Wetlands, Buffers, Stormwater
Compliance and Permitting Unit

Non-Point Source Compliance Program
Enforcement

Civil Penalty Assessment

Civil penalties are fines assessed against a responsible party for violation(s) of environmental regulations.  North Carolina General Statute 143-214.5(c) requires that specific assessment factors be considered to determine the penalty amount.

If you have received a civil penalty assessment from the NC Division of Water Quality, within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following three options:

1. Submit payment of the penalty, OR
2. File a request for remission of civil penalties, OR
3. File a written petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Failure to exercise one of the above three options within thirty (30) calendar days of your receipt of these documents will result in the matter being referred to the Attorney General's Office with a request to initiate a civil action to collect the penalty.

View the NPS Compliance Program's Compliance Pathway   to follow a typical case from Inspection/NOV to Enforcement

How to Access a Case File

Requests for public records, including copies of case files, should be made to the Division of Water Quality. Visit NCDENR's Environmental Assistance and Outreach website for general information about public record access procedures.