The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources has scheduled a public hearing for June 26 to discuss changes to the state’s definition of “wetlands” in water quality rules. This revision limits protection of wetlands to those under federal jurisdiction, following the 2023 NC Farm Act, SL 2023-63.
The session law, effective as of June 27, 2023, required immediate adoption of the revised definition and directed the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to implement a consistent rule change. The EMC has moved the proposed rule forward with approval from the N.C. Office of State Budget and Management.
The public hearing aims to gather verbal comments about the proposed amendment to rule 15A NCAC 02B .0202. Members of the public can attend in person at the Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, Raleigh, or join online via Webex. The hearing is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., but it could end earlier if all registered speakers have been heard.
To speak at the hearing, attendees must register, with in-person registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. and virtual registration required by noon on the hearing day. Written comments will be accepted through June 30, either via email or mail. Interested individuals can send their comments to Sue Homewood at the Division of Water Resources.
Supporting documents for the proposed rule change are accessible online.
