Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area (CCPCUA) Water Withdrawal Permit

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Water Level Recovery Maps
Click on each image to see the recovery movie. These maps show contoured water level recovery in the Upper Cape Fear and Black Creek aquifers (5 foot contour interval). Each graphic is a link to a movie showing the recovery process every year. In 2021, there was a reclassification of one monitoring well in Onslow County, which has changed the Upper Cape Fear recovery map and movie dramatically. However, the current picture is a more accurate depiction of recovery for the Upper Cape Fear aquifer. The GWMB Map Interface (also in left-hand menu) offers the MAKE POTMAP tool which allows the end user to create potentiometric surface maps for the regional aquifer and time period of interest.
Upper Cape Fear Aquifer	Black Creek Aquifer

Groundwater levels have shown improvements after the Neuse Regional Water and Sewer Authority start-up in Fall 2008. More recent changes near Jacksonville, Onslow County and Cove City, Craven County are associated with use of their new Castle Hayne aquifer well fields starting in 2010 by Jacksonville and New Bern, respectively. All alternative water supplies help to improve the overuse problem.

Legend

Introduction

The Environmental Management Commission has designated the 15 highlighted counties shown on the map to the left as the Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area and approved the CCPCUA rules which create a groundwater use permitting process. The CCPCUA rules became effective August 1, 2002.

Permits are required for groundwater users of more than 100,000 gallons per day.
Annual registration and reporting of withdrawals is required for surface and groundwater users of more than 10,000 gallons per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flow chart of CUA permitting process

Rule Re-adoption of 15A NCAC 02E

Environmental Management Commission readopted 15A NCAC 02E .0500 CCPCUA rules as of January 1, 2022. Link to the readopted 15A NCAC 02E rules.

Background Information

December 1968 to August 1, 2002

Capacity Use Area #1

November 1998

The CCP Capacity Use Investigation Report of November 1998 is available as a pdf file.
Check out the groundwater strategy for the CCP (1998-2000).
The most recent CCPCUA fact sheet is available here.

February 28, 2001

The CCPCUA rules were initially approved by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) at their December 14, 2000 meeting. The November 2000 Hearing Officers' Report includes the December 14, 2000 rules. The CCPCUA rules were on the agenda for the Rules Review Commission (RRC) February 28, 2001 meeting where all rules were approved except 15A NCAC .0502.

April 12, 2001

The EMC approved this revised version of the CCPCUA rules on April 12, 2001 (with highlighted revisions from the December 2000 version). On April 19, 2001 the RRC approved revisions to .0502 made by the EMC, but after hearing objections to the rules from a representative of the NC Aggregates Association, they raised one new objection to ambiguous language in .0502(k).

May 10, 2001

The EMC approved this revised version of the CCPCUA rules on May 10, 2001 (with highlighted revisions from the April 2001 version). This latest version was approved by the RRC on May 17, 2001.

August 1, 2002

These are the Approved CCPCUA Rules and associated map.
Rules became effective August 1, 2002.
Here is an interesting quote and information we have on land subsidence.

May 2021

Notice of Public Hearing for Rules Re-adoption of 15A NCAC 02E (Water Use Registration and Allocation):
Notice is hereby given in accordance with G.S. 150B-21.3A(c)(2)g. that the Environmental Management Commission intends to readopt with substantive changes the rules cited as 15A NCAC 02E .0301, .0501, .0502, .0504, .0505, .0507, .0602, .0603, .0605-.0615, readopt without substantive changes the rules cited as 15A NCAC 02E .0106, .0107, .0601, .0604, and repeal through readoption the rules cited as 15A NCAC 02E .0503 and .0506.. Virtual Public Hearing Date: May 20, 2021, Time: 6:00pm
Link to Notice of Public Hearing and 15A NCAC 02E Rules

November 18, 2021

The EMC approved revisions based on public comment from the Public Hearing. Link: Hearing Officer Report for 15A NCAC 02E Rule Re-adoption - 2021

January 1, 2022

Re-adopted rules become effective on January 1, 2022. Link: 15A NCAC 02E Re-adopted Rules - 2022

Permit Application and Reporting Forms

Permit applications are due for groundwater users of more than 100,000 gallons per day. On-line application is available.

Permit Application Form (pdf)
Permit Application Form Table III Sheet (pdf)
Permit Application Form Reduction Worksheet (pdf)

Before a permit is issued or denied, quarterly reporting of daily water use and monthly water levels must start with the quarter ending in September 2002. Reports are due by 30 days after the end of each quarter. Under permit, monthly reporting will usually be required. On-line reporting is available.

Water Withdrawal Reporting Form (pdf)
Water Level Reporting Form (pdf)

10,000 GPD Water Use Registration Form

Annual registration and withdrawal reporting forms are due for both surface and groundwater users of more than 10,000 gallons per day.

10,000 GPD Water Use Registration Form (pdf)

The CCPCUA Rules and Water Use Act

On-line application is available.

CCPCUA Rules (pdf)
Water Use Act of 1967 (pdf -- includes changes listed below)
- House Bill 1399 Approved June 19, 2009 (pdf)

Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area Public Notices

Choose: active, inactive_2024, inactive_2023, inactive_2022, inactive_2021, inactive_2020, inactive_2019, inactive_2018, inactive_2017, inactive_2016, inactive_2015, inactive_2014, inactive_2013, inactive_2012, inactive_2011, inactive_2010, inactive_2009

Sort using: date, county, permit

Miscellaneous Information

If you have any questions or comments contact [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected].
The presentation of the CCPCUA 2019 Status Report to the EMC Water Allocation Committee is available for download (2.9 mb pdf).
The Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area 2019 Status Report is available for download (4.8 mb pdf).
The presentation of the 2018 CCPCUA Assessment to the EMC on October 10, 2018 is available for download (29.4 mb pdf).
The presentation of the 2018 CCPCUA Assessment to the EMC Water Allocation Committee is available for download (22.2 mb pdf).
The 2018 Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area Assessment Report is available for download (4.5 mb pdf).
The presentation of the CCPCUA 2018 Assessment Plan to the EMC Water Allocation Committee is available for download (1.2 mb pdf).
The presentation of the CCPCUA 2014 Status Report to the EMC Water Allocation Committee is available for download (2.9 mb pdf).
The Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area 2014 Status Report is available for download (4.3 mb pdf).
The UNC Environmental Finance Center NC Water and Wastewater Rates Dashboard allows comparison of water and wastewater rates between different utilities and state averages.
The 2013 CCPCUA Assessment Report Summary is available for download (516 kb pdf).
The 2013 CCPCUA Assessment Report is available for download (10.7 mb pdf).
The November 2013 presentation to the EMC Water Allocation Committee about the the assessment report is available for download (5.4 mb pdf).
The Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area 2009 Status Report is available for download (11.3 mb pdf).
The 2008 Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area Assessment Report is available for download (2.1 mb pdf).
Status of alternative water supply development in the CCPCUA as of July 30, 2019 (pdf).
The Cretaceous Water Bank Guidance Document is available for download (pdf).
The Central Coastal Plain Capacity Use Area 2004 Status Report is available for download (6.9 mb pdf).
You may download the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 Department of Agriculture's North Carolina Agricultural Water Use report which is available as a PDF file.
You may download the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005-06, or 2007 Department of Agriculture's Central Coastal Plain Water Use Study which are available as PDF files.
You may download the zipped, GIS shape files of the Cretaceous aquifer zones (units are state-plane meters).
You may access our hydrogeologic database and other groundwater data on-line.

2013 Public Comment Forum

If you would like to add a comment, please contact [email protected]

Your comment here...
2013-07-22 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Camp Lejeune MCAS.
2013-07-15 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the City of Jacksonville and Greene County.
2013-07-12 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Town of Farmville.
2012-06-17 -- Gabrielle Chianese: Mailed out 2nd draft, 2013 assessment public notice to permit holders and other interested parties.
2013-05-30 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Eastern Pines Water Corporation.
2013-05-29 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the City of Kinston.
2013-05-28 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the City of Jacksonville and Town of Pink Hill.
2013-05-24 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Neuse Regional WASA.
2013-05-14 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Neuse Regional WASA.
2013-05-13 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Town of Grifton.
2013-05-08 -- Nat Wilson: Water Allocation Committee members heard a presentation about the public meeting.
2013-05-02 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Deep Run Water Corporation.
2013-04-30 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Bell Arthur Water Corporation.
2013-04-17 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR has received the following comments from the Town of Snow Hill, NRWASA, and the City of Kinston with transmittal email.
2013-04-16 -- Gabrielle Chianese: DWR's public meeting was held at the Lenoir Community College in Kinston. Forty four people registered and 10 people made comments. Elected and appointed officials and many utility representatives attended such as GUC, NRWASA, Eastern Pines Water Corporation, Greene County, City of Kinston, Town of La Grange, Bell Arthur Water Corporation, Craven County. The last 30 minutes of the meeting was open discussion between Dr. Richard Spruill and attendees. DWR made this hand-out available to attendees and the web conference recording is also available.

Half of the comments were in support of the draft assessment document with the exception of a couple of proposed criteria that DWR would require to be able to alter a permit holder's reduction schedule. The other half of the comments received oppose any relaxation of the reduction requirements since some permit holders went above and beyond the full 3 phases of reductions and they do not want others to reap the benefits of their efforts to find an alternate water source.
2013-03-14 -- Gabrielle Chianese: Issued a public notice for the draft CCPCUA 2013 assessment document.
2013-03-13 -- Nat Wilson: Water Allocation Committee members heard a presentation about the draft CCPCUA 2013 assessment document and approved the division's request to make the document available to the public and hold a public meeting set for 12:45 to 4:00 pm on April 16, 2013 in the Administration Building auditorium at Lenoir Community College in Kinston.
2013-01-09 -- Nat Wilson: Water Allocation Committee members seemed interested to hear about forthcoming 2013 assessment materials to review and the prospect of some controversy.
2012-12-28 -- Gabrielle Chianese: Mailed out 2013 assessment public notice to permit holders and other interested parties.

Query the Capacity Use Area Databases

These databases are "works-in-progress" and are made available to the general public after best efforts to screen out errors -- but we may have missed a few. We encourage everyone who uses this data to help us check for mistakes or omissions.