EMC Vote On Stormwater Rules Saluted As Landmark Action

(12 February 2004 — Raleigh, NC)  Environmental Defense today praised the N.C. Environmental Management Commission (EMC) for asking the state attorney general to seek review in Superior Court on a decision that halted implementation of statewide stormwater rules. Last week the N.C. Rules Review Commission (RRC) rejected a set of stormwater rules developed by the EMC to protect water quality from runoff from municipalities and from rapidly growing rural areas.  

“The Rules Review Commission’s decision to reject the stormwater rules benefits developers and not North Carolina citizens and precious water resources,” said Jane Preyer, director of the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense.  “The Rules Review Commission went against the strong, clear advice of their own staff, against the strong advice and pleas of municipalities and counties, and certainly against the best interest of the state’s water resources.  The EMC should be saluted for its vote to appeal the RRC decision and for its commitment to protecting water quality and public health.”

“North Carolina is required by federal law to develop reasonable rules to control stormwater runoff from cities and developing rural areas,” said Dave McNaught, policy analyst with the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense.  “The EMC spent five years developing rules in a comprehensive public process that engaged all stakeholders.  Now those rules should go into effect.” 

“North Carolina is losing its rural heritage and becoming increasingly urban, which makes stormwater runoff of sediment and other pollutants an enormous threat to streams and rivers across the state.  It is imperative that the state, developers and homebuilders act responsibly to ensure that growth is adequately managed to protect water resources,” said McNaught.