Assessment of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Environmental Permit Review Program

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) Environmental Permit Review Program was evaluated. The objective was to classify and compare a sample of environmental permit reviews conducted in 1989 with permit disposition. A secondary objective was to assess the degree of incorporation of conditions attached to permits recommended by NCWRC personnel for approval with modification. One hundred and ten permit applications were reviewed. State and federal regulatory agencies, with few exceptions, denied fewer permit applications than were recommended for denial by the NCWRC. Survey data indicate 72% of NCWRC recommended conditions for avoiding, minimizing, or compensating for impacts to wetland areas are incorporated into permits.