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REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS
AMENDMENTS TO 15A NCAC 13B .0832 "GENERAL PROVISIONS" FOR SEPTAGE
MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
July 26, 2021
GENERAL INFORMATION
Agency: Environmental Management Commission
Department: Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
https://deg.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/solid-waste-section
Contacts: Adam Ulishney
Environmental Compliance Branch Head
Solid Waste Section
Adam.Ulishney6E ncdenr.gov
919-707-8210
Jessica Montie
Environmental Program Consultant
Solid Waste Section Rule -Making Contact
Jessica. Montie@ncdenr.gov
(919) 707-8247
Title of Rule:
"General Provisions" (for septage management)
Citations:
15A NCAC 13B .0832
Authority:
G.S. 130A-294; S.L. 2021-83
Impact Summary:
- State Government Impact? None beyond the effect of S.L. 2021-83
- Local Government Impact? None beyond the effect of S.L. 2021-83
- Private Sector Impact? None beyond the effect of S.L. 2021-83
- Substantial Economic Impact? No
Table 1
Estimated Savings from S.L. 2021-83 - July 1, 2026 — June 30, 2031
Appendix 1
Proposed Rule Text
Appendix 2
Session Law 2021-83
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PROPOSED RULEMAKING SCHEDULE
Date
Action
09/08/2021
GWWMC Meeting: Approval of proposed text to go to EMC.
11/18/2021
EMC Meeting: Approval of rule text and regulatory impact analysis
for public comment.
12/15/2021
Rules published in NC Register and Agency website
Comment Period Begins.
12/30/2021
Earliest date for public hearing.
02/14/2022
Comment Period Ends.
03/10/2022
EMC Meeting: Approval of Hearing Officer's Report and Adoption of
Rules.
03/18/2022
Submittal to OAH rule exempt from RRC Review per S.L.
--
Effective Date is Pending Legislative Review per S.L.
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY OF RULE CHANGE
The Division of Waste Management (Division) Solid Waste Section (Section) is responsible for
regulating solid waste management within the state under the statutory authority of the Solid
Waste Management Act, Article 9 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes; specifically, G.S.
130A-291.1 for septage management. Rules governing solid waste management adopted under
this authority are codified at Title 15A, Subchapter 13B of the North Carolina Administrative Code.
Rule .0832 establishes general provisions and requirements for septage management, including
general permitting requirements, portable sanitation permitting provisions, recreational vehicle
waste provisions, alternate septage management method limitations, training requirements,
inspection and entry requirements, and clarification on what shall be handled as septage or
domestic septage.
15A NCAC 13B Rule .0832(a)(8) is proposed for amendment to make the rule change required
by Session Law 2021-83 Section 3.(d), which requires that a rule be adopted to be substantively
identical to the implementation in S.L. 2021-83 Section 3.(c). Section 3.(c) extends the permit
length for any subsequent permits issued on or after July 1, 2021 for septage land application
sites (SLAS) and septage detention and treatment facilities (SDTF) from 5 years to 10 years.
"Subsequent permits" means any permits issued after the initial permit is issued for a new SLAS
or SDTF, which are also mentioned in the rules in 15A NCAC 13B .0830-.0846 and in S.L. 2021-
83 as "permit renewals". The purpose of extending the permit length is to reduce the burden on
existing permittees by reducing the number of subsequent permit applications they are required
to submit.
Existing rule .0832(a)(8) states that the initial permit shall be issued for one year only, and
subsequent permits shall be issued for 5 years. The existing rule further clarifies that the Division
may issue permits for a shorter term based on the following circumstances:
(A) the duration of the landowner authorization or wastewater treatment plant
authorization;
(B) the compliance history of the operator;
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(C) if any of the information for the permit application was received after the due date;
or
(D) to allow the due date for a subsequent permit application to be the same date as
the septage firm permit application due date.
The proposed amendment does not make any changes to the permit length for initial or
subsequent septage firm permits (permits for pumping and hauling septage) which are issued for
one year, or for the initial permits for SLAS and SDTF, which are also issued for one year.
SLAS and SDTF permits issued prior to July 1, 2021 will expire on the expiration date provided in
the permit. S.L. 2021-83 Section 3.(c) and the proposed amendment do not extend the length of
any existing permits issued prior to July 1, 2021, so only permit renewals issued on or after July
1, 2021 are valid for 10 years. If a permittee wishes to obtain a renewal permit that is valid for 10
years, they must submit an application for permit renewal in accordance with the permit
application requirements in 15A NCAC 13B Section .0800 on or after July 1, 2021.
The proposed amendment does not require any existing permittee to immediately submit an
application for permit renewal to change the permit length. The permittee may wait to submit their
permit renewal application until their normally scheduled renewal application due date, which is
90 days prior to the existing permit expiration date (see Rules .0837(m) or .0840(g)). The
proposed amendment also does not prevent any applicant that was issued a permit prior to July
1, 2021 from submitting an application for permit renewal early. For example, if a permit holder
wishes to obtain a permit that is valid for 10 years as soon as possible, but their existing permit
does not expire for 4 more years, nothing in the rule prevents them from submitting a permit
renewal application now if they wish, in order to request a 10-year permit from the Division.
BASELINE
Certain aspects of Rule .0832 became obsolete after the passage of Session Law 2021-83, which
directly implemented the change to the subsequent permit length for SLAS and SDTF in Section
3.(c), and Section 3.(d) required that Rule .0832 be amended to be substantively identical to the
change implemented by the Session Law. Therefore, updating the rule as required by the Session
Law does not create any additional impact to regulated entities or the agency.
The Session Law also stated that the implementation of the change to permit length would remain
effective until permanent rules are adopted to include this change. The change to permit length
applies to any subsequent permits issued by the Division on or after July 1, 2021. The Division
has been implementing the change to the permit length since July 1, 2021 as required by the
Session Law. The Division did not issue any subsequent SLAS or SDTF permits on July 1, 2021,
or between July 1, 2021 and the effective date of the Session Law, July 8, 2021.
PARTIES POTENTIALLY AFFECTED BY SESSION LAW 2021-83
Rule .0832 General Provisions (for Septage Management) is applicable to all septage
management facilities in North Carolina, including septage firms, septage land application sites
(SLAS), and septage detention and treatment facilities (SDTF). However, the change to permit
length enacted by the Session Law as reflected in the proposed amendment only impacts
subsequent SLAS and SDTF permits. Parties potentially affected by the proposed amendment
are as follows:
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Existina SLAS and SDTF Permit Holders for Permits Issued Prior to July 1. 2021
As of July 1, 2021, there are currently 104 active existing SLAS permits and 182 active existing
SDTF permits that were issued by the Division prior to July 1, 2021. All of the existing SLAS
permitted facilities are owned and operated by individuals or private businesses in the private
sector, and the majority of the SDTF permitted facilities are also owned and operated by the
private sector. Approximately 2-5 of the permitted SDTFs are owned or operated by local
governments, but this analysis will assume that 3 of the permitted SDTFs are owned or operated
by local governments. These existing permits will not be affected by the change to permit length
in the Session Law or the proposed amendment because the change only applies to permits
renewals issued after July 1, 2021. All existing permits issued prior to July 1, 2021 will still expire
on the expiration date stated in the existing permit.
Future SLAS and SDTF Permit Renewal Applicants
The Division assumes that the existing permit holders as described above for all active SLAS and
SDTF permits issued prior to July 1, 2021 will apply for permit renewals when their existing permit
expires. While the Division cannot predict how many first-time permit applicants will apply for an
initial permit in the future, or whether those first-time applicants will subsequently apply for a
permit renewal, the Division expects the majority of future first-time applicants to be from the
private sector.
Local Government (other than the permit applicants described above)
Applications for permit renewals must include a signed authorization from any local government
wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that the applicant proposes to use for disposal of septage if
needed. The change to the permit length is not likely to affect the WWTP in these circumstances;
but it may impact their decision on whether to sign the authorization for a full 10 years. Local
government staff also approve any zoning changes needed to use a property for an SLAS and
SDTF.
State Government
Solid Waste Section Environmental Compliance Branch staff that review permit applications,
issue permit renewals, and provide regulatory compliance, enforcement, and technical assistance
for permitted SLAS and SDTF; and take enforcement action against the management of septage
that does not comply with applicable laws, rules, and permits may be impacted by the change to
permit length.
ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS FROM SESSION LAW 2021-83
Assumptions
• Assumes a range of total compensation (salary plus benefits) based on mean North
Carolina salary and mean state government salary of Environmental Program Consultants
of $37 - $50 per hour in 2021 dollars (inflation was not considered as a factor).
• Assumes a range of hours spent by permit holders drafting and submitting SLAS and
SDTF permit renewal applications (based on consultation with permit holders) of 2 — 16
hours.
• Assumes a range of hours spent by Solid Waste Section staff reviewing each SLAS and
SDTF permit renewal application, working with the applicant to obtain additional
information, and issuing the permit (based on consultation with Section staff) of 4 — 10
hours.
• Assumes all existing permit holders will apply for a permit renewal over the next 5 years.
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Assumes that the renewal permits for the 110 existing private sector -owned permits where
the term has been limited by a landowner or WWTP authorization will continue to be limited
in the same manner, and therefore the change to permit length will not have any impact.
Assumes that 173 existing private sector -owned permits and 3 existing local government -
owned permits that are currently valid for the full 5-year term will be obtaining a permit for
the full 10-year term upon renewal.
Existina and Future Permit Holders (Private Sector and Local Government
Costs:
The change to permit length is not expected to impose any additional costs on existing or future
permit holders. Because the existing rule allows the Division to issue SLAS and SDTF permits for
a shorter length of time for the reasons stated in Rule .0832(a)(8)(A)-(D), the Division estimates
that approximately 110 of the 286 existing permits were issued for less than five years. The
Division expects that future renewal permits for these existing permits will not be impacted by the
change to permit length since the renewal permit lengths will likely continue to be limited by the
reasons stated in Rule .0832(a)(8)(A)-(D).
If the owner of the land where an SLAS or SDTF is located is different than the permit applicant,
the permit applicant is required to obtain a signed authorization from the landowner to use the
property for an SLAS or SDTF; and submit the authorization with the permit renewal application.
The landowner will need to consider whether they wish to sign an authorization for their land to
be used for an SLAS or SDTF for a full 10 years instead of 5 years. However, the rule does allow
the Division to issue a subsequent permit for less than 10 years if the landowner chooses not to
authorize the full 10 years. Because of the flexibility provided in the rule, the change to permit
length is not expected to affect landowners; however, the permit holder may have to request that
the Division reduce the length of their permit in order to obtain the landowner authorization. The
same consideration would be required for the local government WWTPs that provide authorization
for these permit holders to dispose of septage at the WWTP.
Benefits:
The number of permit renewal applications for existing and future permits submitted to the
Division (for permits where the length is not otherwise limited by Rule .0832(a)(8)(A)-(D)) are
expected to be reduced by the change to permit length. This change will provide a benefit to
existing and future private sector (private businesses and individuals) and local government
permit holders through reduced time spent in drafting and submittal of permit applications after
they have been issued a permit that is valid for 10 years. Because permits issued prior to July 1,
2021 will still expire on the expiration date stated in the permit, the Division does not expect any
significant change to the number of permit renewal applications submitted in the first five years,
from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026. The reduction in permit renewal applications will mainly occur
between five and ten years after July 1, 2021 (between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031), when
most SLAS and SDTF permits would have been due for their next five-year renewal applications
under existing rule, but will now no longer have to submit those five-year renewal permit
applications.
Under the rules existing prior to July 1, 2021, the Division expected to receive approximately 286
applications for SLAS and SDTF permit renewals between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031. After
implementation of the Session Law, the Division only expects to receive 110 applications between
July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031 from the private sector for existing permits where the term is
limited by landowner or WWTP authorizations.
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The change to permit length should result in a total opportunity savings of between $12,925 and
$139,731 for existing private sector permit holders, and between $225 and $2,423 for existing
local government permit holders between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031. The Division cannot
predict how many first-time permit applicants will apply for a subsequent permit in the future; but
the Division expects the opportunity savings for a future applicant will be between $75 and $808
per permit renewal application between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2032, assuming the applicant
will have an initial one-year permit, and then a subsequent 10-year permit.
Permitted septage management facilities pay annual permit fees to the Department throughout
the term of the permit, and no additional fee is required for permit applications; therefore, the
change to permit length is not expected to change the amount of fees paid to the Department by
permit holders. Permit holders will continue to have the option to terminate their permit at any
time; and the Department will continue to have the authority to suspend or revoke a permit in
accordance with G.S. 130A-23.
State Government
Costs:
As stated above, the change to permit length does not change the amount of fees paid to the
Department by permittees. Also, because the change to permit length does not change the
inspection schedule for permitted facilities or the ability of the Division to conduct inspections, the
change to permit length is not expected to significantly impact compliance.
Benefits:
The reduction in the number of permit applications submitted between July 1, 2026 and June 30,
2031 will provide a benefit to state government in reduced time spent by the Section's employees
for reviewing and processing the permit applications and issuing those permits. Under existing
rules prior to July 1, 2021, the Division expected to receive approximately 286 applications for
subsequent SLAS and SDTF permits between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031. After the
implementation of the Session Law, the Division only expects to receive 110 permit renewal
applications between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031 from the private sector for existing permits
where the term is limited by landowner or WWTP authorizations.
The change to permit length should result in a total opportunity savings of between $26,298 and
$88,846 for state government staff in the Division between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031. The
Division cannot predict how many first-time permit applicants will apply for a subsequent permit
in the future; but the Division expects the opportunity savings for Division staff will be between
$149 and $505 per permit renewal application between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2032, assuming
the applicant will have an initial one-year permit, and then a subsequent 10-year permit.
The time saved in reviewing and issuing permit renewals between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031
could be redirected toward inspecting septage vehicles, investigating enforcement cases for
illegal dumping of septage or preparing training or guidance documents for permitted facilities,
which may result in some minor improvements in compliance.
Local Government (other than permit holders described above)
Local governments consider and provide zoning approval during the application for the initial
permits only, therefore a change to the subsequent permit length should not affect the zoning
approval process.
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Local government WWTPs will need to consider whether they wish to sign an authorization for
septage management facilities to dispose of septage at their WWTP for a full 10 years instead of
the existing 5 years. However, the rule does allow the Division to issue a subsequent permit for
less than 10 years if the WWTP chooses not to authorize the full 10 years. Because of the
flexibility provided in the rule, the change to permit length is not expected to affect WWTPs;
however, the permit holder may have to request that the Division reduce the length of their permit
in order to obtain the WWTP authorization.
General Population and the Environment
The change to permit length does not change the frequency of inspection or enforcement by the
Department. The reduction in time spent between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031 by state
government staff reviewing permit renewal applications and issuing permits as described above
may allow an increase in time spent on inspecting septage vehicles, investigating enforcement
cases for illegal dumping of septage or preparing and updating training or guidance documents
for permitted facilities, which may result in some minor benefit to the environment and any
individuals leaving near an SLAS or SDTF from increased compliance.
IMPACT SUMMARY
• Session Law 2021-83 implemented the change in permit length from 5 years to 10 years
directly for all subsequent SLAS and SDTF permits (permit renewals) issued after July 1,
2021. The Session Law implementation remains effective until the rule amendment is
effective. Updating the rule to be "substantively identical" to the Session Law does not
create any additional impact on regulated entities or the agency.
• The change to permit length is not expected to result in any costs or benefits within the
first five years and will not result in a substantial economic impact.
• The change to permit length is not expected to impose any additional costs on any affected
parties.
• The change to permit length is not expected to change state government revenues from
permit fees because septage management facilities pay annual permit fees collected
throughout the length of the permit, and a separate permit application fee is not collected
for these facilities.
• The change to permit length may result in a benefit of reduced permitted facility staff time
spent drafting and submitting permit renewal applications between July 1, 2026 and June
30, 2031. The estimated opportunity savings during that time could be a total of between
$12,925 and $139,731 for private sector permit holders, and between $224 and $2,423
for local government permit holders.
• The change to permit length may result in a benefit of reduced state government staff time
spent reviewing permit renewal applications and issuing those permits between July 1,
2026 and June 30, 2031, for an estimated opportunity savings during that time of between
$26,298 and $88,846. The time saved may allow additional time for inspecting septage
vehicles, investigating illegal/non-permitted dumping, or updating training and guidance
documents.
• The change to permit length will not change the compliance or inspection schedule for
permitted SLAS or SDTF facilities.
• The change to permit length may provide some minor benefits to the general population
and the environment due to increased state government staff time available for updates
to training and guidance or to address compliance issues such as leaking septage vehicles
or illegal/non-permitted dumping.
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TABLE
Estimated Savings from S.L. 2021-83 - July 1, 2026 — June 30, 2031
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TABLE 1
Estimated Savings from S.L. 2021-83 - July 1, 2026 — June 30, 2031
Existing permits
limited by
authorizations
Existing permits
Range of estimated total
Estimated range of
(that will still have
for the full year
compensation (salary
Estimated range of hours
Estimated range of
savings for all permits in
to reapply
term that will not
plus benefits) - hourly
spent per permit
savings per permit
2026-2031 (in today's
Total existing
between 2026-
need to reapply in
rate
application
application
dollars)
Entity
permits
2031)
2026-2031
min
max
min
max
min
max
min
max
Private Sector
283
110
173
$ 37
$ 50
2
16
$ 75
$ 808
$ 12,925
$ 139,731
Local Government
3
0
3
$ 37
$ 50
2
16
$ 75
$ 808
$ 224
$ 2,423
State Government
1 2861
1101
176
$ 37
1 $ 50
1 41
j
$ 149
$ 505
$ 26,298
$ 88,846
Total: $ 39,448 $ 231,000
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APPENDIX 1
Proposed Rule Text
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1 15A NCAC 13B .0832 is proposed for amendment as follows:
2
3 15A NCAC 13B .0832 GENERAL PROVISIONS
4 (a) General permitting requirements.
5 (1) No person shall manage septage, or any part of septage, or operate a Septage Management Firm
6 without first obtaining a permit from the Division as required under G.S. 130A-291.1(c);
7 (2) The permit requirement of G.S. 130A-291.1(c) applies to persons who remove septage, and other
8 waste materials or spent media from wastewater systems permitted by the Department of Health and
9 Human Services, under the authority of Article 11, Chapter 130A of the North Carolina General
10
Statutes;
11
(3)
The permit requirement of G.S. 130A-291.1(c) applies to persons who manage septage generated
12
from properties that they own, lease, or manage as part of a business, such as mobile homes, mobile
13
home parks, restaurants, and other residential and commercial property;
14
(4)
The Division may deny a permit application in accordance with G.S. 130A-295.3(c);
15
(5)
The Division may require an applicant to demonstrate substantial compliance in accordance with
16
G.S. 130A-294(b2)(2);
17
(6)
Permits issued in accordance with this Section shall be followed;
18
(7)
Where specified in this Section, permit applications or specific portions of applications shall be
19
prepared in accordance with Rule .0202(a)(3) of this Subchapter; and
20
(8)
Initial septage land application site and detention and treatment facility permits shall be valid for
21
one year. Subsequent permits shall be valid for €rve—tenyears. The Division may issue a subsequent
22
permit for less than €rve-te�ears based on any of the following factors:
23
(A) the duration of the landowner authorization or wastewater treatment plant authorization;
24
(B) the compliance history of the operator;
25
(C) if any of the information for the permit application was received after the due date; or
26
(D) to allow the due date for a subsequent permit application to be the same date as the septage
27
firm permit application due date.
28
(b) Portable sanitation permitting provisions.
29
(1)
A mobile or modular office that meets the criteria of G. S. 130A-291.2 shall be considered a chemical
30
or portable toilet as defined in G.S. 130A-290(a)(1c). A storage tank at a mobile or modular office
31
shall not release septage onto the ground. The owner and the lessee of the mobile or modular office
32
shall be considered to be the responsible parties and shall be subject to the requirements of Paragraph
33
(a) of this Rule.
34
(2)
No person shall rent or lease portable toilet(s) or contract or subcontract to rent or lease portable
35
toilet(s) to another person or manage or dispose of waste from portable toilet(s), regardless of
36
ownership of the toilet(s), unless that person is permitted to operate a septage management firm.
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1
(3)
Placement of a chemical or portable toilet as defined in G.S. 130A-290(a)(1c) for potential use in
2
North Carolina shall be considered operation of a septage management firm that requires a permit.
3
(c) Recreational
vehicle waste provisions.
4
(1)
Domestic septage from a recreational vehicle shall be managed in accordance with this Section or
5
shall flow directly into a wastewater treatment system permitted by the Department of
6
Environmental Quality.
7
(2)
Wastewater from recreational vehicles that are tied down, blocked up, or that are not relocated, and
8
that are not connected to an approved wastewater system shall be managed in accordance with
9
Article 11, Chapter 130A of the NC General Statutes.
10
(3)
Recreational vehicle dump stations that do not discharge directly to a wastewater treatment system
11
permitted by the Department of Environmental Quality shall be permitted as a septage detention and
12
treatment facility in accordance with Rule .0837 of this Section.
13
(d) Alternate septage management method limitations.
14
(1)
Grease septage, or any part of grease septage, shall not be introduced or reintroduced into a grease
15
trap, interceptor, separator, or other appurtenance used for the purpose of removing cooking oils,
16
fats, grease, and food debris from the waste flow generated from food handling, preparation, and
17
cleanup unless the Division has received written approval from the wastewater treatment plant
18
operator or the onsite wastewater system permitting authority that reintroduction is acceptable.
19
(2)
Septage, or any part of septage, shall not be reintroduced into an onsite wastewater system unless
20
approved pursuant to G.S. 130A-343(c).
21
(3)
Septage, or any part of septage, shall not be placed in containers at restaurants designated for yellow
22
grease.
23
(4)
Septage, or any part of septage, shall not be disposed of in a municipal solid waste landfill unless
24
the waste passes the Paint Filter Liquids Test as defined by EPA S.W. 846 Test Method 9095B
25
which can be accessed at no cost at https://www.epa.gov/hw-sw846, and the landfill receiving the
26
waste has provided the Division written documentation that the specific material will be accepted.
27
(5)
Septage, or any part of septage, shall not be disposed of in a dumpster unless the waste passes the
28
Paint Filter Liquids Test and the landfill receiving the waste is a permitted municipal solid waste
29
landfill, in accordance with Section .1600 of this Subchapter.
30
(6)
Septage, or any part of septage, managed through subsurface disposal shall be considered a
31
treatment facility and shall require a permit in accordance with this Section and G.S. 130A-343.
32
(7)
Facilities receiving septage, or any part of septage, for composting shall be permitted in accordance
33
with Section .1400 of this Subchapter.
34
(e) All training to meet the requirements of G.S. 130A-291.3(a) and (b) shall be pre -approved by the Division.
35
Approval by the Division shall be based on whether the training is in accordance with the rules in this Section.
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(f) Waste from holding tanks not otherwise addressed in this Section, and from wastewater systems pumped more
often than every 30 days, shall not be considered domestic septage and shall not be land applied at a permitted septage
land application site.
(g) Inspection and entry. The permit holder of a septage management firm or facility shall allow a representative of
the Division to:
(1) enter the permit holder's premises where a regulated facility or activity is located or conducted;
(2) access and copy any records required in accordance with this Section or conditions of the permit;
(3) inspect any facilities, equipment (including monitoring and control equipment), practices, or
operations regulated by the Division;
(4) sample or monitor for the purposes of assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the
Federal Clean Water Act or the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Act, any substances,
parameters, or soils at any location; and
(5) photograph for the purpose of documenting times of compliance or noncompliance at septage
management facilities or to require the permit holder to make such photos for the Division.
(h) Washings from the interior of septage handling containers such as pump trucks shall be managed as septage.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A-291.1; 130A-291.2; 130A-295.3(c); 130A-335;
Eff. October 1, 2009;
Readopted Eff. February 1, 2019-2019;
Amended f f. Pending Legislative Review; January 1, 2014;
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APPENDIX 2
Session Law 2021-83
B-15
AN ACT TO MAKE CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY'S
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 130A-291.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A-291.1. Septage management program; permit fees.
(c) No septage management firm shall commence or continue operation that does not
have a permit issued by the Department. The permit shall be issued only when the septage
management firm satisfies all of the requirements of the rules adopted by the Commission.
Within 90 days of receiving a complete permit application, the Department shall grant or deny
the permit in accordance with G.S. 130A-224(a)(4). A septage management firm that commences
operation without first having obtained a permit shall cease to operate until the firm obtains a
permit under this section and shall pay an initial annual fee equal to twice the amount of the
annual fee that would otherwise be applicable under subsection (e) of this section.
(e4) Permits for new septage management firm operators and permits for septage
management firm operators that have not operated a septage management firm in the 24 months
immediately preceding the submittal of an application shall be considered probationary for 12
months. The Department may revoke any probationary permit of a firm or an individual that
violates any provision of this section, G.S. 130A-291.2, G.S. 130A-291.3, or any rule adopted
under these sections. If the Department revokes a probationary permit issued to a firm or
individual, the Department shall not issue another permit to that firm or individual, and the firm
or individual may not engage in any septage management activity for a period of 12 months. In
the event of a change in ownership or corporate structure, the permit shall be amended to reflect
the change in ownership, corporate structure, and contact information upon Department approval
of the application for permit amendment.
(h) The Department shall inspect each septage land application site at least twice a year
and shall inspect the records associated with each septage land application site at least annually.
The Department shall inspect each p up mper truck used for septage management at least
once every two years.
(h 1) The annual permit application shall identify the pumper trucks and vehicles to be used
by the septage management firm. Pumper trucks and vehicles used in the transportation,
containment, or consolidation of liquid septage shall be listed b. t�pta eg management firm
on its permit and inspected and regulated as vehicles by the Department but shall not be regulated
as septage detention facilities. Equipment used in the containment and consolidation of septage
shall be regulated as septage detention or treatment sites and require a permit. All pumper trucks
and vehicles used by permitted septage management firm shall meet all federal and State
highway laws or have a maximum capacity of no more than 21,000 gallons, A permitted septage
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management firm shall notify the Department within 10 days of placing a pumper truck or vehicle
in service that was not previously included in a permit issued to the firm and shall make the
pumper truck or vehicle available for inspection by the Department. A septage management firm
is not prohibited from use of a pumper truck or vehicle that meets the requirements of the rules
adopted by the Commission prior to inspection by the Department. All pumper trucks and
vehicles that are listed on the approved septagegement firm's permit may remain loaded or
partially loaded for no more than seven days. All pumper trucks and vehicles used in the
transportation, containment, or consolidation of septage that are listed on the approved septage
management firm's permit shall be located on the premises of a septage management facility or
on the property of another party y legal agreement of the septage management firm and the
property owner.
SECTION 2. G.S. 130A-291.3 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A-291.3. Septage operator training required.
(a) Each septage management firm operator shall attend a training course approved
pursuant to subsection (d) of this section of no less than four hours of instruction per year. New
septage management firm operators and those that have not operated a septage management firm
in the 24 months preceding the submittal of an application shall complete the training before
commencing operation.
(b) Each septage land application site operator shall attend a training course approved
pursuant to subsection (d) of this section of no less than three hours of instruction per year. New
septage land application site operators and those that have not operated a septage land application
site in the 24 months preceding the submittal of an application shall complete the training before
commencing operation. The Department shall notify all septage management firm operators of
changes to rules no later than 30 days after those changes have been adopted by the Commission
and shall post all septage management program rules to its website.
(d)
shall be established to develep a training program for- peftable sanitation waste; a tfaining
eemmittee shall be established to develop a 4aining pr-egr-afn for- septie tank waste and gr-eas-e
septage; and a training eenmnWee shall be established to develop a tfaining program for- !an
member-, two employees of the Depat4ment, and one r-epr-esenlmive of the NeFth Carol
Cooperative Extension The Department shall develop and maintain a list of approved
instruction courses that have a direct or indirect relevance to septa eg management firms, septage
land application site operators, and septage detention or treatment facilityoperators. The
instruction courses shall be technical in nature and address business managementpractices,
professional ethics, quality assurance, codes, or similar topics which facilitate professional
development and serve to safeguard health, safety, and welfare of citizens. The Department may
qpprove additional training courses on a case -by -case basis."
SECTION 3.(a) Definitions. — For purposes of this section and its implementation,
"Septage Land Application Site and Septage Detention and Treatment Facility Renewal Rule"
means 15A NCAC 13B .0832 (General Provisions).
SECTION 3.(b) Septage Land Application Site and Septage Detention and
Treatment Facility Renewal Rule. — Until the effective date of the revised permanent rule that
the Environmental Management Commission is required to adopt pursuant to subsection (d) of
this section, the Commission shall implement the Septage Land Application Site and Septage
Detention and Treatment Facility Renewal Rule as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
SECTION 3.(c) Implementation. — Subsequent permit renewals for septage land
application sites and septage detention and treatment facilities shall be valid for 10 years.
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SECTION 3.(d) Additional Rulemaking Authority. — The Commission shall adopt
a rule to amend the Septage Land Application Site and Septage Detention and Treatment Facility
Renewal Rule consistent with subsection (c) of this section. Notwithstanding G.S. 150B-19(4),
the rule adopted by the Commission pursuant to this section shall be substantively identical to
the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are not
subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. Rules adopted pursuant
to this section shall become effective as provided in G.S. 150B-21.3(bl), as though 10 or more
written objections had been received as provided in G.S. 150B-21.3(b2).
SECTION 3.(e) Applicability and Sunset. — This section and rules adopted pursuant
to this section apply to all septage land application site and septage detention and treatment
facility permit renewals issued on or after July 1, 2021. This section expires when permanent
rules adopted as required by subsection (d) of this section become effective.
SECTION 4.(a) The Department of Environmental Quality shall not offer renewal
education online for septage management firm operators or septage land application operators
unless needed on a case -by -case basis in coordination with the septage industry associations.
SECTION 4.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2021, or upon the date an
executive order rescinding Section 5 of Executive Order No. 209 (2021), Removing the Outdoor
Face Covering Requirement, Relaxing Restrictions on Gatherings, and Extending the Capacity
and Social Distancing Measures of EO 204, becomes effective, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 5. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes
law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 30th day of June, 2021.
s/ Phil Berger
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
s/ Destin Hall
Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives
s/ Roy Cooper
Governor
Approved 12:34 p.m. this 8th day of July, 2021
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Montle, Jessica
From: Hollis, Carrie
Sent: July 26, 2021 11:44 AM
To: Montie, Jessica; Everett, Jennifer; Ulishney, Adam
Cc: Snyder, Ashley B; McGhee, Dana; Grozav, Anca
Subject: Review - Septage Management, 15A NCAC 13B .0832
Attachments: DEQ2021-07-26.pdf
OSBM has reviewed the Division of Waste Management's amendments to rule 15A NCAC 13B .0832 in accordance with
G.S. 150B-21.4 and with E.O. 70 from 10/21/2010 as amended by E.O. 48 from 4/9/2014. OSBM has determined the
amendments have little to no impact on state or local governments and no substantial economic impact. The regulatory
impact analysis is approved for publication.
Carrie Hollis
Principal Economic Analyst
NC Office of State Budget and Management
carrie.hollis(o)osbm.nc.gov
-oASS M
afftm
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