S.L. 2013-395 (Senate Bill 515) Summary

• Delays implementation of Jordan Lake Rules and Jordan Lake Session Laws with effective dates of July 1, 2013 or later by three years to allow further evaluation and exploration of water quality improvement measures.

• Defines Jordan Lake Rules as nine specific administrative code rules (15A NCAC 02B .0262 through .0272 and .0311) addressing nutrient strategy, stormwater management, wastewater discharge, and fertilizer management for the Jordan Lake water supply watershed.

• Identifies Jordan Lake Session Laws as specific provisions from prior legislative sessions (S.L. 2009-216, 2009-484, 2011-394, 2012-187, 2012-200, and 2012-201) that shall be delayed.

• Implements the Protection of Existing Riparian Buffers Rule with three modifications: exempting certain utility crossings, allowing stream piping permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and expanding the definition of airport facilities.

• Requires the Environmental Management Commission to adopt a permanent rule incorporating the buffer protection modifications, which becomes effective upon adoption without standard regulatory approval procedures.