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046 <br /> Role of the EMC <br /> The EMC ( with the NC Division of Environmental Management (DEM) as its <br /> staff) is the State's appointed board on environmental and resource protection. Its <br /> charge was to: <br /> Develop and adopt watershed protection minimum rules, classifications and <br /> standards; and <br /> Classify each watersupply watershed across the State into categories <br /> consistent with these rules. <br /> The EMC created five watershed classifications for freshwater supplies. These <br /> classifications are based on the amount of existing and proposed development in <br /> the watershed and the quality of the water in streams feeding the water source and <br /> are generally described as follows: <br /> WS-I watersheds are essentially natural and undeveloped with no permitted <br /> wastewater discharges. <br /> WS-II watersheds are predominantly undeveloped, with only General Permit <br /> wastewater discharges allowed. <br /> WS-III watersheds are low to moderately developed. <br /> WS-IV watersheds are moderately to highly developed. <br /> WS-V watersheds are generally upstream of WS-IV waters and have no special <br /> watershed development or wastewater discharge restrictions. <br /> Each classification has different protection measures designed to protect the <br /> existing quality of water. For example, the type and intensity of development <br /> allowed in the higher-quality WS-I and WS-II watersheds are more restrictive than <br /> that allowed in WS-III and WS-IV watersheds. A Table (8 1/2" X 14) prepared by <br /> DEM summarizing the minimum protection measures for each classification as <br /> adopted by the EMC is included as a separate enclosure. <br /> Role of Local Governments <br /> Local governments were required to develop and implement watershed protection <br /> programs and ordinances that provide for maintenance, inspection and enforcement <br /> in a manner which is at least as restrictive as the minimum rules adopted by the <br /> EMC (hereinafter referred to as "State Mandate"). Failure to implement such <br /> programs by January 1, 1994 will result in the EMC's assumption of enforcement <br /> and administration of a watershed protection program and the right to impose fines <br /> of up to $10,000 per month. <br />