15A NCAC 02H .0502      FILING APPLICATIONS

(a)  Any person needing issuance of an individual water quality certification or Certificate of Coverage under a general certification required by this Section and Section 401 of the Clean Water Act shall file with the Director, at 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-1617 or 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604, one complete copy of an application for certification or submit one complete copy of an application electronically via the following website: https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/Forms/DWR_Wetlands_Online_Submittal_Page. The application shall be made on a form provided or approved by the Division or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, available electronically via the following website: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/401-buffer-permitting-branch/application. The application shall include at a minimum the following:

(1)           the date of application;

(2)           the name, address, and phone number of the applicant. If the applicant is not the property owner(s), the name, address, and phone number of the property owner(s);

(3)           if the applicant is a corporation, the name and address of the North Carolina process agency, and the name, address, and phone number of the individual who is the authorized agent of the corporation and responsible for the activity for which certification is sought. The corporation must be registered with the NC Secretary of State's Office to conduct business in NC;

(4)           the nature of the activity to be conducted by applicant;

(5)           whether the discharge has occurred or is proposed;

(6)           the location of the discharge, stating the municipality, if applicable; the county; the drainage basin; the name of the receiving waters; and the location of the point of discharge with regard to the receiving waters;

(7)           a description of the receiving waters, including type (creek, river, swamp, canal, lake, pond, or estuary) if applicable; nature (fresh, brackish, or salt); and wetland classification;

(8)           a description of the type of waste treatment facilities, if applicable;

(9)           a map(s) or sketch(es) with a scale(s) and a north arrow(s) that is legible to the reviewer and of sufficient detail to delineate the boundaries of the lands owned or proposed to be utilized by the applicant in carrying out the activity; the location, dimensions, and type of any structures erected or to be erected on the lands for use in connection with the activity; and the location and extent of the receiving waters, including wetlands within the boundaries of the lands;

(10)         an application fee as required by G.S. 143-215.3D(e); and

(11)         a signature by the applicant for the federal permit or license or an agent authorized by the applicant. If an agent is signing for the applicant, an agent authorization letter must be provided. In signing the application, the applicant certifies that all information contained therein or in support thereof is true and correct to the best of their knowledge.

(b)  Submission of an application to the Division of Coastal Management for a permit to develop in North Carolina's coastal area in accordance with the rules of 15A NCAC 07J .0200 shall suffice as an application for a water quality certification or certificate of coverage under a general certification upon receipt by the Division from the Division of Coastal Management.

(c)  The Division may request in writing, and the applicant shall furnish, any additional information necessary to clarify the information provided in the application under Paragraph (a) of this Rule, or to complete the evaluation in Rule .0506 of this Section.

(d)  If the applicant believes that it is not feasible or is unnecessary to furnish any portion of the information required by Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Rule, then the applicant shall submit an explanation detailing the reasons for omission of the information. The final decision regarding the completeness of the application shall be made by the Division based upon the information required in Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Rule, and any explanation provided by the applicant regarding omitted information provided in this Paragraph.

(e)  Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.3(a)(2), the staff of the Division shall conduct such investigation as the Division deems necessary to clarify the information provided in the application under Paragraph (a) of this Rule or to complete the evaluation in Rule .0506 of this Section. The applicant shall allow the staff safe access to the lands and facilities of the applicant and lend such assistance as shall be reasonable for those places, upon the presentation of credentials.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143-211(c); 143-215.3(a)(1); 143-215.3(c); 143B-282(a)(1)(u);

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. December 1, 1984; January 1, 1979;

RRC Objection Eff. July 18, 1996 due to lack of statutory authority and ambiguity;

Recodified from 15A NCAC 2H .0501 Eff. October 1, 1996;

Amended Eff. October 1, 1996;

Readopted Eff. June 1, 2019.