Erosion and Sediment Control Application

The following roles and definitions are only applicable to the Erosion and Sediment Control Certificate of Approval Application. Please refer to the information on the NCG01 AccessDEQ Permit System for webpage for additional guidance regarding User Roles for the NCG01 Application.

• Responsible Official (RO) is defined as the representative with the authority to be the primary decision-maker for the property or business function.​
  • This role is responsible and accountable for compliance. ​
  • Signature Authority​
  • Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
  • Manage My Team – add DRO, Preparer, Certifier and Admin
  • Examples: Owner, Operator, Plant Manager, Corporate Officer, Elected Official, LLC owner/operator, etc.​
• Delegated Responsible Official (DRO) is defined as a duly Authorized Representative that has been given specific powers/authority to act on the behalf of the RO. Delegation of duties to the Authorized Representative must be approved in advanced and documented. This role can submit applications and compliance reports.​
  • A DRO does not have to be an employee of the organization, it can be anyone that had been Authorized by the organization to represent it.
  • Permit process to trigger the review of DROs assigned to a RO account for the short-term project DROs​
  • Signature Authority​
  • Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/Reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
  • Manage My Team – add Preparer, Certifier and Admin​
  • Examples: Public Works Director, High Ranking Official, etc.​
• Preparer is defined as someone that prepares permit applications or compliance reports on behalf of the DRO or RO. ​
  • This role cannot submit applications or compliance reports.​
  • Can pay fees on behalf of the DRO or RO once an application has been submitted by the RO/DRO
  • Examples: Consultant, Agent, Contractor, etc.​
• Financial Administrator is defined as someone that can pay bills/fees on behalf of the DRO or RO.​
  • Examples: Finance, Billing Agent, etc

Items Needed for Permit Application for Erosion and Sedimentation Control: 

• A completed Financial Responsibility/Ownership Form (FROF) application submitted through the AccessDEQ Permit Portal - This online application has replaced the old paper form that had to be notarized and mailed to the Regional Office. The online application requires the responsible party to go through an identity verification step. In your application you must include any pertinent deed and easement information as well as the latitude and longitude of the project. If the landowner is different from the financially responsible party (i.e. the primary applicant), a signed and dated agreement between the landowner and the financially responsible party must also be provided; the title of signature authority is to be included. 
• Plan Review Fee: See below tabs for further fee breakdown. 
• A copy of the property deed, easements or other documentation of property ownership for all affected parcels of land. 
• A completed Plan Checklist for Designers (Fillable PDF)
• A digital copy of the erosion control plan. The maximum file upload size in the AccessDEQ Portal is 100MB. Please split larger plan sets into appropriate sizes. (Note: only PDF files are accepted in the system)
• A project narrative, all pertinent design calculations, construction details and a detailed construction sequence or schedule. 
• IF impacts to Riparian Buffers are proposed, the Riparian Buffer Authorization from the Department of Water Resources MUST be provided. 

When & Where to Submit Your Permit Application for Erosion and Sedimentation Control: 

According to State requirements, an E&SC plan must be filed when any land-disturbing activity will disturb more than on acre. Plans must be submitted 30 or more days prior to initiating the land disturbing activity Plans may be filed less than 30 days prior if it is approved to be submitted under an Express Permit Program; see the Express Review sections below for additional details. The E&SC plan must be approved by the regulatory agency before any land-disturbing activities are begun. 

The Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan, application supporting documents and the review fees may be submitted through the AccessDEQ Permit Portal.  

Additional guidance, information and assistance is available by contacting the One Stop Permit/Express Coordinator serving your area. 

**For Projects that fall under the jurisdiction of a Delegated Local Program contact the appropriate local government for application and fee submission requirement. Because Local Programs vary and may be more stringent than State requirements, consult the administering agency to avoid violations of local ordinances.

Please Note: Phasing may be required on large projects and will be at the discretion of the review engineer.  

Standard Review fee is calculated based on the amount of proposed disturbed area. As of July 1, 2025, the fee is $119 per acre of disturbance or part thereof. 

For example: 

The total Standard Review fee for a project of 2.5 acres of disturbed acres would be: $119 x 3 = $357

The total Standard Review fee for a project of 8.0 acres of disturbed acres would be: $119 x 8 = $952

Note:  Those paying by paper check should make the check payable to ‘NCDEQ’ and hand-deliver or mail it to the appropriate regional office.  Visit DEQ Regional Offices Page for a list of regional office addresses.   

Application documents or fees that are submitted to the incorrect office, such as to the central office, will have to be re-routed to the appropriate regional office and can result in the delay of plan approvals.

To request an Express Review, contact the appropriate Regional Office to get the express review availability. If an Express Review is available, you will need to submit your application through the AccessDEQ Portal linked above. Upload the Express Review Form as an additional document in the application. 

• Express Review Request Form (PDF)
• Guidance and General Process Document (PDF)

Erosion and Sediment Control Express Review Fee: $264 per acre disturbed or part thereof with a maximum of $2,112 (8 acres), projects greater than 8 acres will be charged the maximum $2,112. Plus the standard review fee of $119 per acre or part thereof. 

For example: 

The total Express Review fee for a project of 5.2 acres of disturbed area would be: $264 x 6 + $119 x 6 = $2,298

The total Express Review fee for a project of 10.5 acres of disturbed area would be: $264 x 8 + $119 x 11 = $3,421

A non-refundable "Intake Fee" of $250 must be included with your Express Review Request.  If the Express Review Request is accepted, the Intake Fee will be credited towards the Express Review Fee. 

Contact the appropriate Regional Office Express Reviewer or Permit Coordinator found at the Regional Office Contacts webpage to inquire about availability prior to making a request as Express Reviews may be denied upon staffing and express workload.  

Note:  Those paying by paper check should make the check payable to ‘NCDEQ’ and hand-deliver or mail it to the appropriate regional office.  Visit DEMLR Regional Office Contact Page for a list of regional office addresses.   

Application documents or fees that are submitted to the incorrect office, such as to the central office, will have to be re-routed to the appropriate regional office and can result in the delay of plan approvals.

Financially Responsible Parties for residential lots under an individual lot plan approval involving a land disturbance of less than one acre may transfer their financial responsibility in accordance with G.S. 113A-54.1(f). The Transfer of Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Financial Responsibility Notice and the new Statement of Financial Responsibility for Erosion and Sedimentation Control are to be submitted as a revision to the approved plan through the NC Access DEQ Portal.