15A NCAC 18A .0903      SANITARY SURVEY

(a)  Shellfish growing waters shall be divided into shellfish growing areas by the Division of Marine Fisheries. Maps showing the boundaries of these shellfish growing areas shall be maintained by the Division and can be found at: https://deq.nc.gov/polluted-area-proclamations.

(b)  Except in shellfish growing areas where all shellfish growing waters are classified as prohibited, the Division shall complete a sanitary survey report for each shellfish growing area at least once every three years.

(c)  A sanitary survey report shall include the following:

(1)           a shoreline survey.

(2)           an evaluation of meteorological, hydrodynamic, and geographic factors that may affect distribution of pollutants.

(3)           a microbiological survey to assess water quality. A microbiological survey shall include the collection of water samples and their analysis for fecal coliforms. The number and location of sampling stations shall be selected to produce the data necessary to effectively evaluate all point and non‑point pollution sources identified during the shoreline survey. A minimum of six samples shall be collected annually from each designated sampling station.

(4)           a determination of the appropriate classification for all shellfish growing waters within the shellfish growing area in accordance with Rule .0902 of this Section.

(d)  A sanitary survey report shall be required to designate any portion of a shellfish growing area with a classification other than prohibited, or for a reclassification from:

(1)           prohibited to any other classification;

(2)           restricted to conditionally approved or approved; or

(3)           conditionally approved to approved.

All other reclassifications may be made without a sanitary survey.

(e)  In each calendar year that a shellfish growing area is not evaluated with a sanitary survey, a written annual evaluation report shall be completed by the Division and shall include the following:

(1)           a microbiological survey to assess water quality as set forth in Subparagraph (c)(3) of this Rule.

(2)           an evaluation of changes in pollution source impacts that may affect the classifications of the shellfish growing area.

If the annual evaluation determines conditions have changed and a classification for shellfish growing waters is incorrect, the Division shall initiate action to reclassify the shellfish growing waters in accordance with Rule .0902 of this Section.

(f)  Sanitary survey reports and annual evaluation reports shall be maintained by the Division.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-182; 113-221.2; 143B-289.52;

Eff. June 1, 1989;

Readopted Eff. May 1, 2021.