastes or the date on which an existing permit expires, as the case may be. The Commission shall act on a permit application as quickly as possible. The Commission may conduct any inquiry or investigation it considers necessary before acting on an application and may require an applicant to submit plans, specifications, and other information the Commission considers necessary to evaluate the application.
(2) a. The Department shall refer each application for permit, or renewal of an existing permit, for outlets and point sources and treatment works and disposal systems discharging to the surface waters of the State to its staff for written evaluation and proposed determination with regard to issuance or denial of the permit. If the Commission concurs in the proposed determination, it shall give notice of intent to issue or deny the permit, along with any other data that the Commission may determine appropriate, to be given to the appropriate State, interstate and federal agencies, to interested persons, and to the public.
a1. The Commission shall prescribe the form and content of the notice. Public notice shall be given at least 45 days prior to any proposed final action granting or denying the permit. Public notice shall be given by publication of the notice one time in a newspaper having general circulation within the county.
b. Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 734.
(3) If any person desires a public hearing on any application for permit or renewal of an existing permit provided for in this subsection, he shall so request in writing to the Commission within 30 days following date of the notice of intent. The Commission shall consider all such requests for hearing, and if the Commission determines that there is a significant public interest in holding such hearing, at least 30 days' notice of such hearing shall be given to all persons to whom notice of intent was sent and to any other person requesting notice. At least 30 days prior to the date of hearing, the Commission shall also cause a copy of the notice thereof to be published at least one time in a newspaper having general circulation in such county. In any county in which there is more than one newspaper having general circulation in that county, the Commission shall cause a copy of such notice to be published in as many newspapers having general circulation in the county as the Commission in its discretion determines may be necessary to assure that such notice is generally available throughout the county. The Commission shall prescribe the form and content of the notices.
The Commission shall prescribe the procedures to be followed in hearings. If the hearing is not conducted by the Commission, detailed minutes of the hearing shall be kept and shall be submitted, along with any other written comments, exhibits or documents presented at the hearing, to the Commission for its consideration prior to final action granting or denying the permit.
(4) Not later than 60 days following notice of intent or, if a public hearing is held, within 90 days following consideration of the matters and things presented at such hearing, the Commission shall grant or deny any application for issuance of a new permit or for renewal of an existing permit. All permits or renewals issued by the Commission and all decisions denying application for permit or renewal shall be in writing.
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-398, s. 60(b), effective July 25, 2011, and applicable to permits that are issued on or after July 1, 2011.
(6) The Commission shall not act upon an application for a new nonmunicipal domestic wastewater discharge facility until it has received a written statement from each city and county government having jurisdiction over any part of the lands on which the proposed facility and its appurtenances are to be located which states whether the city or county has in effect a zoning or subdivision ordinance and, if such an ordinance is in effect, whether the proposed facility is consistent with the ordinance. The Commission shall not approve a permit application for any facility which a city or county has determined to be inconsistent with its zoning or subdivision ordinance unless it determines that the approval of such application has statewide significance and is in the best interest of the State. An applicant for a permit shall request that each city and county government having jurisdiction issue the statement required by this subdivision by mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, a written request for such statement and a copy of the draft permit application to the clerk of the city or county. If a local government fails to mail the statement required by this subdivision, as evidenced by a postmark, within 15 days after receiving and signing for the certified mail, the Commission may proceed to consider the permit application notwithstanding this subdivision.
(c1) Any person who is required to obtain an individual wastewater permit under this section for a facility discharging to the surface waters of the State that have been classified as nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) under rules adopted by the Commission shall not discharge more than an average annual mass load of total nitrogen than would result from a discharge of the permitted flow, determined at the time the Commission makes a finding that those waters are experiencing or are subject to excessive growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation, having a total nitrogen concentration of five and one-half milligrams of nitrogen per liter (5.5 mg/l). The total nitrogen concentration of 5.5 mg/l for nutrient sensitive waters required by this subsection applies only to:
(1) Facilities that were placed into operation prior to 1 July 1997 or for which an authorization to construct was issued prior to 1 July 1997 and that have a design capacity to discharge 500,000 gallons per day or more.
(2) Facilities for which an authorization to construct is issued on or after 1 July 1997.
(c2) Any person who is required to obtain an individual wastewater permit under this section for a facility discharging to the surface waters of the State that have been classified as nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) under rules adopted by the Commission where phosphorus is designated by the Commission as a nutrient of concern shall not discharge more than an average annual mass load of total phosphorus than would result from a discharge of the permitted flow, determined at the time the Commission makes a finding that those waters are experiencing or are subject to excessive growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation, having a total phosphorus concentration of two milligrams of phosphorus per liter (2.0 mg/l). The total phosphorus concentration of 2.0 mg/l for nutrient sensitive waters required by this subsection applies only to:
(1) Facilities that were placed into operation prior to 1 July 1997 or for which an authorization to construct was issued prior to 1 July 1997 and that have a design capacity to discharge 500,000 gallons per day or more.
(2) Facilities for which an authorization to construct is issued on or after 1 July 1997.
(c3) A person to whom subsection (c1) or (c2) of this section applies may meet the limits established under those subsections either individually or on the basis of a cooperative agreement with other persons who hold individual wastewater permits if the cooperative agreement is approved by the Commission. A person to whom subsection (c1) or (c2) of this section applies whose agreement to accept wastewater from another wastewater treatment facility that discharges into the same water body and that results in the elimination of the discharge from that wastewater treatment facility shall be allowed to increase the average annual mass load of total nitrogen and total phosphorus that person discharges by the average annual mass load of total nitrogen and total phosphorus of the wastewater treatment facility that is eliminated. If the wastewater treatment facility that is eliminated has a permitted flow of less than 500,000 gallons per day, the average annual mass load of total nitrogen or phosphorus shall be calculated from the most recent available data. A person to whom this subsection applies shall comply with nitrogen and phosphorus discharge monitoring requirements established by the Commission. This average annual load of nitrogen or phosphorus shall be assigned to the wastewater discharge allocation of the wastewater treatment facility that accepts the wastewater.
(c4) A person to whom subsection (c1) of this section applies may request the Commission to approve a total nitrogen concentration greater than that set out in subsection (c1) of this section at a decreased permitted flow so long as the average annual mass load of total nitrogen is equal to or is less than that required under subsection (c1) of this section. A person to whom subsection (c2) of this section applies may request the Commission to approve a total phosphorus concentration greater than that set out in subsection (c2) of this section at a decreased permitted flow so long as the average annual mass load of total phosphorus is equal to or is less than that required under subsection (c2) of this section. If, after any 12-month period following approval of a greater concentration at a decreased permitted flow, the Commission finds that the greater concentration at a decreased permitted flow does not result in an average annual mass load of total nitrogen or total phosphorus equal to or less than those that would be achieved under subsections (c1) and (c2) of this section, the Commission shall rescind its approval of the greater concentration at a decreased permitted flow and the requirements of subsections (c1) and (c2) of this section shall apply.
(c5) For surface waters to which the limits set out in subsection (c1) or (c2) of this section apply and for which a calibrated nutrient response model that meets the requirements of this subsection has been approved by the Commission, mass load limits for total nitrogen or total phosphorus shall be based on the results of the nutrient response model. A calibrated nutrient response model shall be developed and maintained with current data, be capable of predicting the impact of nitrogen or phosphorus in the surface waters, and incorporated into nutrient management plans by the Commission. The maximum mass load for total nitrogen or total phosphorus established by the Commission shall be substantiated by the model and may require individual discharges to be limited at concentrations that are different than those set out in subsection (c1) or (c2) of this section. A calibrated nutrient response model shall be developed by the Department in conjunction with the affected parties and is subject to approval by the Commission.
(c6) For surface waters that the Commission classifies as nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) on or after 1 July 1997, the Commission shall establish a date by which facilities that were placed into operation prior to the date on which the surface waters are classified NSW or for which an authorization to construct was issued prior to the date on which the surface waters are classified NSW must comply with subsections (c1) and (c2) of this section. The Commission shall establish the compliance schedule at the time of the classification.
(c7) For surface waters of the State that have naturally occurring low dissolved oxygen levels, as determined by the Department, permitted wastewater discharges to such surface waters shall not cause a reduction in the dissolved oxygen levels of such surface waters of more than 0.10 mg/l below the approved modeled in-stream dissolved oxygen level for the surface waters at total permitted capacity for all discharges to such surface waters.
(c8) Permitted Discharges of Highly Treated Domestic Wastewater. -
(1) Subject only to the limitations set forth in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the Department shall authorize permitted discharges of highly treated domestic wastewater to surface waters of the State, including wetlands, perennial streams, and unnamed tributaries of named and classified streams where the 7Q10 flow or 30Q2 flow of the receiving waterbody is estimated to be low flow or zero flow, as determined by the United States Geological Survey, from wastewater treatment systems capable of meeting the following water quality-based effluent limitations:
a. Biological oxygen demand (BOD5), 5mg/L.
b. NH3, 0.5mg/L monthly average, 1.0 mg/L daily maximum.
c. Total nitrogen, 4mg/L monthly average.
d. Total phosphorus, 1.0mg/L monthly average, 2.0mg/L daily maximum.
e. Fecal coliforms, 14 colonies/100mL.
f. Dissolved oxygen, 6mg/L, or 1mg/L more than the BOD5concentration.
g. Turbidity, 1 Nephelometric Turbidity Units.
h. Total suspended solids, 5mg/L monthly average.
i. Nitrate, 1mg/L monthly average.
(2) In addition to the requirements set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, only the following requirements shall apply to wastewater discharges to be authorized pursuant to this subsection:
a. No discharge shall be permitted to classified shellfish waters or outstanding resource waters. Discharges to unnamed tributaries of classified shellfish waters, however, shall be authorized in compliance with the requirements of this section.
b. The limitation of flow for any wastewater discharge shall be no more than one-tenth of the flow generated by the one-year, 24-hour storm event given the drainage area and calculated using the rational method. The rational method shall be used to calculate the peak runoff for the one-year, 24-hour precipitation event in cubic foot per second. The peak runoff shall then be divided by 10 and multiplied by 646,272 to convert the result to gallons per day of allowable discharge at the point studied.
c. Discharges shall be limited based on the ability of the receiving waters to hydraulicly accept the proposed flow, as demonstrated by being equal to or less than one-tenth of the flow using the rational method.
d. All discharges shall be directed to buffer systems that utilize low-energy methodologies to function as a buffer between the discharge and the receiving waters. Buffer systems shall:
1. Consist of one of the following: (i) high-rate infiltration basins that utilize engineered materials to achieve high rates of infiltration, which engineered materials shall have an ASTM gradation of a clean washed coarse grained sand; (ii) constructed free surface wetlands having a hydraulic residence time of 14 days; and (iii) other suitable technologies that provide a physical or hydraulic residence time buffer, or both, between the discharge and the receiving waters.
2. Discharge to areas that are 50 feet upland of the receiving waters or wetlands at a non-erosive velocity equal to or less than 2 feet per second through an appropriately designed energy dissipater, or other applicable designs, that meet the standard of practice for professional engineers for such devices.
3. Divide the subsequent outfall to the receiving stream so that no one particular outfall exceeds 1 cubic foot per second based on the average daily flow of the discharge. Discharges from buffer systems shall be allowed to be placed at increments along a stream or receiving waters at a distance of no less than 50 linear feet.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions apply:
a. 7Q10 flow. - A method to calculate the minimum average flow of a receiving water for a period of seven consecutive days that has an average recurrence of once in 10 years.
b. 30Q2 flow. - A method to calculate the minimum average flow of a receiving water for a period of 30 consecutive days that has an average recurrence of once in two years.
c. Highly treated domestic wastewater. - Wastewater effluent from treatment systems that receive flows from sources of domestic wastewater that meet the effluent limitations as set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
d. Rational method. - The method of computing storm drainage flow rates (Q) by use of the formula Q = CIA. For purposes of this sub-subdivision, the following definitions apply:
1. C. - The rational coefficient describing the stormwater runoff characteristics of the drainage.
2. I. - The rainfall intensity for the one-year, 24-hour precipitation event given by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through its online precipitation data server or other appropriate sources in units of inches per hour.
3. A. - The catchment area tributary to the point being studied as further defined using methodologies that meet the standard of practice for such work, including, but not limited to, web-based data and tools provided by the United States Geological Survey or by other analysis using topographic data that follows the standard of practice for such work by licensed professional engineers in units of acres.
(4) Once an applicant has submitted data to demonstrate the proposed discharge will meet the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, signed and sealed by a professional engineer licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 89C of the General Statutes, the application shall be deemed complete for the purposes of review by the Department.
(d) Applications and Permits for Sewer Systems, Sewer System Extensions and Pretreatment Facilities, Land Application of Waste, and for Wastewater Treatment Facilities Not Discharging to the Surface Waters of the State. -
(1) All applications for new permits and for renewals of existing permits for sewer systems, sewer system extensions and for disposal systems, and for land application of waste, or treatment works which do not discharge to the surface waters of the State, and all permits or renewals and decisions denying any application for permit or renewal shall be in writing. The Commission shall act on a permit application as quickly as possible. The Commission may conduct any inquiry or investigation it considers necessary before acting on an application and may require an applicant to submit plans, specifications, and other information the Commission considers necessary to evaluate the application. If the Commission fails to act on an application for a permit, including a renewal of a permit, within 90 days after the applicant submits all information required by the Commission, the application is considered to be approved. Permits and renewals issued in approving such facilities pursuant to this subsection shall be effective until the date specified therein or until rescinded unless modified or revoked by the Commission. Prior to acting on a permit application for the land application of bulk residuals resulting from the operation of a wastewater treatment facility, the Commission shall provide notice and an opportunity for comment from the governing board of the county in which the site of the land application of bulk residuals is proposed to be located. Local governmental units to whom pretreatment program authority has been delegated shall establish, maintain, and provide to the public, upon written request, a list of pretreatment applications received.
(2) An applicant for a permit to dispose of petroleum contaminated soil by land application shall give written notice that he intends to apply for such a permit to each city and county government having jurisdiction over any part of the land on which disposal is proposed to occur. The Commission shall not accept such a permit application unless it is accompanied by a copy of the notice and evidence that the notice was sent to each such government by certified mail, return receipt requested. The Commission may consider, in determining whether to issue the permit, the comments submitted by local governments.
(d1) Each applicant under subsections (c) or (d) for a permit (or the renewal thereof) for the operation of a treatment works for a private multi-family or single family residential development, in which the owners of individual residential units are required to organize as a lawfully constituted and incorporated homeowners' association of a subdivision, condominium, planned unit development, or townhouse complex, shall be required to enter into an operational agreement with the Commission as a condition of any such permit granted. The agreement shall address, as necessary, construction, operation, maintenance, assurance of financial solvency, transfers of ownership and abandonment of the plant, systems, or works, and shall be modified as necessary to reflect any changed condition at the treatment plant or in the development. Where the Commission finds appropriate, it may require any other private residential subdivision, condominium, planned unit development or townhouse complex which is served by a private treatment works and does not have a lawfully constituted and incorporated homeowners' association, and for which an applicant applies for a permit or the renewal thereof under subsections (c) or (d), to incorporate as a lawfully constituted homeowners' association, and after such incorporation, to enter into an operational agreement with the Commission and the applicant as a condition of any permit granted under subsections (c) or (d). The local government unit or units having jurisdiction over the development shall receive notice of the application within an established comment period and prior to final decision.
(d2) No permit issued pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be issued or renewed for a term exceeding five years. All other permits issued pursuant to this section for which an expiration date is specified shall be issued for a term not to exceed eight years.
(d3) The Department may transfer a permit issued pursuant to subsection (d) of this section without the consent of the permit holder to a successor-owner of the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur as provided in this subsection:
(1) The Department may transfer a permit if all of the following conditions are met:
a. The successor-owner of the property submits to the Department a written request for the transfer of the permit.
b. The Department finds all of the following:
1. The permit holder is one of the following:
I. A natural person who is deceased.
II. A partnership, limited liability corporation, corporation, or any other business association that has been dissolved.
III. A person who has been lawfully and finally divested of title to the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur.
IV. A person who has sold the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur.
2. The successor-owner holds title to the property on which the permitted activity is occurring or will occur.
3. The successor-owner is the sole claimant of the right to engage in the permitted activity.
4. There will be no substantial change in the permitted activity.
(2) The permit holder shall comply with all terms and conditions of the permit until such time as the permit is transferred.
(3) The successor-owner shall comply with all terms and conditions of the permit once the permit has been transferred.
(4) Notwithstanding changes to law made after the original issuance of the permit, the Department may not impose new or different terms and conditions in the permit without the prior express consent of the successor-owner.
(e) Administrative Review. - A permit applicant, a permittee, or a third party who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Commission may commence a contested case by filing a petition under G.S. 150B-23 within 30 days after the Commission notifies the applicant or permittee of its decision. If the permit applicant, the permittee, or a third party does not file a petition within the required time, the Commission's decision is final and is not subject to review.
(f) Local Permit Programs for Sewer Extension and Reclaimed Water Utilization. - Municipalities, counties, local boards or commissions, water and sewer authorities, or groups of municipalities and counties may establish and administer within their utility service areas their own general permit programs in lieu of State permit required in G.S. 143-215.1(a)(2), (3), and (8) above, for construction, operation, alteration, extension, change of proposed or existing sewer system, subject to the prior certification of the Commission. For purposes of this subsection, the service area of a municipality shall include only that area within the corporate limits of the municipality and that area outside a municipality in its extraterritorial jurisdiction where sewer service or a reclaimed water utilization system is already being provided by the municipality to the permit applicant or connection to the municipal sewer system or a reclaimed water utilization system is immediately available to the applicant; the service areas of counties and the other entities or groups shall include only those areas where sewer service or a reclaimed water utilization system is already being provided to the applicant by the permitting authority or connection to the permitting authority's system is immediately available. No later than the 180th day after the receipt of a program and statement submitted by any local government, commission, authority, or board the Commission shall certify any local program that does all of the following:
(1) Provides by ordinance or local law for requirements compatible with those imposed by this Part and the rules implementing this Part.
(2) Provides that the Department receives notice and a copy of each application for a permit and that it receives copies of approved permits and plans upon request by the Commission.
(3) Provides that plans and specifications for all construction, extensions, alterations, and changes be prepared by or under the direct supervision of an engineer licensed to practice in this State.
(4) Provides for the adequate enforcement of the program requirements by appropriate administrative and judicial process.
(5) Provides for the adequate administrative organization, engineering staff, financial and other resources necessary to effectively carry out its plan review program.
(6) Provides that the system is capable of interconnection at an appropriate time with an expanding municipal, county, or regional system.
(7) Provides for the adequate arrangement for the continued operation, service, and maintenance of the sewer or a reclaimed water utilization system.
(8) Is approved by the Commission as adequate to meet the requirements of this Part and the rules implementing this Part.
(f1) The Commission may deny, suspend, or revoke certification of a local program upon a finding that a violation of the provisions in subsection (f) of this section has occurred. A denial, suspension, or revocation of a certification of a local program shall be made only after notice and a public hearing. If the failure of a local program to carry out this subsection creates an imminent hazard, the Commission may summarily revoke the certification of the local program. Chapter 150B of the General Statutes does not apply to proceedings under this subsection.
(f2) Notwithstanding any other provision of subsections (f) and (f1) of this section, if the Commission determines that a sewer system, treatment works, or disposal system is operating in violation of the provisions of this Article and that the appropriate local authorities have not acted to enforce those provisions, the Commission may, after written notice to the appropriate local government, take enforcement action in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
(f3) The permittee for a wastewater system:
(1) May calculate its wastewater flows for new dwelling units discharging to wastewater systems serving two or more dwelling units that have yet to be connected and for which the permittee has allocated capacity, at 75 gallons per day per bedroom, or at a lower rate approved by the Department. If wastewater flows are calculated pursuant to this subdivision, the minimum volume of sewage from each dwelling unit is 75 gallons per day and each additional bedroom above one bedroom increases the volume by 75 gallons per day.
(2) Shall calculate its wastewater flows for new dwelling units discharging to wastewater systems serving two or more dwelling units that have yet to be connected and for which the permittee has not allocated capacity at 75 gallons per day per bedroom, or at a lower rate approved by the Department. For wastewater flows calculated pursuant to this subdivision, the minimum volume of sewage from each dwelling unit is 75 gallons per day and each additional bedroom above one bedroom increases the volume by 75 gallons per day.
(f4) No permits for sewer line extensions shall be issued to wastewater treatment systems owned or operated by municipalities, counties, sanitary districts, or public utilities unless the systems meet the following requirements:
(1) Prior to actual flow exceeding eighty percent (80%) of the system's permitted hydraulic capacity, based on the average flow during the last calendar year, the permittee shall submit an engineering evaluation of its future wastewater treatment, utilization, and disposal needs. This evaluation shall outline plans for meeting future wastewater treatment, utilization, or disposal needs by either expansion of the existing system, elimination or reduction of extraneous flows, or water conservation and shall include the source of funding for the improvements. If expansion is not proposed or is proposed for a later date, a justification shall be made that wastewater treatment needs will be met based on past growth records and future growth projections and, as appropriate, shall include conservation plans or other measures to achieve waste flow reductions.
(2) Prior to actual flow exceeding ninety percent (90%) of the system's permitted hydraulic capacity, based on the average flow during the last calendar year, the permittee shall obtain all permits needed for the expansion of the wastewater treatment, utilization, or disposal system and, if construction is needed, submit final plans and specifications for expansion, including a construction schedule. If expansion is not proposed or is proposed for a later date, a justification shall be made that wastewater treatment needs will be met based on past growth records and future growth projections and, as appropriate, shall include conservation plans or other specific measures to achieve waste flow reductions.
(3) The Director shall allow permits to be issued to facilities that are exceeding the eighty percent (80%) or ninety percent (90%) disposal capacity if the additional flow is not projected to result in the facility exceeding its permitted hydraulic capacity, the facility is in compliance with all other permit limitations and requirements, and adequate progress is being made in developing the required engineering evaluations or plans and specifications. In determining the adequacy of the progress, the Director shall consider the projected flows, the complexity and scope of the work to be completed, and any projected environmental impacts.
(f5) A permittee for a wastewater treatment system, who has signed a contract for the expansion of its wastewater treatment system, utilization, or disposal system and whose current system is located in a county with a projected population growth rate above two percent (2%) annually or is located in one of the top twenty percent (20%) of the fastest growing counties in the State, by population, and is meeting flow and pollutant discharge limits set out in the system's current permit, may allocate one hundred ten percent (110%) of its existing system's hydraulic capacity and increase the allocation amount to one hundred fifteen percent (115%) when the expansion of its system is within 24 months of completion, but may not allocate more than the permitted projected capacity after expansion without approval by the Department. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the Department from authorizing allocations above one hundred fifteen percent (115%) of a system's hydraulic capacity.
(g) Any person who is required to hold a permit under this section shall submit to the Department a written description of his current and projected plans to reduce the discharge of waste and pollutants under such permit by source reduction or recycling. The written description shall accompany the payment of the annual permit fee. The written description shall also accompany any application for a new permit, or for modification of an existing permit, under this section. The written description required by this subsection shall not be considered part of a permit application and shall not serve as the basis for the denial of a permit or permit modification.
(h) Each applicant for a new permit or the modification of an existing permit issued under subsection (c) of this section shall include with the application: (i) the extent to which the new or modified facility is constructed in whole or in part with funds provided or administered by the State or a unit of local government, (ii) the impact of the facility on water quality, and (iii) whether there are cost-effective alternative technologies that will achieve greater protection of water quality. The Commission shall prepare an annual summary and analysis of the information provided by applicants pursuant to this subsection. The Commission shall submit the summary and analysis required by this subsection to the Environmental Review Commission (ERC) as a part of each annual report that the Commission is required to make to the ERC under G.S. 143B-282(b).
(i) Any person subject to the requirements of this section who is required to obtain an individual permit from the Commission for a disposal system under the authority of G.S. 143-215.1 or Chapter 130A of the General Statutes shall have a compliance boundary as may be established by rule or permit for various categories of disposal systems and beyond which groundwater quality standards may not be exceeded. Multiple contiguous properties under common ownership and permitted for use as a disposal system shall be treated as a single property with regard to determination of a compliance boundary and setbacks to property lines.
(j) Repealed by Session Laws 2014-122, s. 12(a), effective September 20, 2014.
(k) Where operation of a disposal system permitted under this section results in exceedances of the groundwater quality standards at or beyond the compliance boundary, the Commission shall require the permittee to undertake corrective action, without regard to the date that the system was first permitted, to restore the groundwater quality by assessing the cause, significance, and extent of the violation of standards and submit the results of the investigation and a plan and proposed schedule for corrective action to the Secretary. The permittee shall implement the plan as approved by, and in accordance with, a schedule established by the Secretary. In establishing a schedule the Secretary shall consider any reasonable schedule proposed by the permittee. (1951, c. 606; 1955, c. 1131, s. 1; 1959, c. 779, s. 8; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1971, c. 1167, s. 6; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; c. 821, s. 5; c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 19, s. 51; c. 583, ss. 2-4; c. 655, ss. 1, 2; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1979, c. 633, s. 5; 1985, c. 446, s. 1; c. 697, s. 2; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1023, ss. 1-5; 1987, c. 461, s. 1; c. 734, s. 1; c. 827, ss. 154, 159; 1989, c. 51, s. 2; c. 168, s. 29; c. 453, ss. 1, 2; c. 494, s. 1; c. 727, ss. 160, 161; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1004, s. 17; c. 1024, s. 33; c. 1037, s. 1; 1991, c. 156, s. 1; c. 498, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 944, s. 12; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 2; 1997-458, ss. 6.1, 9.1, 11.2; 1997-496, s. 3; 1998-212, s. 14.9H(b), (d); 1999-329, s. 10.1; 2004-195, s. 1.5; 2006-250, s. 5; 2007-182, s. 2; 2011-41, s. 1; 2011-394, s. 9; 2011-398, s. 60(b), (c); 2012-194, s. 33; 2012-200, s. 9(a); 2013-121, s. 2; 2013-340, s. 1; 2013-413, ss. 46(a), 53; 2014-95, s. 3; 2014-115, s. 17; 2014-122, s. 12(a); 2015-1, s. 3.5; 2017-10, s. 4.13(b); 2017-209, s. 7; 2020-74, s. 15; 2022-43, s. 7(a); 2023-55, s. 1; 2023-134, ss. 12.9(a), 12.15; 2023-137, ss. 15(a), 18.)
§ 143-215.1A. Closed-loop groundwater remediation systems allowed.
(a) The phrase "closed-loop groundwater remediation system" means a system and attendant processes for cleaning up contaminated groundwater by pumping groundwater, treating the groundwater to reduce the concentration of or remove contaminants, and reintroducing the treated water beneath the surface so that the treated groundwater will be recaptured by the system.
(b) The Secretary may issue a permit for the siting, construction, and operation of a closed-loop groundwater remediation system. Permits shall be issued in accordance with G.S. 143-215.1 and applicable rules of the Commission. A permit issued under this section constitutes prior permission under G.S. 87-88.
(c) A permit for a closed-loop groundwater remediation system shall specify the location at which groundwater is to be reintroduced and shall specify design, construction, operation, and closure requirements for the closed-loop groundwater remediation system necessary to ensure that the treated groundwater will be captured by the contaminant and removal system that extracts the groundwater for treatment. The Secretary may impose any additional permit conditions or limitations necessary to:
(1) Achieve efficient, effective groundwater remediation.
(2) Minimize the possibility of spills or other releases from the closed-loop groundwater remediation system.
(3) Specify or limit the distance between the point at which contaminated groundwater is extracted and the point at which treated groundwater is reintroduced.
(4) Specify the minimum or maximum gradients between the point at which contaminated groundwater is extracted and the point at which treated groundwater is reintroduced.
(5) Specify or limit the chemical, physical, or biological treatment processes that may be used.
(6) Protect the environment or public health.
(d) The Commission may adopt rules to implement this section. (1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 786, s. 3.)
§ 143-215.1B. Extension of date for compliance with nitrogen and phosphorus discharge limits.
(a) The Commission may extend a compliance date established under G.S. 143-215.1(c6) only in accordance with the requirements of this section and only upon the request of a person who holds a permit under G.S. 143-215.1 that authorizes a discharge into surface waters to which the limits set out in subsections (c1) or (c2) of G.S. 143-215.1 apply. The Commission shall act on a request for an extension of a compliance date within 120 days after the Commission receives the request. The Commission shall not extend a compliance date if the Commission concludes, on the basis of the scientific data available to the Commission at the time of the request, that the extension will result in a violation of the antidegradation policy set out in 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 131.12 (1 July 1997 Edition). The Commission shall not extend a compliance date unless the Commission finds that the permit holder needs additional time to develop a calibrated nutrient response model that meets the requirements of this section. If the Commission requires an individual discharge to be limited to a maximum mass load or concentration that is different from those set out in subsections (c1) or (c2) of G.S. 143-215.1, the maximum mass load or concentration shall be substantiated by the model.
(b) The Commission shall determine the extended compliance date by adding to the date on which the Commission grants the extension: (i) two years for the collection of data needed to prepare a calibrated nutrient response model; (ii) a maximum of one year to prepare the calibrated nutrient response model; (iii) the amount of time, if any, that is required for the Commission to develop a nutrient management strategy and to adopt rules or to modify discharge permits to establish maximum mass loads or concentration limits based on the calibrated nutrient response model; and (iv) a maximum of three years to plan, design, finance, and construct a facility that will comply with those maximum mass loads and concentration limits. If the Commission finds that additional time is needed to complete the construction of a facility, the Commission may further extend an extended compliance date by a maximum of two additional years.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 150B-21.1(a), the Commission may adopt temporary rules to establish maximum mass loads or concentration limits pursuant to this section or as may otherwise be necessary to implement this section.
(d) A permit holder who is granted an extended compliance date under this section shall:
(1) Develop a calibrated nutrient response model in conjunction with other affected parties and in accordance with a timetable for the development of the model that has been approved by the Commission. The model shall be based on current data, capable of predicting the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus in the surface waters, capable of being incorporated into any nutrient management plan developed by the Commission, and approved by the Commission.
(2) Evaluate and optimize the operation of all facilities operated by the permit holder that are permitted under G.S. 143-215.1(c) and that discharge into the nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) for which the compliance date is extended pursuant to this section in order to reduce nutrient loading.
(3) Evaluate methods to reduce the total mass load of waste that is discharged from all facilities operated by the permit holder that are permitted under G.S. 143-215.1(c) and that discharge into the nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) for which the compliance date is extended pursuant to this section and determine whether these methods are cost-effective.
(4) Evaluate methods to reduce the discharge of treated effluent from all facilities operated by the permit holder that are permitted under G.S. 143-215.1(c) and that discharge into the nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) for which the compliance date is extended pursuant to this section; including land application of treated effluent, the use of restored or created wetlands that are not located in a 100-year floodplain to polish treated effluent, and other methods to reuse treated effluent; and determine whether these methods are cost-effective.
(5) Report to the Commission on progress in the development of the calibrated nutrient response model, on efforts to optimize the operation of facilities, on the evaluation of methods of reducing the total mass load of waste, and on the evaluation of methods to reduce the discharge of treated effluent. The Commission shall establish a schedule for reports that requires the permit holder to report on at least a semiannual basis.
(e) The Commission may revoke an extension granted under this section and impose the limits set out in subsections (c1) and (c2) of G.S. 143-215.1 if the Commission determines that a permit holder who has obtained an extension under this section has, at any time during the period of the extension:
(1) Failed to comply with the requirements of subsection (d) of this section; or
(2) Violated any conditions or limitations of any permit issued under G.S. 143-215.1 or special order issued under G.S. 143-215.2 if the violation is the result of conduct by the permit holder that results in a significant violation of water quality standards. (1998-212, s. 14.9H(c); 2004-195, s. 1.6.)
§ 143-215.1C. Report to wastewater system customers on system performance; report discharge of untreated wastewater to the Department; publication of notice of discharge of untreated wastewater and waste.
(a) Report to Wastewater System Customers. - The owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works, the operation of which is primarily to collect or treat municipal or domestic wastewater and for which a permit is issued under this Part and having an average annual flow greater than 200,000 gallons per day, shall provide to the users or customers of the collection system or treatment works and to the Department an annual report that summarizes the performance of the collection system or treatment works and the extent to which the collection system or treatment works has violated the permit or federal or State laws, regulations, or rules related to the protection of water quality. The report shall be prepared on either a calendar or fiscal year basis and shall be provided no later than 60 days after the end of the calendar or fiscal year.
(a1) Report Discharge of Untreated Wastewater to the Department. - The owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works for which a permit is issued under this Part shall report a discharge of 1,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater to the surface waters of the State to the Department as soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the owner or operator has determined that the discharge has reached the surface waters of the State. This reporting requirement shall be in addition to any other reporting requirements applicable to the owner or operator of the wastewater collection or treatment works.
(b) Publication of Notice of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater. - The owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works, the operation of which is primarily to collect or treat municipal or domestic wastewater and for which a permit is issued under this Part shall:
(1) In the event of a discharge of 1,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater to the surface waters of the State, issue a press release to all print and electronic news media that provide general coverage in the county where the discharge occurred setting out the details of the discharge. The owner or operator shall issue the press release within 24 hours after the owner or operator has determined that the discharge has reached the surface waters of the State. The owner or operator shall retain a copy of the press release and a list of the news media to which it was distributed for at least one year after the discharge and shall provide a copy of the press release and the list of the news media to which it was distributed to any person upon request.
(2) In the event of a discharge of 15,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater to the surface waters of the State, publish a notice of the discharge in a newspaper having general circulation in the county in which the discharge occurs and in each county downstream from the point of discharge that is significantly affected by the discharge. The Secretary shall determine, at the Secretary's sole discretion, which counties are significantly affected by the discharge and shall approve the form and content of the notice and the newspapers in which the notice is to be published. The notice shall be captioned "NOTICE OF DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED SEWAGE". The owner or operator shall publish the notice within 10 days after the Secretary has determined the counties that are significantly affected by the discharge and approved the form and content of the notice and the newspapers in which the notice is to be published. The owner or operator shall file a copy of the notice and proof of publication with the Department within 30 days after the notice is published. Publication of a notice of discharge under this subdivision is in addition to the requirement to issue a press release under subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(c) Publication of Notice of Discharge of Untreated Waste. - The owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works, other than a wastewater collection or treatment works the operation of which is primarily to collect or treat municipal or domestic wastewater, for which a permit is issued under this Part shall:
(1) In the event of a discharge of 1,000 gallons or more of untreated waste to the surface waters of the State, issue a press release to all print and electronic news media that provide general coverage in the county where the discharge occurred setting out the details of the discharge. The owner or operator shall issue the press release within 24 hours after the owner or operator has determined that the discharge has reached the surface waters of the State. The owner or operator shall retain a copy of the press release and a list of the news media to which it was distributed for at least one year after the discharge and shall provide a copy of the press release and the list of the news media to which it was distributed to any person upon request.
(2) In the event of a discharge of 15,000 gallons or more of untreated waste to the surface waters of the State, publish a notice of the discharge in a newspaper having general circulation in the county in which the discharge occurs and in each county downstream from the point of discharge that is significantly affected by the discharge. The Secretary shall determine, at the Secretary's sole discretion, which counties are significantly affected by the discharge and shall approve the form and content of the notice and the newspapers in which the notice is to be published. The notice shall be captioned "NOTICE OF DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED WASTE". The owner or operator shall publish the notice within 10 days after the Secretary has determined the counties that are significantly affected by the discharge and approved the form and content of the notice and the newspapers in which the notice is to be published. The owner or operator shall file a copy of the notice and proof of publication with the Department within 30 days after the notice is published. Publication of a notice of discharge under this subdivision is in addition to the requirement to issue a press release under subdivision (1) of this subsection. (1999-329, s. 8.1; 1999-456, s. 68; 2010-180, s. 5; 2014-122, s. 6(a).)
(a) Issuance. - The Commission may, after the effective date of classifications, standards and limitations adopted pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1 or G.S. 143-215, or a water supply watershed management requirement adopted pursuant to G.S. 143-214.5, issue, and from time to time modify or revoke, a special order, or other appropriate instrument, to any person whom it finds responsible for causing or contributing to any pollution of the waters of the State within the area for which standards have been established. The order or instrument may direct the person to take, or refrain from taking an action, or to achieve a result, within a period of time specified by the special order, as the Commission deems necessary and feasible in order to alleviate or eliminate the pollution. The Commission is authorized to enter into consent special orders, assurances of voluntary compliance or other similar documents by agreement with the person responsible for pollution of the water, subject to the provisions of subsection (a1) of this section regarding proposed orders, and the consent order, when entered into by the Commission after public review, shall have the same force and effect as a special order of the Commission issued pursuant to hearing.
(a1) Public Notice and Review of Consent Orders.
(1) The Commission shall give notice of a proposed consent order to the proper State, interstate, and federal agencies, to interested persons, and to the public. The Commission may also provide any other data it considers appropriate to those notified. The Commission shall prescribe the form and content of the notice. The notice shall be given at least 45 days prior to any final action regarding the consent order. Public notice shall be given by publication of the notice one time in a newspaper having general circulation within the county in which the pollution originates.
(2) Any person who desires a public meeting on any proposed consent order may request one in writing to the Commission within 30 days following date of the notice of the proposed consent order. The Commission shall consider all such requests for meetings. If the Commission determines that there is significant public interest in holding a meeting, the Commission shall schedule a meeting and shall give notice of such meeting at least 30 days in advance to all persons to whom notice of the proposed consent order was given and to any other person requesting notice. At least 30 days prior to the date of meeting, the Commission shall also have a copy of the notice of the meeting published at least one time in a newspaper having general circulation within the county in which the pollution originates. The Commission shall prescribe the form and content of notices under this subsection.
(3) The Commission shall prescribe the procedures to be followed in such meetings. If the meeting is not conducted by the Commission, detailed minutes of the meeting shall be kept and shall be submitted, along with any other written comment, exhibits or other documents presented at the meeting, to the Commission for its consideration prior to final action granting or denying the consent order.
(4) The Commission shall take final action on a proposed consent not later than 60 days following notice of the proposed consent order or, if a public meeting is held, within 90 days following such meeting.
(b) Procedure to Contest Certain Orders. - A special order that is issued without the consent of the person affected may be contested by that person by filing a petition for a contested case under G.S. 150B-23 within 30 days after the order is issued. If the person affected does not file a petition within the required time, the order is final and is not subject to review.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 160.
(d) Effect of Compliance. - Any person who installs a treatment works for the purpose of alleviating or eliminating water pollution in compliance with the terms of, or as a result of the conditions specified in, a permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1, or a special order, consent special order, assurance of voluntary compliance or similar document issued pursuant to this section, or a final decision of the Commission or a court rendered pursuant to either of said sections, shall not be required to take or refrain from any further action nor be required to achieve any further results under the terms of this or any other State law relating to the control of water pollution, for a period to be fixed by the Commission or court as it shall deem fair and reasonable in the light of all the circumstances after the date when such special order, consent special order, assurance of voluntary compliance, other document, or decision, or the conditions of such permit become finally effective, if:
(1) The treatment works result in the elimination or alleviation of water pollution to the extent required by such permit, special order, consent special order, assurance of voluntary compliance or other document, or decision and complies with any other terms thereof; and
(2) Such person complies with the terms and conditions of such permit, special order, consent special order, assurance of voluntary compliance, other document, or decision within the time limit, if any, specified therein or as the same may be extended, and thereafter remains in compliance. (1951, c. 606; 1955, c. 1131, s. 2; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 698, s. 3; c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 19, s. 52; 1979, c. 889; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 160; 1989, c. 426, s. 3; c. 766, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 3.)
§ 143-215.2A. Relief for contaminated private drinking water wells.
(a) The Secretary shall, upon direction of the Governor, order any person who the Secretary finds responsible for the discharge or release of industrial waste that includes per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including the chemical known as "GenX" (CAS registry number 62037-80-3 or 13252-13-6), into the air, groundwater, surface water, or onto the land that results in contamination of a private drinking water well, as that term is defined in G.S. 87-85, to establish permanent replacement water supplies for affected parties. For purposes of this section, the terms (i) "contamination" means an exceedance of a standard established by the Environmental Management Commission for groundwater, surface water, or air quality, or an exceedance of a health advisory level established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, for any chemical classified as a PFAS, including GenX; and (ii) "affected party" means a household, business, school, or public building with a well contaminated with PFAS, including GenX, as a result of the discharge or release of industrial waste.
(b) If the Secretary orders a person responsible for the discharge or release of a PFAS, including GenX, that results in contamination of a private drinking water well to establish a permanent replacement water supply for an affected party with such a well pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, preference shall be given to permanent replacement water supplies by connection to public water supplies; provided that (i) an affected party may elect to receive a filtration system in lieu of a connection to public water supplies and (ii) if the Department determines that connection to a public water supply to a particular affected party would not be cost-effective, the Department shall authorize provision of a permanent replacement water supply to that affected party through installation of a filtration system. For affected parties for which filtration systems are installed, the person responsible shall be liable for any periodic required maintenance of the filtration system. An order issued by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall include a deadline by which the responsible person must establish the permanent replacement water supply for the affected party or parties subject to the order.
(c) An order issued by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be delivered by registered or certified mail, or by any means authorized by G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4, to the person ordered to establish the permanent replacement water supply and shall include detailed findings of fact and conclusions in support of the order. A person to whom such order is issued may commence a contested case by filing a petition under G.S. 150B-23 within 30 days after receipt of notice of the order. If the person does not file a petition within the required time, the Secretary's decision is final and is not subject to review.
(d) A person required to establish a permanent replacement water supply pursuant to this section shall be jointly and severally liable for all necessary costs associated with establishment of the permanent replacement water supply. The remedy under this section is in addition to those provided by existing statutory and common law. Nothing in this section shall limit or diminish any rights of contribution for costs incurred herein.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to (i) require an eligible affected party to connect to a public water supply or receive a filtration system or (ii) obviate the need for other federal, State, and local permits and approvals.
(f) All State entities and local governments shall expedite any permits and approvals that may be required for the establishment of permanent replacement water supplies required pursuant to this section. (2018-5, s. 13.1(c); 2018-97, s. 4.4(b).)
§ 143-215.3. General powers of Commission and Department; auxiliary powers.
(a) Additional Powers. - In addition to the specific powers prescribed elsewhere in this Article, and for the purpose of carrying out its duties, the Commission shall have the power:
(1) To make rules implementing Articles 21, 21A, 21B, or 38 of this Chapter.
(1a) To adopt fee schedules and collect fees for the following:
a. Processing of applications for permits or registrations issued under Article 21, other than Parts 1 and 1A, Articles 21A, 21B, and 38 of this Chapter;
b. Administering permits or registrations issued under Article 21, other than Parts 1 and 1A, Articles 21A, 21B, and 38 of this Chapter including monitoring compliance with the terms of those permits; and
c. Reviewing, processing, and publicizing applications for construction grant awards under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
No fee may be charged under this provision, however, to a farmer who submits an application that pertains to his farming operations.
(1b) The fee to be charged pursuant to G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1a) for processing an application for a permit under G.S. 143-215.108 and G.S. 143-215.109 of Article 21B of this Chapter may not exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). The fee to be charged pursuant to G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1a) for processing a registration under Part 2A of this Article or Article 38 of this Chapter may not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) for any single registration. An additional fee of twenty percent (20%) of the registration processing fee may be assessed for a late registration under Article 38 of this Chapter. The fee for administering and compliance monitoring under Article 21, other than Parts 1 and 1A, and G.S. 143-215.108 and G.S. 143-215.109 of Article 21B shall be charged on an annual basis for each year of the permit term and may not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per year. Fees for processing all permits under Article 21A and all other sections of Article 21B shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) for any single permit. The total payment for fees that are set by the Commission under this subsection for all permits for any single facility shall not exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) per year, which amount shall include all application fees and fees for administration and compliance monitoring. A single facility is defined to be any contiguous area under one ownership and in which permitted activities occur. For all permits issued under these Articles where a fee schedule is not specified in the statutes, the Commission, or other commission specified by statute shall adopt a fee schedule in a rule following the procedures established by the Administrative Procedure Act. Fee schedules shall be established to reflect the size of the emission or discharge, the potential impact on the environment, the staff costs involved, relative costs of the issuance of new permits and the reissuance of existing permits, and shall include adequate safeguards to prevent unusual fee assessments which would result in serious economic burden on an individual applicant. A system shall be considered to allow consolidated annual payments for persons with multiple permits. In its rulemaking to establish fee schedules, the Commission is also directed to consider a method of rewarding facilities which achieve full compliance with administrative and self-monitoring reporting requirements, and to consider, in those cases where the cost of renewal or amendment of a permit is less than for the original permit, a lower fee for the renewal or amendment.
(1c) Moneys collected pursuant to G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1a) shall be used to:
a. Eliminate, insofar as possible, backlogs of permit applications awaiting agency action;
b. Improve the quality of permits issued;
c. Improve the rate of compliance of permitted activities with environmental standards; and
d. Decrease the length of the processing period for permit applications.
(1d) The Commission may adopt and implement a graduated fee schedule sufficient to cover all direct and indirect costs required for the State to develop and administer a permit program which meets the requirements of Title V. The provisions of subdivision (1b) of this subsection do not apply to the adoption of a fee schedule under this subdivision. In adopting and implementing a fee schedule, the Commission shall require that the owner or operator of all air contaminant sources subject to the requirement to obtain a permit under Title V to pay an annual fee, or the equivalent over some other period, sufficient to cover costs as provided in section 502(b)(3)(A) of Title V. The fee schedule shall be adopted according to the procedures set out in Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
a. The total amount of fees collected under the fee schedule adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall conform to the requirements of section 502(b)(3)(B) of Title V. No fee shall be collected for more than 4,000 tons per year of any individual regulated pollutant, as defined in section 502(b)(3)(B)(ii) of Title V, emitted by any source. Fees collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be credited to the Title V Account.
b. The Commission may reduce any permit fee required under this section to take into account the financial resources of small business stationary sources as defined under Title V and regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
c. When funds in the Title V Account exceed the total amount necessary to cover the cost of the Title V program for the next fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce the amount billed for the next fiscal year so that the excess funds are used to supplement the cost of administering the Title V permit program in that fiscal year.
(1e) The Commission shall collect the application, annual, and project fees for processing and administering permits, certificates of coverage under general permits, and certifications issued under Parts 1 and 1A of this Article and for compliance monitoring under Parts 1 and 1A of this Article as provided in G.S. 143-215.3D and G.S. 143-215.10G.
(2) To direct that such investigation be conducted as it may reasonably deem necessary to carry out its duties as prescribed by this Article or Article 21A or Article 21B of this Chapter, and for this purpose to enter at reasonable times upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of investigating the condition of any waters and the discharge therein of any sewage, industrial waste, or other waste or for the purpose of investigating the condition of the air, air pollution, air contaminant sources, emissions, or the installation and operation of any air-cleaning devices, and to require written statements or the filing of reports under oath, with respect to pertinent questions relating to the operation of any air-cleaning device, sewer system, disposal system, or treatment works. In the case of effluent or emission data, any records, reports, or information obtained under this Article or Article 21A or Article 21B of this Chapter shall be related to any applicable effluent or emission limitations or toxic, pretreatment, or new source performance standards. No person shall refuse entry or access to any authorized representative of the Commission or Department who requests entry for purposes of inspection, and who presents appropriate credentials, nor shall any person obstruct, hamper or interfere with any such representative while in the process of carrying out his official duties.
(3) To conduct public hearings and to delegate the power to conduct public hearings in accordance with the procedures prescribed by this Article or by Article 21B of this Chapter.
(4) To delegate such of the powers of the Commission as the Commission deems necessary to one or more of its members, to the Secretary or any other qualified employee of the Department. The Commission shall not delegate to persons other than its own members and the designated employees of the Department the power to conduct hearings with respect to the classification of waters, the assignment of classifications, air quality standards, air contaminant source classifications, emission control standards, or the issuance of any special order except in the case of an emergency under subdivision (12) of this subsection for the abatement of existing water or air pollution. Any employee of the Department to whom a delegation of power is made to conduct a hearing shall report the hearing with its evidence and record to the Commission.
(5) To institute such actions in the superior court of any county in which a violation of this Article, Article 21B of this Chapter, or the rules of the Commission has occurred, or, in the discretion of the Commission, in the superior court of the county in which any defendant resides, or has his or its principal place of business, as the Commission may deem necessary for the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Article, Article 21B of this Chapter, or of any official action of the Commission, including proceedings to enforce subpoenas or for the punishment of contempt of the Commission.
(6) To agree upon or enter into any settlements or compromises of any actions and to prosecute any appeals or other proceedings.
(7) To direct the investigation of any killing of fish and wildlife which, in the opinion of the Commission, is of sufficient magnitude to justify investigation and is known or believed to have resulted from the pollution of the waters or air as defined in this Article, and whenever any person, whether or not he shall have been issued a certificate of approval, permit or other document of approval authorized by this or any other State law, has negligently, or carelessly or unlawfully, or willfully and unlawfully, caused pollution of the waters or air as defined in this Article, in such quantity, concentration or manner that fish or wildlife are killed as the result thereof, the Commission, may recover, in the name of the State, damages from such person. The measure of damages shall be the amount determined by the Department and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, whichever has jurisdiction over the fish and wildlife destroyed to be the replacement cost thereof plus the cost of all reasonable and necessary investigations made or caused to be made by the State in connection therewith. Upon receipt of the estimate of damages caused, the Department shall notify the persons responsible for the destruction of the fish or wildlife in question and may effect such settlement as the Commission may deem proper and reasonable, and if no settlement is reached within a reasonable time, the Commission shall bring a civil action to recover such damages in the superior court in the county in which the discharge took place. Upon such action being brought the superior court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine all issues or questions of law or fact, arising on the pleadings, including issues of liability and the amount of damages. On such hearing, the estimate of the replacement costs of the fish or wildlife destroyed shall be prima facie evidence of the actual replacement costs of such fish or wildlife. In arriving at such estimate, any reasonably accurate method may be used and it shall not be necessary for any agent of the Wildlife Resources Commission or the Department to collect, handle or weigh numerous specimens of dead fish or wildlife.
The State of North Carolina shall be deemed the owner of the fish or wildlife killed and all actions for recovery shall be brought by the Commission on behalf of the State as the owner of the fish or wildlife. The fact that the person or persons alleged to be responsible for the pollution which killed the fish or wildlife holds or has held a certificate of approval, permit or other document of approval authorized by this Article or any other law of the State shall not bar any such action. The proceeds of any recovery, less the cost of investigation, shall be used to replace, insofar as and as promptly as possible, the fish and wildlife killed, or in cases where replacement is not practicable, the proceeds shall be used in whatever manner the responsible agency deems proper for improving the fish and wildlife habitat in question. Any such funds received are hereby appropriated for these designated purposes. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed in any way to limit or prevent any other action which is now authorized by this Article.
(8) After issuance of an appropriate order, to withhold the granting of any permit or permits pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1 or G.S. 143-215.108 for the construction or operation of any new or additional disposal system or systems or air-cleaning device or devices in any area of the State. Such order may be issued only upon determination by the Commission, after public hearing, that the permitting of any new or additional source or sources of water or air pollution will result in a generalized condition of water or air pollution within the area contrary to the public interest, detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare, and contrary to the policy and intent declared in this Article or Article 21B of this Chapter. The Commission may make reasonable distinctions among the various sources of water and air pollution and may direct that its order shall apply only to those sources which it determines will result in a generalized condition of water or air pollution.
The determination of the Commission shall be supported by detailed findings of fact and conclusions set forth in the order and based upon competent evidence of record. The order shall describe the geographical area of the State affected thereby with particularity and shall prohibit the issuance of permits pending a determination by the Commission that the generalized condition of water or air pollution has ceased.
Notice of hearing shall be given in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 150B-21.2.
A person aggrieved by an order of the Commission under this subdivision may seek judicial review of the order under Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes without first commencing a contested case. An order may not be stayed while it is being reviewed.
(9) If an investigation conducted pursuant to this Article or Article 21B of this Chapter reveals a violation of any rules, standards, or limitations adopted by the Commission pursuant to this Article or Article 21B of this Chapter, or a violation of any terms or conditions of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1 or 143-215.108, or special order or other document issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.2 or G.S. 143-215.110, the Commission may assess the reasonable costs of any investigation, inspection or monitoring survey which revealed the violation against the person responsible therefor. If the violation resulted in an unauthorized discharge to the waters or atmosphere of the State, the Commission may also assess the person responsible for the violation for any actual and necessary costs incurred by the State in removing, correcting or abating any adverse effects upon the water or air resulting from the unauthorized discharge. If the person responsible for the violation refuses or fails within a reasonable time to pay any sums assessed, the Commission may institute a civil action in the superior court of the county in which the violation occurred or, in the Commission's discretion, in the superior court of the county in which such person resides or has his or its principal place of business, to recover such sums.
(10) To require a laboratory facility that performs any tests, analyses, measurements, or monitoring required under this Article or Article 21B of this Chapter to be certified annually by the Department, to establish standards that a laboratory facility and its employees must meet and maintain in order for the laboratory facility to be certified, and to charge a laboratory facility a fee for certification. Fees collected under this subdivision shall be credited to the Water and Air Account and used to administer this subdivision. Beginning July 1, 2025, and every two years thereafter, the Commission shall adjust the fees imposed pursuant to this subdivision to cover the costs of legislatively mandated salary and benefits revisions for the employees administering the laboratory facility certification program. These fees shall be applied to the cost of certifying laboratory facilities.
(11) Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 296, s. 6.
(12) To declare an emergency when it finds that a generalized condition of water or air pollution which is causing imminent danger to the health or safety of the public. Regardless of any other provisions of law, if the Department finds that such a condition of water or air pollution exists and that it creates an emergency requiring immediate action to protect the public health and safety or to protect fish and wildlife, the Secretary of the Department with the concurrence of the Governor, shall order persons causing or contributing to the water or air pollution in question to reduce or discontinue immediately the emission of air contaminants or the discharge of wastes. Immediately after the issuance of such order, the chairman of the Commission shall fix a place and time for a hearing before the Commission to be held within 24 hours after issuance of such order, and within 24 hours after the commencement of such hearing, and without adjournment thereof, the Commission shall either affirm, modify or set aside the order.
In the absence of a generalized condition of air or water pollution of the type referred to above, if the Secretary finds that the emissions from one or more air contaminant sources or the discharge of wastes from one or more sources of water pollution is causing imminent danger to human health and safety or to fish and wildlife, he may with the concurrence of the Governor order the person or persons responsible for the operation or operations in question to immediately reduce or discontinue the emissions of air contaminants or the discharge of wastes or to take such other measures as are, in his judgment, necessary, without regard to any other provisions of this Article or Article 21B of this Chapter. In such event, the requirements for hearing and affirmance, modification or setting aside of such orders set forth in the preceding paragraph of this subdivision shall apply.
(13) Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 296, s. 6.
(14) To certify and approve, by appropriate delegations and conditions in permits required by G.S. 143-215.1, requests by publicly owned treatment works to implement, administer and enforce a pretreatment program for the control of pollutants which pass through or interfere with treatment processes in such treatment works; and to require such programs to be developed where necessary to comply with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, including the addition of conditions and compliance schedules in permits required by G.S. 143-215.1. Pretreatment programs submitted by publicly owned treatment works shall include, at a minimum, the adoption of pretreatment standards, a permit or equally effective system for the control of pollutants contributed to the treatment works, and the ability to effectively enforce compliance with the program.
(15) To adopt rules for the prevention of pollution from underground tanks containing petroleum, petroleum products, or hazardous substances. Rules adopted under this section may incorporate standards and restrictions which exceed and are more comprehensive than comparable federal regulations.
(16) To adopt rules limiting the manufacture, storage, sale, distribution or use of cleaning agents containing phosphorus pursuant to G.S. 143-214.4(e), and to adopt rules limiting the manufacture, storage, sale, distribution or use of cleaning agents containing nitrilotriacetic acid.
(17) To adopt rules to implement Part 2A of Article 21A of Chapter 143.
(b) Research Functions. - The Department shall have the power to conduct scientific experiments, research, and investigations to discover economical and practical corrective methods for air pollution and waste disposal problems. To this end, the Department may cooperate with any public or private agency or agencies in the conduct of such experiments, research, and investigations, and may, when funds permit, establish research studies in any North Carolina educational institution, with the consent of such institution. In addition, the Department shall have the power to cooperate and enter into contracts with technical divisions of State agencies, institutions and with municipalities, industries, and other persons in the execution of such surveys, studies, and research as it may deem necessary in fulfilling its functions under this Article or Article 21B of this Chapter. All State departments shall advise with and cooperate with the Department on matters of mutual interest.
(c) Relation with the Federal Government. - The Commission as official water and air pollution control agency for the State is delegated to act in local administration of all matters covered by any existing federal statutes and future legislation by Congress relating to water and air quality control. In order for the State of North Carolina to effectively participate in programs administered by federal agencies for the regulation and abatement of water and air pollution, the Department is authorized to accept and administer funds provided by federal agencies for water and air pollution programs and to enter into contracts with federal agencies regarding the use of such funds.
(d) Relations with Other States. - The Commission or the Department may, with the approval of the Governor, consult with qualified representatives of adjoining states relative to the establishment of regulations for the protection of waters and air of mutual interest, but the approval of the General Assembly shall be required to make any regulations binding.
(e) Variances. - Any person subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.1 or 143-215.108 may apply to the Commission for a variance from rules, standards, or limitations established pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1, 143-215, or 143-215.107. The Commission may grant such variance, for fixed or indefinite periods after public hearing on due notice, or where it is found that circumstances so require, for a period not to exceed 90 days without prior hearing and notice. Prior to granting a variance hereunder, the Commission shall find that:
(1) The discharge of waste or the emission of air contaminants occurring or proposed to occur do not endanger human health or safety; and
(2) Compliance with the rules, standards, or limitations from which variance is sought cannot be achieved by application of best available technology found to be economically reasonable at the time of application for such variances, and would produce serious hardship without equal or greater benefits to the public, provided that such variances shall be consistent with the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended or the Clean Air Act as amended; and provided further, that any person who would otherwise be entitled to a variance or modification under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended or the Clean Air Act as amended shall also be entitled to the same variance from or modification in rules, standards, or limitations established pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1, 143-215, and 143-215.107, respectively.
(f) Notification of Completed Remedial Action. - The definitions set out in G.S. 130A-310.31(b) apply to this subsection. Any person may submit a written request to the Department for a determination that groundwater has been remediated to meet the standards and classifications established under this Part. A request for a determination that groundwater has been remediated to meet the standards and classifications established under this Part shall be accompanied by the fee required by G.S. 130A-310.39(a)(2). If the Department determines that groundwater has been remediated to established standards and classifications, the Department shall issue a written notification that no further remediation of the groundwater will be required. The notification shall state that no further remediation of the groundwater will be required unless the Department later determines, based on new information or information not previously provided to the Department, that the groundwater has not been remediated to established standards and classifications or that the Department was provided with false or incomplete information. Under any of those circumstances, the Department may withdraw the notification and require responsible parties to remediate the groundwater to established standards and classifications. (1951, c. 606; 1957, c. 1267, s. 3; 1959, c. 779, s. 8; 1963, c. 1086; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1969, c. 538; 1971, c. 1167, ss. 7, 8; 1973, c. 698, ss. 1-7, 9, 17; c. 712, s. 1; c. 1262, ss. 23, 86; c. 1331, s. 3; 1975, c. 583, ss. 5, 6; c. 655, s. 3; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1979, c. 633, ss. 6-8; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1158, ss. 1, 3, 4; 1983, c. 296, ss. 5-8; 1985, c. 551, s. 2; 1987, c. 111, s. 2; c. 767, s. 1; c. 827, ss. 1, 154, 161, 266; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1035, s. 2; 1989, c. 500, s. 122; c. 652, s. 1; 1991, c. 552, ss. 2, 11; c. 712, s. 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 890, s. 16; c. 1039, ss. 14, 20.1; 1993, c. 344, s. 2; c. 400, ss. 1(c), 2, 3, 15; c. 496, s. 4; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 694, s. 1; 1995, c. 484, s. 5; 1997-357, s. 6; 1997-496, s. 4; 1998-212, s. 29A.11(b); 2023-134, s. 12.14(m).)
§ 143-215.3A. Water and Air Quality Account; use of application and permit fees; Title V Account; I & M Air Pollution Control Account; reports.
(a) The Water and Air Quality Account is established as an account within the Department. Revenue in the Account shall be applied to the costs of administering the programs for which the fees were collected. Revenue credited to the Account pursuant to G.S. 105-449.43, G.S. 105-449.125, and G.S. 105-449.136 shall be used to administer the air quality program. Any funds credited to the Account from fees collected for laboratory facility certifications under G.S. 143-215.3(a)(10) that are not expended at the end of each fiscal year for the purposes for which these fees may be used under G.S. 143-215.3(a)(10) shall revert. Any other funds credited to the Account that are not expended at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert. Except for the following fees, all application fees and permit administration fees collected by the State for permits issued under Articles 21, 21A, 21B, and 38 of this Chapter shall be credited to the Account:
(1) Fees collected under Part 2 of Article 21A and credited to the Oil or Other Hazardous Substances Pollution Protection Fund.
(2) Fees credited to the Title V Account.
(3) Repealed by Session Laws 2005-454, s. 7, effective January 1, 2006.
(4) Fees collected under G.S. 143-215.28A.
(5) Fees collected under G.S. 143-215.94C shall be credited to the Commercial Leaking Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund.
(6) Fees collected under G.S. 143-215.3D for the following permits and certificates shall be credited to the General Fund for use by the Department to administer the program for which the fees were collected:
a. Stormwater permits and certificates of general permit coverage authorized under G.S. 143-214.7.
b. Permits to apply petroleum contaminated soil to land authorized under G.S. 143-215.1.
(a1) The total monies collected per year from fees for permits under G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1a), after deducting those monies collected under G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1d), shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total budgets from all sources of environmental permitting and compliance programs within the Department. This subsection shall not be construed to relieve any person of the obligation to pay a fee established under this Article or Articles 21A, 21B, or 38 of this Chapter.
(b) The Title V Account is established as a nonreverting account within the Department. Revenue in the Account shall be used for developing and implementing a permit program that meets the requirements of Title V. The Title V Account shall consist of fees collected pursuant to G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1d) and G.S. 143-215.106A. Fees collected under G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1d) shall be used only to cover the direct and indirect costs required to develop and administer the Title V permit program, and fees collected under G.S. 143-215.106A shall be used only for the eligible expenses of the Title V program. Expenses of the ombudsman for the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program, support staff, equipment, legal services provided by the Attorney General, and contracts with consultants and program expenses listed in section 502(b)(3)(A) of Title V shall be included among Title V program expenses.
(b1) The I & M Air Pollution Control Account is established as a nonreverting account within the Department. Fees transferred to the Division of Air Quality of the Department pursuant to G.S. 20-183.7(c) shall be credited to the I & M Air Pollution Control Account and shall be applied to administering the air quality program.
(c) The Department shall report to the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division on the cost of the State's environmental permitting programs contained within the Department on or before January 1 of each odd-numbered year. The report shall include, but is not limited to, fees set and established under this Article, fees collected under this Article, revenues received from other sources for environmental permitting and compliance programs, changes made in the fee schedule since the last report, anticipated revenues from all other sources, interest earned, and any other information requested by the General Assembly. The Department shall submit this report with the report required by G.S. 143B-279.17 as a single report. (1987, c. 767, s. 2; 1989, c. 500, s. 121; c. 727, s. 218(104); 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 976, s. 2; 1991, c. 552, s. 3; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1039, s. 12; 1993, c. 400, s. 14; 1995, c. 390, s. 28; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 743, s. 13; 1998-212, s. 29A.11(c); 2001-452, s. 2.4; 2001-474, s. 27; 2005-386, s. 8.1; 2005-454, s. 7; 2008-198, s. 11.2; 2011-145, s. 13.7; 2011-266, ss. 1.35(b), 3.3(b); 2014-120, s. 38(a); 2015-241, s. 14.16(d); 2017-10, s. 4.12(a); 2017-57, ss. 13.1, 14.1(i).)
§ 143-215.3B: Repealed by Session Laws, 2005-454, s. 8, effective January 1, 2006.
§ 143-215.3C. Confidential information protected.
(a) Information obtained under this Article or Article 21A or 21B of this Chapter shall be available to the public except that, upon a showing satisfactory to the Commission by any person that information to which the Commission has access, if made public, would divulge methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets pursuant to G.S. 132-1.2, or would divulge sensitive public security information, as defined in G.S. 132-1.7, the Commission shall consider the information confidential.
(b) Effluent data, as defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 2.302 (1 July 1993 Edition) and emission data, as defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 2.301 (1 July 1993 Edition) is not entitled to confidential treatment under this section.
(c) Confidential information may be disclosed to any officer, employee, or authorized representative of any federal or state agency if disclosure is necessary to carry out a proper function of the Department or other agency or when relevant in any proceeding under this Article or Article 21A or Article 21B of this Chapter.
(d) The Commission shall provide for adequate notice to any person who submits information of any decision that the information is not entitled to confidential treatment and of any decision to release information that the person who submits the information contends is entitled to confidential treatment. Any person who requests information and any person who submits information who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Commission to withhold or release information may request a declaratory ruling from the Commission under G.S. 150B-4 within 10 days after the Commission notifies the person of its decision. The information may not be released by the Commission until the Commission issues a declaratory ruling or, if judicial review of the final agency decision is sought by any party, the information may not be released by the Commission until a final judicial determination has been made. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 694, s. 2; 2022-75, s. 7(c).)
§ 143-215.3D. Fee schedule for water quality permits.
(a) Annual fees for discharge and nondischarge permits under G.S. 143-215.1. -
(1) Major Individual NPDES Permits. - The annual fee for an individual permit for a point source discharge of 1,000,000 or more gallons per day, a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) that administers a POTW pretreatment program, as defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 403.3 (1 July 1996 Edition), or an industrial waste treatment works that has a high toxic pollutant potential is four thousand six hundred twenty-five dollars ($4,625).
(2) Minor Individual NPDES Permits. - The annual fee for an individual permit for a point source discharge other than a point source discharge to which subdivision (1) of this subsection applies is one thousand one hundred fifty dollars ($1,150).
(3) Single-Family Residence. - The annual fee for a certificate of coverage under a general permit for a point source discharge or an individual nondischarge permit from a single-family residence is sixty dollars ($60.00).
(4) Wastewater Discharge General Permits. - The annual fee for a certificate of coverage under a general permit for a point source discharge of wastewater is one hundred dollars ($100.00).
(5) Recycle Systems. - The annual fee for an individual permit for a recycle system nondischarge permit is five hundred twenty dollars ($520.00).
(6) Major Nondischarge Permits. - The annual fee for an individual permit for a nondischarge of 10,000 or more gallons per day or requiring 300 or more acres of land is one thousand seven hundred sixty dollars ($1,760).
(7) Minor Nondischarge Permits. - The annual fee for an individual permit for a nondischarge of less than 10,000 gallons per day or requiring less than 300 acres of land is one thousand one hundred sixty dollars ($1,160).
(8) Animal Waste Management Systems. - The annual fee for animal waste management systems is as set out in G.S. 143-215.10G.
(9) Authorizations to Construct. - The application fee for an authorization to construct for a wastewater treatment plant expansion, upgrade, replacement, or repair is one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(10) NPDES Stormwater Permits. - The permit fee and annual fee for NPDES stormwater permits is as follows:
a. The fee for an industrial NPDES individual permit is one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200).
b. The fee for coverage under a construction or industrial NPDES general permit is one hundred twenty dollars ($120.00).
c. The fee for an NPDES MS4 major permit is four thousand two hundred dollars ($4,200).
d. The fee for an NPDES MS4 minor permit is one thousand dollars ($1,000).
e. The fee for an NPDES no exposure certification is two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), only in the first year.
(b) Application fee for new discharge and nondischarge permits. - An application for a new permit of the type set out in subsection (a) of this section shall be accompanied by an initial application fee equal to the annual fee for that permit. If a permit is issued, the application fee shall be applied as the annual fee for the first year that the permit is in effect. If the application is denied, the application fee shall not be refunded.
(c) Application and annual fees for consent special orders. -
(1) Major Consent Special Orders. - If the Commission enters into a consent special order, assurance of voluntary compliance, or similar document pursuant to G.S. 143-215.2 for an activity subject to an annual fee under subdivision (1) or (6) of subsection (a) of this section, the initial project fee is four hundred dollars ($400.00) and the annual fee is five hundred dollars ($500.00). These fees are in addition to the annual fee due under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Minor Consent Special Orders. - If the Commission enters into a consent special order, assurance of voluntary compliance, or similar document pursuant to G.S. 143-215.2 for an activity subject to an annual fee under subdivision (2) or (7) of subsection (a) of this section, the initial project fee is four hundred dollars ($400.00) and the annual fee is two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). These fees are in addition to the annual fee due under subsection (a) of this section.
(d) Fee for major permit modifications. - An application for a major modification of a permit of the type set out in subsection (a) of this section shall be accompanied by an application fee equal to thirty percent (30%) of the annual fee applicable to that permit. A major modification of a permit is any modification that would allow an increase in the volume or pollutant load of the discharge or nondischarge or that would result in a significant relocation of the point of discharge, as determined by the Commission. This fee is in addition to the fees due under subsections (a) and (c) of this section. If the application is denied, the application fee shall not be refunded.
(e) Other fees under this Article. -
(1) Sewer System Extension Permits. - The application fee for (i) a permit for the construction of a new sewer system, (ii) a permit for the extension of an existing sewer system, or (iii) a variance request is six hundred dollars ($600.00).
(2) State Stormwater Permits. - The fee for a permit regulating stormwater runoff under G.S. 143-214.7 and G.S. 143-215.1is as follows:
a. The fee for a new permit or a major modification of an existing development project permit is based on the number of stormwater control measures (SCMs) proposed in the permit as set forth in this sub-subdivision. The term "major modification" is defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1002.
1. For one or fewer SCMs, one thousand dollars ($1,000).
2. For two SCMs, one thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($1,250).
3. For three SCMs, one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($1,750).
4. For four or more SCMs, two thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($2,250).
b. The fee for a minor modification of a State stormwater permit is two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). The term "minor modification" is defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1002.
c. The fee for a renewal or transfer of a State stormwater permit is seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00).
d. The fee for a combination renewal and transfer of a State stormwater permit is one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).
e. The fee for new coverage under a general permit is seven hundred dollars ($700.00).
(3) Major Water Quality Certifications. - The fee for a water quality certification involving one acre or more of wetland fill or 150 feet or more of stream impact is seven hundred sixty-seven dollars ($767.00).
(4) Minor Water Quality Certifications. - The fee for a water quality certification involving less than one acre of wetland fill or less than 150 feet of stream impact is three hundred twenty-three dollars ($323.00).
(5) Permit for Land Application of Petroleum Contaminated Soils. - The fee for a permit to apply petroleum contaminated soil to land is four hundred eighty dollars ($480.00).
(6) Fee Nonrefundable. - If an application for a permit or a certification described in this subsection is denied, the application or certification fee shall not be refunded.
(7) Limit Water Quality Certification Fee Required for CAMA Permit. - An applicant for a permit under Article 7 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes for which a water quality certification is required shall pay a fee established by the Secretary. The Secretary shall not establish a fee that exceeds the greater of the fee for a permit under Article 7 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes or the fee for a water quality certification under subdivision (3) or (4) of this subsection.
(f) Local Government Fee Authority Not Impaired. - This section shall not be construed to limit any authority that a unit of local government may have pursuant to any other provision of law to assess or collect a fee for the review of an application for a permit, the review of a mitigation plan, or the inspection of a site or a facility under any local program that is approved by the Commission under this Article. (1998-212, s. 29A.11(a); 1999-413, s. 6; 2006-250, s. 4; 2007-323, s. 30.3(a); 2023-134, s. 12.14(a).)
§ 143-215.3E. Expired December 31, 2020.
§ 143-215.4. Mailing list for rules; procedures for public input; form of order or decision; seal; official notice.
(a) Mailing List. - When the Commission proposes or adopts a rule establishing water quality classifications and standards under G.S. 143-214.1 or establishing effluent standards or waste treatment management practices under G.S. 143-215, it shall send notice of the action to each person who has requested to be notified of these matters. The Department shall maintain a mailing list for this purpose on which it shall record the name and address of each person who has made a written request to be on the list and the date on which the request was made. In making a request to be put on the list, a person may request to be added to the list for a specified period or indefinitely.
(b) Procedures for Public Input. -
(1) The Commission may, on its own motion or when required by federal law, request public comments on or hold public hearings on matters within the scope of its authority under this Article or Articles 21A or 21B of this Chapter. To request public comments on a matter, the Commission shall notify appropriate agencies of the opportunity to submit written comments to the Commission on the matter and shall publish a notice in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected area, stating the matter under consideration by the Commission and informing the public of its opportunity to submit written comments to the Commission on the matter. A public comment period shall extend for at least 30 days after the notice is published.
(2) To hold a public hearing on a matter, the Commission shall notify, by personal service or certified mail, persons directly affected by the matter under consideration and shall publish a notice in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected area, stating the matter under consideration by the Commission and the time, date, and place of a public hearing to be held on the matter. A public hearing shall be held no sooner than 20 days after the notice is published. The proceedings at a public hearing held under this subsection shall be recorded. Upon payment of a fee established by the Commission, any person may obtain a copy of the record of the public hearing. After a public hearing, the Commission shall accept written comments for the time period prescribed by the Commission.
(3) This subsection does not apply to rule-making proceedings, contested case hearings, or the issuance of permits required under Title V. The Commission shall establish procedures for public hearings, public notice, and public comment respecting permits required by Title V as provided by G.S. 143-215.111(4).
(4) The Commission may hold a public meeting on any matter within its scope of authority. The Commission may hold a public meeting in addition to any public hearing that is required under any provision of law, but a public meeting may not be substituted for any required public hearing. Except as may be otherwise provided by law, the Commission may determine the procedures for any public meeting it holds.
(c) Decisions and Orders. - An order or decision of the Commission shall state the Commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall state the statute or rule on which the order or decision is based.
(d) Seal/Official Notice. - The Department shall have the authority to adopt a seal which shall be judicially noticed by the courts of the State. Any document, proceeding, order, decree, special order, rule, rule of procedure or any other official act or records of the Commission or its minutes may be certified by the secretary of the department under his hand and the seal of the Department and when so certified shall be received in evidence in all actions or proceedings in the courts of the State without further proof of the identity of the same if such records are competent, relevant and material in any such action or proceeding. The Commission shall have the right to take official notice of all studies, reports, statistical data or any other official reports or records of the federal government or of any sister state and all such records, reports and data may be placed in evidence by the Commission or by any other person or interested party where material, relevant and competent. (1951, c. 606; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 698, s. 10; c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 374, s. 1; c. 771, s. 4; 1983, c. 296, s. 9; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 162, 169; 1993, c. 400, s. 4; 1995, c. 504, s. 10; 1997-496, s. 5.)
(a) Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes governs judicial review of a final agency decision or order of the Secretary or of the Commission under this Article and Articles 21A and 21B of this Chapter. If a case that concerns an action of the Secretary or of the Commission under this Article or Article 21A or 21B of this Chapter is appealed from the superior court to the Appellate Division of the General Court of Justice, no bond shall be required of the Secretary or of the Commission.
(b) A person aggrieved, as defined in G.S. 150B-2, other than the applicant or permittee, who seeks judicial review of a final agency decision on an application for a permit required under Title V shall file a petition for judicial review under G.S. 150B-45 within 30 days after public notice of the final agency decision is given as provided in rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 143-215.4(b)(3). A permit applicant, permittee, or other person aggrieved who seeks judicial review of a failure of the Commission to act within the time specified in rules adopted pursuant to G.S. 143-215.108(d)(2) on an application for a permit required by Title V or G.S. 143-215.108 shall file a petition for judicial review under G.S. 150B-45 within 30 days after the expiration of the time specified for action on the application. (1951, c. 606; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 108, s. 88; c. 698, s. 11; c. 1262, s. 23; 1983, c. 296, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 163; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1028, s. 3; 1993, c. 400, s. 5.)
§ 143-215.6: Recodified as §§ 143-215.6A through 143-215.6C.
(a) Recodified as G.S. 143-215.6A by Session Laws 1989 (Regular Session, 1990), c. 1045, s. 1.
(b) Recodified as G.S. 143-215.6B by Session Laws 1989 (Regular Session, 1990), c. 1045, s. 2.
(c) Recodified as G.S. 143-215.6C by Session Laws 1989 (Regular Session, 1990), c. 1045, s. 3.
§ 143-215.6A. Enforcement procedures: civil penalties.
(a) A civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) may be assessed by the Secretary against any person who:
(1) Violates any classification, standard, limitation, or management practice established pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1, 143-214.2, or 143-215.
(2) Is required but fails to apply for or to secure a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1, or who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of such permit or any other permit or certification issued pursuant to authority conferred by this Part, including pretreatment permits issued by local governments and laboratory certifications.
(3) Violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any special order or other appropriate document issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.2.
(4) Fails to file, submit, or make available, as the case may be, any documents, data, or reports required by this Article or G.S. 143-355(k) relating to water use information.
(5) Refuses access to the Commission or its duly designated representative to any premises for the purpose of conducting a lawful inspection provided for in this Article.
(6) Violates a rule of the Commission implementing this Part, Part 2A of this Article, or G.S. 143-355(k).
(7) Violates or fails to act in accordance with the statewide minimum water supply watershed management requirements adopted pursuant to G.S. 143-214.5, whether enforced by the Commission or a local government.
(8) Violates the offenses set out in G.S. 143-215.6B.
(9) Is required, but fails, to apply for or to secure a certificate required by G.S. 143-215.22L, or who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of the certificate.
(10) Violates subsections (c1) through (c5) of G.S. 143-215.1 or a rule adopted pursuant to subsections (c1) through (c5) of G.S. 143-215.1.
(11) Violates or fails to act in accordance with G.S. 143-214.7.
(a1) For purposes of this section, the term "Part" includes Part 1A of this Article.
(b) If any action or failure to act for which a penalty may be assessed under this section is continuous, the Secretary may assess a penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per day for so long as the violation continues, unless otherwise stipulated.
(b1) The Secretary may assess a civil penalty of more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or, in the case of a continuing violation, more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day, against a violator only if a civil penalty has been imposed against the violator within the five years preceding the violation. The Secretary may assess a civil penalty of more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or, in the case of a continuing violation, more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day for so long as the violation continues, for a violation of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section only if the Secretary determines that the violation is intentional.
(b2) A civil penalty issued by the Secretary pursuant to this section for removal of timber in a riparian buffer in violation of rules applicable to that riparian buffer shall not exceed the value of the timber removed from the riparian buffer.
(c) In determining the amount of the penalty the Secretary shall consider the factors set out in G.S. 143B-282.1(b). The procedures set out in G.S. 143B-282.1 shall apply to civil penalty assessments that are presented to the Commission for final agency decision.
(d) The Secretary shall notify any person assessed a civil penalty of the assessment and the specific reasons therefor by registered or certified mail, or by any means authorized by G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4. Contested case petitions shall be filed within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment.
(e) Consistent with G.S. 143B-282.1, a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per month may be assessed by the Commission against any local government that fails to adopt a local water supply watershed protection program as required by G.S. 143-214.5, or willfully fails to administer or enforce the provisions of its program in substantial compliance with the minimum statewide water supply watershed management requirements. No such penalty shall be imposed against a local government until the Commission has assumed the responsibility for administering and enforcing the local water supply watershed protection program. Civil penalties shall be imposed pursuant to a uniform schedule adopted by the Commission. The schedule of civil penalties shall be based on acreage and other relevant cost factors and shall be designed to recoup the costs of administration and enforcement.
(f) Requests for remission of civil penalties shall be filed with the Secretary. Remission requests shall not be considered unless made within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment. Remission requests must be accompanied by a waiver of the right to a contested case hearing pursuant to Chapter 150B and a stipulation of the facts on which the assessment was based. Consistent with the limitations in G.S. 143B-282.1(c) and (d), remission requests may be resolved by the Secretary and the violator. If the Secretary and the violator are unable to resolve the request, the Secretary shall deliver remission requests and his recommended action to the Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions of the Environmental Management Commission appointed pursuant to G.S. 143B-282.1(c).
(g) If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after notice of assessment has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment, unless the violator contests the assessment as provided in subsection (d) of this section, or requests remission of the assessment in whole or in part as provided in subsection (f) of this section. If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after the final agency decision or court order has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment. Such civil actions must be filed within three years of the date the final agency decision or court order was served on the violator.
(h) Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 743, s. 14.
(h1) The clear proceeds of civil penalties assessed by the Secretary or the Commission pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.
(i) As used in this subsection, "municipality" refers to any unit of local government which operates a wastewater treatment plant. As used in this subsection, "unit of local government" has the same meaning as in G.S. 130A-290. The provisions of this subsection shall apply whenever a municipality that operates a wastewater treatment plant with an influent bypass diversion structure and with a permitted discharge of 10 million gallons per day or more into any of the surface waters of the State that have been classified as nutrient sensitive waters (NSW) under rules adopted by the Commission is subject to a court order which specifies (i) a schedule of activities with respect to the treatment of wastewater by the municipality; (ii) deadlines for the completion of scheduled activities; and (iii) stipulated penalties for failure to meet such deadlines. A municipality as specified herein that violates any provision of such order for which a penalty is stipulated shall pay the full amount of such penalty as provided in the order unless such penalty is modified, remitted, or reduced by the court.
(j) Local governments certified and approved by the Commission to administer and enforce pretreatment programs pursuant to G.S. 143-215.3(a)(14), stormwater programs pursuant to G.S. 143-214.7, or riparian buffer protection programs pursuant to G.S. 143-214.23 may assess civil penalties for violations of their respective programs in accordance with the powers conferred upon the Commission and the Secretary in this section, except that actions for collection of unpaid civil penalties shall be referred to the attorney representing the assessing local government. The total of the civil penalty assessed by a local government and the civil penalty assessed by the Secretary for any violation may not exceed the maximum civil penalty for such violation under this section.
(k) A person who has been assessed a civil penalty by a local government as provided by subsection (j) of this section may request a review of the assessment by filing a request for review with the local government within 30 days of the date the notice of assessment is received. If a local ordinance provides for a local administrative hearing, the hearing shall afford minimum due process including an unbiased hearing official. The local government shall make a final decision on the request for review within 90 days of the date the request for review is filed. The final decision on a request for review shall be subject to review by the superior court pursuant to Article 27 of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes. If the local ordinance does not provide for a local administrative hearing, a person who has been assessed a civil penalty by a local government as provided by subsection (j) of this section may contest the assessment by filing a civil action in superior court within 60 days of the date the notice of assessment is received. (1951, c. 606; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 698, s. 12; c. 712, s. 2; c. 1262, s. 23; c. 1331, s. 3; 1975, c. 583, s. 7; c. 842, ss. 6, 7; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1979, c. 633, ss. 9-11; 1981, c. 514, s. 1; c. 585, s. 13; 1987, c. 271; c. 827, ss. 154, 164; 1989, c. 426, s. 4; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 951, s. 1; c. 1036, s. 3; c. 1045, s. 1; c. 1075, s. 6; 1991, c. 579, s. 2; c. 725, s. 3; 1993, c. 348, s. 2; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 743, s. 14; 1997-458, s. 6.2; 1998-215, s. 63; 1999-329, ss. 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7; 2004-124, s. 6.29(b); 2006-250, s. 6; 2007-484, s. 43.7C; 2007-518, s. 5; 2007-536, s. 3; 2021-158, s. 4(c); 2023-63, s. 11.1(a).)
§ 143-215.6B. Enforcement procedures: criminal penalties.
(a) For purposes of this section, the term "person" shall mean, in addition to the definition contained in G.S. 143-212, any responsible corporate or public officer or employee; provided, however, that where a vote of the people is required to effectuate the intent and purpose of this Article by a county, city, town, or other political subdivision of the State, and the vote on the referendum is against the means or machinery for carrying said intent and purpose into effect, then, and only then, this section shall not apply to elected officials or to any responsible appointed officials or employees of such county, city, town, or political subdivision.
(a1) For purposes of this section, the term "Part" includes Part 1A of this Article.
(b) No proceeding shall be brought or continued under this section for or on account of a violation by any person who has previously been convicted of a federal violation based upon the same set of facts.
(c) In proving the defendant's possession of actual knowledge, circumstantial evidence may be used, including evidence that the defendant took affirmative steps to shield himself from relevant information. Consistent with the principles of common law, the subjective mental state of defendants may be inferred from their conduct.
(d) For the purposes of the felony provisions of this section, a person's state of mind shall not be found "knowingly and willfully" or "knowingly" if the conduct that is the subject of the prosecution is the result of any of the following occurrences or circumstances:
(1) A natural disaster or other act of God which could not have been prevented or avoided by the exercise of due care or foresight.
(2) An act of third parties other than agents, employees, contractors, or subcontractors of the defendant.
(3) An act done in reliance on the written advice or emergency on-site direction of an employee of the Department. In emergencies, oral advice may be relied upon if written confirmation is delivered to the employee as soon as practicable after receiving and relying on the advice.
(4) An act causing no significant harm to the environment or risk to the public health, safety, or welfare and done in compliance with other conflicting environmental requirements or other constraints imposed in writing by environmental agencies or officials after written notice is delivered to all relevant agencies that the conflict exists and will cause a violation of the identified standard.
(5) Violations of permit limitations causing no significant harm to the environment or risk to the public health, safety, or welfare for which no enforcement action or civil penalty could have been imposed under any written civil enforcement guidelines in use by the Department at the time, including but not limited to, guidelines for the pretreatment permit civil penalties. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the Department to develop or use written civil enforcement guidelines.
(6) Occasional, inadvertent, short-term violations of permit limitations causing no significant harm to the environment or risk to the public health, safety, or welfare. If the violation occurs within 30 days of a prior violation or lasts for more than 24 hours, it is not an occasional, short-term violation.
(e) All general defenses, affirmative defenses, and bars to prosecution that may apply with respect to other criminal offenses under State criminal offenses may apply to prosecutions brought under this section or other criminal statutes that refer to this section and shall be determined by the courts of this State according to the principles of common law as they may be applied in the light of reason and experience. Concepts of justification and excuse applicable under this section may be developed in the light of reason and experience.
(f) Any person who negligently violates any: (i) classification, standard, or limitation established in rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1, 143-214.2, or 143-215; (ii) term, condition, or requirement of a permit issued pursuant to this Part, including permits issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1, pretreatment permits issued by local governments, and laboratory certifications; (iii) term, condition, or requirement of a special order or other appropriate document issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.2; or (iv) rule of the Commission implementing this Part; and any person who negligently fails to apply for or to secure a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1 shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor which may include a fine not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per day of violation, provided that such fine shall not exceed a cumulative total of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for each period of 30 days during which a violation continues.
(g) Any person who knowingly and willfully violates any (i) classification, standard, or limitation established in rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1, 143-214.2, or 143-215; (ii) term, condition, or requirement of a permit issued pursuant to this Part, including permits issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1, pretreatment permits issued by local governments, and laboratory certifications; or (iii) term, condition, or requirement of a special order or other appropriate document issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.2; and any person who knowingly and willfully fails to apply for or to secure a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1 shall be guilty of a Class I felony, which may include a fine not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per day of violation, provided that this fine shall not exceed a cumulative total of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for each period of 30 days during which a violation continues. For the purposes of this subsection, the phrase "knowingly and willfully" shall mean intentionally and consciously as the courts of this State, according to the principles of common law interpret the phrase in the light of reason and experience.
(h) (1) Any person who knowingly violates any: (i) classification, standard, or limitation established in rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 143-214.1, 143-214.2, 143-215; (ii) term, condition, or requirement of a permit issued pursuant to this Part, including permits issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1, pretreatment permits issued by local governments, and laboratory certifications; or (iii) term, condition, or requirement of a special order or other appropriate document issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.2; and any person who knowingly fails to apply for or to secure a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1 and who knows at that time that he thereby places another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury shall be guilty of a Class C felony, which may include a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per day of violation, provided that this fine shall not exceed a cumulative total of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for each period of 30 days during which a violation continues.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, a person's state of mind is knowing with respect to:
a. His conduct, if he is aware of the nature of his conduct;
b. An existing circumstance, if he is aware or believes that the circumstance exists; or
c. A result of his conduct, if he is aware or believes that his conduct is substantially certain to cause danger of death or serious bodily injury.
(3) Under this subsection, in determining whether a defendant who is a natural person knew that his conduct placed another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury:
a. The person is responsible only for actual awareness or actual belief that he possessed; and
b. Knowledge possessed by a person other than the defendant but not by the defendant himself may not be attributed to the defendant.
(4) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this subsection that the conduct charged was conduct consented to by the person endangered and that the danger and conduct charged were reasonably foreseeable hazards of an occupation, a business, or a profession; or of medical treatment or medical or scientific experimentation conducted by professionally approved methods and such other person had been made aware of the risks involved prior to giving consent. The defendant may establish an affirmative defense under this subdivision by a preponderance of the evidence.
(i) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this Article or a rule implementing this Article; or who knowingly makes a false statement of a material fact in a rulemaking proceeding or contested case under this Article; or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any recording or monitoring device or method required to be operated or maintained under this Article or rules of the Commission implementing this Article shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor which may include a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(j) Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 539, s. 1315.
(k) The Secretary shall refer to the State Bureau of Investigation for review any discharge of waste by any person or facility in any manner that violates this Article or rules adopted pursuant to this Article that involves the possible commission of a felony. Upon receipt of a referral under this section, the State Bureau of Investigation may conduct an investigation and, if appropriate, refer the matter to the district attorney in whose jurisdiction any criminal offense has occurred. This subsection shall not be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to refer any matter to the State Bureau of Investigation for review. (1951, c. 606; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 698, s. 12; c. 712, s. 2; c. 1262, s. 23; c. 1331, s. 3; 1975, c. 583, s. 7; c. 842, ss. 6, 7; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1979, c. 633, ss. 9-11; 1981, c. 514, s. 1; c. 585, s. 13; 1987, c. 271; c. 827, ss. 154, 164; 1989, c. 426, s. 4; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1004, s. 48; c. 1045, s. 2; 1991, c. 725, s. 4; 1993, c. 539, ss. 1018, 1019, 1313-1315; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-458, s. 11.1; 2007-536, s. 4.)
§ 143-215.6C. Enforcement procedures; injunctive relief.
Whenever the Department has reasonable cause to believe that any person has violated or is threatening to violate any of the provisions of this Part, any of the terms of any permit issued pursuant to this Part, or a rule implementing this Part, the Department may, either before or after the institution of any other action or proceeding authorized by this Part, request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the name of the State upon the relation of the Department for injunctive relief to restrain the violation or threatened violation and for such other and further relief in the premises as the court shall deem proper. The Attorney General may institute such action in the superior court of the county in which the violation occurred or may occur or, in his discretion, in the superior court of the county in which the person responsible for the violation or threatened violation resides or has his or its principal place of business. Upon a determination by the court that the alleged violation of the provisions of this Part or the regulations of the Commission has occurred or is threatened, the court shall grant the relief necessary to prevent or abate the violation or threatened violation. Neither the institution of the action nor any of the proceedings thereon shall relieve any party to such proceedings from any penalty prescribed for violation of this Part. For purposes of this section references to "this Part" include Part 1A of this Article and G.S. 143-355(k) relating to water use information. (1951, c. 606; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 698, s. 12; c. 712, s. 2; c. 1262, s. 23; c. 1331, s. 3; 1975, c. 583, s. 7; c. 842, ss. 6, 7; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1979, c. 633, ss. 9-11; 1981, c. 514, s. 1; c. 585, s. 13; 1987, c. 217; c. 827, ss. 154, 164; 1989, c. 426, s. 4; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1045, s. 3; 2007-536, s. 5.)
§ 143-215.6D. Additional requirements applicable to certain municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
(a) As used in this section, "municipal" and "municipality" refer to any unit of local government which operates a wastewater treatment plant. As used in this section, "unit of local government" has the same meaning as in G.S. 130A-290.
(b) A municipality that operates a wastewater treatment plant with an influent bypass diversion structure and with a permitted discharge of five million gallons per day or more into any of the surface waters of the State shall maintain a notification list of units of local government which have requested to be on such list. Any unit of local government with territorial jurisdiction over or adjacent to any part of the surface waters of the State located within 100 miles downstream from the point of discharge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant to which this section applies as measured along the path of the stream, and any unit of local government which withdraws water from such surface waters to supply water to the public, may request the municipality operating the wastewater treatment plant to include the names of appropriate officials of the unit of local government on the notification list required by this subsection. The municipality operating such municipal wastewater treatment plant shall give notice of each instance when untreated or partially treated wastewater is diverted so as to bypass the wastewater treatment plant to each person on the notification list at least 24 hours before any such instance which is planned or anticipated and within 24 hours after any such instance which is unplanned or unanticipated. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 951, s. 2, c. 1075, s. 6.)
§ 143-215.6E. Violation Points System applicable to swine farms.
(a) The Commission shall develop a Violation Points System applicable to permits for animal waste management systems for swine farms. This system shall operate in addition to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.6A. This system shall not alter the authority of the Commission to revoke a permit for an animal waste management system for a swine farm. The Violation Points System shall provide that:
(1) Violations that involve the greatest harm to the natural resources of the State, the groundwater or surface water quantity or quality, public health, or the environment shall receive the most points and shall be considered significant violations.
(2) Violations that are committed willfully or intentionally shall be considered significant violations.
(3) The number of points received shall be directly related to the degree of negligence or willfulness.
(4) The commission of three significant violations, or the commission of lesser violations that result in a predetermined cumulative number of points, within a limited period of time of not less than five years shall result in the mandatory revocation of a permit.
(5) The commission of one willful violation that results in serious harm may result in the revocation of a permit.
(b) In developing the Violation Points System under this section, the Commission shall determine the:
(1) Number of points that lesser violations must cumulatively total to result in the revocation of a permit.
(2) Limited period of time during which the commission of three significant violations, or the commission of a greater number of lesser violations, will result in the revocation of the operator's permit. This limited period of time shall not be less than five years.
(3) Duration of the permit revocation.
(4) Conditions under which the person whose permit is revoked may reapply for another permit for an animal waste management system for a swine farm.
(c) In developing the Violation Points System under this section, the Commission shall provide for an appeals process. (1997-458, s. 10.1.)
§ 143-215.7. Effect on laws applicable to public water supplies and the sanitary disposal of sewage.
This Article shall not be construed as amending, repealing, or in any manner abridging or interfering with the provisions of Article 10 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes relating to the control of public water supplies; nor shall the provisions of this Article be construed as being applicable to or in anywise affecting the authority of the Department to control the sanitary disposal of sewage as provided in Article 11 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes, or as affecting the powers, duties and authority of local health departments or as affecting the charter powers, or other lawful authority of municipal corporations, to pass ordinances in regard to sewage disposal. (1951, c. 606; 1957, c. 1357, s. 11; 1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1987, c. 827, s. 165; 1989, c. 727, s. 162; 1997-502, s. 9.)
§ 143-215.8. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 698, s. 13.
(a) Policy, Purpose and Intent. - The Commission and Department shall undertake a continuing planning process to develop and adopt plans and programs to assure that the policy, purpose and intent declared in this Article are carried out with regard to establishing and enforcing standards of water purity designed to protect human health, to prevent injury to plant and animal life, to prevent damage to public and private property, to enhance the quality of the environment, to insure the continued enjoyment of the natural attractions of the State, to encourage the expansion of employment opportunities, to provide a permanent foundation for healthy industrial development, and to insure the beneficial use of the water resources of the State.
(b) Goals. - The goals of the continuing planning process shall be the enhancement of the quality of life and protection of the environment through development by the Commission of water quality plans and programs utilizing the resources of the State on a priority basis to attain, maintain, and enhance water quality standards and water purity throughout the State.
(c) Statewide and Regional Planning. - The planning process may be conducted on a statewide or regional basis, as the Commission shall determine appropriate. If the Commission elects to proceed on a regional basis, it shall delineate the boundaries of each region by preparation of appropriate maps; by description referring to geographical features, established landmarks or political boundaries; or such other manner that the extent and limits of each region shall be easily ascertainable. The Commission shall consult officials and agencies of localities and regions in the development of plans affecting those areas.
(d) Local Planning Organizations. - The Commission shall submit to the Governor or his designee any plans, projections, data, comments or recommendations that he may request. If the Governor determines that the goals of this section will be more expeditiously and efficiently achieved, he may designate a representative organization, capable of carrying out a planning process for any region of the State or area therein, to develop plans, consistent with the State's water quality management plans, for the control or abatement of water pollution within such region or area. The Commission shall consult with, advise, and assist any organization so designated in the preparation of its plans and shall submit to the Governor the Commission's comments and recommendations regarding such plans. All such organizations shall submit plans developed by them to the Governor for review, and no plan shall be effective until concurred in and approved by him.
(e) Interstate Planning Regions. - The Governor may consult and cooperate with the governor of any adjoining state in establishing an interstate planning region or area and in designating a representative organization, capable of carrying out a planning process for the region or area, to develop plans, consistent with the State's water quality management plans, for the control or abatement of water pollution within such region or area, if he determines that such region or area has common water quality control problems for which an interstate plan would be most effective.
(f) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 166. (1973, c. 698, s. 13; c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 166.)
§ 143-215.8B. Basinwide water resources management plans.
(a) The Commission shall develop and implement a basinwide water resources management plan for each of the 17 major river basins in the State. In developing and implementing each plan, the Commission shall consider the cumulative impacts of all of the following:
(1) All activities across a river basin that impact surface or ground water quality, including all point sources and nonpoint sources of pollutants, such as municipal wastewater facilities, industrial wastewater systems, stormwater management systems, waste disposal sites, atmospheric deposition, and animal operations.
(2) All water withdrawals and transfers required to be registered under G.S. 143-215.22H.
(b) Each basinwide water resources management plan shall:
(1) Provide that all point sources and nonpoint sources of pollutants jointly share the responsibility of reducing the pollutants in the State's waters in a fair, reasonable, and proportionate manner, using computer modeling and the best science and technology reasonably available and considering future anticipated population growth and economic development.
(2) If any of the waters located within the river basin are designated as nutrient sensitive waters, then the basinwide water resources management plan shall report on the status of those waters. In addition, the Commission shall establish a nutrient reduction goal for the nutrient or nutrients of concern that will result in improvements to water quality such that the designated uses of the water, as provided in the classification of the water under G.S. 143-214.1(d), are not impaired. The plan shall report on the incremental progress toward achieving the goal. In developing the plan, the Commission shall determine and allow appropriate credit toward achieving the goal for reductions of water pollution by point and nonpoint sources through voluntary measures.
(3) Provide surface and ground water resources to the extent known by the Department, other withdrawals, permitted minimum instream flow requirements and evident needs, and pertinent information contained in local water supply plans and water shortage response plans.
(c) The Commission shall review and revise its 17 basinwide water resources management plans at least every 10 years to reflect changes in water quality, water quantity, improvements in modeling methods, improvements in wastewater treatment technology, advancements in water conservation and reuse, and advances in scientific knowledge and, as needed to support designated uses of water, modifications to management strategies. The Commission may also include critical basin issues as they arise in the report required in subsection (d) of this section.
(d) As a part of the report required pursuant to G.S. 143-355(p), the Commission and the Department shall report on or before November 1 of even-numbered years to the Environmental Review Commission on the progress in developing and implementing basinwide water resources management plans and on public involvement and public education in connection with basinwide water resources management planning. The report to the Environmental Review Commission by the Department shall include a written statement on water quality and quantity conditions that are identified in the course of preparing or revising the basinwide water resources management plans.
(e) A basinwide water resources management plan is not a rule and Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes does not apply to the development of basinwide water resources management plans. Any water quality standard or classification and any requirement or limitation of general applicability that implements a basinwide water resources management plan is a rule and must be adopted as provided in Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(f) For the purposes of this section, the 17 major river basins will be defined as the North Carolina portion of the following United States Geological Survey cataloging units:
(1) Pasquotank: 03010205.
(2) Broad River: 03050105.
(3) Cape Fear River: 03030002, 03030003, 03030004, 03030005, 03030006, and 03030007.
(4) Catawba River: 03050101, 03050102, and 03050103.
(5) Chowan River: 03010201, 03010202, 03010203, and 03010204.
(6) French Broad River: 06010105, 06010106, and 06010108.
(7) Hiwassee River: 06020002 and 06020003.
(8) Little Tennessee River: 06010202, 06010203, and 06010204.
(9) Lumber River: 03040203, 03040204, 03040206, and 03040208.
(10) Neuse River: 03020201, 03020202, 03020203, and 03020204.
(11) New River: 05050001.
(12) White Oak: 03020301 and 03020302.
(13) Roanoke River: 03010102, 03010103, 03010104, 03010106, and 03010107.
(14) Savannah River: 03060101 and 03060102.
(15) Tar-Pamlico River: 03020101, 03020102, 03020103, 03020104, and 03020105.
(16) Watauga River: 06010103.
(17) Yadkin-Pee Dee River: 03040101, 03040102, 03040103, 03040104, 03040105, 03040201, and 03040202. (1997-458, s. 8.2; 1998-168, s. 2; 2012-200, s. 9(b); 2017-10, s. 4.16(d); 2021-158, s. 8.)
§ 143-215.8C: Repealed by Session Laws 2005-386, s. 2.1, effective December 1, 2005.
§ 143-215.8D. North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup; Rivernet.
(a) The Department of Environmental Quality and North Carolina State University shall jointly establish the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup. The Workgroup shall work collaboratively with the appropriate divisions of the Department of Environmental Quality and North Carolina State University, the Environmental Management Commission, and the Environmental Review Commission to identify the scientific and State agency databases that can be used to formulate public policy regarding the State's water quality, evaluate those databases to determine the information gaps in those databases, and establish the priorities for obtaining the information lacking in those databases. The Workgroup shall have the following duties:
(1) To address specifically the ongoing need of evaluation, synthesis, and presentation of current scientific knowledge that can be used to formulate public policy on water quality issues.
(2) To identify knowledge gaps in the current understanding of water quality problems and fill these gaps with appropriate research projects.
(3) To maintain a web-based water quality data distribution site.
(4) To organize and evaluate existing scientific and State agency water quality databases.
(5) To prioritize recognized knowledge gaps in water quality issues for immediate funding.
(b) The North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup shall be composed of no more than 15 members. Those members shall be jointly appointed by the Chancellor of North Carolina State University and the Secretary of Environmental Quality. Any person appointed as a member of the Workgroup shall be knowledgeable in one of the following areas:
(1) Water Quality Assessment, Water Quality Monitoring, and Water Quality Permitting.
(2) Nutrient Management.
(3) Water Pollution Control.
(4) Waste Management.
(5) Groundwater Resources.
(6) Stream Hydrology.
(7) Aquatic Biology.
(8) Environmental Education and Web-Based Data Dissemination.
(c) North Carolina State University shall provide meeting facilities for the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup as requested by the Chair.
(d) The members of the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup shall elect a Chair. The Chair shall call meetings of the Workgroup and set the meeting agenda.
(e) The Chair of the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup shall report each year by January 30 to the Environmental Review Commission, to the Cochairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Natural and Economic Resources, and to the Chancellor of North Carolina State University or the Chancellor's designee on the previous year's activities, findings, and recommendations of the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup.
(f) The North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup shall develop a water quality monitoring system to be known as Rivernet that effectively uses the combined resources of North Carolina State University and State agencies. The Rivernet system shall be designed to implement advances in monitoring technology and information management systems with web-based data dissemination in the waters that are impaired based on the criteria of the State's basinwide water quality management plans. Water quality and nutrient parameters shall be continuously monitored at each station, and the data shall be sent back to a centralized computer server.
The Rivernet system shall be coordinated with related data collection and monitoring activities of the Department of Environmental Quality, the Water Resources Research Institute, the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup, and other research efforts pursued by academic institutions or State government entities. If the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup chooses to employ a technology for which there are testing procedure guidelines promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the American Public Health Association, the American Water Works Association, or the Water Environment Federation then the testing procedures shall comply with the appropriate guidelines. If the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup chooses to employ a technology for which there are no testing procedure guidelines promulgated by any of the groups cited in this subsection, then the North Carolina Water Quality Workgroup may establish testing procedure guidelines.
The Rivernet system shall also have the capabilities to trigger alarms and notify the appropriate member of the Workgroup when monitoring stations exceed defined limits indicating a spill or a significant water quality or nutrient measurement event, which then can be comprehensively analyzed. (2001-424, s. 19.5; 2004-195, ss. 3.3, 3.4; 2015-241, ss. 14.30(u), (v).)
§ 143-215.9. Restrictions on authority of the Commission.
Nothing in this Article shall be construed to:
(1) Grant to the Commission any jurisdiction or authority with respect to air contamination existing solely within commercial and industrial plants, works or shops;
(2) Affect the relations between employers and employees with respect or arising out of conditions of air contamination or air pollution;
(3) Supersede or limit the applicability of any law, rules and regulations or ordinances relating to industrial health or safety. (1967, c. 892, s. 1; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-215.9A. Reports.
(a) The Department shall report to the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division on or before 1 October of each year on the status of facilities discharging into surface waters during the previous fiscal year. The report shall include:
(1) The names and locations of all persons permitted under G.S. 143-215.1(c).
(2) The number of compliance inspections of persons permitted under G.S. 143-215.1(c) that the Department has conducted since the last report.
(3) The number of violations found during each inspection, including the date on which the violation occurred and the nature of the violation; the status of enforcement actions taken and pending; and the penalties imposed, collected, and in the process of being negotiated for each violation.
(4) Any other information that the Department determines to be appropriate or that is requested by the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, or the Fiscal Research Division.
(b) The information to be included in the report pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be itemized by each regional office of the Department, with totals for the State indicated.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2002-148, s. 5. (1998-221, s. 4.1; 2002-148, s. 5; 2017-57, s. 14.1(j).)
§ 143-215.9B. Systemwide municipal and domestic wastewater collection system permit program report.
The Environmental Management Commission shall develop and implement a permit program for municipal and domestic wastewater collection systems on a systemwide basis. The collection system permit program shall provide for performance standards, minimum design and construction requirements, a capital improvement plan, operation and maintenance requirements, and minimum reporting requirements. In order to ensure an orderly and cost-effective phase-in of the collection system permit program, the Commission shall implement the permit program over a five-year period beginning 1 July 2000. The Commission shall issue permits for approximately twenty percent (20%) of municipal and domestic wastewater collection systems that are in operation on 1 July 2000 during each of the five calendar years beginning 1 July 2000 and shall give priority to those collection systems serving the largest populations, those under a moratorium imposed by the Commission under G.S. 143-215.67, and those for which the Department of Environmental Quality has issued a notice of violation for the discharge of untreated wastewater. (2001-452, s. 2.6; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u); 2017-10, s. 4.3.)
§ 143-215.9C. Use of certain types of culverts allowed.
(a) The Division of Water Resources in the Department of Environmental Quality shall allow the use of structures known as three-sided, open-bottom, or bottomless culverts. A culvert authorized under this section shall be designed, constructed, and installed so that it satisfies all of the following requirements:
(1) Adheres to professional engineering standards and sound engineering practices.
(2) To the extent practicable, minimizes the erosive velocity of water.
(3) Has an inside that is greater than or equal to 1.2 times the bankfull width of the spanned waterbody. For purposes of this subdivision, "bankfull width " means the width of the stream where over-bank flow begins during a flood event.
(b) The Division shall allow the use of culverts authorized under this section throughout the State and may not limit their use to locations where they must be tied into bedrock. Culverts authorized under this section may only be used on private property and may not be transferred to, or operated or maintained by, the Department of Transportation. (2009-478, s. 1; 2013-413, s. 57(l); 2014-115, s. 17; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
§ 143-215.9D. Agricultural operation investigations confidential.
Complaints of violations of this Article relating to an agricultural operation and all other records accumulated in conjunction with the investigation of these complaints shall be considered confidential records and may be released only by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. If the Department determines that a violation has occurred, the complaint of the violation and all records accumulated in conjunction with the investigation of the complaint shall be considered public records pursuant to G.S. 132-6. Any information obtained by the Department from any law enforcement agency, administrative agency, or regulatory organization on a confidential or otherwise restricted basis in the course of such an investigation shall be confidential and exempt from the requirements of G.S. 132-6(a) to the same extent that it is confidential in the possession of the providing agency or organization. (2014-103, s. 1(a).)
§ 143-215.9E. Initial consideration of complaint.
(a) When a complaint alleging a violation of this Article is filed with the Department, the Department may, at its sole discretion, request additional information to be provided by the complainant within a specified period of time of no less than seven business days.
(b) The Department may decline to accept or further investigate a complaint about an agricultural operation if, after an initial assessment of the complaint, the Department finds reasonable grounds to believe that the complaint is frivolous or was filed in bad faith. (2014-103, s. 1(a).)
§ 143-215.10: Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1262, s. 23.
§ 143-215.10A. Legislative findings and intent.
The General Assembly finds that animal operations provide significant economic and other benefits to this State. The growth of animal operations in recent years has increased the importance of good animal waste management practices to protect water quality. It is critical that the State balance growth with prudent environmental safeguards. It is the intention of the State to promote a cooperative and coordinated approach to animal waste management among the agencies of the State with a primary emphasis on technical assistance to farmers. To this end, the General Assembly intends to establish a permitting program for animal waste management systems that will protect water quality and promote innovative systems and practices while minimizing the regulatory burden. Technical assistance will be provided by the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Inspection and enforcement will be provided by the Division of Water Resources. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.34(a); 2002-176, s. 1.2; 2011-145, ss. 13.22(a), 13.22A(p); 2013-413, s. 57(m).)
§ 143-215.10B. Definitions.
As used in this Part:
(1) "Animal operation" means any agricultural feedlot activity involving 250 or more swine, 100 or more confined cattle, 75 or more horses, 1,000 or more sheep, or 30,000 or more confined poultry with a liquid animal waste management system, or any agricultural feedlot activity with a liquid animal waste management system that discharges to the surface waters of the State. A public livestock market regulated under Article 35 of Chapter 106 of the General Statutes is an animal operation for purposes of this Part.
(2) "Animal waste" means livestock or poultry excreta or a mixture of excreta with feed, bedding, litter, or other materials from an animal operation.
(3) "Animal waste management system" means a combination of structures and nonstructural practices serving a feedlot that provide for the collection, treatment, storage, or land application of animal waste.
(4) "Division" means the Division of Water Resources of the Department.
(5) "Feedlot" means a lot or building or combination of lots and buildings intended for the confined feeding, breeding, raising, or holding of animals and either specifically designed as a confinement area in which animal waste may accumulate or where the concentration of animals is such that an established vegetative cover cannot be maintained. A building or lot is not a feedlot unless animals are confined for 45 or more days, which may or may not be consecutive, in a 12-month period. Pastures shall not be considered feedlots for purposes of this Part.
(6) "Technical specialist" means an individual designated by the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, pursuant to rules adopted by that Commission, to certify animal waste management plans. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 27.34(b); 2001-326, s. 1; 2004-176, s. 1; 2013-413, s. 57(n).)
§ 143-215.10C. Applications and permits.
(a) No person shall construct or operate an animal waste management system for an animal operation or operate an animal waste management system for a dry litter poultry facility that is required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), without first obtaining an individual permit or a general permit under this Article. The Commission shall develop a system of individual and general permits for animal operations and dry litter poultry facilities based on species, number of animals, and other relevant factors. The Commission shall develop a general permit for animal operations that includes authorization for the permittee to construct and operate a farm digester system. It is the intent of the General Assembly that most animal waste management systems be permitted under a general permit. The Commission, in its discretion, may require that an animal waste management system, including an animal waste management system that utilizes a farm digester system, be permitted under an individual permit if the Commission determines that an individual permit is necessary to protect water quality, public health, or the environment. After the general permit for animal operations that includes authorization for the permittee to construct and operate a farm digester system has been issued, the decision to require an individual permit shall not be based solely on the fact that the animal waste management system utilizes a farm digester system. The owner or operator of an animal operation shall submit an application for a permit at least 180 days prior to construction of a new animal waste management system or expansion of an existing animal waste management system and shall obtain the permit prior to commencement of the construction or expansion. The owner or operator of a dry litter poultry facility that is required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), shall submit an application for a permit at least 180 days prior to operation of a new animal waste management system.
(a1) An owner or operator of an animal waste management system for an animal operation or a dry litter poultry facility that is required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), shall apply for an individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or a general NPDES permit under this Article and may not discharge into waters of the State except in compliance with an NPDES permit.
(b) An animal waste management system that is not required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), shall be designed, constructed, and operated so that the animal operation served by the animal waste management system does not cause pollution in the waters of the State except as may result because of rainfall from a storm event more severe than the 25-year, 24-hour storm.
(b1) An existing animal waste management system that is required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), shall be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 412, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), so that the animal operation served by the animal waste management system does not cause pollution in waters of the State except as may result because of rainfall from a storm event more severe than the 25-year, 24-hour storm. A new animal operation or dry litter poultry facility that is required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 412.46, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), shall be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated so that there is no discharge of pollutants to waters of the State.
(c) The Commission shall act on a permit application as quickly as possible and may conduct any inquiry or investigation it considers necessary before acting on an application. No permit shall be denied, and no condition shall be attached to a permit, except when the Commission finds that the denial or conditions are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Part.
(c1) Failure of the Commission to make a final permitting decision involving a notice of intent for a certificate of coverage under a general permit for animal operations that includes authorization for the permittee to construct and operate a farm digester system within 90 days of the Commission's receipt of a completed notice of intent shall result in the deemed approval of coverage under the permit. If the Commission fails to act within 90 days of the Commission's receipt of a completed notice of intent, the permittee may request that the Commission provide written confirmation that the notice of intent is deemed approved. Failure to provide this written confirmation within 10 days of the request shall serve as a basis to seek a contested case hearing pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. Unless all parties to the case agree otherwise in writing, the administrative law judge shall issue a final decision or order in the contested case no later than 120 days after its commencement pursuant to G.S. 150B-23; provided that, upon written request of the administrative law judge or any party to the hearing, the Chief Administrative Law Judge may extend this deadline for good cause shown, no more than two times, for not more than 30 days per extension. Upon review of a failure to act on a notice of intent, the administrative law judge may either (i) direct the Commission to issue a written certificate of coverage under the general permit or (ii) deny the petition.
(d) All applications for permits or for renewal of an existing permit shall be in writing, and the Commission may prescribe the form of the applications. All applications shall include an animal waste management system plan approved by a technical specialist. The Commission may require an applicant to submit additional information the Commission considers necessary to evaluate the application. Permits and renewals issued pursuant to this section shall be effective until the date specified therein or until rescinded unless modified or revoked by the Commission.
(e) An animal waste management plan for an animal operation shall include all of the following components:
(1) A checklist of potential odor sources and a choice of site-specific, cost-effective remedial best management practices to minimize those sources.
(2) A checklist of potential insect sources and a choice of site-specific, cost-effective best management practices to minimize insect problems.
(3) Provisions that set forth acceptable methods of disposing of mortalities.
(4) Provisions regarding best management practices for riparian buffers or equivalent controls, particularly along perennial streams.
(5) Provisions regarding the use of emergency spillways and site-specific emergency management plans that set forth operating procedures to follow during emergencies in order to minimize the risk of environmental damage.
(6) Provisions regarding periodic testing of waste products used as nutrient sources as close to the time of application as practical and at least within 60 days of the date of application and periodic testing, at least once every three years, of soils at crop sites where the waste products are applied. Nitrogen shall be a rate-determining element. Phosphorus shall be evaluated according to the nutrient management standard approved by the Soil and Water Conservation Commission of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for facilities that are required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008). If the evaluation demonstrates the need to limit the application of phosphorus in order to comply with the nutrient management standard, then phosphorus shall be a rate-determining element. Zinc and copper levels in the soils shall be monitored, and alternative crop sites shall be used when these metals approach excess levels.
(7) Provisions regarding waste utilization plans that assure a balance between nitrogen application rates and nitrogen crop requirements, that assure that lime is applied to maintain pH in the optimum range for crop production, and that include corrective action, including revisions to the waste utilization plan based on data of crop yields and crops analysis, that will be taken if this balance is not achieved as determined by testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (6) of this subsection.
(8) Provisions regarding the completion and maintenance of records on forms developed by the Department, which records shall include information addressed in subdivisions (6) and (7) of this subsection, including the dates and rates that waste products are applied to soils at crop sites, and shall be made available upon request by the Department.
(f) Any owner or operator of a dry litter poultry facility that is not required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), but that involves 30,000 or more birds shall develop an animal waste management plan that complies with the testing and record-keeping requirements under subdivisions (6) through (8) of subsection (e) of this section. Any operator of this type of animal waste management system shall retain records required under this section and by the Department on-site for three years.
(f1) An animal waste management plan for a dry litter poultry facility required to be permitted under 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), shall include the components set out in subdivisions (3), (6), (7), and (8) of subsection (e) of this section, and to the extent required by 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 122, as amended at 73 Federal Register 70418 (November 20, 2008), for land application discharges, subdivision (4) of subsection (e) of this section.
(f2) Periodic testing of waste products as required in subdivision (6) of subsection (e) of this section, subsection (f) of this section and subsection (f1) of this section may be temporarily suspended in compliance with G.S. 106-399.4 when the State Veterinarian, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture and with the approval of the Governor, determines that there is an imminent threat within the State of a contagious animal disease. The suspension of testing only applies to the animal operation types designated by the State Veterinarian, and shall be in effect for a period of time that the State Veterinarian deems necessary to prevent and control the animal disease. During the suspension of waste analysis, waste product nutrient content to be used for application of waste at no greater than agronomic rates shall be established by the 1217 Interagency Committee as created by Session Law 1995-626.
(g) The Commission shall encourage the development of alternative and innovative animal waste management technologies. The Commission shall provide sufficient flexibility in the regulatory process to allow for the timely evaluation of alternative and innovative animal waste management technologies and shall encourage operators of animal waste management systems to participate in the evaluation of these technologies. The Commission shall provide sufficient flexibility in the regulatory process to allow for the prompt implementation of alternative and innovative animal waste management technologies that are demonstrated to provide improved protection to public health and the environment.
(h) The owner or operator of an animal waste management system shall:
(1) In the event of a discharge of 1,000 gallons or more of animal waste to the surface waters of the State, issue a press release to all print and electronic news media that provide general coverage in the county where the discharge occurred setting out the details of the discharge. The owner or operator shall issue the press release within 48 hours after the owner or operator has determined that the discharge has reached the surface waters of the State. The owner or operator shall retain a copy of the press release and a list of the news media to which it was distributed for at least one year after the discharge and shall provide a copy of the press release and the list of the news media to which it was distributed to any person upon request.
(2) In the event of a discharge of 15,000 gallons or more of animal waste to the surface waters of the State, publish a notice of the discharge in a newspaper having general circulation in the county in which the discharge occurs and in each county downstream from the point of discharge that is significantly affected by the discharge. The Secretary shall determine, at the Secretary's sole discretion, which counties are significantly affected by the discharge and shall approve the form and content of the notice and the newspapers in which the notice is to be published. The notice shall be captioned "NOTICE OF DISCHARGE OF ANIMAL WASTE". The owner or operator shall publish the notice within 10 days after the Secretary has determined the counties that are significantly affected by the discharge and approved the form and content of the notice and the newspapers in which the notice is to be published. The owner or operator shall file a copy of the notice and proof of publication with the Department within 30 days after the notice is published. Publication of a notice of discharge under this subdivision is in addition to the requirement to issue a press release under subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(i) A person who obtains an individual permit under G.S. 143-215.1 for an animal waste management system that serves a public livestock market shall not be required to obtain a permit under this Part and is not subject to the requirements of this Part.
(j) Any person subject to the requirements of this section who is required to obtain an individual or general permit from the Commission for an animal waste management system pursuant to this Part shall have a compliance boundary as may be established by rule or permit for various categories of animal waste management systems and beyond which groundwater quality standards may not be exceeded. Multiple contiguous properties under common ownership and permitted for use as an animal waste management system shall be treated as a single property for the purposes of determining a compliance boundary and setbacks to property lines.
(k) Where operation of an animal waste management system permitted pursuant to this section results in the exceedance of groundwater quality standards at or beyond the compliance boundary, the Commission shall require the permittee to undertake corrective action, without regard to the date the system was first permitted, to restore the groundwater quality by assessing the cause, significance, and extent of the violation of standards and submit the results of the investigation and a plan, including a proposed schedule, for corrective action to the Secretary. The permittee shall implement the plan as approved by, and in accordance with, a schedule established by the Secretary. In establishing a schedule for corrective action, the Secretary shall consider any reasonable schedule proposed by the permittee.
(l) A permit applicant, a permittee, or a third party who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Commission may commence a contested case by filing a petition under G.S. 150B-23 within 30 days after the Commission notifies the applicant or permittee of its decision. If the permit applicant, the permittee, or a third party does not file a petition within the required time, the Commission's decision is final and is not subject to review. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 1; 1997-458, s. 9.2; 1999-329, s. 8.2; 1999-456, s. 68; 2001-254, ss. 3, 4; 2001-326, s. 2; 2004-176, s. 2; 2009-92, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 13.22A(q); 2013-228, s. 1; 2015-263, s. 33(b); 2021-78, s. 11(b); 2023-137, s. 15(b).)
§ 143-215.10D. Operations review.
(a) The Division, in cooperation with the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, shall develop a reporting procedure for use by technical specialists who conduct operations reviews of animal operations. The reporting procedure shall be consistent with the Division's inspection procedure of animal operations and with this Part. The report shall include any corrective action recommended by the technical specialist to assist the owner or operator of the animal operation in complying with all permit requirements. The report shall be submitted to the Division within 10 days following the operations review unless the technical specialist observes a violation described in G.S. 143-215.10E. If the technical specialist finds a violation described in G.S. 143-215.10E, the report shall be filed with the Division immediately.
(b) An animal operation may request an operations review. The operations review shall be conducted by a technical specialist employed by the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a local Soil and Water Conservation District, or the federal Natural Resources Conservation Services working under the direction of the Division of Soil and Water Conservation.
(c) Operations reviews shall not be performed by technical specialists with a financial interest in any animal operation. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 1; 2011-145, ss. 13.22(b), 13.22A(r); 2011-391, s. 30; 2012-194, s. 42(a).)
§ 143-215.10E. Violations requiring immediate notification.
(a) Any employee of a State agency or unit of local government lawfully on the premises and engaged in activities relating to the animal operation who observes any of the following violations shall immediately notify the owner or operator of the animal operation and the Division:
(1) Any direct discharge of animal waste into the waters of the State.
(2) Any deterioration or leak in a lagoon system that poses an immediate threat to the environment.
(3) Failure to maintain adequate storage capacity in a lagoon that poses an immediate threat to public health or the environment.
(4) Overspraying animal waste either in excess of the limits set out in the animal waste management plan or where runoff enters waters of the State.
(5) Any discharge that bypasses a lagoon system.
(b) Any employee of a federal agency lawfully on the premises and engaged in activities relating to the animal operation who observes any of the above violations is encouraged to immediately notify the Division. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.10F. Inspections.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Division shall conduct inspections of all animal operations that are subject to a permit under G.S. 143-215.10C at least once a year to determine whether the system is causing a violation of water quality standards and whether the system is in compliance with its animal waste management plan or any other condition of the permit.
(b) As an alternative to the inspection program set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall conduct inspections of all animal operations that are subject to a permit under G.S. 143-215.10C at least once a year to determine whether the system is causing a violation of water quality standards and whether the system is in compliance with its animal waste management plan or any other condition of the permit. The alternative inspection program shall be located in up to four counties selected using the criteria set forth in Section 15.4(a) of S.L. 1997-443, as amended, as it existed prior to its expiration. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall establish procedures whereby resources within the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts serving the counties are used for quick response to complaints and reported problems previously referred only to the Division of Water Resources. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 1; 2013-131, s. 1; 2013-413, s. 57(gg).)
§ 143-215.10G. Fees for animal waste management systems.
(a) The Department shall charge an annual permit fee to an animal operation that is subject to a permit under G.S. 143-215.10C for an animal waste management system according to the following schedule:
(1) For a system with a design capacity of 38,500 or more and less than 100,000 pounds steady state live weight, sixty dollars ($60.00).
(2) For a system with a design capacity of 100,000 or more and less than 800,000 pounds steady state live weight, one hundred eighty dollars ($180.00).
(3) For a system with a design capacity of 800,000 pounds or more steady state live weight, three hundred sixty dollars ($360.00).
(a1) The Department shall charge an annual permit fee to a dry litter poultry facility that is subject to a permit under G.S. 143-215.10C for an animal waste management system according to the following schedule:
(1) For a system with a permitted capacity of less than 25,000 laying chickens, less than 37,500 nonlaying chickens, or less than 16,500 turkeys, sixty dollars ($60.00).
(2) For a system with a permitted capacity of 25,000 or more but less than 200,000 laying chickens, 37,500 or more but less than 290,000 nonlaying chickens, 16,500 or more but less than 133,000 turkeys, one hundred eighty dollars ($180.00).
(3) For a system with a permitted capacity of more than 200,000 laying chickens, more than 290,000 nonlaying chickens, or more than 133,000 turkeys, three hundred sixty dollars ($360.00).
(b) An application for a new permit under this section shall be accompanied by an initial application fee equal to the annual fee for that permit. If a permit is issued, the application fee shall be applied as the annual fee for the first year that the permit is in effect. If the application is denied, the application fee shall not be refunded.
(c) Fees collected under this section shall be credited to the Water and Air Quality Account. The Department shall use fees collected pursuant to this section to cover the costs of administering this Part. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 626, s. 1; 1997-496, s. 14; 1998-212, s. 29A.11(d); 2004-176, s. 3; 2007-323, s. 30.3(b).)
§ 143-215.10H. Swine integrator registration.
(a) Definitions. - As used in this section:
(1) "Grower" means a person who holds a permit for an animal waste management system under this Part or Part 1 of this Article for a swine farm, or who operates a swine farm that is subject to an operations review conducted pursuant to G.S. 143-215.10D or an inspection conducted pursuant to G.S. 143-215.10F.
(2) "Swine farm" has the same meaning as in G.S. 106-802.
(3) "Swine operation integrator" or "integrator" means a person, other than a grower, who provides 250 or more animals to a swine farm and who either has an ownership interest in the animals or otherwise establishes management and production standards for the permit holder for the maintenance, care, and raising of the animals. An ownership interest includes a right or option to purchase the animals.
(b) Registration Required. - As part of an operations review conducted pursuant to G.S. 143-215.10D or an inspection conducted pursuant to G.S. 143-215.10F, the Department shall require a grower to register any swine operation integrator with which the grower has a contractual relationship to raise swine. The registration shall be in writing and shall include only:
(1) The name of the owner of the swine farm.
(2) The mailing address of the owner of the swine farm.
(3) The physical location of the swine farm.
(4) The swine farm facility number.
(5) A description of the animal waste management system for the swine farm.
(6) The name and address of the grower, if different from the owner of the swine farm.
(7) The name and mailing address of the integrator.
(c) Notice of Termination or New Relationship. - If the swine operation integrator removes all animals from a swine farm or terminates the integrator's relationship with the swine farm, the grower shall notify the Department of the termination or removal within 30 days. If the grower terminates the grower's relationship with the integrator or enters into a relationship with a different integrator, the grower shall notify the Department of the termination or new relationship within 30 days.
(d) Disclosure of Violations. - The Department shall notify a swine operation integrator of all notices of deficiencies and violations of laws and rules governing the animal waste management system at any swine farm for which the integrator has been registered with the Department. A notice of deficiency or violation of any law or rule governing an animal waste management system is a public record within the meaning of G.S. 132-1 and is subject to disclosure as provided in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. (1998-188, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.10I. Performance standards for animal waste management systems that serve swine farms; lagoon and sprayfield systems prohibited.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Anaerobic lagoon" means a lagoon that treats waste by converting it into carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and other gaseous compounds; organic acids; and cell tissue through an anaerobic process.
(2) "Anaerobic process" means a biological treatment process that occurs in the absence of dissolved oxygen.
(3) "Lagoon" has the same meaning as in G.S. 106-802.
(4) "Swine farm" has the same meaning as in G.S. 106-802.
(b) The Commission shall not issue or modify a permit to authorize the construction, operation, or expansion of an animal waste management system that serves a swine farm that employs an anaerobic lagoon as the primary method of treatment and land application of waste by means of a sprayfield as the primary method of waste disposal unless:
(1) The permitting action does not result in an increase in the permitted capacity of the swine farm, as measured by the annual steady state live weight capacity of the swine farm; or
(2) The Commission determines that the animal waste management system will meet or exceed all of the following performance standards:
a. Eliminate the discharge of animal waste to surface water and groundwater through direct discharge, seepage, or runoff.
b. Substantially eliminate atmospheric emission of ammonia.
c. Substantially eliminate the emission of odor that is detectable beyond the boundaries of the parcel or tract of land on which the swine farm is located.
d. Substantially eliminate the release of disease-transmitting vectors and airborne pathogens.
e. Substantially eliminate nutrient and heavy metal contamination of soil and groundwater. (2007-523, s. 1(a); 2020-18, s. 11.)
§ 143-215.10J. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.10K. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.10L. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.10M. Reports.
(a) The Department shall report to the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division on or before 1 October of each year as required by this section. Each report shall include:
(1) The number of permits for animal waste management systems, itemized by type of animal subject to such permits, issued since the last report.
(2) The number of operations reviews of animal waste management systems that the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has conducted since the last report.
(3) The number of operations reviews of animal waste management systems conducted by agencies other than the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that have been conducted since the last report.
(4) The number of reinspections associated with operations reviews conducted by the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since the last report.
(5) The number of reinspections associated with operations reviews conducted by agencies other than the Division of Soil and Water Conservation of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since the last report.
(6) The number of compliance inspections of animal waste management systems that the Division of Water Resources has conducted since the last report.
(7) The number of follow-up inspections associated with compliance inspections conducted by the Division of Water Resources since the last report.
(8) The average length of time for each category of reviews and inspections under subdivisions (2) through (7) of this subsection.
(9) The number of violations found during each category of review and inspection under subdivisions (2) through (7) of this subsection, the status of enforcement actions taken and pending, and the penalties imposed, collected, and in the process of being negotiated for each such violation.
(10) Any other information that the Department determines to be appropriate or that is requested by the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, or the Fiscal Research Division.
(b) The information to be included in the reports pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be itemized by each regional office of the Department, with totals for the State indicated.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2002-148, s. 6 effective October 9, 2002. (1998-221, s. 4.2; 2002-148, s. 6; 2011-145, s. 13.22A(s); 2013-413, s. 57(o); 2014-115, s. 17; 2017-57, s. 14.1(k).)
§ 143-215.11. Short title.
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the Water Use Act of 1967. (1967, c. 933, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.12. Declaration of purpose.
It is hereby declared that the general welfare and public interest require that the water resources of the State be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent to which they are capable, subject to reasonable regulation in order to conserve these resources and to provide and maintain conditions which are conducive to the development and use of water resources. (1967, c. 933, s. 2.)
§ 143-215.13. Declaration of capacity use areas.
(a) The Environmental Management Commission may declare and delineate from time to time, and may modify, capacity use areas of the State where it finds that the use of groundwater or surface water or both require coordination and limited regulation for protection of the interests and rights of residents or property owners of such areas or of the public interest.
(b) Within the meaning of this Part "a capacity use area" is one where the Commission finds that the aggregate uses of groundwater or surface water, or both, in or affecting said area (i) have developed or threatened to develop to a degree which requires coordination and regulation, or (ii) exceed or threaten to exceed, or otherwise threaten or impair, the renewal or replenishment of such waters or any part of them.
(c) The Commission may declare and delineate capacity use areas in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) Whenever the Commission believes that a capacity use situation exists or may be emerging in any area of the State, it may direct the Department to investigate and report to the Commission thereon.
(2) In conducting its investigation the Department shall consult with all interested persons, groups and agencies; may retain consultants; and shall consider all factors relevant to the conservation and use of water in the area, including established or pending water classifications under Part 1 of this Article and the criteria for such classifications. Following its investigation the Department shall render a written report to the Commission. This report shall indicate whether the water use problems of the area involve surface waters, groundwaters or both and shall identify the Department's suggested boundaries for any capacity use area that may be proposed. It shall present such alternatives as the Department deems appropriate, including actions by any agency or person which might preclude the need for additional regulation at that time, and measures which might be employed limited to surface water or groundwater.
(3) If the Commission finds, following its review of the departmental report (or thereafter following its evaluation of measures taken falling short of regulation) that a capacity use area should be declared, it may adopt a rule declaring said capacity use area. A rule declaring an area to be a capacity use area shall delineate the boundaries of the area.
(4) to (6) Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 585, s. 3.
(7) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 167.
(d) The Commission may conduct a public hearing pursuant to the provisions of this subsection in any area of the State, whether or not a capacity use area has been declared, when it has reason to believe that the withdrawal of water from or the discharge of water pollutants to the waters in such area is having an unreasonably adverse effect upon such waters. If the Commission determines that withdrawals of water from or discharge of water pollutants to the waters within such area has resulted or probably will result in a generalized condition of water depletion or water pollution within the area to the extent that the availability or fitness for use of such water has been impaired for existing or proposed uses and that injury to the public health, safety or welfare will result if increased or additional withdrawals or discharges occur, the Commission may issue a rule:
(1) Prohibiting any person withdrawing waters in excess of 100,000 gallons per day from increasing the amount of the withdrawal above such limit as may be established in the rule.
(2) Prohibiting any person from constructing, installing or operating any new well or withdrawal facilities having a capacity in excess of a rate established in the rule; but such prohibition shall not extend to any new well or facility having a capacity of less than 10,000 gallons per day.
(3) Prohibiting any person discharging water pollutants to the waters from increasing the rate of discharge in excess of the rate established in the rule.
(4) Prohibiting any person from constructing, installing or operating any facility that will or may result in the discharge of water pollutants to the waters in excess of the rate established in the rule.
(5) Prohibiting any agency or political subdivision of the State from issuing any permit or similar document for the construction, installation, or operation of any new or existing facilities for withdrawing water from or discharging water pollutants to the waters in such area in excess of the rates established in the rule.
The determination of the Commission shall be based upon the record of the public hearing and other information considered by the Commission in the rule-making proceeding. The rule shall describe the geographical area of the State affected thereby with particularity and shall provide that the prohibitions set forth therein shall continue pending a determination by the Commission that the generalized condition of water depletion or water pollution within the area has ceased.
Upon issuance of any rule by the Commission pursuant to this subsection, a certified copy of such rule shall be mailed by registered or certified mail to the governing body of every county, city, town, and affected political subdivision lying, in whole or in part, within the area and to every affected or interested State and federal agency. A certified copy of the rule shall be posted at the courthouse in every county lying, in whole or in part, within the area, and a notice setting forth the substantive provisions and effective date of the rule shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation within the area. After publication of notice is completed, any person violating any provision of such rule after the effective date thereof shall be subject to the penalties and proceedings set forth in G.S. 143-215.17. (1967, c. 933, s. 3; 1973, c. 698, s. 14; c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1981, c. 585, ss. 1-4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 167.)
§ 143-215.14. Rules within capacity use areas; scope and procedures.
(a) Following the declaration of a capacity use area by the Commission, it shall prepare proposed rules to be applied in said area, containing such of the following provisions as the Commission finds appropriate concerning the use of surface waters or groundwaters or both:
(1) Provisions requiring water users within the area to submit reports not more frequently than at 30-day intervals concerning quantity of water used or withdrawn, sources of water and the nature of the use thereof.
(2) With respect to surface waters, groundwaters, or both: provisions concerning the timing of withdrawals; provisions to protect against or abate salt water encroachment; provisions to protect against or abate unreasonable adverse effects on other water users within the area, including but not limited to adverse effects on public use.
(3) With respect to groundwaters: provisions concerning well-spacing controls; and provisions establishing a range of prescribed pumping levels (elevations below which water may not be pumped) or maximum pumping rates, or both, in wells or for the aquifer or for any part thereof based on the capacities and characteristics of the aquifer.
(4) Such other provisions not inconsistent with this Part as the Commission finds necessary to implement the purposes of this Part.
(b) In adopting rules for a capacity use area, the Commission shall consider the factors listed in G.S. 143-215.15(h). (1967, c. 933, s. 4; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1981, c. 585, s. 5; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 168.)
§ 143-215.15. Permits for water use within capacity use areas - Procedures.
(a) In areas declared by the Commission to be capacity use areas no person shall (after the expiration of such period, not in excess of six months, as the Commission may designate) withdraw, obtain, or utilize surface waters or groundwaters or both, as the case may be, in excess of 100,000 gallons per day for any purpose unless such person shall first obtain a permit therefor from the Commission.
(b) When sufficient evidence is provided by the applicant that the water withdrawn or used from a stream or the ground is not consumptively used, a permit therefor shall be issued by the Commission without a hearing and without the conditions provided in subsection (c) of this section. Applications for such permits shall set forth such facts as the Commission shall deem necessary to enable it to establish and maintain adequate records of all water uses within the capacity use area.
(c) In all cases in which sufficient evidence of a nonconsumptive use is not presented the Department shall notify each person required by this Part to secure a permit of the Commission's proposed action concerning such permit, and shall transmit with such notice a copy of any permit it proposes to issue to such persons, which permit will become final unless a request for a hearing is made within 15 days from the date of service of such notice. If sufficient evidence of a nonconsumptive use is not presented, the Commission may: (i) grant such permit with conditions as the Commission deems necessary to implement the rules adopted pursuant to G.S. 143-215.14; (ii) grant any temporary permit for such period of time as the Commission shall specify where conditions make such temporary permit essential, even though the action allowed by such permit may not be consistent with the Commission's rules applicable to such capacity use area; (iii) modify or revoke any permit upon not less than 60 days' written notice to any person affected; and (iv) deny such permit if the application therefor or the effect of the water use proposed or described therein upon the water resources of the area is found to be contrary to public interest. Before issuing a permit under this subsection, the Commission shall notify the permit applicant of its proposed action by sending the permit applicant a copy of the permit the Commission proposes to issue. Unless the permit applicant contests the proposed permit, the proposed permit shall become effective on the date set in the proposed permit. A water user who is dissatisifed with a decision of the Commission concerning that user's or another user's permit application or permit may commence a contested case under G.S. 150B-23.
(d) The Commission shall give notice of receipt of an application for a permit under this Part to all other holders of permits and applicants for permits under this Part within the same capacity use area, and to all other persons who have requested to be notified of permit applications. Notice of receipt of an application shall be given within 10 days of the receipt of the application by the Commission. The Commission shall also give notice of its proposed action on any permit application under this Part to all permit holders or permit applicants within the same capacity use area at least 18 days prior to the effective date of the proposed action. Notices of receipt of applications for permits and notice of proposed action on permits shall be by first-class mail and shall be effective upon depositing the notice, postage prepaid, in the United States mail.
(e) Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 585, s. 8.
(f) (1) Recodified as G.S. 143-215.4(d) by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 169.
(2), (3) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 169.
(g) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 169.
(h) In determining whether to issue, modify, revoke, or deny a permit under this section, the Commission shall consider:
(1) The number of persons using an aquifer or stream and the object, extent and necessity of their respective withdrawals or uses;
(2) The nature and size of the stream or aquifer;
(3) The physical and chemical nature of any impairment of the aquifer or stream, adversely affecting its availability or fitness for other water uses (including public use);
(4) The probable severity and duration of such impairment under foreseeable conditions;
(5) The injury to public health, safety or welfare which would result if such impairment were not prevented or abated;
(6) The kinds of businesses or activities to which the various uses are related;
(7) The importance and necessity of the uses claimed by permit applicants (under this section), or of the water uses of the area (under G.S. 143-215.14) and the extent of any injury or detriment caused or expected to be caused to other water uses (including public use);
(8) Diversion from or reduction of flows in other watercourses or aquifers; and
(9) Any other relevant factors. (1967, c. 933, s. 5; 1973, c. 108, s. 89; c. 698, s. 15; c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1981, c. 585, ss. 6-10; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 169.)
§ 143-215.16. Permits for water use within capacity use areas - duration, transfer, reporting, measurement, present use, fees and penalties.
(a) No permit under G.S. 143-215.15 shall be issued for a longer period than the longest of the following: (i) 10 years, or (ii) the duration of the existence of a capacity use area, or (iii) the period found by the Commission to be necessary for reasonable amortization of the applicant's water-withdrawal and water-using facilities. Permits may be renewed following their expiration upon compliance with the provisions of G.S. 143-215.15.
(b) Permits shall not be transferred except with the approval of the Commission.
(c) Every person in a capacity use area who is required by this Part to secure a permit shall file with the Commission in the manner prescribed by the Commission a certified statement of quantities of water used and withdrawn, sources of water, and the nature of the use thereof not more frequently than 30-day intervals. Such statements shall be filed on forms furnished by the Department within 90 days after the adoption of an order by the Commission declaring a capacity use area. Water users in a capacity use area not required to secure a permit shall comply with procedures established to protect and manage the water resources of the area. Such procedures shall be adapted to the specific needs of the area, shall be within the provisions of this and other North Carolina water resource acts, and shall be adopted after public hearing in the area. The requirements embodied in the two preceding sentences shall not apply to individual domestic water use.
(d) If any person who is required to secure a permit under this Part is unable to furnish accurate information concerning amounts of water being withdrawn or used, or if there is evidence that his certified statement is false or inaccurate or that he is withdrawing or using a larger quantity of water or under different conditions than has been authorized by the Commission, the Commission shall have the authority to require such person to install water meters, or some other more economical means for measuring water use acceptable to the Commission. In determining the amount of water being withdrawn or used by a permit holder or applicant the Commission may use the rated capacity of his pumps, the rated capacity of his cooling system, data furnished by the applicant, or the standards or methods employed by the United States Geological Survey in determining such quantities or by any other accepted method.
(e) In any case where a permit applicant can prove to the Commission's satisfaction that the applicant was withdrawing or using water prior to the date of declaration of a capacity use area, the Commission shall take into consideration the extent to which such prior use or withdrawal was reasonably necessary in the judgment of the Commission to meet its needs, and shall grant a permit which shall meet those reasonable needs. Provided, however, that the granting of such permit shall not have unreasonably adverse effects upon other water uses in the area, including public use, and including potential as well as present use.
(f) The Commission shall also take into consideration in the granting of any permit the prior investments of any person in lands, and plans for the usage of water in connection with such lands which plans have been submitted to the Commission within a reasonable time after June 27, 1967. Provided, however, that the granting of such permit shall not have unreasonably adverse effects upon other water uses in the area, including public use, and including potential as well as present use.
(g) It is the intention of the General Assembly that if the provisions of subsection (e) or subsection (f) of this section are held invalid as a grant of an exclusive or separate emolument or privilege, within the meaning of Article I, Sec. 7 of the North Carolina Constitution, the remainder of this Part shall be given effect without the invalid provision or provisions.
(h) Pending the issuance or denial of a permit pursuant to subsection (e) or (f) of this section, the applicant may continue the same withdrawal or use which existed prior to the date of declaration of the capacity use area. (1967, c. 933, s. 6; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-215.17. Enforcement procedures.
(a) Criminal Penalties. - Any person who shall be adjudged to have violated any provision of this Part shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall only be liable to a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation. In addition, if any person is adjudged to have committed such violation willfully, the court may determine that each day during which such violation continued constitutes a separate violation subject to the foregoing penalty.
(b) Civil Penalties. -
(1) The Secretary may assess a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) against any person who violates any provisions of, or any order issued pursuant to this Part, or who violates a rule of the Commission implementing this Part.
(2) If any action or failure to act for which a penalty may be assessed under this Part is willful, the Secretary may assess a penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day for each day of violation.
(3) In determining the amount of the penalty the Secretary shall consider the factors set out in G.S. 143B-282.1(b). The procedures set out in G.S. 143B-282.1 shall apply to civil penalty assessments that are presented to the Commission for final agency decision.
(4) The Secretary shall notify any person assessed a civil penalty of the assessment and the specific reasons therefor by registered or certified mail, or by any means authorized by G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4. Contested case petitions shall be filed within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment.
(5) Requests for remission of civil penalties shall be filed with the Secretary. Remission requests shall not be considered unless made within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment. Remission requests must be accompanied by a waiver of the right to a contested case hearing pursuant to Chapter 150B and a stipulation of the facts on which the assessment was based. Consistent with the limitations in G.S. 143B-282.1(c) and (d), remission requests may be resolved by the Secretary and the violator. If the Secretary and the violator are unable to resolve the request, the Secretary shall deliver remission requests and his recommended action to the Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions of the Environmental Management Commission appointed pursuant to G.S. 143B-282.1(c).
(6) If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after notice of assessment has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment, unless the violator contests the assessment as provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection, or requests remission of the assessment in whole or in part as provided in subdivision (5) of this subsection. If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after the final agency decision or court order has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment.
(7) Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 743, s. 15.
(8) The clear proceeds of civil penalties assessed pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.
(c) Injunctive Relief. - Upon violation of any of the provisions of this Part, a rule implementing this Part, or an order issued under this Part, the Secretary may, either before or after the institution of proceedings for the collection of the penalty imposed by this Part for such violations, request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the superior court of the county or counties where the violation occurred in the name of the State upon the relation of the Department for injunctive relief to restrain the violation or require corrective action, and for such other or further relief in the premises as said court shall deem proper. Neither the institution of the action nor any of the proceedings thereon shall relieve any party to such proceedings from the penalty prescribed by this Part for any violation of same. (1967, c. 933, s. 7; 1973, c. 698, s. 16; c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 842, s. 2; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1981, c. 585, s. 11; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 170; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1036, s. 4; 1993, c. 539, s. 1020; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 743, s. 15; 1998-215, s. 64; 2009-134, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.18. Map or description of boundaries of capacity use areas.
(a) The Commission in designating and the Department in recommending the boundaries of any capacity use area may define such boundaries by showing them on a map or drawings, by a written description, or by any combination thereof, to be designated appropriately and filed permanently with the Department. Alterations in these lines shall be indicated by appropriate entries upon or additions to such map or description. Such entries shall be made under the direction of the Secretary of Environmental Quality. Photographic, typed or other copies of such map or description, certified by the Secretary of Environmental Quality, shall be admitted in evidence in all courts and shall have the same force and effect as would the original map or description. If the boundaries are changed pursuant to other provisions of this Part, the Department may provide for the redrawing of any such map. A redrawn map shall supersede for all purposes the earlier map or all maps which it is designated to replace.
(b) The Department shall file with the Secretary of State a certified copy of the map, drawings, description or combination thereof, showing the boundaries of any capacity use area designated by the Commission; and a certified copy of any redrawn or altered map or drawing, and of any amendments or additions to written descriptions, showing alterations to said boundaries. (1967, c. 933, s. 8; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; c. 1331, s. 3; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 171; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(107); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
§ 143-215.19. Administrative inspection; reports.
(a) When necessary for enforcement of this Part, and when authorized by rules of the Commission, employees of the Commission may inspect any property, public or private, to investigate:
(1) The condition, withdrawal or use of any waters;
(2) Water sources; or
(3) The installation or operation of any well or surface water withdrawal or use facility.
(b) The Commission's rules must state appropriate standards for determining when property may be inspected under subsection (a).
(c) Entry to inspect property may be made without the possessor's consent only if the employee seeking to inspect has a valid administrative inspection warrant issued pursuant to G.S. 15-27.2.
(d) The Commission may also require the owner or possessor of any property to file written statements or submit reports under oath concerning the installation or operation of any well or surface water withdrawal or use facility.
(e) The Commission shall accompany any request or demand for information under this section with a notice that any trade secrets or confidential information concerning business activities is entitled to confidentiality as provided in this subsection. Upon a contention by any person that records, reports or information or any particular part thereof to which the Commission has access under this section, if made public would divulge methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets or would divulge confidential information concerning business activities, the Commission shall consider the material referred to as confidential, except that it may be made available in a separate file marked "Confidential Business Information" to employees of the department concerned with carrying out the provisions of this Part for that purpose only. The disclosure or use of such information in any administrative or judicial proceeding shall be governed by the rules of evidence, but the affected business shall be notified by the Commission at least seven days prior to any such proposed disclosure or use of information, and the Commission will not oppose a motion by any affected business to intervene as a party to the judicial or administrative proceeding. (1967, c. 933, s. 9; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1981, c. 585, s. 12; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 172.)
§ 143-215.20. Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 173.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms as used in this Part are defined as follows:
(1), (2) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 174.
(3) "Consumptive use" means any use of water withdrawn from a stream or the ground other than a "nonconsumptive use," as defined in this Part.
(4) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 174.
(5) "Nonconsumptive use" means (i) the use of water withdrawn from a stream in such a manner that it is returned to the stream without substantial diminution in quantity at or near the point from which it was taken; or, if the user owns both sides of the stream at the point of withdrawal, the water is returned to the stream upstream of the next property below the point of diversion on either side of the stream; (ii) the use of water withdrawn from a groundwater system or aquifer in such a manner that it is returned to the groundwater system or aquifer from which it was withdrawn without substantial diminution in quantity or substantial impairment in quality at or near the point from which it was withdrawn; (iii) provided, however, that (in determining whether a use of groundwater is nonconsumptive) the Commission may take into consideration whether any material injury or detriment to other water users of the area by reason of reduction of water pressure in the aquifer or system has not been adequately compensated by the permit applicant who caused or substantially contributed to such injury or detriment.
(6), (7) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 174. (1967, c. 933, s. 11; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 174.)
§ 143-215.22. Law of riparian rights not changed.
Nothing contained in this Part shall change or modify existing common or statutory law with respect to the relative rights of riparian owners concerning the use of surface water in this State. (1967, c. 933, s. 12.)
§ 143-215.22A. Water withdrawal policy; remedies.
(a) It is against the public policy of North Carolina to withdraw water from any major river or reservoir if both of the following factors are present: (i) the withdrawal will cause the natural flow of water in the river or a portion of the reservoir to be reversed; and (ii) substantial portions of the water are not returned to the river system after use. For purposes of this section, a withdrawal will cause natural flow to be reversed if as a result of the withdrawal, the rate of flow in the river or discrete portion of the reservoir is 15 cubic feet per second or more, moving in a generally opposite direction than prior to the withdrawal, over a distance of more than one mile. To correct for periodic effects, including tidal influences and reservoir fluctuations, flow speed and direction shall be calculated by using annual average flow data to determine pre-withdrawal flows, and projected annual average flow assuming the maximum practical rate of withdrawal, to determine post-withdrawal flows.
(b) This section shall not be construed to create an independent cause of action by the State or by any person. This section shall not apply to any project or facility for which a withdrawal of water began prior to the date this section is effective. (1991, c. 567, c. 712, ss. 5, 6.)
§ 143-215.22B. Roanoke River Basin water rights.
The State reserves and allocates to itself, as protector of the public interest, all rights in the water located in those portions of Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston that are in the State. (1995, c. 504, s. 1.)
§§ 143-215.22C through 143-215.22F. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.22G. Definitions.
In addition to the definitions set forth in G.S. 143-212 and G.S. 143-213, the following definitions apply to this Part.
(1) "Mainstem" means that portion of a river having the same name as a river basin defined in subdivision (1b) of this section. "Mainstem" does not include named or unnamed tributaries.
(1a) "Public water system" means any unit of local government or large community water system subject to the requirements of G.S. 143-355(l).
(1b) "River basin" means any of the following river basins designated on the map entitled "Major River Basins and Sub-basins in North Carolina" and filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on 16 April 1991. The term "river basin" includes any portion of the river basin that extends into another state. Any area outside North Carolina that is not included in one of the river basins listed in this subdivision comprises a separate river basin.
a. 1-1 Broad River.
b. 2-1 Haw River.
c. 2-2 Deep River.
d. 2-3 Cape Fear River.
e. 2-4 South River.
f. 2-5 Northeast Cape Fear River.
g. 2-6 New River.
h. 3-1 Catawba River.
i. 3-2 South Fork Catawba River.
j. 4-1 Chowan River.
k. 4-2 Meherrin River.
l. 5-1 Nolichucky River.
m. 5-2 French Broad River.
n. 5-3 Pigeon River.
o. 6-1 Hiwassee River.
p. 7-1 Little Tennessee River.
q. 7-2 Tuskasegee (Tuckasegee) River.
r. 8-1 Savannah River.
s. 9-1 Lumber River.
t. 9-2 Big Shoe Heel Creek.
u. 9-3 Waccamaw River.
v. 9-4 Shallotte River.
w. 10-1 Neuse River.
x. 10-2 Contentnea Creek.
y. 10-3 Trent River.
z. 11-1 New River.
aa. 12-1 Albemarle Sound.
bb. 13-1 Ocoee River.
cc. 14-1 Roanoke River.
dd. 15-1 Tar River.
ee. 15-2 Fishing Creek.
ff. 15-3 Pamlico River and Sound.
gg. 16-1 Watauga River.
hh. 17-1 White Oak River.
ii. 18-1 Yadkin (Yadkin-Pee Dee) River.
jj. 18-2 South Yadkin River.
kk. 18-3 Uwharrie River.
ll. 18-4 Rocky River.
(2) "Surface water" means any of the waters of the State located on the land surface that are not derived by pumping from groundwater.
(3) "Transfer" means the withdrawal, diversion, or pumping of surface water from one river basin and discharge of all or any part of the water in a river basin different from the origin. However, notwithstanding the basin definitions in G.S. 143-215.22G(1b), the following are not transfers under this Part:
a. The discharge of water upstream from the point where it is withdrawn.
b. The discharge of water downstream from the point where it is withdrawn. (1991, c. 712, s. 1; 1993, c. 348, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 15.48(b); 2013-388, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.22H. Registration of water withdrawals and transfers required.
(a) Any person who withdraws 100,000 gallons per day or more of water from the surface or groundwaters of the State or who transfers 100,000 gallons per day or more of water from one river basin to another shall register the withdrawal or transfer with the Commission. A person registering a water withdrawal or transfer shall provide the Commission with the following information:
(1) The maximum daily amount of the water withdrawal or transfer expressed in thousands of gallons per day.
(1a) The monthly average withdrawal or transfer expressed in thousands of gallons per day.
(2) The location of the points of withdrawal and discharge and the capacity of each facility used to make the withdrawal or transfer.
(3) The monthly average discharge expressed in thousands of gallons per day.
(b) Any person initiating a new water withdrawal or transfer of 100,000 gallons per day or more shall register the withdrawal or transfer with the Commission not later than two months after the initiation of the withdrawal or transfer. The information required under subsection (a) of this section shall be submitted with respect to the new withdrawal or transfer.
(b1) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to a person who withdraws or transfers less than 1,000,000 gallons per day of water for activities directly related or incidental to the production of crops, fruits, vegetables, ornamental and flowering plants, dairy products, livestock, poultry, and other agricultural products, or to the creation or maintenance of waterfowl impoundments.
(b2) Registration of a withdrawal or transfer of water under this section or information that is provided by a water user pursuant to G.S. 106-24 and authorized for release to the Commission by the individual water user may be used as evidence of historic water use in the event that it becomes necessary or desirable to allocate available water resources among specific classes, persons, or individuals who use water resources.
(c) A unit of local government that has completed a local water supply plan that meets the requirements of G.S. 143-355(l) and that has periodically revised and updated its plan as required by the Department has satisfied the requirements of this section and is not required to separately register a water withdrawal or transfer or to update a registration under this section.
(d) Any person who is required to register a water withdrawal or transfer under this section shall update the registration by providing the Commission with a current version of the information required by subsection (a) of this section at five-year intervals following the initial registration. A person who submits information to update a registration of a water withdrawal or transfer is not required to pay an additional registration fee under G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1a) and G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1b), but is subject to the civil penalty established under this section in the event that updated information is not submitted as required by this subsection.
(e) Any person who is required to register a water transfer or withdrawal under this section and fails to do so shall pay, in addition to the registration fee required under G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1a) and G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1b), a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00). A person who is required to update a registration under this section and fails to do so shall pay a civil penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00). For each willful action or failure to act for which a penalty may be assessed under this subsection, the Commission may consider each day the action or inaction continues after notice is given of the violation as a separate violation. A separate penalty may be assessed for each separate violation. (1991, c. 712, s. 1; 1993, c. 344, s. 1; c. 553, s. 81; 1998-168, s. 3; 2008-143, s. 1; 2008-198, s. 11.6.)
§ 143-215.22I: Repealed by Session Laws 2007-518, s. 2, effective August 31, 2007, and applicable to any petition for a certificate for a transfer of surface water from one river basin to another river basin for which preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement has begun on or after August 31, 2007.
§ 143-215.22J: Repealed by Session Laws 2004-195, s. 3.1, effective August 17, 2004.
§ 143-215.22K: Repealed by Session Laws 2004-195, s. 3.1, effective August 17, 2004.
§ 143-215.22L. Regulation of surface water transfers.
(a) Certificate Required. - No person, without first obtaining a certificate from the Commission, may:
(1) Initiate a transfer of 2,000,000 gallons of water or more per day, calculated as a daily average of a calendar month and not to exceed 3,000,000 gallons per day in any one day, from one river basin to another.
(2) Increase the amount of an existing transfer of water from one river basin to another by twenty-five percent (25%) or more above the average daily amount transferred during the year ending 1 July 1993 if the total transfer including the increase is 2,000,000 gallons or more per day.
(3) Increase an existing transfer of water from one river basin to another above the amount approved by the Commission in a certificate issued under G.S. 162A-7 prior to 1 July 1993.
(b) Exception. - Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a certificate shall not be required to transfer water from one river basin to another up to the full capacity of a facility to transfer water from one basin to another if the facility was in existence or under construction on 1 July 1993.
(c) Notice of Intent to File a Petition. - An applicant shall prepare a notice of intent to file a petition that includes a nontechnical description of the applicant's request and an identification of the proposed water source. Within 90 days after the applicant files a notice of intent to file a petition, the applicant shall hold at least one public meeting in the source river basin upstream from the proposed point of withdrawal, at least one public meeting in the source river basin downstream from the proposed point of withdrawal, and at least one public meeting in the receiving river basin to provide information to interested parties and the public regarding the nature and extent of the proposed transfer and to receive comment on the scope of the environmental documents. Written notice of the public meetings shall be provided at least 30 days before the public meetings. At the time the applicant gives notice of the public meetings, the applicant shall request comment on the alternatives and issues that should be addressed in the environmental documents required by this section. The applicant shall accept written comment on the scope of the environmental documents for a minimum of 30 days following the last public meeting. Notice of the public meetings and opportunity to comment on the scope of the environmental documents shall be provided as follows:
(1) By publishing notice in the North Carolina Register.
(2) By publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation in:
a. Each county in this State located in whole or in part of the area of the source river basin upstream from the proposed point of withdrawal.
b. Each city or county located in a state located in whole or in part of the surface drainage basin area of the source river basin that also falls within, in whole or in part, the area denoted by one of the following eight-digit cataloging units as organized by the United States Geological Survey:
03050105 (Broad River: NC and SC);
03050106 (Broad River: SC);
03050107 (Broad River: SC);
03050108 (Broad River: SC);
05050001 (New River: NC and VA);
05050002 (New River: VA and WV);
03050101 (Catawba River: NC and SC);
03050103 (Catawba River: NC and SC);
03050104 (Catawba River: SC);
03010203 (Chowan River: NC and VA);
03010204 (Chowan River: NC and VA);
06010105 (French Broad River: NC and TN);
06010106 (French Broad River: NC and TN);
06010107 (French Broad River: TN);
06010108 (French Broad River: NC and TN);
06020001 (Hiwassee River: AL, GA, TN);
06020002 (Hiwassee River: GA, NC, TN);
06010201 (Little Tennessee River: TN);
06010202 (Little Tennessee River: TN, GA, and NC);
06010204 (Little Tennessee River: NC and TN);
03060101 (Savannah River: NC and SC);
03060102 (Savannah River: GA, NC, and SC);
03060103 (Savannah River: GA and SC);
03060104 (Savannah River: GA);
03060105 (Savannah River: GA);
03040203 (Lumber River: NC and SC);
03040204 (Lumber River: NC and SC);
03040206 (Lumber River: NC and SC);
03040207 (Lumber River: NC and SC);
03010205 (Albemarle Sound: NC and VA);
06020003 (Ocoee River: GA, NC, and TN);
03010101 (Roanoke River: VA);
03010102 (Roanoke River: NC and VA);
03010103 (Roanoke River: NC and VA);
03010104 (Roanoke River: NC and VA);
03010105 (Roanoke River: VA);
03010106 (Roanoke River: NC and VA);
06010102 (Watauga River: TN and VA);
06010103 (Watauga River: NC and TN);
03040101 (Yadkin River: VA and NC);
03040104 (Yadkin River: NC and SC);
03040105 (Yadkin River: NC and SC);
03040201 (Yadkin River: NC and SC);
03040202 (Yadkin River: NC and SC).
c. Each county in this State located in whole or in part of the area of the source river basin downstream from the proposed point of withdrawal.
d. Any area in the State in a river basin for which the source river basin has been identified as a future source of water in a local water supply plan prepared pursuant to G.S. 143-355(l).
e. Each county in the State located in whole or in part of the receiving river basin.
(3) By giving notice by first-class mail or electronic mail to each of the following:
a. The board of commissioners of each county in this State or the governing body of any county or city that is politically independent of a county in any state that is located entirely or partially within the source river basin of the proposed transfer and that also falls within, in whole or in part, the area denoted by one of the eight-digit cataloging units listed in sub-subdivision b. of subdivision (2) of this subsection.
b. The board of commissioners of each county in this State or the governing body of any county or city that is politically independent of a county in any state that is located entirely or partially within the receiving river basin of the proposed transfer and that also falls within, in whole or in part, the area denoted by one of the eight-digit cataloging units listed in sub-subdivision b. of subdivision (2) of this subsection.
c. The governing body of any public water system that withdraws water upstream or downstream from the withdrawal point of the proposed transfer.
d. If any portion of the source or receiving river basins is located in another state, all state water management or use agencies, environmental protection agencies, and the office of the governor in that state upstream or downstream from the withdrawal point of the proposed transfer.
e. All persons who have registered a water withdrawal or transfer from the proposed source river basin under this Part or under similar law in an another state.
f. All persons who hold a certificate for a transfer of water from the proposed source river basin under this Part or under similar law in an another state.
g. All persons who hold a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater discharge permit for a discharge of 100,000 gallons per day or more upstream or downstream from the proposed point of withdrawal.
h. To any other person who submits to the applicant a written request to receive all notices relating to the petition.
(d) Environmental Documents. - Except as provided in this subsection, the definitions set out in G.S. 113A-9 apply to this section. Notwithstanding the thresholds for significant expenditure of public monies or use of public land set forth in G.S. 113A-9, the Department shall conduct a study of the environmental impacts of any proposed transfer of water for which a certificate is required under this section. The study shall meet all of the requirements set forth in G.S. 113A-4 and rules adopted pursuant to G.S. 113A-4. Notwithstanding G.S. 113A-4(2), the study shall include secondary and cumulative impacts. An environmental assessment shall be prepared for any petition for a certificate under this section. The determination of whether an environmental impact statement shall also be required shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes; except that an environmental impact statement shall be prepared for every proposed transfer of water from one major river basin to another for which a certificate is required under this section. The applicant who petitions the Commission for a certificate under this section shall pay the cost of special studies necessary to comply with Article 1 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes. An environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to this subsection shall include all of the following:
(1) A comprehensive analysis of the impacts that would occur in the source river basin and the receiving river basin if the petition for a certificate is granted.
(2) An evaluation of alternatives to the proposed interbasin transfer, including water supply sources that do not require an interbasin transfer and use of water conservation measures.
(3) A description of measures to mitigate any adverse impacts that may arise from the proposed interbasin transfer.
(e) Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Document. - The Commission shall hold a public hearing on the draft environmental document for a proposed interbasin transfer after giving at least 30 days' written notice of the hearing in the Environmental Bulletin and as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (c) of this section. The notice shall indicate where a copy of the environmental document can be reviewed and the procedure to be followed by anyone wishing to submit written comments and questions on the environmental document. The Commission shall prepare a record of all comments and written responses to questions posed in writing. The record shall include complete copies of scientific or technical comments related to the potential impact of the interbasin transfer. The Commission shall accept written comment on the draft environmental document for a minimum of 30 days following the last public hearing. The applicant who petitions the Commission for a certificate under this section shall pay the costs associated with the notice and public hearing on the draft environmental document.
(f) Determination of Adequacy of Environmental Document. - The Commission shall not act on any petition for an interbasin transfer until the Commission has determined that the environmental document is complete and adequate. A decision on the adequacy of the environmental document is subject to review in a contested case on the decision of the Commission to issue or deny a certificate under this section.
(g) Petition. - An applicant for a certificate shall petition the Commission for the certificate. The petition shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(1) A general description of the facilities to be used to transfer the water, including current and projected areas to be served by the transfer, current and projected capacities of intakes, and other relevant facilities.
(2) A description of all the proposed consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of the water to be transferred.
(3) A description of the water quality of the source river and receiving river, including information on aquatic habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species; in-stream flow data for segments of the source and receiving rivers that may be affected by the transfer; and any waters that are impaired pursuant to section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1313(d)).
(4) A description of the water conservation measures used by the applicant at the time of the petition and any additional water conservation measures that the applicant will implement if the certificate is granted.
(5) A description of all sources of water within the receiving river basin, including surface water impoundments, groundwater wells, reinjection storage, and purchase of water from another source within the river basin, that is a practicable alternative to the proposed transfer that would meet the applicant's water supply needs. The description of water sources shall include sources available at the time of the petition for a certificate and any planned or potential water sources.
(6) A description of water transfers and withdrawals registered under G.S. 143-215.22H or included in a local water supply plan prepared pursuant to G.S. 143-355(l) from the source river basin, including transfers and withdrawals at the time of the petition for a certificate and any planned or reasonably foreseeable transfers or withdrawals by a public water system with service area located within the source river basin.
(7) A demonstration that the proposed transfer, if added to all other transfers and withdrawals required to be registered under G.S. 143-215.22H or included in any local water supply plan prepared by a public water system with service area located within the source basin pursuant to G.S. 143-355(l) from the source river basin at the time of the petition for a certificate, would not reduce the amount of water available for use in the source river basin to a degree that would impair existing uses, pursuant to the antidegradation policy set out in 40 Code of Federal Regulation § 131.12 (Antidegradation Policy) (1 July 2006 Edition) and the statewide antidegradation policy adopted pursuant thereto, or existing and planned consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of the water in the source river basin. If the proposed transfer would impact a reservoir within the source river basin, the demonstration must include a finding that the transfer would not result in a water level in the reservoir that is inadequate to support existing uses of the reservoir, including recreational uses.
(8) The applicant's future water supply needs and the present and reasonably foreseeable future water supply needs for public water systems with service area located within the source river basin. The analysis of future water supply needs shall include agricultural, recreational, and industrial uses, and electric power generation. Local water supply plans prepared pursuant to G.S. 143-355(l) for water systems with service area located within the source river basin shall be used to evaluate the projected future water needs in the source river basin that will be met by public water systems.
(9) The applicant's water supply plan prepared pursuant to G.S. 143-355(l). If the applicant's water supply plan is more than two years old at the time of the petition, then the applicant shall include with the petition an updated water supply plan.
(10) Any other information deemed necessary by the Commission for review of the proposed water transfer.
(h) Settlement Discussions. - Upon the request of the applicant, any interested party, or the Department, or upon its own motion, the Commission may appoint a mediation officer. The mediation officer may be a member of the Commission, an employee of the Department, or a neutral third party but shall not be a hearing officer under subsections (e) or (j) of this section. The mediation officer shall make a reasonable effort to initiate settlement discussions between the applicant and all other interested parties. Evidence of statements made and conduct that occurs in a settlement discussion conducted under this subsection, whether attributable to a party, a mediation officer, or other person shall not be subject to discovery and shall be inadmissible in any subsequent proceeding on the petition for a certificate. The Commission may adopt rules to govern the conduct of the mediation process.
(i) Draft Determination. - Within 90 days after the Commission determines that the environmental document prepared in accordance with subsection (d) of this section is adequate or the applicant submits its petition for a certificate, whichever occurs later, the Commission shall issue a draft determination on whether to grant the certificate. The draft determination shall be based on the criteria set out in this section and shall include the conditions and limitations, findings of fact, and conclusions of law that would be required in a final determination. Notice of the draft determination shall be given as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(j) Public Hearing on the Draft Determination. - Within 60 days of the issuance of the draft determination as provided in subsection (i) of this section, the Commission shall hold public hearings on the draft determination. At least one hearing shall be held in the affected area of the source river basin, and at least one hearing shall be held in the affected area of the receiving river basin. In determining whether more than one public hearing should be held within either the source or receiving river basins, the Commission shall consider the differing or conflicting interests that may exist within the river basins, including the interests of both upstream and downstream parties potentially affected by the proposed transfer. The public hearings shall be conducted by one or more hearing officers appointed by the Chair of the Commission. The hearing officers may be members of the Commission or employees of the Department. The Commission shall give at least 30 days' written notice of the public hearing as provided in subsection (c) of this section. The Commission shall accept written comment on the draft determination for a minimum of 30 days following the last public hearing. The Commission shall prepare a record of all comments and written responses to questions posed in writing. The record shall include complete copies of scientific or technical comments related to the potential impact of the interbasin transfer. The applicant who petitions the Commission for a certificate under this section shall pay the costs associated with the notice and public hearing on the draft determination.
(k) Final Determination: Factors to be Considered. - In determining whether a certificate may be issued for the transfer, the Commission shall specifically consider each of the following items and state in writing its findings of fact and conclusions of law with regard to each item:
(1) The necessity and reasonableness of the amount of surface water proposed to be transferred and its proposed uses.
(2) The present and reasonably foreseeable future detrimental effects on the source river basin, including present and future effects on public, industrial, economic, recreational, and agricultural water supply needs, wastewater assimilation, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, electric power generation, navigation, and recreation. Local water supply plans for public water systems with service area located within the source river basin prepared pursuant to G.S. 143-355(l) shall be used to evaluate the projected future water needs in the source river basin that will be met by public water systems. Information on projected future water needs for public water systems with service area located within the source river basin that is more recent than the local water supply plans may be used if the Commission finds the information to be reliable. The determination shall include a specific finding as to measures that are necessary or advisable to mitigate or avoid detrimental impacts on the source river basin.
(3) The cumulative effect on the source major river basin of any water transfer or consumptive water use that, at the time the Commission considers the petition for a certificate is occurring, is authorized under this section, or is projected in any local water supply plan for public water systems with service area located within the source river basin that has been submitted to the Department in accordance with G.S. 143-355(l).
(4) The present and reasonably foreseeable future beneficial and detrimental effects on the receiving river basin, including present and future effects on public, industrial, economic, recreational, and agricultural water supply needs, wastewater assimilation, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, electric power generation, navigation, and recreation. Local water supply plans prepared pursuant to G.S. 143-355(l) that affect the receiving river basin shall be used to evaluate the projected future water needs in the receiving river basin that will be met by public water systems. Information on projected future water needs that is more recent than the local water supply plans may be used if the Commission finds the information to be reliable. The determination shall include a specific finding as to measures that are necessary or advisable to mitigate or avoid detrimental impacts on the receiving river basin.
(5) The availability of reasonable alternatives to the proposed transfer, including the potential capacity of alternative sources of water, the potential of each alternative to reduce the amount of or avoid the proposed transfer, probable costs, and environmental impacts. In considering alternatives, the Commission is not limited to consideration of alternatives that have been proposed, studied, or considered by the applicant. The determination shall include a specific finding as to why the applicant's need for water cannot be satisfied by alternatives within the receiving basin, including unused capacity under a transfer for which a certificate is in effect or that is otherwise authorized by law at the time the applicant submits the petition. The determination shall consider the extent to which access to potential sources of surface water or groundwater within the receiving river basin is no longer available due to depletion, contamination, or the declaration of a capacity use area under Part 2 of Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. The determination shall consider the feasibility of the applicant's purchase of water from other water suppliers within the receiving basin and of the transfer of water from another sub-basin within the receiving major river basin. Except in circumstances of technical or economic infeasibility or adverse environmental impact, the Commission's determination as to reasonable alternatives shall give preference to alternatives that would involve a transfer from one sub-basin to another within the major receiving river basin over alternatives that would involve a transfer from one major river basin to another major river basin.
(6) If applicable to the proposed project, the applicant's present and proposed use of impoundment storage capacity to store water during high-flow periods for use during low-flow periods and the applicant's right of withdrawal under G.S. 143-215.44 through G.S. 143-215.50.
(7) If the water to be withdrawn or transferred is stored in a multipurpose reservoir constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the purposes and water storage allocations established for the reservoir at the time the reservoir was authorized by the Congress of the United States.
(8) Whether the service area of the applicant is located in both the source river basin and the receiving river basin.
(9) Any other facts and circumstances that are reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this Part.
(l) Final Determination: Information to be Considered. - In determining whether a certificate may be issued for the transfer, the Commission shall consider all of the following sources of information:
(1) The petition.
(2) The environmental document prepared pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
(3) All oral and written comment and all accompanying materials or evidence submitted pursuant to subsections (e) and (j) of this section.
(4) Information developed by or available to the Department on the water quality of the source river basin and the receiving river basin, including waters that are identified as impaired pursuant to section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1313(d)), that are subject to a total maximum daily load (TMDL) limit under subsections (d) and (e) of section 303 of the federal Clean Water Act, or that would have their assimilative capacity impaired if the certificate is issued.
(5) Any other information that the Commission determines to be relevant and useful.
(m) Final Determination: Burden and Standard of Proof; Specific Findings. - The Commission shall grant a certificate for a water transfer if the Commission finds that the applicant has established by a preponderance of the evidence all of the following:
(1) The benefits of the proposed transfer outweigh the detriments of the proposed transfer. In making this determination, the Commission shall be guided by the approved environmental document and the policy set out in subsection (t) of this section.
(2) The detriments have been or will be mitigated to the maximum degree practicable.
(3) The amount of the transfer does not exceed the amount of the projected shortfall under the applicant's water supply plan after first taking into account all other sources of water that are available to the applicant.
(4) There are no reasonable alternatives to the proposed transfer.
(n) Final Determination: Certificate Conditions and Limitations. - The Commission may grant the certificate in whole or in part, or deny the certificate. The Commission may impose any conditions or limitations on a certificate that the Commission finds necessary to achieve the purposes of this Part including a limit on the period for which the certificate is valid. The conditions and limitations shall include any mitigation measures proposed by the applicant to minimize any detrimental effects within the source and receiving river basins. In addition, the certificate shall require all of the following conditions and limitations:
(1) A water conservation plan that specifies the water conservation measures that will be implemented by the applicant in the receiving river basin to ensure the efficient use of the transferred water. Except in circumstances of technical or economic infeasibility or adverse environmental impact, the water conservation plan shall provide for the mandatory implementation of water conservation measures by the applicant that equal or exceed the most stringent water conservation plan implemented by a public water system that withdraws water from the source river basin.
(2) A drought management plan that specifies how the transfer shall be managed to protect the source river basin during drought conditions or other emergencies that occur within the source river basin. Except in circumstances of technical or economic infeasibility or adverse environmental impact, this drought management plan shall include mandatory reductions in the permitted amount of the transfer based on the severity and duration of a drought occurring within the source river basin and shall provide for the mandatory implementation of a drought management plan by the applicant that equals or exceeds the most stringent water conservation plan implemented by a public water system that withdraws water from the source river basin.
(3) The maximum amount of water that may be transferred, calculated as a daily average of a calendar month, and methods or devices required to be installed and operated that measure the amount of water that is transferred.
(4) A provision that the Commission may amend a certificate to reduce the maximum amount of water authorized to be transferred whenever it appears that an alternative source of water is available to the certificate holder from within the receiving river basin, including, but not limited to, the purchase of water from another water supplier within the receiving basin or to the transfer of water from another sub-basin within the receiving major river basin.
(5) A provision that the Commission shall amend the certificate to reduce the maximum amount of water authorized to be transferred if the Commission finds that the applicant's current projected water needs are significantly less than the applicant's projected water needs at the time the certificate was granted.
(6) A requirement that the certificate holder report the quantity of water transferred during each calendar quarter. The report required by this subdivision shall be submitted to the Commission no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter.
(7) Except as provided in this subdivision, a provision that the applicant will not resell the water that would be transferred pursuant to the certificate to another public water system. This limitation shall not apply in the case of a proposed resale or transfer among public water systems within the receiving river basin as part of an interlocal agreement or other regional water supply arrangement, provided that each participant in the interlocal agreement or regional water supply arrangement is a co-applicant for the certificate and will be subject to all the terms, conditions, and limitations made applicable to any lead or primary applicant.
(o) Administrative and Judicial Review. - Administrative and judicial review of a final decision on a petition for a certificate under this section shall be governed by Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(p) Certain Preexisting Transfers. - In cases where an applicant requests approval to increase a transfer that existed on 1 July 1993, the Commission may approve or disapprove only the amount of the increase. If the Commission approves the increase, the certificate shall be issued for the amount of the preexisting transfer plus any increase approved by the Commission. A certificate for a transfer approved by the Commission under G.S. 162A-7 shall remain in effect as approved by the Commission and shall have the same effect as a certificate issued under this Part. A certificate for the increase of a preexisting transfer shall contain all of the conditions and limitations required by subsection (m) of this section.
(q) Emergency Transfers. - In the case of water supply problems caused by drought, a pollution incident, temporary failure of a water plant, or any other temporary condition in which the public health, safety, or welfare requires a transfer of water, the Secretary of Environmental Quality may grant approval for a temporary transfer. Prior to approving a temporary transfer, the Secretary shall consult with those parties listed in subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section that are likely to be affected by the proposed transfer. However, the Secretary shall not be required to satisfy the public notice requirements of this section or make written findings of fact and conclusions of law in approving a temporary transfer under this subsection. If the Secretary approves a temporary transfer under this subsection, the Secretary shall specify conditions to protect other water users. A temporary transfer shall not exceed six months in duration, but the approval may be renewed for a period of six months by the Secretary based on demonstrated need as set forth in this subsection.
(r) Relationship to Federal Law. - The substantive restrictions, conditions, and limitations upon surface water transfers authorized in this section may be imposed pursuant to any federal law that permits the State to certify, restrict, or condition any new or continuing transfers or related activities licensed, relicensed, or otherwise authorized by the federal government. This section shall govern the transfer of water from one river basin to another unless preempted by federal law.
(s) Planning Requirements. - When any transfer for which a certificate was issued under this section equals or exceeds eighty percent (80%) of the maximum amount authorized in the certificate, the applicant shall submit to the Department a detailed plan that specifies how the applicant intends to address future foreseeable water needs. If the applicant is required to have a local water supply plan, then this plan shall be an amendment to the local water supply plan required by G.S.143-355(l). When the transfer equals or exceeds ninety percent (90%) of the maximum amount authorized in the certificate, the applicant shall begin implementation of the plan submitted to the Department.
(t) Statement of Policy. - It is the public policy of the State to maintain, protect, and enhance water quality within North Carolina. It is the public policy of this State that the reasonably foreseeable future water needs of a public water system with its service area located primarily in the receiving river basin are subordinate to the reasonably foreseeable future water needs of a public water system with its service area located primarily in the source river basin. Further, it is the public policy of the State that the cumulative impact of transfers from a source river basin shall not result in a violation of the antidegradation policy set out in 40 Code of Federal Regulations § 131.12 (1 July 2006 Edition) and the statewide antidegradation policy adopted pursuant thereto.
(u) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-388, s. 2, effective August 23, 2013.
(v) Modification of Certificate. - A certificate may be modified as provided in this subsection:
(1) The Commission or the Department may make any of the following modifications to a certificate after providing electronic notice to persons who have identified themselves in writing as interested parties:
a. Correction of typographical errors.
b. Clarification of existing conditions or language.
c. Updates, requested by the certificate holder, to a conservation plan, drought management plan, or compliance and monitoring plan.
d. Modifications requested by the certificate holder to reflect altered requirements due to the amendment of this section.
(2) A person who holds a certificate for an interbasin transfer of water may request that the Commission modify the certificate. The request shall be considered and a determination made according to the following procedures:
a. The certificate must have been issued pursuant to G.S. 162A-7, 143-215.22I, or 143-215.22L and the certificate holder must be in substantial compliance with the certificate.
b. The certificate holder shall file a notice of intent to file a request for modification that includes a nontechnical description of the certificate holder's request and identification of the proposed water source.
c. The certificate holder shall prepare an environmental document pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, except that an environmental impact statement shall not be required for the modification of a certificate unless it would otherwise be required by Article 1 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes.
d. Upon determining that the documentation submitted by the certificate holder is adequate to satisfy the requirements of this subsection, the Department shall publish a notice of the request for modification in the North Carolina Register and shall hold a public hearing at a location convenient to both the source and receiving river basins. The Department shall provide written notice of the request for the modification and the public hearing in the Environmental Bulletin, a newspaper of general circulation in the source river basin, a newspaper of general circulation in the receiving river basin, and as provided in subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section. The certificate holder who petitions the Commission for a modification under this subdivision shall pay the costs associated with the notice and public hearing.
e. The Department shall accept comments on the requested modification for a minimum of 30 days following the public hearing.
f. The Commission or the Department may require the certificate holder to provide any additional information or documentation it deems reasonably necessary in order to make a final determination.
g. The Commission shall make a final determination whether to grant the requested modification based on the factors set out in subsection (k) of this section, information provided by the certificate holder, and any other information the Commission deems relevant. The Commission shall state in writing its findings of fact and conclusions of law with regard to each factor.
h. The Commission shall grant the requested modification if it finds that the certificate holder has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the requested modification satisfies the requirements of subsection (m) of this section. The Commission may grant the requested modification in whole or in part, or deny the request, and may impose such limitations and conditions on the modified certificate as it deems necessary and relevant to the modification.
i. The Commission shall not grant a request for modification if the modification would result in the transfer of water to an additional major river basin.
j. The Commission shall not grant a request for modification if the modification would be inconsistent with the December 3, 2010 Settlement Agreement entered into between the State of North Carolina, the State of South Carolina, Duke Energy Carolinas, and the Catawba River Water Supply Project.
(w) Requirements for Coastal Counties and Reservoirs Constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. - A petition for a certificate (i) to transfer surface water to supplement ground water supplies in the 15 counties designated as the Central Capacity Use Area under 15A NCAC 2E.0501, (ii) to transfer surface water withdrawn from the mainstem of a river to provide service to one of the coastal area counties designated pursuant to G.S. 113A-103, or (iii) to withdraw or transfer water stored in any multipurpose reservoir constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and partially located in a state adjacent to North Carolina, provided the United States Army Corps of Engineers approved the withdrawal or transfer on or before July 1, 2014, shall be considered and a determination made according to the following procedures:
(1) The applicant shall file a notice of intent that includes a nontechnical description of the applicant's request and identification of the proposed water source.
(2) The applicant shall prepare an environmental document pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, except that an environmental impact statement shall not be required unless it would otherwise be required by Article 1 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes.
(3) Upon determining that the documentation submitted by the applicant is adequate to satisfy the requirements of this subsection, the Department shall publish a notice of the petition in the North Carolina Register and shall hold a public hearing at a location convenient to both the source and receiving river basins. The Department shall provide written notice of the petition and the public hearing in the Environmental Bulletin, a newspaper of general circulation in the source river basin, a newspaper of general circulation in the receiving river basin, and as provided in subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section. The applicant who petitions the Commission for a certificate under this subdivision shall pay the costs associated with the notice and public hearing.
(4) The Department shall accept comments on the petition for a minimum of 30 days following the public hearing.
(5) The Commission or the Department may require the applicant to provide any additional information or documentation it deems reasonably necessary in order to make a final determination.
(6) The Commission shall make a final determination whether to grant the certificate based on the factors set out in subsection (k) of this section, information provided by the applicant, and any other information the Commission deems relevant. The Commission shall state in writing its findings of fact and conclusions of law with regard to each factor.
(7) The Commission shall grant the certificate if it finds that the applicant has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the petition satisfies the requirements of subsection (m) of this section. The Commission may grant the certificate in whole or in part, or deny the request, and may impose such limitations and conditions on the certificate as it deems necessary and relevant. (1993, c. 348, s. 1; 1997-443, ss. 11A.119(a), 15.48(c); 1997-524, s. 1; 1998-168, s. 4; 2001-474, s. 28; 2007-484, s. 43.7C; 2007-518, s. 3; 2008-125, s. 1; 2008-198, s. 11.5; 2010-155, ss. 2, 3; 2011-398, s. 50; 2013-388, s. 2; 2014-120, s. 37; 2015-90, s. 7; 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
§ 143-215.23. Short title.
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the Dam Safety Law of 1967. (1967, c. 1068, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.24. Declaration of purpose.
It is the purpose of this Part to provide for the certification and inspection of dams in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, in order to reduce the risk of failure of dams; to prevent injuries to persons, damage to downstream property and loss of reservoir storage; and to ensure maintenance of minimum stream flows of adequate quantity and quality below dams. (1967, c. 1068, s. 2; 1977, c. 878, s. 1; 1993, c. 394, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.25. Definitions.
As used in this Part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Dam. - A structure and appurtenant works erected to impound or divert water.
(1a) Mill dam. - A dam built across a stream to raise the level of water for the purpose of providing water to a mill for the operation of the mill.
(2) Minimum stream flow or minimum flow. - A stream flow of a quantity and quality sufficient in the judgment of the Department to meet and maintain stream classifications and water quality standards established by the Department under G.S. 143-214.1 and applicable to the waters affected by the project under consideration, and to maintain aquatic habitat in the length of the stream that is affected.
(2a) Phased compliance eligible dam. - A dam that (i) is categorized as high hazard by the Department, (ii) was constructed prior to January 1, 1968, and (iii) is not owned by a unit of local government, special district, or public authority, as those terms are defined in G.S. 159-7.
(3) Professionally supervised dam removal. - The voluntary removal of a low or intermediate hazard mill dam or run-of-river dam that (i) is not operated primarily for flood control or hydroelectric power generation purposes and (ii) the removal of which is designed and supervised by a qualified engineer.
(4) Qualified engineer. - An engineer licensed as a professional engineer under Chapter 89C of the General Statutes.
(5) Run-of-river dam. - A riverine or stream dam that is designed or operated to release water at approximately the same rate as the natural flow of the river or stream. (1967, c. 1068, s. 3; 1973, c. 1262, ss. 23, 38; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; c. 878, ss. 2, 4; 1983, c. 306; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 175; 1993, c. 394, s. 2; 2017-145, s. 1(a); 2023-131, s. 1(a).)
§ 143-215.25A. Exempt dams.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Part, this Part does not apply to any dam:
(1) Constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Tennessee Valley Authority, or another agency of the United States government, when the agency designed or approved plans for the dam and supervised its construction.
(2) Constructed with financial assistance from the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, when that agency designed or approved plans for the dam and supervised its construction.
(3) Licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or for which a license application is pending with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(4) For use in connection with electric generating facilities regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(5) Under a single private ownership that provides protection only to land or other property under the same ownership and that does not pose a threat to human life or property below the dam.
(6) (See Editor's Note) That is less than 25 feet in height or that has an impoundment capacity of less than 50 acre-feet, unless the Department determines that failure of the dam could result in loss of human life or significant damage to property below the dam.
(7) (See Editor's Note) Constructed for and maintains the purpose of providing water for agricultural use, when a person who is licensed as a professional engineer or is employed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, county, or local Soil and Water Conservation District, and has federal engineering job approval authority under Chapter 89C of the General Statutes designed or approved plans for the dam, supervised its construction, and registered the dam with the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources of the Department prior to construction of the dam. This exemption shall not apply to dams that are determined to be high-hazard by the Department.
(8) That is less than 20 feet in height or that has an impoundment capacity of less than 15 acre-feet, when a qualified engineer who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department experience in dam design conducts dam failure analyses based on both storm-induced failure and normal weather geologic, structural, or seismic failure scenarios and determines that the dam is not a high hazard dam.
(b) The exemption from this Part for a dam described in subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this section does not apply after the supervising federal agency relinquishes authority for the operation and maintenance of the dam to a local entity. (1993, c. 394, s. 3; 2009-390, s. 3(a); 2011-394, s. 10(a); 2012-143, s. 1(f); 2013-265, s. 20; 2021-180, s. 12.21.)
§ 143-215.26. Construction of dams.
(a) No person shall begin the construction of any dam until at least 10 days after filing with the Department a statement concerning its height, impoundment capacity, purpose, location and other information required by the Department. A person who constructs a dam, including a dam that is otherwise exempt from this Part under subdivisions (4) or (5) of G.S. 143-215.25A(a), shall comply with the malaria control requirements of the Department. If on the basis of this information the Department is of the opinion that the proposed dam is not exempt from the provisions of this Part, it shall so notify the applicant, and construction shall not be commenced until a full application is filed by the applicant and approved as provided by G.S. 143-215.29. The Department may also require of applicants so notified the filing of any additional information it deems necessary, including, but not limited to, streamflow and rainfall data, maps, plans and specifications. Every applicant for approval of a dam subject to the provisions of this Part shall also file with the Department the certificate of an engineer legally qualified in this State. The certificate shall state that the person who files the certificate is responsible for the design of the dam and that the design is safe and adequate.
(b) The Department shall send a copy of each completed application to the State Health Director, the Wildlife Resources Commission, the Department of Transportation, and other State and local agencies it considers appropriate for review and comment. (1967, c. 1068, s. 4; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; c. 507, s. 5; c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 176; 1989, c. 727, s. 163; 1993, c. 394, s. 4; 1995, c. 509, s. 80.)
§ 143-215.27. Repair, alteration, or removal of dam.
(a) Before commencing the repair, alteration or removal of a dam, application shall be made for written approval by the Department, except as otherwise provided by this Part. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant, shall adequately detail the changes it proposes to effect and shall be accompanied by maps, plans and specifications setting forth such details and dimensions as the Department requires. The Department may waive any such requirements. The application shall give such other information concerning the dam and reservoir required by the Department, such information concerning the safety of any change as it may require, and shall state the proposed time of commencement and completion of the work. When an application has been completed it may be referred by the Department for agency review and report, as provided by subsection (b) of G.S. 143-215.26 in the case of original construction. This subsection shall not apply to a professionally supervised dam removal.
(b) When emergency repairs are necessary to safeguard life and property they may be started immediately but the Department shall be notified of the proposed repairs and of the work underway as soon as possible, but not later than 24 hours after first knowledge of the necessity for the emergency repairs, and the emergency repairs shall be made to conform to the Department's orders.
(c) A professionally supervised dam removal is not subject to the procedures set forth in subsection (a) of this section, provided that the dam removal complies with all of the following:
(1) A qualified engineer determines, based on good engineering practices, that the removal of the dam can be accomplished safely, certifies that the dam is a low or intermediate hazard dam, and the removal plan reflects (i) the geomorphology of the streambed upriver and downriver from the dam site and (ii) the most desirable longitudinal profile for the post-removal stream channel that will minimize physical impacts on riparian landowners.
(2) The person who proposes to remove the dam notifies the director of the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources of the Department of the proposed removal no less than 60 days prior to removal. The notice shall include information identifying the dam, including the stream and county where the dam is located, the dam's height and impoundment capacity, a map showing the dam location and vicinity, the qualified engineer's name and North Carolina license number, and a notarized certification from the owner of the dam that the dam is a low or intermediate hazard dam not currently operated for the purposes of flood control or hydroelectric power generation. The notification and certification required by this subdivision may be provided electronically.
(3) The person who proposes to remove the dam notifies the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program of the Department of Public Safety, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, adjacent property owners of the dam and reservoir, and all impacted local governments of the proposed removal no less than 60 days prior to removal. The notice shall include a qualified engineer's determination that (i) the removal plan for the dam is based on the criteria set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection and (ii) the removal will lower or maintain water levels above the location of the dam and will not cause an increase in the risk of flood damage or impacts to downstream bridges or road crossings. For purposes of the notice required by this subdivision, an "impacted local government" shall mean any unit of local government that could experience changes to its base floodplain, as defined in G.S. 143-215.52, as a result of the dam removal.
(d) The Division of Water Resources of the Department of Environmental Quality shall develop a water quality general certification under section 401 of the Clean Water Act for short-term sediment releases associated with the construction phase of a dam removal when all of the following occur:
(1) The removal meets the definition and requirements of a professionally supervised dam removal under this section.
(2) The applicant for the water quality general certification demonstrates that the sediment to be released has similar or lower level of contamination than sediment sampled from downstream of the dam.
(e) The Department shall not withhold approval of an application for repair or alteration of a phased compliance eligible dam based solely on the fact that the proposed repair or alteration will not bring the dam into full compliance with the requirements of the Dam Safety Law of 1967 (Law) and rules adopted to implement the Law, provided the applicant meets all of the following conditions with respect to its proposed repair or alteration project:
(1) The project will not increase the height or impoundment capacity of the dam.
(2) The project will not increase the risk to human life or property.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the Department's authority to approve applications to repair or modify dams that do not meet the criteria of a phased compliance eligible dam. (1967, c. 1068, s. 5; 1979, c. 55, s. 1; 2014-122, s. 7; 2017-145, ss. 1(b), 2(b); 2023-131, s. 1(b).)
§ 143-215.27A. Closure of coal combustion residuals surface impoundments to render such facilities exempt from the North Carolina Dam Safety Law of 1967.
(a) Decommissioning Request. - The owner of a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment, as defined by G.S. 130A-309.201, that seeks to decommission the impoundment shall submit a Decommissioning Request to the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources of the Department requesting that the facility be decommissioned. The Decommissioning Request shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1) A proposed geotechnical investigation plan scope of work. Upon preliminary plan approval pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the owner shall proceed with necessary field work and submit a geotechnical report with site-specific field data indicating that the containment dam and material impounded by the containment dam are stable, and that the impounded material is not subject to liquid flow behavior under expected static and dynamic loading conditions. Material testing should be performed along the full extent of the containment dam and in a pattern throughout the area of impounded material.
(2) A topographic map depicting existing conditions of the containment dam and impoundment area at two-foot contour intervals or less.
(3) If the facility contains areas capable of impounding by topography, a breach plan must be included that ensures that there shall be no place within the facility capable of impounding. The breach plan shall include, at a minimum, proposed grading contours superimposed on the existing topographic map as well as necessary engineering calculations, construction details, and construction specifications.
(4) A permanent vegetation and stabilization or capping plan by synthetic liner or other means, if needed. These plans shall include at minimum, proposed grading contours superimposed on the existing topographic map where applicable as well as necessary engineering calculations, construction details, construction specifications, and all details for the establishment of surface area stabilization.
(5) A statement indicating that the impoundment facility has not received sluiced coal combustion residuals for at least three years and that there are no future plans to place coal combustion residuals in the facility by sluicing methods. The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources may waive the three-year requirement if proper evidence is presented by a North Carolina registered professional engineer indicating that the impounded material is not subject to liquid flow behavior.
(b) Preliminary Review and Approval. - The Decommissioning Request shall undergo a preliminary review by the Division for completeness and approval of the proposed geotechnical investigation plan scope of work. The owner shall be notified by letter with results of the preliminary review, including approval or revision requests relative to the proposed scope of work included in the geotechnical investigation plan. Upon receipt of a letter issued by the Division approving the preliminary geotechnical plan scope of work, the owner may proceed with field work and development of the geotechnical report.
(c) Final Determination and Approval. - Upon receipt of the geotechnical report, the Division shall complete the submittal review as provided in this subsection.
(1) If it is determined that sufficient evidence has been presented to clearly show that the facility no longer functions as a dam in its current state, a letter decommissioning the facility shall be issued by the Division, and the facility shall no longer be under jurisdiction of the Dam Safety Law of 1967.
(2) If modifications such as breach construction or implementation of a permanent vegetation or surface lining plan are needed, such plans shall be reviewed per standard procedures for consideration of a letter of approval to modify or breach.
(3) If approved, such plans shall follow standard procedure for construction, including construction supervision by a North Carolina registered professional engineer, as-built submittal by a North Carolina registered professional engineer, and follow up final inspection by the Division.
(4) Final approval shall be issued by the Division in the form of a letter decommissioning the facility, and the facility shall no longer be under jurisdiction of the Dam Safety Law of 1967. (2014-122, s. 7.1.)
§ 143-215.28. Action by Commission upon applications.
(a) Following receipt of agency comments the Commission shall approve, disapprove, or approve subject to conditions necessary to ensure safety and to satisfy minimum stream flow requirements, all applications made pursuant to this Part.
(b) A defective application shall not be rejected but notice of the defects shall be sent to the applicant by registered mail. If the applicant fails to file a perfected application within 30 days the original shall be canceled unless further time is allowed.
(c) If the Commission disapproves an application, one copy shall be returned with a statement of its objections. If an application is approved, the approval shall be attached thereto, and a copy returned by registered mail. Approval shall be granted under terms, conditions and limitations which the Commission deems necessary to safeguard life and property.
(d) Construction shall be commenced within one year after the date of approval of the application or such approval is void. The Commission upon written application and good cause shown may extend the time for commencing construction. Notice by registered mail shall be given the Commission at least 10 days before construction is commenced. (1967, c. 1068, s. 6; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-215.28A. Application fees.
(a) Repealed by Session Laws 2023-138, s. 4, effective October 10, 2023.
(a1) A nonrefundable application processing and compliance fee in the amount of two and one-quarter percent (2.25%) of the actual cost of construction, repair, alteration, breach, or removal of the applicable dam shall be paid for the processing of applications for approvals of construction, repair, or removal of dams issued under this Part as follows: (i) an initial fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or one-half of the processing and compliance fee based on the engineer's estimated cost of construction, repair, alteration, or removal of the dam, whichever amount is greater, shall be submitted with the application and (ii) the remainder of the processing and compliance fee based on the engineer's estimated cost of construction, repair, alteration, or removal of the dam, whichever amount is greater, shall be paid when the as-built plans are submitted to the Department. The maximum fee shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the construction, repair, alteration, or removal of a dam. In addition, the following provisions shall apply:
(1) Each application for construction, repair, alteration, or removal of a dam shall be deemed incomplete and shall not be reviewed until the initial fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or one-half of the processing and compliance fee is paid.
(2) For purposes of determining the actual cost of construction, repair, alteration, or removal, the cost shall (i) include all labor and materials costs associated with the project for the applicable dam and (ii) not include the costs associated with acquisition of land or right-of-way, design, quality control, electrical generating machinery, or constructing a roadway across the dam.
(3) Immediately upon completion of construction, repair, alteration, or removal of a dam, the owner shall file a certification with the Director, on a form prescribed by the Department, and accompanying documentation, which shows actual cost incurred by the owner for construction, repair, alteration, or removal of the applicable dam.
a. The owner's certification and accompanying documentation shall be filed with the as-built plans and the engineer's certification.
b. If the Director finds that the owner's certification and accompanying documentation contain inaccurate cost information, the Director shall either withhold final impoundment approval, if applicable, or revoke final impoundment approval, if applicable, until the owner provides accurate documentation and that documentation has been verified by the Department.
(4) Final approval to impound shall not be granted until the owner's certification and the accompanying documentation are filed in accordance with subdivision (3) of this subsection and the remainder of the application processing and compliance fee has been paid as provided by this subsection.
(5) Payment of the application processing and compliance fee shall be by check or money order made payable to the Department and reference the applicable dam.
(b) The Dam Safety Account is established as a nonreverting account within the Department. Fees collected under this section shall be credited to the Account and shall be applied to the costs of administering this Part. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 976, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1039, s. 15; 1993, c. 394, s. 5; 2017-145, s. 1(c); 2023-138, s. 4.)
§ 143-215.29. Supervision by qualified engineers; reports and modification during work.
(a) Any project for which the Commission's approval is required under G.S. 143-215.26, 143-215.27, and 143-215.28, and any project undertaken pursuant to an order of the Commission issued pursuant to this section or G.S. 143-215.32 or funded from the Fund established in G.S. 143-215.32A shall be designed and supervised by an engineer legally qualified in the State of North Carolina.
(b) During the construction, enlargement, repair, alteration or removal of a dam, the Commission may require such progress reports from the supervising engineer as it deems necessary.
(c) If during construction, reconstruction, repair, alteration or enlargement of any dam, the Commission finds the work is not being done in accordance with the provisions of the approval and the approved plans and specifications, it shall give written notice by registered mail or personal service to the person who received the approval and to the person in charge of construction at the dam. The notice shall state the particulars in which compliance has not been made, and shall order immediate compliance with the terms of the approval, and the approved plans and specifications. The Commission may order that no further construction work be undertaken until such compliance has been effected and approved by the Commission. A failure to comply with the approval and the approved plans and specifications shall render the approval revocable unless compliance is made after notice as provided in this section. (1967, c. 1068, s. 7; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 878, s. 5; 1987, c. 827, s. 154; 2021-180, s. 12.10(b).)
§ 143-215.30. Notice of completion; certification of final approval; notice of transfer.
(a) Except as set forth in subsection (d1) of this section, immediately upon completion, enlargement, repair, alteration or removal of a dam, notice of completion shall be given the Commission. As soon as possible thereafter supplementary drawings or descriptive matter showing or describing the dam as actually constructed shall be filed with the Department in such detail as the Commission may require.
(b) When an existing dam is enlarged, the supplementary drawings and descriptive matter need apply only to the new work.
(c) The completed work shall be inspected by the supervising engineers, and upon finding that the work has been done as required and that the dam is safe and satisfies minimum streamflow requirements, they shall file with the Department a certificate that the work has been completed in accordance with approved design, plans, specifications and other requirements. Unless the Commission has reason to believe that the dam is unsafe or is not in compliance with any applicable rule or law, the Commission shall grant final approval of the work in accordance with the certificate, subject to such terms as it deems necessary for the protection of life and property.
(d) Pending issuance of the Commission's final approval, the dam shall not be used except on written consent of the Commission, subject to conditions it may impose.
(d1) The requirements of this section shall not apply to a professionally supervised dam removal under G.S. 143-215.27(c) if the person removing the dam provides confirmation of completion of dam removal to the Department within 10 days of completion of the removal.
(e) The owner of a dam shall provide written notice of transfer to the Department within 30 days after title to the dam has been legally transferred. The notice of transfer shall include the name and address of the new dam owner. (1967, c. 1068, s. 8; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 177; 2014-122, s. 8(c); 2017-145, s. 1(d).)
§ 143-215.31. Supervision over maintenance and operation of dams.
(a) The Commission shall have jurisdiction and supervision over the maintenance and operation of dams to safeguard life and property and to satisfy minimum streamflow requirements. The Commission may adopt standards for the maintenance and operation of dams as may be necessary for the purposes of this Part. The Commission may vary the standards applicable to various dams, giving due consideration to the minimum flow requirements of the stream, the type and location of the structure, the hazards to which it may be exposed, and the peril of life and property in the event of failure of a dam to perform its function.
(a1) The owner of a dam classified by the Department as a high-hazard dam or an intermediate-hazard dam shall develop an Emergency Action Plan for the dam as provided in this subsection:
(1) The owner of the dam shall submit a proposed Emergency Action Plan for the dam within 90 days after the dam is classified as a high-hazard dam or an intermediate-hazard dam to the Department and the Department of Public Safety for their review and approval. The Department and the Department of Public Safety shall approve the Emergency Action Plan if they determine that it complies with the requirements of this subsection and will protect public health, safety, and welfare; the environment; and natural resources.
(2) The Emergency Action Plan shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
a. A description of potential emergency conditions that could occur at the dam, including security risks.
b. A description of actions to be taken in response to an emergency condition at the dam.
c. Emergency notification procedures to aid in warning and evacuations during an emergency condition at the dam.
d. A downstream inundation map depicting areas affected by a dam failure and sudden release of the impoundment. A downstream inundation map prepared pursuant to this section does not require preparation by a licensed professional engineer or a person under the responsible charge of a licensed professional engineer unless the dam is associated with a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment, as defined by G.S. 130A-309.201.
(3) The owner of the dam shall update the Emergency Action Plan annually and shall submit it to the Department and the Department of Public Safety for their review and approval within one year of the prior approval.
(4) The Department shall provide a copy of the Emergency Action Plan to the regional offices of the Department that might respond to an emergency condition at the dam.
(5) The Department of Public Safety shall provide a copy of the Emergency Action Plan to all local emergency management agencies that might respond to an emergency condition at the dam.
(6) Information included in an Emergency Action Plan that constitutes sensitive public security information, as provided in G.S. 132-1.7, shall be maintained as confidential information and shall not be subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act. For purposes of this section, "sensitive public security information" shall include Critical Energy Infrastructure Information protected from disclosure under rules adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 18 C.F.R. § 388.112.
(b) The Department, consistent with rules adopted by the Commission, may impose any condition or requirement in orders and written approvals issued under this Part that is necessary to ensure that stream classifications, water quality standards, and aquatic habitat requirements are met and maintained, including conditions and requirements relating to the release or discharge of designated flows from dams, the location and design of water intakes and outlets, the amount and timing of the withdrawal of water from a reservoir, and the construction of submerged weirs or other devices intended to maintain minimum streamflows.
The Commission shall adopt rules that specify the minimum streamflow in the length of the stream affected.
(c) The minimum streamflow in the length of the stream affected by a dam that is operated by a small power producer, as defined in G.S. 62-3(27a), that diverts water from 4,000 feet or less of the natural streambed and where the water is returned to the same stream shall be:
(1) The minimum average flow for a period of seven consecutive days that would have an average occurrence of once in 10 years in the absence of the dam, or ten percent (10%) of the average annual flow of the stream in the absence of the dam, whichever is less, if prior to 1 January 1995 the small power producer was either licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or held a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
(2) The minimum average flow for a period of seven consecutive days that would have an average occurrence of once in 10 years in the absence of the dam, or ten percent (10%) of the average annual flow of the stream in the absence of the dam, whichever is greater, if subdivision (1) of this subsection does not apply.
(3) To protect the habitat of the Cape Fear Shiner and other aquatic species, 28 cubic feet per second for any dam that diverts water from 2,500 feet or more of the natural streambed of any stream on which six or more dams operated by small power producers were located on 1 January 1995, notwithstanding subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(d) Subsection (c) of this section establishes the policy of this State with respect to minimum streamflows in the length of the stream affected by a dam that is operated by a small power producer, as defined in G.S. 62-3(27a), that diverts water from 4,000 feet or less of the natural streambed and where the water is returned to the same stream, whether the dam is subject to or exempt from this Part. In its comments and recommendations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the minimum streamflow in the length of the stream affected by a dam that is operated by a small power producer, as defined in G.S. 62-3(27a), that diverts water from 4,000 feet or less of the natural streambed and where the water is returned to the same stream, the Commission and the Department shall not advocate or recommend a minimum streamflow that exceeds the minimum streamflow that would be required under subsection (c) of this section.
(e) The minimum streamflow in the length of the stream affected by a dam to which subsections (c) and (d) of this section do not apply shall be established as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Subsections (c) and (d) of this section do not apply if the length of the stream affected:
(1) Receives a discharge of waste from a treatment works for which a permit is required under Part 1 of this Article; or
(2) Includes any part of a river or stream segment that:
a. Is designated as a component of the State Natural and Scenic Rivers System by G.S. 143B-135.152 or G.S. 143B-135.154.
b. Is designated as a component of the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System by 16 U.S.C. § 1273 and 1274. (1967, c. 1068, s. 9; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 154; 1993, c. 394, s. 6; c. 553, s. 80; 1995, c. 184, s. 1; c. 439, s. 1; 2014-122, s. 8(a); 2015-7, s. 9(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(aaa); 2017-102, s. 21.)
§ 143-215.32. Inspection of dams.
(a) The Department may at any time inspect any dam, including a dam that is otherwise exempt from this Part, upon receipt of a written request of any affected person or agency, or upon a motion of the Environmental Management Commission. Within the limits of available funds the Department shall endeavor to provide for inspection of all dams at intervals of approximately five years.
(a1) Coal combustion residuals surface impoundments, as defined by G.S. 130A-309.201, shall be inspected as provided in this subsection:
(1) The Department shall inspect each dam associated with a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment at least annually.
(2) The owner of a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment shall inspect the impoundment weekly and after storms to detect evidence of any of the following conditions:
a. Deterioration, malfunction, or improper operation of spillway control systems.
b. Sudden drops in the level of the contents of the impoundment.
c. Severe erosion or other signs of deterioration in dikes or other containment devices or structures.
d. New or enlarged seeps along the downstream slope or toe of the dike or other containment devices or structures.
e. Any other abnormal conditions at the impoundment that could pose a risk to public health, safety, or welfare; the environment; or natural resources.
(3) If any of the conditions described in subdivision (2) of this subsection are observed, the owner shall provide documentation of the conditions to the Department and a registered professional engineer. The registered professional engineer shall investigate the conditions and, if necessary, develop a plan of corrective action to be implemented by the owner of the impoundment. The owner of the impoundment shall provide documentation of the completed corrective action to the Department.
(4) The owner of a coal combustion residuals surface impoundment shall provide for the annual inspection of the impoundment by an independent registered professional engineer to ensure that the structural integrity and the design, operation, and maintenance of the impoundment is in accordance with generally accepted engineering standards. Within 30 days of the inspection, the owner shall provide to the Department the inspection report and a certification by the engineer that the impoundment is structurally sound and that the design, operation, and maintenance of the impoundment is in accordance with generally accepted engineering standards. The owner and the Department shall each place the inspection report and certification on a publicly accessible Internet Web site.
(b) If the Department upon inspection finds that any dam is not sufficiently strong, is not maintained in good repair or operating condition, is dangerous to life or property, or does not satisfy minimum streamflow requirements, the Department shall present its findings to the Commission and the Commission may issue an order directing the owner or owners of the dam to make at his or her expense maintenance, alterations, repairs, reconstruction, change in construction or location, or removal as may be deemed necessary by the Commission within a time limited by the order, not less than 90 days from the date of issuance of each order, except in the case of extreme danger to the safety of life or property, as provided by subsection (c) of this section.
(c) If at any time the condition of any dam becomes so dangerous to the safety of life or property, in the opinion of the Environmental Management Commission, as not to permit sufficient time for issuance of an order in the manner provided by subsection (b) of this section, the Environmental Management Commission may immediately take such measures as may be essential to provide emergency protection to life and property, including the lowering of the level of a reservoir by releasing water impounded or the destruction in whole or in part of the dam or reservoir. The Environmental Management Commission may recover the costs of such measures from the owner or owners by appropriate legal action.
(d) An order issued under this Part shall be served on the owner of the dam as provided in G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4. (1967, c. 1068, s. 10; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 878, s. 3; 1987, c. 827, s. 154; 1993, c. 394, s. 7; 2014-122, s. 10.)
§ 143-215.32A. Dam Safety Emergency Fund.
(a) Establishment; Purpose. - There is established the Dam Safety Emergency Fund within the Department, as set forth in this section. The Fund shall be used to defray expenses incurred by the Department in developing and implementing an emergency dam safety remedial plan and assessing overtopping risk for high hazard and intermediate hazard dams.
(b) Eligible Expenses. - The Fund may be used for the following expenses:
(1) Developing and implementing an emergency dam safety remedial plan that has been approved by the Department, including expenses incurred to contract with any third party for services related to plan development or implementation.
(2) Performing overtopping studies for dams categorized by the Department as high hazard or intermediate hazard for which the Department currently has no or inadequate overtopping risk information.
(c) Conditions for Use. - These funds shall be used upon the Department's determination that sufficient funds or corrective action cannot be obtained from other sources without incurring a delay that would significantly increase the threat to life or risk of damage to property or the environment.
(d) Cost Recovery. - Costs of site investigation and the development and implementation of an emergency dam safety remedial plan, including attorney's fees and other expenses of bringing the cost recovery action, may be recovered from the owners of the dam by appropriate legal action by the Commission. Funds recovered pursuant to this subsection shall be used to reimburse the Dam Safety Emergency Fund.
(e) Standards for Funded Activities. - Emergency dam safety remedial plan development and implementation activities and overtopping studies shall be conducted in accordance with standards set forth in G.S. 143-215.29. (2021-180, s. 12.10(a); 2023-134, s. 12.8.)
§ 143-215.33. Administrative hearing.
A person to whom a decision or a dam safety order is issued under this Part may contest the decision or order by filing a contested case petition in accordance with G.S. 150B-23. A person to whom a decision is issued must file a contested case petition within 30 days after the decision is mailed to that person. A person to whom a dam safety order is issued must file a contested case petition within 10 days after the order is served. (1967, c. 1068, s. 11; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 842, s. 4; 1977, c. 878, s. 6; 1979, c. 55, s. 2; 1987, c. 827, s. 178, 1993, c. 394, s. 8.)
§ 143-215.34. Investigations by Department; employment of consultants.
The Department shall make such investigations and assemble such data as it deems necessary for a proper review and study of the design and construction of dams, reservoirs and appurtenances, and for such purposes may enter upon private property. The Department may employ or make such agreements with geologists, engineers, or other expert consultants and such assistants as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Part. (1967, c. 1068, s. 12; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 179.)
§ 143-215.35. Liability for damages.
No action shall be brought against the State of North Carolina, the Department, or the Commission or any agent of the Commission or any employee of the State or the Department for damages sustained through the partial or total failure of any dam or its maintenance by reason of any supervision or other action taken pursuant to or under this Part. Nothing in this Part shall relieve an owner or operator of a dam from the legal duties, obligations and liabilities arising from such ownership or operation. (1967, c. 1068, s. 13; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-215.36. Enforcement procedures.
(a) Criminal Penalties. - Any person who shall be adjudged to have violated this Article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall only be liable to a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation. In addition, if any person is adjudged to have committed such violation willfully, the court may determine that each day during which such violation continued constitutes a separate violation subject to the foregoing penalty.
(b) Civil Penalties. -
(1) The Secretary may assess a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) against any person who violates any provisions of this Part, a rule implementing this Part, or an order issued under this Part.
(2) If any action or failure to act for which a penalty may be assessed under this Part is willful, the Secretary may assess a penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day for each day of violation.
(3) In determining the amount of the penalty, the Secretary shall consider the factors set out in G.S. 143B-282.1(b). The procedures set out in G.S. 143B-282.1 shall apply to civil penalty assessments that are presented to the Commission for final agency decision.
(4) The Secretary shall notify any person assessed a civil penalty of the assessment and the specific reasons therefor by registered or certified mail, or by any means authorized by G.S. 1A-1, Rule 4. Contested case petitions shall be filed in accordance with G.S. 150B-23 within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment.
(5) Requests for remission of civil penalties shall be filed with the Secretary. Remission requests shall not be considered unless made within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment. Remission requests must be accompanied by a waiver of the right to a contested case hearing pursuant to Chapter 150B and a stipulation of the facts on which the assessment was based. Consistent with the limitations in G.S. 143B-282.1(c) and G.S. 143-282.1(d), remission requests may be resolved by the Secretary and the violator. If the Secretary and the violator are unable to resolve the request, the Secretary shall deliver remission requests and his recommended action to the Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions of the Environmental Management Commission appointed pursuant to G.S. 143B-282.1(c).
(6) If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after notice of assessment has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment, unless the violator contests the assessment as provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection. If any civil penalty has not been paid within 30 days after the final agency decision or court order has been served on the violator, the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment. A civil action shall be filed within three years of the date the final agency decision was served on the violator.
(7) The Secretary may delegate his powers and duties under this section to the Director of the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources of the Department.
(8) The clear proceeds of civil penalties assessed pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.
(c) Injunctive Relief. - Upon violation of any of the provisions of this Part, a rule implementing this Part, or an order issued under this Part, the Secretary may, either before or after the institution of proceedings for the collection of the penalty imposed by this Part for such violations, request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the superior court of the county or counties where the violation occurred in the name of the State upon the relation of the Department for injunctive relief to restrain the violation or require corrective action, and for such other or further relief in the premises as said court shall deem proper. Neither the institution of the action nor any of the proceedings thereon shall relieve any party to such proceedings from the penalty prescribed by this Part for any violation of the same. (1967, c. 1068, s. 14; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 842, s. 3; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 180; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1036, s. 5; 1991, c. 342, ss. 10, 11; 1993, c. 394, s. 9; c. 539, s. 1021; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1998-215, s. 65; 2012-143, s. 1(f).)
§ 143-215.37. Rights of investigation, entry, access, and inspection.
The Commission shall have the right to direct the conduct of such investigations as it may reasonably deem necessary to carry out its duties prescribed in this Part, and the Department shall have the right to conduct such investigations, and for this purpose the employees of the Department and agents of the Commission have the right to enter at reasonable times on any property, public or private, for the purpose of investigating the condition, construction, or operation of any dam or associated equipment facility or property, and to require written statements or the filing of reports under oath, with respect to pertinent questions relating to the construction or operation of any dam: Provided, that no person shall be required to disclose any secret formula, processes or methods used in any manufacturing operation or any confidential information concerning business activities carried on by him or under his supervision. No person shall refuse entry or access to any authorized representative of the Commission or Department who requests entry for purposes of inspection, and who presents appropriate credentials, nor shall any person obstruct, hamper or interfere with any such representative while in the process of carrying out his official duties. (1967, c. 1068, s. 15; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23.)
§ 143-215.38. Short title.
This Part shall be known as and may be cited as the Federal Water Resources Development Law of 1969. (1969, cc. 724, 968.)
It is hereby declared the public policy of the State of North Carolina to encourage development of such river and harbor, flood control and other similar civil works projects as will accrue to the general or special benefit of any county or municipality of North Carolina or to any region of the State. To this end, it is also hereby declared that within the meaning of the North Carolina Constitution expenditures for such projects and obligations incurred for such projects are for public purposes, that county and municipal and other local government expenditures and obligations incurred therefor are necessary expenses, and that county expenditures therefor are for special purposes for which the special approval of the General Assembly is hereby given. (1969, cc. 724, 968.)
§ 143-215.40. Resolutions and ordinances assuring local cooperation.
(a) The boards of commissioners of the several counties, in behalf of their respective counties, the governing bodies of the several municipalities, in behalf of their respective municipalities, the governing bodies of any other local government units, in behalf of their units, and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, in behalf of the State of North Carolina, subject to the approval of the Governor, are hereby authorized to adopt such resolutions or ordinances as may be required giving assurances to any appropriate agency of the United States government for the fulfillment of the required items of local cooperation as expressed in acts of Congress or congressional documents, as conditions precedent to the accomplishment of river and harbor, flood control or other such civil works projects, when it shall appear, and is determined by such board or governing body that any such project will accrue to the general or special benefit of such county or municipality or to a region of the State. In each case where the subject of such local cooperation requirements comes before a board of county commissioners or the governing body of any municipality or other local unit a copy of its final action, whether it be favorable or unfavorable, shall be sent to the Secretary of Environmental Quality for the information of the Governor.
(b) Within the meaning of this Part, a "local government unit" means any local subdivision or unit of government or local public corporate entity (other than a county or municipality), including any manner of special district or public authority. (1969, cc. 724, 968; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1983, c. 717, s. 69; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 955, ss. 91, 92; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(108); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2006-203, s. 89; 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
§ 143-215.41. Items of cooperation to which localities and the State may bind themselves.
Such resolutions and ordinances may irrevocably bind such county, municipality, other local unit, or the State of North Carolina, acting through the Commission, to the following when included as requirements of local cooperation for a federal water resources development project:
(1) To provide, without cost to the United States, all lands, easements, and rights-of-way required for construction and subsequent maintenance of the project and for aids to navigation, if required, upon the request of the Chief of Engineers, or other official to be required in the general public interest for initial and subsequent disposal of spoil, and also necessary retaining dikes, bulkheads, and embankments therefor, or the costs of such retaining works;
(2) To hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction works and subsequent maintenance of the project;
(3) To provide firm assurances that riverside terminal and transfer facilities will be constructed at the upper limit of the modified project to permit transfer of commodities from or to plants and barges;
(4) To provide and maintain, without cost to the United States, depths in berthing areas and local access channels serving the terminals commensurate with depths provided in related project areas;
(5) To accomplish, without cost to the United States, such alterations, if any, as required in sewer, water supply, drainage, electrical power lines, and other utility facilities, as well as their maintenance;
(6) To provide, without cost to the United States, all lands, easements, rights-of-way, utility relocations and alterations, and, with the concurrence and under the direction of the Board of Transportation, highway or highway bridge construction and alterations necessary for project construction;
(7) To adjust all claims concerning water rights;
(8) To maintain and operate the project after completion, without cost to the United States, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army or other responsible federal official, board, or agency;
(9) To provide a cash contribution for project costs assigned to project features other than flood control;
(10) To prevent future encroachment which might interfere with proper functioning of the project for flood control;
(11) To provide or satisfy any other items or conditions of local cooperation as stipulated in the congressional or other federal document covering the particular project involved.
This section shall not be interpreted as limiting but as descriptive of the items of local cooperation, the accomplishment of which counties, municipalities and the State are herein authorized to irrevocably bind themselves; it being intended to authorize counties, municipalities and the Commission in behalf of the State to comply fully and completely with all of the items of local cooperation as contemplated by Congress and as stipulated in the congressional acts or documents concerned, or project reports by the Army Chief of Engineers, the Administrator of the Soil Conservation Service, the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, or other responsible federal official, board or agency. (1969, cc. 724, 968; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; c. 1262, s. 23; c. 1446, s. 14; 1987, c. 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-215.42. Acquisition of lands.
(a) For the purpose of complying with the terms of local cooperation as specified in this Part, and as stipulated in the congressional document covering the particular project involved, any county, municipality, other local government unit or the State of North Carolina, acting on behalf of the Commission, may acquire the necessary lands, or interest in lands, by lease, purchase, gift or condemnation. A municipality, county or other local government unit may acquire such lands by any of the aforesaid means outside as well as inside its territorial boundaries, if the local governing body finds that substantial benefits will accrue to property inside such territorial boundaries as a result of such acquisition.
(b) The power of condemnation herein granted to counties, municipalities and other local government units may be exercised only after:
(1) The municipality, county or other local unit makes application to the Commission, identifying the land sought to be condemned and stating the purposes for which said land is needed; and
(2) The Commission finds that the land is sought to be acquired for a proper purpose within the intent of this Part. The findings of the Commission will be conclusive in the absence of fraud, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(c) The Department shall certify copies of the Commission's findings to the applicant municipality, county, or other local unit, and to the clerk of superior court of the county or counties wherein any of the land sought to be condemned lies for recordation in the special proceedings thereof.
(d) For purposes of this section:
(1) The term "interest in land" means any land, right-of-way, rights of access, privilege, easement, or other interest in or relating to land. Said "interest in land" does not include an interest in land which is held or used in whole or in part for a public water supply, unless such "interest in land" is not necessary or essential for such uses or purposes.
(2) A "description" of land shall be sufficient if the boundaries of the land are described in such a way as to convey an intelligent understanding of the location of the land. In the discretion of the applicant, boundaries may be described by any of the following methods or by any combination thereof: by reference to a map; by metes and bounds; by general description referring to natural boundaries, or to boundaries of existing political subdivisions or municipalities, or to boundaries of particular tracts or parcels of land.
(e) The procedure in all condemnation proceedings pursuant to this section shall conform as nearly as possible to the procedure provided in Article 3 of Chapter 40A of the General Statutes.
(f) Interests in land acquired pursuant to this section may be used in such manner and for such purpose as the condemning authority deems best. If the local government unit so determines, such lands may be sold, leased, or rented, subject to the prior approval of the Commission. The State may sell, lease or rent any lands acquired by it, and if the Commission is participating with any local government unit or units in a water resources project under this Article, may convey such lands or interests to the unit or units as a part of its participation therein.
(g) This section is intended to confer supplementary and additional authority, and not to confer exclusive authority nor to impose cumulative requirements. If a municipality, county or other local government unit is authorized to acquire lands or interests in lands by some other law (such as by General Statutes Chapter 139, 153A, 160A, or 162A) as well as by this section, compliance with the requirements of this section or the requirements of such other law will be sufficient.
(h) This section shall not authorize acquisition by condemnation of interests in land within the boundaries of any project to be constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, its agents or subdivision or any project licensed by the Federal Power Commission or interests in land owned or held for use by a public utility, as defined in G.S. 62-3. No commission created pursuant to G.S. 158-8 shall condemn or acquire any property to be used by the Tennessee Valley Authority, its agents or subdivision. (1969, cc. 724, 968; 1973, c. 621, ss. 2-4; c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 181; 2013-360, s. 15.28(d); 2013-363, s. 5.7(b).)
§ 143-215.43. Additional powers.
For the purpose of complying with requirements of local cooperation as described in this Part, county and municipal governing bodies shall also have the power to accept funds, and to use general tax funds for necessary project purposes, including project maintenance. (1969, cc. 724, 968.)
§ 143-215.44. Right of withdrawal.
(a) A person who lawfully impounds water for the purpose of withdrawal shall have a right of withdrawal of excess volume of water attributable to the impoundment. Within the meaning of this subsection, the word "purpose" shall include one of several purposes in a multiple purpose impoundment.
(b) A "right of withdrawal," within the meaning of this Part, is an interest which establishes a right to withdraw an excess volume of water superior to other interests in the water.
(c) "Excess volume of water," within the meaning of this Part, is that volume which may be withdrawn from an impoundment or from a watercourse below the impoundment without foreseeably reducing the rate of flow of a watercourse below that which would obtain in that watercourse if the impoundment did not exist.
(d) "Impound," within the meaning of this Part, shall include but is not limited to financial contributions or the assurance of financial contributions in the construction or operation of an impoundment.
(e) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 182. (1971, c. 111, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 182.)
§ 143-215.45. Transfer of right of withdrawal.
A person with a right of withdrawal may assign or transfer it in whole or in part to another, subject to those rights of reassignment or transfer by the State specified in G.S. 143-354(a)(11). A person who has a right of withdrawal of excess volume of water by virtue of an assignment or transfer has an interest in water superior to other interests only to the extent that his withdrawal is in accordance with the terms of the assignment or transfer. (1971, c. 111, s. 1; 1991, c. 342, s. 12.)
§ 143-215.46. Exercise of right of withdrawal.
A person may exercise right of withdrawal by withdrawing directly from the impoundment, from a watercourse below the impoundment, or from both; provided, however, that the exercise of the right of withdrawal shall not require any person other than the holder of said right to incur additional capital expenditures in order to enable the holder of said right to withdraw any excess volume of water from a watercourse below the impoundment. (1971, c. 111, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.47. Effect of right of withdrawal on discharges of water.
Neither a right of withdrawal nor any assignment or transfer of said right may be asserted in defense against a claim that the method of releasing or discharging water is improper, that the quality of water has been impaired by the withdrawal or release of the water or by its return to the stream following its use, that water has been diverted without authority from the basin from which it was withdrawn, or that water resulting from augmentation of the natural streamflow to control water quality has been withdrawn. (1971, c. 111, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.48. Determining streamflows.
(a) In litigation in which the rate of flow of water that would exist in the absence of an impoundment is in issue, that rate shall be deemed to be the minimum average flow for a period of seven consecutive days that have an average recurrence of once in 10 years unless a party to the litigation introduces a calculation that more closely approximates the actual rate. A determination made by the Commission (i) of either that minimum average flow, or (ii) that adopts a calculation that more closely approximates the actual rate of flow, and introduced by one of the parties to the litigation, shall be prima facie correct.
(b) The Commission is authorized to make the determinations specified in subsection (a) of this section and to require the submission of such reports and such inspections as are necessary to permit those determinations. (1971, c. 111, s. 1; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-215.49. Right of withdrawal for use in community water supply.
A person operating a municipal, county, community or other local water distribution or supply system and having a right of withdrawal may assert that right when its withdrawal is for use in any such water system as well as in other circumstances. (1971, c. 111, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.50. Interpretation with other statutes.
Whether rights of withdrawal shall have effect in a capacity use area declared by the Commission under the Water Use Act of 1967 shall be in the discretion of the Commission. This Part shall be subject to the provisions of the Water and Air Resources Act, and the Dam Safety Law of 1967. (1971, c. 111, s. 1; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 154.)
§ 143-215.51. Purposes.
The purposes of this Part are to:
(1) Minimize the extent of floods by preventing obstructions that inhibit water flow and increase flood height and damage.
(2) Prevent and minimize loss of life, injuries, property damage, and other losses in flood hazard areas.
(3) Promote the public health, safety, and welfare of citizens of North Carolina in flood hazard areas. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 1973, c. 621, s. 5; 2000-150, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.52. Definitions.
(a) As used in this Part:
(1) "Artificial obstruction" means any obstruction to the flow of water in a stream that is not a natural obstruction, including any that, while not a significant obstruction in itself, is capable of accumulating debris and thereby reducing the flood-carrying capacity of the stream.
(1a) "Base flood" or "100-year flood" means a flood that has a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The term "base flood" is used in the National Flood Insurance Program to indicate the minimum level of flooding to be addressed by a community in its floodplain management regulations.
(1b) "Base floodplain" or "100-year floodplain" means that area subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year, as shown on the current floodplain maps prepared pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program or approved by the Department.
(1c) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.
(1d) "Flood hazard area" means the area designated by a local government, pursuant to this Part, as an area where development must be regulated to prevent damage from flooding. The flood hazard area must include and may exceed the base floodplain.
(2) Repealed by Session Laws 2000, c. 150, s. 1, effective August 2, 2000.
(3) "Local government" means any county or city, as defined in G.S. 160D-102.
(3a) "Lowest floor", when used in reference to a structure, means the lowest enclosed area, including a basement, of the structure. An unfinished or flood resistant enclosed area, other than a basement, that is usable solely for parking vehicles, building access, or storage is not a lowest floor.
(4) "Natural obstruction" includes any rock, tree, gravel, or other natural matter that is an obstruction and has been located within the 100-year floodplain by a nonhuman cause.
(4b) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Public Safety.
(5) "Stream" means a watercourse that collects surface runoff from an area of one square mile or greater.
(6) "Structure" means a walled or roofed building, including a mobile home and a gas or liquid storage tank.
(b) As used in this Part, the terms "artificial obstruction" and "structure" do not include any of the following:
(1) An electric generation, distribution, or transmission facility.
(2) A gas pipeline or gas transmission or distribution facility, including a compressor station or related facility.
(3) A water treatment or distribution facility, including a pump station.
(4) A wastewater collection or treatment facility, including a lift station.
(5) Processing equipment used in connection with a mining operation.
(c) As used in applying this Part to airport projects, in addition to any other applicable definitions in this section where those definitions do not conflict:
(1) "Airport authority" means any authority that is authorized or governed by Chapter 63 of the General Statutes or other laws enacted by the General Assembly to acquire, establish, construct, maintain, improve, and/or operate airports or other air navigation facilities; provided, however, that this definition of "airport authority" shall not include any local government as defined by this section.
(2) "Airport project" includes any "airport facility," as that term is defined under 15A NCAC 02B .0610, including any structure or area used in connection with the construction, reconstruction, repair, or other similar action as to any such airport facility.
(3) "Eligible flood hazard area" means a flood hazard area to which all of the following criteria apply:
a. For which a no-rise certificate has been accepted by the Department.
b. That is part of or connected to an airport project.
c. That will not involve the construction of a structure, as that term is defined in 44 C.F.R. § 59.1, within the eligible flood hazard area.
d. Use of the area will be consistent with the technical criteria contained in 44 C.F.R. § 60.3 for flood-prone areas.
e. For which no local government has a clearly demonstrated statutory authority to issue a permit for use of the eligible flood hazard area pursuant to Part 6 of this Article.
(4) "No-rise certificate," "no-rise certification," or "no-rise/no-impact certification," or similarly denominated certificate or action that has been accepted by the Department as demonstrating through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
(5) "Permit" means any permit, license, or similar approval that grants the right to use of one or more flood hazard areas consistent with the requirements of this Part. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 2000-150, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 19.1(g); 2023-137, s. 22(a).)
§ 143-215.53: Repealed by Session Laws 2000-150, s. 1.
§ 143-215.54. Regulation of flood hazard areas; prohibited uses.
(a) A local government may adopt ordinances to regulate uses in flood hazard areas and grant permits for the use of flood hazard areas that are consistent with the requirements of this Part.
(b) The following uses may be made of flood hazard areas without a permit issued under this Part, provided that these uses comply with local land-use ordinances and any other applicable laws or regulations:
(1) General farming, pasture, outdoor plant nurseries, horticulture, forestry, mining, wildlife sanctuary, game farm, and other similar agricultural, wildlife and related uses;
(2) Ground level loading areas, parking areas, rotary aircraft ports and other similar ground level area uses;
(3) Lawns, gardens, play areas and other similar uses;
(4) Golf courses, tennis courts, driving ranges, archery ranges, picnic grounds, parks, hiking or horseback riding trails, open space and other similar private and public recreational uses.
(5) Land application of waste at agronomic rates consistent with a permit issued under Part 1 or Part 1A of Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes or an approved animal waste management plan.
(6) Land application of septage consistent with a permit issued under G.S. 130A-291.1.
(c) New solid waste disposal facilities, hazardous waste management facilities, salvage yards, and chemical storage facilities are prohibited in the 100-year floodplain except as authorized under G.S. 143-215.54A(b). (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 1973, c. 621, s. 8; 1979, c. 413, ss. 1, 2; 2000-150, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.54A. Minimum standards for ordinances; variances for prohibited uses.
(a) A flood hazard prevention ordinance adopted by a county or city pursuant to this Part shall, at a minimum:
(1) Meet the requirements for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and of this section.
(2) Prohibit new solid waste disposal facilities, hazardous waste management facilities, salvage yards, and chemical storage facilities in the 100-year floodplain except as authorized under subsection (b) of this section.
(3) Provide that a structure or tank for chemical or fuel storage incidental to a use that is allowed under this section or to the operation of a water treatment plant or wastewater treatment facility may be located in a 100-year floodplain only if the structure or tank is either elevated above base flood elevation or designed to be watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.
(b) A flood hazard prevention ordinance may include a procedure for granting variances for uses prohibited under G.S. 143-215.54(c). A county or city shall notify the Secretary of its intention to grant a variance at least 30 days prior to granting the variance. A county or city may grant a variance upon finding that all of the following apply:
(1) The use serves a critical need in the community.
(2) No feasible location exists for the location of the use outside the 100-year floodplain.
(3) The lowest floor of any structure is elevated above the base flood elevation or is designed to be watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.
(4) The use complies with all other applicable laws and regulations. (2000-150, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.55. Acquisition of existing structures.
A local government may acquire, by purchase, exchange, or condemnation an existing structure located in a flood hazard area in the area regulated by the local government if the local government determines that the acquisition is necessary to prevent damage from flooding. The procedure in all condemnation proceedings pursuant to this section shall conform as nearly as possible to the procedure provided in Article 3 of Chapter 40A of the General Statutes. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 1987, c. 827, s. 183; 2000-150, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.56. Delineation of flood hazard areas and 100-year floodplains; powers of Department; powers of local governments and of the Department.
(a) For the purpose of delineating a flood hazard area and evaluating the possibility of flood damages, a local government may:
(1) Request technical assistance from the competent State and federal agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the North Carolina Geodetic Survey, the North Carolina Geological Survey, and the U.S. Geological Survey, or successor agencies.
(2) Utilize the reports and data supplied by federal and State agencies as the basis for the exercise by local ordinance or resolution of the powers and responsibilities conferred on responsible local governments by this Part.
(b) The Department shall provide advice and assistance to any local government having responsibilities under this Part. In exercising this function the Department may furnish manuals, suggested standards, plans, and other technical data; conduct training programs; give advice and assistance with respect to delineation of flood hazard areas and the development of appropriate ordinances; and provide any other advice and assistance that the Department deems appropriate. The Department shall send a copy of every rule adopted to implement this Part to the governing body of each local government in the State.
(c) A local government may delineate any flood hazard area subject to its regulation by showing it on a map or drawing, by a written description, or any combination thereof, to be designated appropriately and filed permanently with the clerk of superior court and with the register of deeds in the county where the land lies. A local government may also delineate a flood hazard area by reference to a map prepared pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program. Alterations in the lines delineated shall be indicated by appropriate entries upon or addition to the appropriate map, drawing, or description. Entries or additions shall be made by or under the direction of the clerk of superior court. Photographic, typed or other copies of the map, drawing, or description, certified by the clerk of superior court, shall be admitted in evidence in all courts and shall have the same force and effect as would the original map or description. A local government may provide for the redrawing of any map. A redrawn map shall supersede for all purposes the earlier map or maps that it is designated to replace upon the filing and approval thereof as designated and provided above.
(d) The Department may prepare a floodplain map that identifies the 100-year floodplain and base flood elevations for an area for the purposes of this Part if all of the following conditions apply:
(1) The 100-year floodplain and base flood elevations for the area are not identified on a floodplain map prepared pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program within the previous five years.
(2) The Department determines that the 100-year floodplain and the base flood elevations for the area need to be identified and the use of the area regulated in accordance with the requirements of this Part in order to prevent damage from flooding.
(3) The Department prepares the floodplain map in accordance with the federal standards required for maps to be accepted for use in administering the National Flood Insurance Program.
(e) Prior to preparing a floodplain map pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Department shall advise each local government whose jurisdiction includes a portion of the area to be mapped.
(f) Upon completing a floodplain map pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Department shall both:
(1) Provide copies of the floodplain map to every local government whose jurisdiction includes a portion of the 100-year floodplain identified on the floodplain map.
(2) Submit the floodplain map to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approval for use in administering the National Flood Insurance Program.
(g) Upon approval of a floodplain map prepared pursuant to subsection (d) of this section by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for use in administering the National Flood Insurance Program, it shall be the responsibility of each local government whose jurisdiction includes a portion of the 100-year floodplain identified in the floodplain map to incorporate the revised map into its floodplain ordinance.
(h) To the extent permitted by National Flood Insurance Program requirements, a professionally supervised dam removal, as defined in G.S. 143-215.25, that complies with the requirements of G.S. 143-215.27(c) shall not be required to submit a Letter of Map Revision to the Department.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part, or other applicable statutes, the Department shall grant a permit for the use of an eligible flood hazard area in connection with an airport project for which an airport authority received a no-rise certificate for that airport project where there is no local government that has a clearly demonstrated statutory authority to issue such a permit for the airport project for the use of a flood hazard area pursuant to this Part. In the event the Department does not issue a permit for the airport project within 30 days of its receipt of a written request submitted by an airport authority for an airport project, the permit is deemed issued to the airport authority for the airport project by operation of law. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 1973, c. 621, ss. 6, 7; c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 374, s. 2; c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 184; 2000-150, s. 1; 2002-165, s. 1.6; 2011-145, s. 19.1(g); 2017-145, s. 1(e); 2023-137, s. 22(b).)
§ 143-215.56A. Floodplain Mapping Fund.
The Floodplain Mapping Fund is established as a special revenue fund. The Fund consists of the fees credited to it under G.S. 161-11.5. Revenue in the fund may be used only to offset the Department's cost in preparing floodplain maps and performing its other duties under this Part. (2008-107, s. 29.7(c); 2013-225, s. 7(d).)
§ 143-215.57. Procedures in issuing permits.
(a) A local government may establish application forms and require maps, plans, and other information necessary for the issuance of permits in a manner consonant with the objectives of this Part. For this purpose a local government may take into account anticipated development in the foreseeable future that may be adversely affected by the obstruction, as well as existing development. They shall consider the effects of a proposed artificial obstruction in a stream in creating danger to life and property by:
(1) Water that may be backed up or diverted by the obstruction.
(2) The danger that the obstruction will be swept downstream to the injury of others.
(3) The injury or damage at the site of the obstruction itself.
(b) In prescribing standards and requirements for the issuance of permits under this Part and in issuing permits, local governments shall proceed as in the case of an ordinance for the better government of the county or city as the case may be. Local government jurisdiction for these ordinances shall be as specified in Article 2 of Chapter 160D of the General Statutes. Article 4 of Chapter 160D of the General Statutes shall apply to the administration, enforcement, and appeals regarding these ordinances.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-111, s. 2.5(h). See editor's note for effective date and applicability. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 2000-150, s. 1; 2019-111, s. 2.5(h); 2020-3, s. 4.33(a); 2020-25, s. 51(a), (b), (d).)
§ 143-215.58. Violations and penalties.
(a) Any willful violation of this Part or of any ordinance adopted (or of the provisions of any permit issued) under the authority of this Part shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(a1) A local government may use all of the remedies available for the enforcement of ordinances under Chapters 153A, 160A, and 160D of the General Statutes to enforce an ordinance adopted pursuant to this Part.
(b) Failure to remove any artificial obstruction or enlargement or replacement thereof, that violates this Part or any ordinance adopted (or the provision of any permit issued) under the authority of this Part, shall constitute a separate violation of this Part for each day that the failure continues after written notice from the county board of commissioners or governing board of a city.
(c) In addition to or in lieu of other remedies, the county board of commissioners or governing board of a city may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to restrain or prevent any violation of this Part or of any ordinance adopted (or of the provisions of any permit issued) under the authority of this Part, or to require any person, firm or corporation that has committed a violation to remove a violating obstruction or restore the conditions existing before the placement of the obstruction. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 1993, c. 539, s. 1022; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2000-150, s. 1; 2019-111, s. 2.5(i); 2020-3, s. 4.33(a); 2020-25, s. 51(a), (b), (d).)
§ 143-215.59. Other approvals required.
(a) The granting of a permit under the provisions of this Part shall in no way affect any other type of approval required by any other statute or ordinance of the State or any political subdivision of the State, or of the United States, but shall be construed as an added requirement.
(b) No permit for the construction of any structure to be located within a flood hazard area shall be granted by a political subdivision unless the applicant has first obtained the permit required by any local ordinance adopted pursuant to this Part. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 2000-150, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.60. Liability for damages.
No action for damages sustained because of injury or property damage caused by a structure or obstruction for which a permit has been granted under this Part shall be brought against the State or any political subdivision of the State, or their employees or agents. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 2000-150, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.61. Floodplain management.
The provisions of this Part shall not preclude the imposition by responsible local governments of land use controls and other regulations in the interest of floodplain management for the 100-year floodplain. (1971, c. 1167, s. 3; 2000-150, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.62. Revolving fund established; conditions and procedures.
(a) There is established under the control and direction of the Department a Hurricane Flood Protection and Beach Erosion Control Project Revolving Fund, to consist of any moneys that may be appropriated for use through the fund by the General Assembly or that may be made available to it from any other source for the purpose of financing the local portion of the nonfederal share of the cost of hurricane flood protection and beach erosion control projects. The Department shall, when funds are available, and in accordance with priorities established by the Commission, make advances from the fund to any county or municipality for:
(1) Advance planning and engineering work necessary or desirable in order to promote the development, construction, or preservation of hurricane flood protection and beach erosion works or projects;
(2) Construction of hurricane flood protection and beach erosion control works or projects, or other related costs which are a responsibility of local government, including costs associated with construction, such as the acquisition of land or rights-of-way or the relocation of public roads and utilities;
(3) Maintenance and nourishment of the constructed works or project.
Such advances shall be subject to repayment by the recipient to the Department from the proceeds of bonds or other obligations for the beach erosion control and hurricane flood protection works or projects, or from other funds available to the recipient, including grants.
(b) Prior to making any advance to a county or municipal government the Commission shall advise the county or municipal government:
(1) Its opinion as to whether or not the projected works or project would further beach erosion control or provide protection to life or property from floodwaters resulting from hurricanes;
(2) Its opinion as to whether or not there is a reasonable prospect of federal aid in the financing of the projected works or project and whether or not the advance will exceed the local portion of the nonfederal share of the cost of the works or project to be financed by the county or municipality making the application;
(3) Its opinion as to whether or not the anticipated financial outlays in connection with the projected works or project for the county or municipality making the application would constitute an unreasonable burden on the citizens of the county or municipality.
The Commission shall authorize no advance to a county or municipal government without first receiving satisfactory assurances from such government that the projected works or project shall be undertaken and the funds advanced repaid as provided herein.
(c) Repayment of any advance may be in equal installments or in a lump sum, but the term for such repayment shall not exceed a term of 10 years. All moneys received from repayments on advances shall be paid into the revolving fund and shall be used for the purposes set forth in this section.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 185. (1971, c. 1159, s. 1; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 185 .)
§ 143-215.63. Short title.
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the Water and Air Quality Reporting Act of 1971. (1971, c. 1167, s. 9.)
The purpose of this Article is to require all persons who are subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.1, 143-215.108, or 143-215.109 to file reports with the Commission covering the discharge of waste and air contaminants to the waters and outdoor atmosphere of the State and to establish and maintain approved systems for monitoring the quantity and quality of such discharges and their effects upon the water and air resources of the State. (1971, c. 1167, s. 9; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, s. 154; 1989, c. 135, s. 3.)
§ 143-215.65. Reports required.
All persons subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.1, 143-215.108, or 143-215.109 who discharge wastes to the waters or emit air contaminants to the outdoor atmosphere of this State shall file at such frequencies as the Commission may specify and at least quarterly reports with the Commission setting forth the volume and characteristics of wastes discharged or air contaminants emitted daily or such other period of time as may be specified by the Commission in its rules. Such reports may be required less frequently than quarterly for any permit for a minor activity as defined in G.S. 143-215.1(b)(4)d. and e. Such reports shall be filed on forms provided by the Department and approved by the Commission and shall include such pertinent data with reference to the total and average volume of wastes or air contaminants discharged, the strength and amount of each waste substance or air contaminant discharged, the type and degree of treatment such wastes or air contaminants received prior to discharge and such other information as may be specified by the Commission in its rules. The information shall be used by the Commission only for the purpose of air and water pollution control. The Department shall provide proper and adequate facilities and procedures and the Commission shall adopt rules to safeguard the confidentiality of proprietary manufacturing processes except that confidentiality shall not extend to wastes discharged or air contaminants emitted. (1971, c. 1167, s. 9; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 655, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 186; 1989, c. 135, s. 4, c. 453, s. 3.)
§ 143-215.66. Monitoring required.
In order to provide for adequately monitoring the discharge of wastes to the waters and the emission of contaminants to the outdoor atmosphere and their effects upon the quality of the environment, all persons subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.1, 143-215.108, or 143-215.109 who cause such discharges or emissions shall establish and maintain adequate water and air quality monitoring systems and report the data obtained therefrom to the Commission. Each monitoring system shall include the collection of water or air quality data as appropriate from such locations, in such detail, and with such frequency as required by rule of the Commission for evaluating the efficiency of treatment facilities or air-cleaning devices and the effects of the discharges or emissions upon the waters and air resources of the State. (1971, c. 1167, s. 9; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 187; 1989, c. 135, s. 5.)
§ 143-215.67. Acceptance of wastes to disposal systems and air-cleaning devices.
(a) No person subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.1, 143-215.108, or 143-215.109 shall willfully cause or allow the discharge of any wastes or air contaminants to a waste-disposal system or air-cleaning device in excess of the capacity of the disposal system or cleaning device or any wastes or air contaminants which the disposal system or cleaning device cannot adequately treat. This subsection does not prohibit the discharge of waste to a treatment works operated by a public utility or unit of local government in excess of the capacity of the treatment works by any person who holds a valid building permit issued prior to the date on which the public utility or unit of local government receives the notice required by subsection (c) of this section if the Commission finds that the discharge of waste will not result in any significant degradation in the quality of the waters ultimately receiving the discharge as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The Commission may authorize a unit of government subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section to accept additional wastes to its waste-disposal system upon a finding by the Commission (i) that the unit of government has secured a grant or has otherwise secured financing for planning, design, or construction of a new or improved waste disposal system which will adequately treat the additional waste, and (ii) the additional waste will not result in any significant degradation in the quality of the waters ultimately receiving the discharge. The Commission may impose such conditions on permits issued under G.S. 143-215.1 as it deems necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection, including conditions on the size, character, and number of additional dischargers. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to authorize a unit of government to violate water quality standards, effluent limitations or the terms of any order or permit issued under Part 1 of this Article nor does anything herein preclude the Commission from enforcing by appropriate means the provisions of Part 1 of this Article.
(c) The Commission may impose a moratorium on the addition of waste to a treatment works if the Commission determines that the treatment works is not capable of adequately treating additional waste. The Commission shall give notice of its intention to impose a moratorium at least 45 days prior to the effective date of the moratorium to any person who holds a permit for a treatment works subject to the moratorium. Except to the extent that the provisions of subsection (b) of this section apply, the Commission shall not issue a permit for a sewer line that will connect to a treatment works that the Commission has determined to be incapable of treating additional waste from the date on which the Commission determines that the treatment works is incapable of adequately treating additional waste until the moratorium on the addition of waste to the treatment works is lifted.
(d) A public utility or unit of local government that operates a treatment works shall give notice of a moratorium on the discharge of additional waste to the treatment works within 15 days of the date on which the public utility or unit of local government receives notice of the moratorium from the Commission. The public utility or unit of local government shall give public notice of a moratorium by publication of the notice one time in a newspaper having general circulation in the county in which the treatment works is located. The Commission shall prescribe the form and content of the notice. (1971, c. 1167, s. 9; 1979, c. 566; 1987, c. 827, s. 154; 1989, c. 135, s. 6; 1995, c. 202, s. 1.)
§ 143-215.68. Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 188.
§ 143-215.69. Enforcement procedures.
(a) (1) Criminal Penalties. - Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, any person who violates any provisions of this Part or any rules adopted by the Commission for its implementation shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall be only liable to a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00), nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation and each day such person shall fail to comply after having been officially notified by the Commission shall constitute a separate offense subject to the foregoing penalty.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this Part or any rule adopted by the Commission to implement this Part that imposes a requirement that is also a requirement under Title V or any rule adopted by the Commission to implement Title V shall be subject to punishment as provided by G.S. 143-215.114B.
(b) Civil Penalties. - The Commission may assess a civil penalty against a person who violates this Part or a rule of the Commission implementing this Part. For persons subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-215.1, the amount of the penalty shall not exceed the maximum imposed in G.S. 143-215.6A and shall be assessed in accordance with the procedure set out in G.S. 143-215.6A for assessing a civil penalty. For persons subject to the provisions of Title V, G.S. 143-215.108, or G.S. 143-215.109, the amount of penalty shall not exceed the maximum imposed in G.S. 143-215.114A and shall be assessed in accordance with the procedure set out in G.S. 143-215.114A for assessing a civil penalty. The clear proceeds of civil penalties assessed under this subsection shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.
(c) Injunctive Relief. - Upon violation of any of the provisions of this Part, a rule implementing this Part, or an order issued under this Part, the Secretary may, either before or after the institution of proceedings for the collection of the penalty imposed by this Part for such violations, request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the superior court of the county or counties where the violation occurred in the name of the State upon the relation of the Department for injunctive relief to restrain the violation or require corrective action, and for such other or further relief in the premises as said court shall deem proper. Neither the institution of the action nor any of the proceedings thereon shall relieve any party to such proceedings from the penalty prescribed by this Part for any violation of same.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 827, s. 189. (1971, c. 1167, s. 9; 1973, c. 1262, s. 23; 1975, c. 842, s. 5; 1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1987, c. 827, ss. 154, 189; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1045, s. 10; 1993, c. 400, s. 6; c. 539, s. 1023; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1998-215, s. 66.)
§ 143-215.70. Secretary of Environmental Quality authorized to accept applications.
The Secretary is authorized to accept applications for grants for nonfederal costs relating to water resources development projects from units of local government sponsoring such projects, except that this shall not include small watershed projects reviewed by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission pursuant to G.S. 139-55. (1979, c. 1046, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 154; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(109); 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
§ 143-215.71. Purposes for which grants may be requested.
(a) Applications for grants may be made for the nonfederal share of water resources development projects for the following purposes in amounts not to exceed the percentage of the nonfederal costs indicated:
(1) General navigation projects that are sponsored by local governments - eighty percent (80%);
(2) Recreational navigation projects - twenty-five percent (25%);
(3) Construction costs for water management (flood control and drainage) purposes, including utility and road relocations not funded by the State Department of Transportation - sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%), but only of that portion of the project specifically allocated for such flood control or drainage purposes;
(4) Stream restoration - sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%);
(5) Protection of privately owned beaches where public access is allowed and provided for - seventy-five percent (75%);
(6) Land acquisition and facility development for water-based recreation sites operated by local governments - fifty percent (50%);
(7) Aquatic weed control projects sponsored by local governments - fifty percent (50%);
(8) Projects that are part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program - one hundred percent (100%).
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of this section, projects that are part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program are ineligible for funding under this Part if they receive funding from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund established in G.S. 143B-135.234. (1979, c. 1046, s. 1; 1983, c. 450; 1987, c. 781, s. 1; 2016-94, s. 37.2(h); 2020-18, s. 12(a); 2023-70, s. 9(c).)
§ 143-215.72. Review of applications.
(a) The Secretary shall receive and review applications for the grants specified in this Part and approve, approve in part, or disapprove such applications.
(b) In reviewing each application, the Secretary shall consider:
(1) The economic, social, and environmental benefits to be provided by the projects;
(2) Regional benefits of projects to an area greater than the area under the jurisdiction of the local sponsoring entity;
(3) The financial resources of the local sponsoring entity;
(4) The environmental impact of the project;
(5) Any direct benefit to State-owned lands and properties.
(c) When the Secretary issues new or revised policies for review of grant applications and fund disbursement under this Part, those policies shall not apply to a project already approved for funding unless the project applicant agrees to the new or revised policy. For purposes of this section, a project is approved for funding when the Department enters into a contract or other binding agreement to provide any share of State funding for the project. Nothing in this subsection is intended to preclude the Secretary from issuing or enforcing policies applicable to projects approved for funding in order to comply with a requirement of State law or federal law or regulations.
(d) The following procedures apply only to grants for the purpose set forth in G.S. 143-215.71(8):
(1) A nongovernmental entity managing, administering, or executing the grant on behalf of a unit of local government may apply as a co-applicant for the grant and may be included as a responsible party on any required resolution issued by the unit of local government.
(2) Upon request signed by the grant applicant and co-applicant, the Department shall make periodic payments to the co-applicant for its share of nonfederal costs of a project prior to receipt of a final practice approval from the Natural Resources Conservation Service if the grantee has submitted a certified reimbursement request or invoice.
(3) The Department shall annually report no later than November 1 to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division regarding grants for projects funded through the Western Stream Initiative. The report shall include measures of grant administration and grant implementation efficiency and effectiveness. For purposes of this subdivision, the "Western Stream Initiative" refers to the portion of federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding provided to the Western North Carolina Stream Initiative for the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.
(4) A single project shall consist of all the landowners and other participants under a project design contract approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for a contiguous section of stream. (1979, c. 1046, s. 1; 2017-57, s. 36.3(h); 2017-212, s. 4.10(b); 2020-18, s. 13(c); 2021-180, s. 40.3(e).)
§ 143-215.73. Recommendation and disbursal of grants.
After review of grant applications, project funds shall be disbursed and monitored by the Department. (1979, c. 1046, s. 1; 1983, c. 717, s. 70; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 955, s. 93; 1987, c. 827, s. 154; 2006-203, s. 90.)
§ 143-215.73A. Water Resources Development Plan.
(a) Plan prepared. - Before 1 July in each calendar year, the Department of Environmental Quality shall prepare a statewide plan for water resources development projects for a period of six years into the future. The plan shall be known as the Water Resources Development Plan. If the plan differs from the Water Resources Development Plan adopted for the preceding calendar year, the Department shall indicate the changes and the reasons for such changes. The Department shall submit the plan to the Director of the Budget for review.
(b) Projects listed. - The plan shall list the following water resources development projects based on their status as of 1 May of the year in which the plan is prepared:
(1) Projects approved by the Congress of the United States.
(2) Projects for which the Congress of the United States has appropriated funds.
(3) Projects for which grant applications have been submitted under Part 8 of Article 21 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(4) Projects for which grant applications have been submitted under Article 4 of Chapter 139 of the General Statutes.
(5) Projects planned as federal reservoir projects but for which no federal funds are scheduled and for which local governments are seeking State financial assistance.
(c) Project priorities and funding recommendations. - The Department shall assign a priority to each project within each of the five categories listed under subsection (b) of this section either by giving the project a number, with "1" assigned to the highest priority, or by recommending no funding. The Department shall state its reasons for recommending the funding, deferral, or elimination of a project. The Department shall determine the priority of a project based on the following criteria: local interest in the project, the cost of the project to the State, the benefit of the project to the State, and the environmental impact of the project.
(c1) The Department shall provide information annually to appropriate county or municipal officials about the availability, requirements, and process to secure federal and State funding under the Water Resource Development Program.
(d) Project information. - For each project listed under subsection (b) of this section, the Water Resources Development Plan shall:
(1) Provide a brief description.
(2) If federal, list the estimated cost of each of the following phases that have not been completed as of 1 July, (i) feasibility study, (ii) construction, (iii) operation and maintenance, and the amount of State funds required to match the federal funds needed.
(3) If State or local, list the estimated cost to complete the project and amount of State funds required under G.S. 143-215.71 or G.S. 139-54.
(4) Indicate the total cost to date and the State share of that cost.
(5) Indicate the status.
(6) Indicate the estimated completion date.
(e) Distribution of the plan. - The Director of the Budget shall provide copies of the plan to the General Assembly along with the recommended biennial budget and the recommended revised budget for the second year of the biennium.
(f) Budget recommendations. - The Director of the Budget shall determine which projects, if any, will be included in the recommended biennial budget and in the recommended revised budget for the second year of the biennium. The budget document transmitted to the General Assembly shall identify the projects or types of projects recommended for funding. (1991, c. 181, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2006-203, s. 91; 2011-145, s. 30.3(e); 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
§ 143-215.73B. Water resources development grants administration.
(a) Fund Creation. - There is established the Water Resources Development Grants Special Fund, a special fund within the Department of Environmental Quality to be used in accordance with this section.
(b) Fund Uses; Flexibility. - Funds within the Water Resources Development Grants Special Fund shall be used for water resources development projects as directed by an act of the General Assembly. Where the actual project costs are different from the authorized estimated project costs, the Department may adjust the allocations among projects as needed. If any funded projects are delayed and the budgeted State funds cannot be used during any given fiscal year, or if the projects are accomplished at a lower cost, the Department may use the resulting fund availability to fund any of the following:
(1) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project feasibility studies.
(2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects whose schedules have advanced and require State matching funds in the current fiscal year.
(3) State-local water resources development projects.
(4) NRCS-EQIP stream restoration projects.
(c) Reports. - The Department shall submit semiannual reports on the use of funds from the Water Resource Development Grant Special Fund to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, the Fiscal Research Division, and the Office of State Budget and Management on or before March 1 and September 1. Each report shall include all of the following:
(1) The project name.
(2) The estimated cost of each project.
(3) The date that work on each project began or is expected to begin.
(4) The date that work on each project was completed or is expected to be completed.
(5) The actual cost of the project.
The semiannual reports also shall show those projects advanced in schedule and those projects delayed in schedule. (2021-180, s. 40.3(b).)
§ 143-215.73C: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.73D: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.73E: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.73F. Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund.
(a) Fund Established. - The Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Aquatic Weed Fund is established as a special revenue fund. The Fund consists of fees credited to it under G.S. 75A-3 and G.S. 75A-38, taxes credited to it under G.S. 105-449.126, and funds contributed by non-State entities.
(b) Uses of Fund. - Revenue in the Fund may only be used for the following purposes:
(1) To provide the State's share of the costs associated with any dredging project designed to keep shallow draft navigation channels located in State waters or waters of the State located within lakes navigable and safe.
(2) For aquatic weed control projects in waters of the State under Article 15 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes. Funding for aquatic weed control projects is limited to one million dollars ($1,000,000) in each fiscal year.
(3) For administrative support of activities related to beach and inlet management in the State, limited to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in each fiscal year.
(3a) For administrative support of Fund operations, limited to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in each fiscal year.
(4) To provide funding for siting and acquisition of dredged disposal sites.
(5) For assessments and data collection regarding dredge material disposal sites located in the State.
(b1) Grants Authorized. - The Secretary is authorized to accept applications for grants for nonfederal costs of projects sponsored by (i) units of local government for the purpose set forth in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section and (ii) units of local government and other entities for the purpose set forth in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section.
(b2) Invoice Approval Required. - Any invoices submitted to the Secretary for reimbursement or payment from the Fund for projects undertaken for the purpose set forth in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section shall be signed by the representative of [the] unit of local government sponsoring the project.
(c) Cost-Share. - Any project funded by revenue from the Fund must be cost-shared with non-State dollars as follows:
(1) The cost-share for dredging projects shall be at least one non-State dollar for every three dollars from the Fund.
(2) Repealed by Session Laws 2022-74, s. 12.1(a), effective July 1, 2022.
(3) The cost-share for an aquatic weed control project shall be at least one non-State dollar for every dollar from the Fund. The cost-share for an aquatic weed control project located within a component of the State Parks System shall be provided by the Division of Parks and Recreation of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The Division of Parks and Recreation may use funds allocated to the State Parks System for capital projects under G.S. 143B-135.56 for the cost-share.
(4) The cost-share for the dredging of the access canal around the Roanoke Island Festival Park shall be paid from the Historic Roanoke Island Fund established by G.S. 143B-131.8A.
(c1) Cost-Share Exemption for DOT Ferry Channel Projects. - Notwithstanding the cost-share requirements of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section, no cost-share shall be required for dredging projects located, in whole or part, in a development tier one area for a ferry channel used by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
(d) Return of Non-State Entity Funds. - Non-State entities that contribute to the Fund for a particular project or group of projects may make a written request to the Secretary that the contribution be returned if the contribution has not been spent or encumbered within two years of receipt of the contribution by the Fund. If the written request is made prior to the funds being spent or encumbered, the Secretary shall return the funds to the entity within 30 days after the later of (i) receiving the request or (ii) the expiration of the two-year period described by this subsection.
(e) Definitions. - For purposes of this section, "shallow draft navigation channel" means (i) a waterway connection with a maximum depth of 18 feet, inclusive of the depth of overdepth for navigational depth compliance, between the Atlantic Ocean and a bay or the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, (ii) a river entrance to the Atlantic Ocean through which tidal and other currents flow, or (iii) other interior coastal waterways. The term includes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and its side channels, Beaufort Harbor, Bogue Inlet, Carolina Beach Inlet, Mason Inlet, Rich Inlet, Tubbs Inlet, the channel from Back Sound to Lookout Back, channels connected to federal navigation channels, Lockwoods Folly River, Manteo/Shallowbag Bay, Southport Small Boat Harbors, including Oregon Inlet, Masonboro Inlet, New River, New Topsail Inlet, Rodanthe, Hatteras Inlet, Rollinson, Shallotte River, Silver Lake Harbor, and the waterway connecting Pamlico Sound and Beaufort Harbor.
(f) Report. - The Department shall report annually no later than October 1 regarding projects funded under this section to the Fiscal Research Division and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources. The report shall include project type (dredging or weed control), project location, brief project description, entity receiving the funding, and amount of funding provided.
(g) Rules. - The Department shall adopt rules to implement the grant programs authorized under subsection (b1) of this section. (2013-360, s. 14.22(h); 2014-100, s. 14.19(a); 2015-241, ss. 14.6(a), 14.30(bbb); 2016-94, ss. 14.12(a), 14.19; 2017-190, s. 3.2(b); 2017-197, s. 4.11; 2018-5, s. 13.6; 2021-108, s. 2; 2021-180, s. 12.5(a); 2021-185, s. 5; 2022-74, s. 12.1(a); 2023-137, s. 10.)
§ 143-215.73J. Deep Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Maintenance Fund.
(a) Fund Established. - The Deep Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and Maintenance Fund is established as a special revenue fund. The Fund consists of General Fund appropriations, gifts, or grants, including monies contributed by a non-State entity for a particular dredging project or group of projects and any other revenues specifically allocated to the Fund by an act of the General Assembly.
(b) Uses of the Fund. - Revenue credited to the Fund may only be used for costs associated with projects providing safe and efficient navigational access to a State Port, including the design, construction, expansion, modification, or maintenance of deep draft navigation channels, turning basins, berths, and related structures, as well as surveys or studies related to any of the foregoing and the costs of disposal of dredged material.
(c) Conditions on Funding. - State funds credited to the Fund from the sources described in subsection (a) of this section must be cost-shared on a one-to-one basis with funds provided by the State Ports Authority, provided that:
(1) Funds contributed to the Fund by a non-State entity are not considered State funds and may be used to provide the cost-share required by this subsection.
(2) The Secretary may waive or modify the cost-share requirement for any project that supplements Corps funding for a study authorized by the Corps related to navigational access to a State Port, based on availability of alternate funding sources.
(d) Return of Non-State Entity Funds. - Non-State entities that contribute to the Fund for a particular project or group of projects may make a written request to the Secretary that the contribution be returned if the contribution has not been spent or encumbered within two years of receipt of the contribution by the Fund. If the written request is made prior to the funds being spent or encumbered, the Secretary shall return the funds to the entity within 30 days after the later of (i) receiving the request or (ii) the expiration of the two-year period described by this subsection.
(e) Definitions. - The following definitions apply in this Part:
(1) Corps. - The United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(2) State Port. - Facilities at Wilmington or Morehead City managed or operated by the State Ports Authority. (2015-241, s. 14.6(c).)
§ 143-215.73M. Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund.
(a) Fund Established. - The Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund is established as a special revenue fund. The Fund consists of General Fund appropriations, gifts, grants, devises, monies contributed by a non-State entity for a particular beach nourishment or damage mitigation project or group of projects, and any other revenues specifically allocated to the Fund by an act of the General Assembly.
(b) Uses of the Fund. - Revenue credited to the Fund may only be used for costs associated with beach nourishment, artificial dunes, and other projects to mitigate or remediate coastal storm damage to the ocean beaches and dune systems of the State.
(b1) Grants Authorized. - The Secretary is authorized to accept applications for grants for nonfederal costs of projects sponsored by units of local government for the purpose set forth in subsection (b) of this section.
(c) Conditions on Funding. - Any project funded by revenue from the Fund must be cost-shared with non-State dollars on a basis of at least one non-State dollar for every one dollar from the Fund.
(d) Return of Non-State Entity Funds. - Non-State entities that contribute to the Fund for a particular project or group of projects may make a written request to the Secretary that the contribution be returned if the contribution has not been spent or encumbered within two years of receipt of the contribution by the Fund. If the written request is made prior to the funds being spent or encumbered, the Secretary shall return the funds to the entity within 30 days after the later of (i) receiving the request or (ii) the expiration of the two-year period described by this subsection.
(e) Report. - The Department shall report annually no later than October 1 regarding projects funded under this section to the Fiscal Research Division and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources. The report shall include project type, project location, brief project description, entity receiving the funding, and amount of funding provided.
(f) Rules. - The Department shall adopt rules to implement the grant program authorized under subsection (b1) of this section. (2017-209, s. 6; 2018-5, s. 13.10(b); 2022-74, s. 12.1(b).)
§§ 143-215.74 through 143-215.74B: Recodified as Article 72 of Chapter 106, G.S. 106-850 through G.S. 106-852, by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 13.22A(t), effective July 1, 2011.
§§ 143-215.74C through 143-215.74E: Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 626, s. 13.
§ 143-215.74F. Program authorized.
The Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources may establish a Stream Watch Program to recognize and assist civic, environmental, educational, and other volunteer groups interested in good water resources management and protection. The goals of the Stream Watch Program are to encourage volunteer groups to adopt streams and other water bodies and to work toward their good management and protection; to increase public awareness of and involvement in water resources management; and to promote cooperative activities among volunteer groups, local government, industry, the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, and other agencies and entities for improved protection and management of water resources. (1989, c. 412, c. 727, s. 218; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a).)
The Department may accept and approve applications to affiliate with the Stream Watch Program from volunteer groups willing to adopt a specific body of water and to conduct at least one project each year to promote the protection of the adopted body of water or to increase public understanding of water resources. (1989, c. 412.)
The Department may provide technical, organizational, and financial assistance to stream watch groups from such resources as may be available to the Department. (1989, c. 412.)
The Department may encourage and assist stream watch groups to carry out projects for stream cleanup and restoration, stream surveillance and water quality monitoring, public education, the establishment of trails and greenways, recreational use of water bodies, and other activities in furtherance of the goals of the Stream Watch Program. (1989, c. 412.)
§ 143-215.74J. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.74K. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.74L. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143-215.74M: Recodified as Article 73 of Chapter 106, G.S. 106-860, by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 13.22A(x), effective July 1, 2011.
§ 143-215.74N. (Effective January 1, 2025) Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Article:
(1) Department. - The Department of Environmental Quality.
(2) Dock. - An unenclosed structure used for mooring boats or for similar recreational uses, such as sunbathing or as a swimming platform, which may either float or be secured to the adjacent or underlying land.
(3) Encapsulated. - A protective covering or physical barrier between the polystyrene device and the water.
(4) Float or floating structure. - A structure supported by polystyrene foam flotation and held in place by piling and mooring devices, including boathouses, floating homes, marinas, walkways, boarding floats, or combination thereof.
(5) Fuel float. - Any floating structure used to dispense any form of fuel or used to store, maintain, or repair boat engines.
(6) Polystyrene foam flotation. - All products manufactured from expanded polystyrene foam beads with cell diameters of at least 0.125 inches used for flotation.
(7) Repair or maintenance. - The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing floating structure for the purpose of its maintenance.
(8) Submersible polystyrene device. - Any molded or expanded type of polystyrene foam used for flotation. (2023-137, s. 11(a).)
§ 143-215.74O. (Effective January 1, 2025) Encapsulation and design requirements for submersible polystyrene devices.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall install a submersible polystyrene device on a dock, buoy, or float unless the device is encapsulated by a protective covering or designed to prevent the polystyrene from disintegrating into the waters of the State.
(b) The requirements of this section do not apply to any of the following:
(1) Construction, maintenance, or operation of boats or vessels.
(2) Polystyrene foam devices manufactured into extruded closed cell beads of no more than 0.125 inches in diameter.
(c) Any of the following methods of encapsulation shall be considered sufficient to meet the requirements of this section:
(1) Concrete of at least 1 inch in thickness.
(2) Galvanized steel of at least 0.065 inches or 16 gauge in thickness.
(3) Liquid coatings of at least 0.03 inches in thickness, chemically or securely bonded to the polystyrene foam flotation.
(4) Rigid plastics of at least 0.05 inches in thickness.
(5) Fiberglass or plastic resins of at least 0.03 inches in thickness, chemically or securely bonded to the polystyrene foam flotation. (2023-137, s. 11(a).)
§ 143-215.74P. (Effective January 1, 2025) Polystyrene containment requirement for construction and maintenance activities.
Any polystyrene foam flotation or part thereof installed, removed, replaced, or repaired during construction or maintenance activities must be effectively contained. All unused or replaced polystyrene foam must be removed from the waters of the State and lawfully disposed. (2023-137, s. 11(a).)
§ 143-215.74Q. (Effective January 1, 2025) Requirements for polystyrene foam on fuel floats.
All polystyrene foam flotation used on fuel floats or floating structures used to store, maintain, or repair boat engines must be encapsulated with materials that are not subject to degradation by fuel oils or products. (2023-137, s. 11(a).)
§ 143-215.74R. (Effective January 1, 2025) Prohibited sales.
No person shall sell any polystyrene foam buoys, markers, ski floats, bumpers, fish trap markers, or similar devices unless encapsulated by a protective covering in accordance with this Article and rules adopted by the Department to implement this Article. (2023-137, s. 11(a).)
§ 143-215.74S. (Effective January 1, 2025) Rulemaking authority.
The Department shall adopt rules to implement this Article. (2023-137, s. 11(a).)