Boards and Commissions

Environmental Management Commission

The Environmental Management Commission is a 15-member commission appointed by the Governor, the Senate Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House. The commission is responsible for adopting rules for the protection, preservation and enhancement of the state's air and water resources. Commission members are chosen to represent various interests, including the medical profession, agriculture, engineering, fish and wildlife, groundwater, air and water pollution control, municipal or county government and the public at large. The commission oversees and adopts rules for programs in several divisions of the Department of Environmental Quality, including the Divisions of Air Quality, Waste Management, Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, and Water Resources.

The Environmental Management Commission generally meets on the second Thursday of January, March, May, July, September and November. In addition, the commission chairman may call special meetings as necessary. The EMC has seven committees (Air Quality, Groundwater, NPDES, Steering, Water Allocation and Water Quality) which generally meet on the day before full commission meetings.

Energy Policy Council

The N.C. Energy Policy Council advises the governor and General Assembly on legislation and rulemaking that addresses domestic energy exploration, protects the environment and encourages economic development. Council responsibilities include developing a comprehensive energy policy that addresses present and future needs, while moving North Carolina and the country toward energy independence. 

N.C. Coastal Resources Commission

The CRC establishes policies for the N.C. Coastal Management Program and adopts implementing rules for both CAMA and the N.C. Dredge and Fill Act. The commission designates areas of environmental concern, adopts rules and policies for coastal development within those areas, and certifies local land use plans.

The CRC consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President Pro Tempore. Eleven of the 13 members must have experience in a particular area of expertise, including land development, coastal engineering, marine science, coastal-related business, local government, coastal agriculture, commercial fishing, coastal forestry, sports fishing, and wildlife. Two members may be "at-large."

The Division of Coastal Management, in the Department of Environmental Quality, provides staffing services to the CRC, implements CRC rules and issues CAMA permits.

Marine Fisheries Commission

The Marine Fisheries Commission is a nine-member board appointed by the Governor to manage, restore, develop, cultivate, protect and regulate the state's marine and estuary resources. It does this by adopting rules and policies, implementing management measures for fisheries and advising the State on marine fisheries within the jurisdiction of regional and federal boards and councils.

N.C. Mining Commission

The North Carolina Mining Commission sets rules for the administration of the mining resources of the state. It acts as an advisory body to the Governor and creates rules for granting aid provided by federal authorities.

N.C. Oil and Gas Commission

The N.C. Oil and Gas Commission is responsible for adopting rules on oil and gas exploration in North Carolina. The Oil and Gas Commission also has the authority to regulate the spacing of wells for oil and gas exploration, establish areas where oil and gas drilling can occur, and limit the production of oil and gas exploration.

Sedimentation Control Commission

The Sedimentation Control Commission was created to administer the state's Sedimentation Control Program pursuant to the N.C. Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973. The commission is charged with adopting rules, setting standards and providing guidance for implementation of the law.