REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT (REC) PROGRAM

Due to limited staff, the Inactive Hazardous Sites Branch (Branch) was unable to respond to all requests for remedial action oversight. To help address this problem, the North Carolina General Assembly amended the Inactive Hazardous Response Act in 1994 and 1995 to establish a mechanism for privatizing the Branch's oversight role at lower priority voluntary remedial action sites. These amendments required the establishment of rules for implementing and overseeing voluntary remedial actions under the Registered Environmental Consultant (REC) Program.

The REC Program rules, 15A NCAC 13C .0300, became effective April 1, 1997. These rules include the minimum qualification requirements for RECs and their Registered Site Managers (RSMs), and the technical and administrative requirements for conducting voluntary remedial actions under the REC Program. The REC is the approved firm and the RSMs are REC employees approved to make compliance certifications on behalf of the REC and their client. The REC's RSM is responsible for certifying that the actions taken comply with the REC program rules. An application form for an environmental consulting firm to apply for REC status is available on this web page.

The Branch has developed a guidance document (Registered Environmental Consultant Program Rules and Implementation Guidance) to aid RECs and RSMs in understanding the requirements of the REC Program.

In order to ensure the integrity of the REC Program, the Branch routinely audits REC site projects. If violations of the REC Program Rules are observed during audits the Branch may:

• issue a notice of violation to the REC and give the REC an opportunity to correct the deficiency;
• disqualify the REC and/or RSM from participation in the REC Program; or
• the Branch may assess civil and/or criminal penalties.

Contacts:

Kim Caulk, REC Program Manager
Kim.Caulk@ncdenr.gov
(919) 707-8350

Janet Macdonald
jkmacdonald@ncdenr.gov
(919) 707-8349

Matt Aufman
Matt.Aufman@ncdenr.gov
(919) 707-8348