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.
Reason for Proposed Action:
The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are proposing temporary rules to implement mandatory harvest reporting requirements passed by the N.C. General Assembly in Session Law 2023-137, Section 6. The law requires that any person who recreationally harvests Red Drum, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout), Striped Bass, and Weakfish (Gray Trout) must report that harvest to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). Additionally, it requires anyone holding a commercial fishing license who is engaged in a commercial fishing operation to report all fish harvested to DMF, regardless of sale.
To implement these requirements, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission are proposing temporary rules for mandatory harvest reporting.
To submit comments on the Wildlife Resources Commission's proposed temporary rule, use the submit a comment links below.
To submit comments on the Marine Fisheries Commission's proposed temporary rules, visit the NCDMF Public Comments webpage.
15A NCAC 10C .0218 Harvest Reporting Requirements
Public Hearing Information:
Date: May 1, 2024 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Virtual - Zoom Online Webinar
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Submit a Comment:
Public Comment Period Ends: May 20, 2024
Amendments to 15A NCAC 10I .0100 Endangered and Threatened Species Rules.
Proposed Rule Text:
15A NCAC 10I .0102 Protection of Endangered/Threatened/Special Concern - Proposed rule was determined to be “necessary with substantive public interest” and is required to be readopted as part of the periodic review. Amendments were made to clarify requirements and conditions for: - take, possession, sale, propagation, transport, import, export, transfer, barter, trade, or stocking endangered, threatened, or special concern species; - application of an endangered species permit; - take and possession without a permit; and - reporting.
15A NCAC 10I .0103 Endangered Species Listed - Proposed amendments update names of species, change listing statuses, and incorporate technical edits.
15A NCAC 10I .0104 Threatened Species Listed - Proposed amendments update names of species, change listing statuses, and incorporate technical edits.
15A NCAC 10I .0105 Special Concern Species Listed - Proposed amendments update names of species, change listing statuses, and incorporate technical edits.
Fiscal Note:
Endangered and Threatened Species Fiscal Note
Public Hearing Information: Date: May 21, 2024 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Virtual - Zoom Online Webinar
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device:
Public Comment Period Ends: May 31, 2024
Proposed temporary rule amendments are necessary to be consistent with the preferred management option for the Striped Mullet Fisheries Management Plan Amendment 2 and the pending Division of Marine Fisheries proclamation, the proposed rule amendments will reduce the daily creel limit for Striped and White Mullet to 100 fish in aggregate and establish a limit of no more than 400 fish total per boat.
Rule:
15A NCAC 10C .0422 - Striped Mullet and White Mullet
Proposed temporary rule amendments to Buffalo Cove, Kings Creek, and South Mountains Game Lands will be necessary, to reflect the newly adopted framework, if the 2024-2025 Annual Cycle Wildlife Management Deer Rule is approved, shifting 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 current deer season framework for these game lands is consistent with the western season.
Rules:
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
Date: May 14, 2024 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Virtual - Zoom Online Webinar
To receive updates on proposed regulations, email
regulations@ncwildlife.org.
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.
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.