NC H738

Repeals Section 54 of S.L. 2014-120 and Section 4.18 of S.L. 2015-286, which previously limited wetlands protections in North Carolina

Adds a new definition of "isolated wetlands" to include wetlands confirmed isolated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to June 22, 2020, and basin wetlands or bogs as described in the NC Wetland Assessment User Manual (version 4.1, October 2010)

Excludes man-made ditches or ponds constructed for stormwater management from the definition of isolated wetlands

Expands the definition of "waters" to explicitly include wetlands alongside streams, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies under state jurisdiction

Classifies wetlands as waters of the State if they are either waters of the United States (per federal regulations) or isolated wetlands, effective immediately upon becoming law