Links & Latest Updates

Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy

Important Changes to the Nutrient Offset Option Under Neuse, Tar-Pamlico and Jordan Nutrient Strategies

Effective Sept. 1, 2010

New rules will go into effect Sept. 1, 2010, governing the use of offset payments in Neuse, Tar-Pamlico and Jordan watersheds, as well as under any future nutrient strategy. The N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program and N.C. Division of Water Quality have been working with affected parties and the N.C. Environmental Management Commission to develop the rules required by the General Assembly under Session Law 2007-438 et seq. On July 15, 2010, the EMC adopted two rules under Title 15A of NCAC, 2B .0240 and 2B .0274. On Aug. 19, 2010, the N.C. Rules Review Commission approved them. The September 1 effective date satisfies a timeframe mandated under SL 2009-484.

*Please click here for complete details of this announcement.

For questions regarding EEP’s nutrient offset payment program, please contact:

Kelly Williams

NCEEP In-Lieu Fee Program Coordinator

919-716-1921 (Mon-Thurs)

kelly.williams@ncdenr.gov

Updates:

June 30, 2009: Governor Beverly Perdue signed the modified Jordan Lake Rules into law on June 30, 2009. The rules seek to reduce pollution from runoff in the Haw River arm of the lake by 8 percent. Under the revised rules, however, local governments would not be required to retrofit existing development to control stormwater runoff. The final version of the Jordan Lake rules signed by the Governor can be viewed here.

May 11, 2009: This afternoon, the House Judicial One Committee unanimously approved a compromise to the proposed Jordan Lake rules. The compromise is favorable to local governments, especially to those in the Haw River Basin. Click here to view the Committee Substitute Bill. Additional analysis of the bill can be found here (H239 - Restore Water Quality in the Jordan Reservoir).

Brief background: The original Jordan Lake Rules were published in the State Register in June of 2007. A public comment period for the proposed set of rules comprising the Jordan Reservoir Nutrient Strategy was held from June 15 to September 15, 2007.

The NC Division of Water Quality presented the revised set of rules and Report of Proceedings to the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) on May 8, 2008. The new rule was approved by the EMC. The rules were then sent to the Rules Review Commission (RRC), a legislatively appointed body that meets monthly throughout the year. Rules then either become effective following RRC approval or, if a sufficient number of objections are filed to a rule, it is reviewed by the next session of the NC General Assembly. In July of 2008, the RRC sent the Jordan Lake Rules back to the EMC for clarification.

The EMC clarified the Jordan Lake Rules based on the RRC comments. In November of 2008, the RRC approved the revised Jordan Lake Rules. The Jordan Lake Rules will be taken up in the 2009 session of the NC General Assembly

Complete information regarding the proposed Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy can be found on the NC Division of Water Quality website. Any updates to the Jordan Lake Rules will be published here first.