Proposed Regulations
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has the authority, granted by the Legislature, to create regulations called “rules” which although not state law, have the force of law. The complete set of rules under the jurisdiction of the Commission can be found here. From Proposal to Regulation describes the Commission's rule-making procedures. Below is a list of the rules the Commission is currently proposing to change, a description of each, and ways to submit your comments. We welcome your feedback.
15A NCAC 10C .0307 Flounder – Temporary Amendment
Reason for Proposed Action:
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) has stated they will not open the recreational flounder harvest season in 2024 due to the recreational sector exceeding the 2023 harvest allotment. To be consistent with the annual quota management measure of the North Carolina Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3 and with the NCDMF closure of the recreational season in coastal waters, the proposed amendments close the flounder harvest season in 2024.
Proposed Rule Text:
Public Hearing Information:
Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual - Zoom Online Webinar
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
- Registration is required. Register.
- Join by phone: Toll free (833) 568-8864, Webinar ID: 160 916 4902.
Date: June 27, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Craven Community College (Auditorium), 800 College Court, New Bern, NC 28562
Submit a Comment:
- Online
- Email: regulations@ncwildlife.org (please include name, county, and state of residence).
- Mail written comments to: Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701.
Public Comment Period Ends: July 5, 2024
15A NCAC 10D .0252 Needmore Game Land in Macon and Swain Counties – Temporary Amendment
Reason for Proposed Action:
Because of the changes to the 2024 deer season, this amendment is needed to remove the one day of introductory antlerless deer harvest during the gun season on the Needmore Game Land in Macon and Swain Counties, and will align Needmore Game Land to the same antlerless deer season structure as the adjacent Nantahala Game Land in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
Proposed Rule Text:
Public Hearing Information:
Date: June 20, 2024
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual - Zoom Online Webinar
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
- Registration is required. Register.
- Join by phone: Toll free (833) 568-8864, Webinar ID: 160 207 3537.
Submit a Comment:
- Online
- Email: regulations@ncwildlife.org (please include name, county, and state of residence).
- Mail written comments to: Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701.
Public Comment Period Ends: July 5, 2024
15A NCAC 10H .1800 - Commercial Activity Permitting
Reason for Proposed Action:
The Commission has the authority under G.S. 113-264 to license, regulate, prohibit, or restrict the public as to the use and enjoyment of Commission property and may charge a reasonable fee for access to or use of the property. Because of the increased demand for access and impacts of large user groups, there is a need to regulate and track use by organized entities.
Proposed Rule Text:
15A NCAC 10H .1801 General Requirements and Fees
15A NCAC 10H .1802 Commercial Use Permits
15A NCAC 10H .1803 Event Permits
Fiscal Note:
Commercial Activity Permitting Fiscal Note
Public Hearing Information:
Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual - Zoom Online Webinar
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
- Registration is required. Click to Register.
- Join by phone: Toll free (833) 568-8864, Webinar ID: 161 965 5512 and registration passcode.
Submit a Comment:
- Online: Comment Portal
- Email: regulations@ncwildlife.org
- Mail written comments to: Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701
Public Comment Period Ends: July 15, 2024
Pender County NWZ and LAWA 2024-2025 Deer Season (Permanent)
Reason for Proposed Action:
The proposed amendments will establish a no-wake zone along the Town of Surf City waterfront in the waters of Topsail Sound and part of Topsail Creek to mitigate hazards to boater safety, navigation and maneuverability around submerged hazards, and to protect water recreationists in congested waters around busy commercial areas.
Proposed Rule Text:
15A NCAC 10F .0321 - Pender County
Reason for Proposed Action:
Buffalo Cove, South Mountains, and Kings Creek Game Lands all have acreage in both the western and northwestern deer zones. The current deer season framework for these game lands is consistent with the western season. Changes to the deer rule adopted as part of the 2024-2025 Annual Cycle shift the western blackpowder and gun season to allow the blackpowder season to begin two Saturdays before Thanksgiving and run for two weeks, and the gun season to begin the Saturday after Thanksgiving and run until January 1. The proposed amendments for these game lands are needed to reflect the newly adopted framework.
Proposed Rule Text:
15A NCAC 10D .0209 - Buffalo Cove Game Land in Caldwell and Wilkes Counties
15A NCAC 10D .0243 - Kings Creek Game Land in Caldwell and Wilkes Counties
15A NCAC 10D .0276 - South Mountains Game Land in Burke, Cleveland, McDowell, and Rutherford Counties
Public Hearing Information:
Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual - Zoom Online Webinar
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
- Registration required. Click to Register.
- Join by phone. Toll free (833) 568-8864, Webinar ID: 161 424 0928 and registration passcode.
Submit a Comment:
- Online: Comment Portal
- Email: regulations@ncwildlife.org
- Mail written comments to: NCWRC, Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C 27699-1701
Public Comment Period Ends: July 15, 2024
Proposed Regulation Updates
To receive updates on proposed regulations, email regulations@ncwildlife.org.
Subjecting a Proposed Rule to Legislative Review
Written objections to proposed rules can be submitted to the Rules Review Commission. If the Rules Review Commission receives written and signed objections from 10 or more individuals clearly requesting review by the legislature and the Rules Review Commission approves the rule, the rule will become effective as provided in G.S.150B-21.3(b1). The Rules Review Commission will receive written objections until 5:00 p.m. on the day following the day the Rules Review Commission approves the rule. The Rules Review Commission will receive those objections by mail, delivery service, hand delivery, or facsimile transmission.
Rule Suggestions
As part of the Annual Cycle Rulemaking Process, the Commission considers suggestions and recommendations from NCWRC staff and the public. If you have a suggestion or recommendation you would like to be considered, please submit them here.