Bill > S684

This bill establishes deadlines for decisions by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on applications for stormwater permits, stream origination certifications, and water quality certifications. It requires the DEQ to approve or deny these permits and certifications within specific timeframes, and if the DEQ fails to do so, the permit or certification is deemed approved. The bill also caps the fees that can be charged for the express review program for these permits and certifications, and requires the DEQ to return a portion of the application fee if the permit or certification is not issued or denied within the required timeframes. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to the North Carolina Collaboratory to create an automated system for completeness reviews of applications for stormwater, erosion and sedimentation control, and Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permits, and to North Carolina State University to study the use of artificial intelligence in generating stormwater permits.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2023/S684