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GROUNDWATER RULES PROPOSED REVISIONS (15A NCAC 02L .0202 & .0113)
On this page you will find information related to proposed revisions to the North Carolina Groundwater Rules.
Classifications and Water Quality Standards applicable to the Groundwaters of North Carolina are codified in Title 15A, Subchapter 02L of the North Carolina Administrative Code
Groundwater Quality Standards are mandated by North Carolina General Statue 143-214.1, which directs the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to develop and adopt after proper study a series of classifications and water quality standards applicable to the groundwaters of the state. In addition, the EMC, on its own initiative or pursuant to a request under General Statute 143-215.3(e), may grant variances to the rules of Subchapter 02L (http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_143.html).
PURPOSE OF RULE REVISION
The purpose of revising the 2L groundwater rules is to ensure that groundwater standards are established using the most recent U.S. EPA health effects information. These revisions were initiated by a rulemaking petition submitted by a representative for Rhodia, Inc., a global specialty chemical manufacturer that formerly operated as Rhone-Poulenc in Gastonia, North Carolina.
There are three rule change options proposed:
Option 1: A change in the 1,1-dichloroethylene standard from 7 ug/L to 350 ug/L is proposed in order to incorporate the most recent U.S EPA health effects information as published in the Integrated Risk Management System at http://www.epa.gov/IRIS/.
Option 2: A change in the criteria used to establish a standard is proposed in order to allow the EMC to establish a standard less stringent than the federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) when the MCL is not established using the most recent U.S. EPA IRIS health effects information.
Option 3: A change in the variance procedure is proposed to allow the EMC to consider a request for a statewide variance from the groundwater rules and to make editorial corrections.
REQUEST FOR FURTHER COMMENTS
In addition, the EMC seeks other proposals that allow flexibility in implementation of 15A NCAC 02L .0202(d) while maintaining or achieving appropriate water quality and public health standards, recognizinf that any such proposal, if acted upon, might constitute a substantial change from the proposed rule amendments described in detail in this public notice, and might require an additional rule-making procedure.
COMMENT PERIOD
The public comment period will begin on May 1, 2012, and will end on July 2, 2012. A public hearing will be held during the comment period as specified in the schedule below. Oral comment can only be received during the public hearing. Written comments may be submitted during the public hearing or at any time during the public comment period. Written comments not submitted at the public hearing should be sent to:
Sandra Moore
DENR/DWQ Planning Section,
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617
Phone: (919) 807-6417
Fax: (919) 807-6497
In the case of inclement weather on the day of the scheduled public hearing, please contact the above telephone number for a recorded message regarding any changes to the location, day or time of the hearing.
The following information should be reviewed prior to making any comments on the proposed rule revisions:
PROPOSED RULE TEXT
Date: May 23, 2012, in Raleigh, Wake County;
Time: Hearing begins at 6:30 pm; Speaker registration begins at 6:00 PM
Location: Archdale Building, Ground Floor Hearing Room, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh.
Parking information: Parking available in state visitors lot # 2 (entrances on Salisbury Street and McDowell Street) Parking Map (Map Link)
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