Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
House debate over coastal permitting centers on 401 certification timelines
Summary
Lawmakers debated changes to the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification process and exemptions for upland basins in an amendment to Senate Bill 472; supporters said it expedites low‑impact projects, while opponents warned shortened review windows and a 'discharge-only' approach risk water quality and federal legal challenges.
The North Carolina House spent extended floor time on Senate Bill 472 (Coastal Regulatory Reform), debating amendments that align state 401 certification procedures with an expedited federal approach and clarify Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) jurisdiction.
Representative Carson Smith, floor sponsor, said the bill narrows CAMA jurisdiction to natural coastal features and revises the 401 certification process to support faster permits for low‑impact coastal projects. "We would, all the compliance with state water quality…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
