In addition to the definitions set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-212 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-213, the following definitions apply to this Part.

(1) “Mainstem” means that portion of a river having the same name as a river basin defined in subdivision (1b) of this section. “Mainstem” does not include named or unnamed tributaries.

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Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 143-215.22G

  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3

(1a) “Public water system” means any unit of local government or large community water system subject to the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-355(l).

(1b) “River basin” means any of the following river basins designated on the map entitled “Major River Basins and Sub-basins in North Carolina” and filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on 16 April 1991. The term “river basin” includes any portion of the river basin that extends into another state. Any area outside North Carolina that is not included in one of the river basins listed in this subdivision comprises a separate river basin.

a. 1-1 Broad River.

b. 2-1 Haw River.

c. 2-2 Deep River.

d. 2-3 Cape Fear River.

e. 2-4 South River.

f. 2-5 Northeast Cape Fear River.

g. 2-6 New River.

h. 3-1 Catawba River.

i. 3-2 South Fork Catawba River.

j. 4-1 Chowan River.

k. 4-2 Meherrin River.

l. 5-1 Nolichucky River.

m. 5-2 French Broad River.

n. 5-3 Pigeon River.

o. 6-1 Hiwassee River.

p. 7-1 Little Tennessee River.

q. 7-2 Tuskasegee (Tuckasegee) River.

r. 8-1 Savannah River.

s. 9-1 Lumber River.

t. 9-2 Big Shoe Heel Creek.

u. 9-3 Waccamaw River.

v. 9-4 Shallotte River.

w. 10-1 Neuse River.

x. 10-2 Contentnea Creek.

y. 10-3 Trent River.

z. 11-1 New River.

aa. 12-1 Albemarle Sound.

bb. 13-1 Ocoee River.

cc. 14-1 Roanoke River.

dd. 15-1 Tar River.

ee. 15-2 Fishing Creek.

ff. 15-3 Pamlico River and Sound.

gg. 16-1 Watauga River.

hh. 17-1 White Oak River.

ii. 18-1 Yadkin (Yadkin-Pee Dee) River.

jj. 18-2 South Yadkin River.

kk. 18-3 Uwharrie River.

ll. 18-4 Rocky River.

(2) “Surface water” means any of the waters of the State located on the land surface that are not derived by pumping from groundwater.

(3) “Transfer” means the withdrawal, diversion, or pumping of surface water from one river basin and discharge of all or any part of the water in a river basin different from the origin. However, notwithstanding the basin definitions in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-215.22G(1b), the following are not transfers under this Part:

a. The discharge of water upstream from the point where it is withdrawn.

b. The discharge of water downstream from the point where it is withdrawn. (1991, c. 712, s. 1; 1993, c. 348, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 15.48(b); 2013-388, s. 1.)