North Carolina Administrative Code Title 15A - Environmental Quality
Here’s an updated overview of North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC) Title 15A – Environmental Quality:
📘 Structure of Title 15A
Title 15A governs environmental quality and natural resource regulation in North Carolina. It's divided into several chapters, each addressing a specific topic:
Chapter 01 – Departmental Rules (Subchapters A–W)
Chapter 02 – Environmental Management (Subchapters A–U), including surface water standards, air pollution, groundwater, permitting, penalties, hearings, etc.
Chapter 03 – Marine Fisheries (Subchapters A–S)
Chapter 04 – Sedimentation Control (A–E)
Chapter 05 – Mining & Mineral Resources (A–H)
Chapter 06 – Soil & Water Conservation Commission (A–I)
Chapter 07 – Coastal Management (A–O)
Chapter 08 – Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification (A–G)
Chapter 09 – Division of Forest Resources (A–C)
Chapter 10 – Wildlife Resources & Water Safety (A–L)
Chapter 11 – Radiation Protection (§.0100–.1600)
Chapter 12 – Parks & Recreation Area Rules (A–J)
Chapter 13 – Solid Waste Management (A–C)
Chapter 14 – Governor's Waste Management Board (A–C)
Chapter 15 – Land Records Management (transferred)
Chapters 16–17 – Adult & Dental Health
Chapter 18 – Environmental Health (Subchapters A–D), covering sanitation, water supplies, water treatment operators, etc.
Chapters 19–21 – Health & Laboratory Services
Chapter 22 – NC Zoological Park Regulations
Chapter 23 – Postmortem Medico-legal Examination
Chapter 24 – Public Health Program Procedures
Chapter 25 – Local Standards
Chapter 26 – Information Services
Chapter 27 – Well Contractor Certification (§.0100–.0900)
Chapter 28 – North Carolina Aquariums
🔍 Highlights by Chapter
📁 Chapter 02 – Environmental Management
This is one of the core sections:
Covers air & water quality standards, well construction, groundwater classification, reclaimed water, permit approval procedures, hearings, civil penalties, dam safety, underground storage tanks, and dry-cleaning solvent cleanup, among others.
🌊 Chapter 04 – Sedimentation Control
Establishes regulations to prevent soil erosion and control sediment runoff, overseen by the Sedimentation Control Commission.
🐟 Chapter 03 – Marine Fisheries & Chapter 07 – Coastal Management
These cover fisheries regulations, coastal development, and Areas of Environmental Concern, under the NC Coastal Resources Commission.
🌡️ Chapter 08 – Water Pollution Control Operators Certification
Defines certification requirements for professionals operating water and animal waste systems.
🏥 Chapter 18 – Environmental Health
Focuses on public health rules including sanitation of confinement facilities (Subchapter A), water supply safety, operating standards for water treatment facilities, and more. For instance, 15A NCAC 18A .2117 requires water supply systems to meet sanitation standards in Rule .1700
✅ Next Steps
Access full text PDFs: NCAC official sources include NC’s Office of Administrative Hearings and the NC DEQ site for water programs.
Specify areas of interest: Let me know if you'd like to explore a particular chapter in depth—e.g., the air-pollution rules in 02D, sedimentation standards in Chapter 04, or coastal management in Chapter 07.
Rule-making updates: The DEQ periodically reviews rules under G.S. § 150B‑21.3A. For instance, public comment is currently open through July 28, 2025, on air pollution rules in Subchapters 02D–02Q.
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