Resident Inspector Program
The Resident Inspector Program was created by Session Law 1989-1082 enacted in July 1990 and began operation in 1991, in the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Waste Management. The Resident Inspector Program was established "... to enhance the ability of the department to protect the public health and the environment by providing the department with the authority and resources necessary to maintain a rigorous inspection and enforcement program at commercial hazardous waste facilities" [G.S. 130A-295.02(f)].
Under the program, commercial treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDF) that receive and process a wide variety of hazardous waste from hazardous waste generators and handlers are subject to a minimum inspection frequency of two, four, six, eight or ten times per month. The frequency of the inspections at each facility is dependent upon its qualification as a "special purpose" commercial hazardous waste facility and the category ranking assigned to it, which is based on such factors as the capacity of the facility, nature of the hazardous waste, type and complexity of treatment being performed, facility location characteristics and facility compliance history [15A NCAC 13A .0116].
The Resident Inspector Program uses a multimedia approach in its inspections that cover all regulatory responsibilities for which DEQ is authorized, such as hazardous waste management and treatment requirements, workplace safety, air emissions requirements, wastewater treatment and discharge requirements. Resident inspectors also evaluate the commercial treatment, storage and disposal facilities for potential violations in other regulatory areas, such as the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Department of Transportation's hazardous materials transportation regulations. When necessary, inspectors make recommendations to the facilities and/or make referrals to the authorized agency or agencies.
Resident Inspector Program facilities must submit payment for the current calendar month’s fee plus tonnage fees [15A NCAC 13A .0117]. This payment is due by the 15th of the following month. Failure to submit payment by the last day of the month may result in an enforcement action.
The Resident Inspector Program has developed a convenient and efficient electronic payment system that allows commercial treater, storage and disposal facilities to pay their monthly fees via credit card, debit card or eCheck.
Go to NC DEQ ePayments, fill in the facility EPA ID#, the month and tonnage amount (use only whole numbers, no decimals); then, select credit card or eCheck and complete the transaction.
A convenience fee is charged by a third-party provider for all online payments made by a credit or debit card. DEQ does not receive any portion of the fees associated with this service. The fee is currently 2.65% of the amount paid on all credit and debit card transactions, except for VISA debit, which has a flat fee of $3.95 per transaction. Your card will not be charged until after you have accepted the convenience fee amount. If you opt not to pay the convenience fee, you may cancel the transaction and pay by another method such as eCheck, which is free. If you accept the convenience fee and elect to continue, your credit card statement will show two charges - one for the invoice amount due and one for the convenience fee. The convenience fee is not refundable.
Contact for the RIP Program:
Mark Burnette, Supervisor
Kelly Galantis, HW Resident Inspection Program