Source: NCDENR, 8/3/20
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is
accepting public comment on proposed amendments and re-adoption of seven rules under a state-mandated periodic review
schedule. The rules pertain
to coastal recreational water quality monitoring to protect the public health
of swimmers.A public hearing will be held by web
conference on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. The public may join the meeting online; however, those who wish
to speak during the hearing must register by noon Aug. 26.
Members of the public also may submit written
comments through an online form or through the mail to N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Recreational
Water Quality Rules Comments, P.O Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. Comments
must be posted online or be received by the Division of Marine Fisheries by 5
p.m. Oct. 2, 2020. Links to the public hearing registration form and online comment form, as well as text of the proposed rules and links to join the meeting, can be found on the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission’s Proposed Rules Page. Up for re-adoption are marine fisheries rules
in 15A NCAC 18A .3400. Rules .3401, .3402, .3403, and .3405 contain the
primary proposed changes that will:
- Update biological
standards so they align with new federal performance criteria.
- Ensure equal protection
for swimmers by requiring the same bacteriological threshold triggers
public health advisories for all swimming locations, regardless of usage
frequency.
- Modify the public
notification process to reduce delays and confusion, without generating an
increased frequency of swimming advisories for the public.
Other proposed changes are
technical in nature; two rules are proposed for repeal because they duplicate
requirements.
The proposed rule changes will
be presented to the Marine Fisheries Commission for final approval in November
2020 and have an intended effective date of April 1, 2021. For questions about the Marine Fisheries
Commission rulemaking process, email Catherine Blum (Catherine.Blum@ncdenr.gov), rules coordinator for the N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries. For questions about the proposed changes to the N.C.
Recreational Water Quality Program rules, email Erin Bryan-Millush (Erin.Bryan-Millush@ncdenr.gov), with the division’s Recreational Water Quality Program, or call her at 252-808-8153.
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