15A NCAC 04B .0131      SELF-INSPECTIONS

All land-disturbing activities required to have an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan under G.S. 113A-54.1(e) shall conduct self-inspections for initial installation or modification of any erosion and sedimentation control devices and practices described in an approved plan. In addition, weekly and rain-event self-inspections are required by federal regulations, that are implemented through the NPDES Construction General Permit No. NCG 010000.

(1)           For self-inspections required pursuant to G.S. 113A-54.1(e), the inspection shall be performed during or after each of the following phases of the plan;

(a)           initial installation of erosion and sediment control measures;

(b)           clearing and grubbing of existing ground cover;

(c)           completion of any grading that requires ground cover;

(d)           completion of all land-disturbing activity, construction, or development, including permanent ground cover establishment and removal of all temporary measures; and

(e)           transfer of ownership or control of the tract of land where the erosion and sedimentation control plan has been approved and work has begun. The new owner or person in control shall conduct and document inspections until the project is permanently stabilized as set forth in Sub-Item (c) of this Item.

(2)           Documentation of self-inspections performed under Item (1) of this Rule shall include:

(a)           Visual verification of ground stabilization and other erosion control measures and practices as called for in the approved plan;

(b)           Verification by measurement of settling basins, temporary construction entrances, energy dissipators, and traps.

(c)           The name, address, organization affiliation, telephone number, and signature of the person conducting the inspection and the date of the inspection shall be included, whether on a copy of the approved erosion and sedimentation control plan or an inspection report. A template for an example of an inspection and monitoring report is provided on the DEMLR website at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-land-resources/erosion-sediment-control/forms. Any relevant licenses and certifications may also be included. Any documentation of inspections that occur on a copy of the approved erosion and sedimentation control plan shall occur on a single copy of the plan and that plan shall be made available on the site.

(d)           A record of any significant deviation from any erosion or sedimentation control measure from that on the approved plan. For the purpose of this Rule, a "significant deviation" means an omission, alternation, or relocation of an erosion or sedimentation control measure that prevents it from performing as intended. The record shall include measures required to correct the significant deviation, along with documentation of when those measures were taken. Deviations from the approved plan may also be recommended to enhance the intended performance of the sedimentation and erosion control measures.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113A-54; 113A-54.1(e);

Eff. October 1, 2010;

Readopted Eff. April 1, 2020.