NC H923

Establishes the Rights of the Dan River Ecosystem Act, creating legal rights for the Dan River watershed including its mainstem, tributaries, and dependent species to exist, flourish, recover, and maintain clean water and natural biodiversity.

Grants North Carolina residents the right to a healthy Dan River ecosystem and preserves collective and individual rights of indigenous peoples residing in the state.

Requires natural resource management agencies (Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, and Wildlife Resources Commission) to review existing policies by June 30, 2025, conduct a baseline environmental assessment by that date, remedy violations by June 30, 2026, and complete full ecosystem restoration by June 30, 2029.

Authorizes the Attorney General, the Dan River ecosystem itself, and any North Carolina resident to bring legal actions to enforce these rights with remedies including injunctive relief and damages for natural resource violations.

Establishes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per occurrence (or $500 per day for continuing violations, trebled if willful) and makes violating entities strictly liable for restoration costs; appropriates $100,000 to each natural resource management agency for implementation.