Title 23.1, Environmental Quality

For purposes of this chapter: 1. "Air contaminant" means any solid, liquid, gas, or odorous substance, or any combination of solid, liquid, gas, or odorous substance. 2. "Air pollution" means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants in such quantitie…

It is the public policy of this state and the legislative intent of this chapter to achieve and maintain the best air quality possible, consistent with the best available control technology, to protect human health, welfare, and property, to prevent injury to plant and animal lif…

1. The department shall develop and coordinate a statewide program of air pollution control. To accomplish this, the department shall: a. Encourage the voluntary cooperation of persons to achieve the purposes of this chapter. b. Determine by scientifically oriented field studies …

1. The department shall administer and enforce a licensing program for asbestos contractors and lead-based paint contractors and a certification program for asbestos workers and lead-based paint workers. To do so, the department shall: a. Require training of, and to examine, asbe…

The department may not adopt ambient air quality rules or standards for sulfur dioxide that affect coal conversion facilities or petroleum refineries that are more strict than federal rules or standards under the federal Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.], nor may the departm…

1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, the department may not adopt air quality rules or standards affecting coal conversion and associated facilities, coal- fueled electric generating units, petroleum refineries, or oil and gas production and processing facilitie…

1. After consultation with the environmental review advisory council the department, by rule, may classify air contaminant sources according to levels and types of emissions and other criteria that relate to air pollution, and may require reporting for any class. Classifications …

1. A person may not construct, install, modify, use, or operate an air contaminant source designated by regulation, capable of causing or contributing to air pollution, either directly or indirectly, without a permit from the department or in violation of any conditions imposed b…

The department by rule may prescribe and provide for the payment and collection of reasonable fees for permits and registration certificates. The fees must be based on the anticipated cost of filing and processing the application, taking action on the requested permit or registra…

1. Any duly authorized officer, employee, or agent of the department may enter and inspect any property, premise, or place on or at which an air contaminant source is located or is being constructed, installed, or established at any reasonable time for the purpose of ascertaining…

1. Any record, report, or information obtained under this chapter must be available to the public. However, upon a showing satisfactory to the department that disclosure to the public of a part of the record, report, or information, other than emission data, to which the departme…

Any proceeding under this chapter for the issuance or modification of rules and regulations, including emergency orders relating to control of air pollution, or determining compliance with rules and regulations of the department, must be conducted in accordance with chapter 28-32…

1. A person that willfully violates this chapter, or any permit condition, rule, order, limitation, or other applicable requirement implementing this chapter, is subject to a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars per day per violation, or by imprisonment for not more than on…

1. In areas located within a city or the area over which a city has exercised extraterritorial zoning as defined in section 40-47-01.1, a person may not discharge into the ambient air any objectionable odorous air contaminant that measures seven odor concentration units or higher…

1. Consistent with the federal Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] and the regulations adopted under the Clean Air Act, the department shall develop and implement a state regional haze plan in accordance with this section. 2. The state regional haze plan must include an analys…

It is the policy of the state of North Dakota to protect the public health and welfare of the people of the state and the state's water resources by classifying all public water supply and wastewater disposal systems in the state and by requiring the examination of operators and …

For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Certificate" means a certificate of competency issued by the department stating that the operator holding the certificate meets the requirements for the specified operator grade in the certification progr…

The department shall classify all water treatment plants, water distribution systems, wastewater treatment plants, and wastewater collection systems with due regard to the size, type, character of water and wastewater to be treated, and other physical conditions affecting such fa…

When the department is satisfied an applicant is qualified by examination or otherwise to supervise the operation of treatment plants and systems, the department shall issue a certificate attesting to the competency of the applicant as an operator. The certificate must indicate t…

The department by rule may prescribe and provide for the payment and collection of reasonable fees for certificates issued under this chapter. The fees must be based on the anticipated cost of filing and processing applications for operator certification, preparing and administer…

The department shall: 1. Hold at least one examination each year, administered by the department or a third- party examination service, at a designated time and place for the purpose of examining candidates for certification. 2. Promote the program of certification of water suppl…

1. A proceeding under this chapter to adopt or modify rules relating to the certification and regulation of water distribution and wastewater system operators, or for determining compliance with rules of the department, must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapt…

Except as provided in this section, it is unlawful for any person to operate a water treatment plant or water distribution system serving twenty-five or more individuals or a wastewater treatment plant or wastewater collection system serving a population equivalent of twenty-five…

1. A person that violates this chapter, a rule implementing this chapter, or an order issued by the department under this chapter is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars per day of violation. 2. A person that willfully violates this chapter or the rules …

1. The department shall award wastewater infrastructure grants to eligible entities identified in subsection 2 to upgrade, replace, or construct infrastructure for a wastewater collection system, wastewater disposal system, or wastewater treatment plant. 2. Cities, counties, town…

The legislative assembly finds that: 1. The people of North Dakota have a right to a clean environment, and the costs of maintaining a clean environment through the efficient environmentally acceptable management of solid wastes should be borne by those who use such services. 2. …

1. "Auxiliary container" means a bag, cup, bottle, straw, or other packaging, whether reusable or single-use, which is: a. Made of cloth, paper, plastic, corrugated material, aluminum, glass, postconsumer recycled material, or a similar material or substrate, including a coated, …

The department shall: 1. Administer and enforce the state solid waste management program under this chapter. 2. Provide technical assistance on request to political subdivisions of the state and cooperate with appropriate federal agencies in carrying out the duties under this cha…

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative assembly deems the present use and disposal of coal combustion residuals to be acceptable and that present regulation allows for the beneficial use of coal combustion residuals in concrete, for other construction applica…

Any political subdivision of the state may enact and enforce a solid waste management ordinance that is equal to or more stringent than this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a political subdivision may not adopt or enforce an ordinance that: a. Regulates the use or disposition of an auxiliary container; b. Prohibits or restricts an auxiliary container; or c. Imposes a fee, charge, or tax on an auxiliary …

1. A person may not discard and abandon litter, furniture, or major appliances upon public property or upon private property not owned by that person, unless the property is designated for the disposal of litter, furniture, or major appliances and that person is authorized to use…

1. Infectious waste must be properly treated before disposal by methods approved by the department. A person may not knowingly deposit in a landfill untreated infectious waste. 2. Except as provided in subsection 3, a person may not place in municipal waste or discard or dispose …

1. The department may issue permits for solid waste management facilities and solid waste transporters. A person may not own, operate, or use a facility for solid waste disposal or transport solid wastes without a valid permit. Upon receipt of a permit application, the department…

The department by rule may prescribe the payment and collection of reasonable fees to issue permits or registration certificates for registering, licensing, or permitting solid waste generators, transporters, and treatment, storage, recycling, or disposal facilities. The fees mus…

The solid waste management fund is a special fund in the state treasury. The Bank of North Dakota shall administer the fund. The fund is a revolving fund, subject to appropriation by the legislative assembly. The Bank may annually deduct up to one-half of one percent of the fund …

Moneys in the solid waste management fund may be used to make grants or low-interest loans to political subdivisions for waste reduction, planning, resource recovery, and recycling projects with an emphasis on marketing. An application for a grant or loan out of moneys in the sol…

The department, in cooperation with the department of water resources and the state geologist, shall develop criteria for siting a solid waste disposal facility based upon potential impact on environmental resources. Any application for a landfill permit received after the depart…

The department may not allow the storage or disposal of solid waste from outside this state, unless it is demonstrated that the governing authority or the generator of the solid waste from outside this state has an effective program for waste quality control and for waste charact…

A municipal waste landfill and a municipal waste incinerator must have at least one individual certified by the department onsite at all times during the operation of the landfill or incinerator. The department shall adopt training standards and certification requirements.

The department, after consulting with the superintendent of public instruction, shall develop and disseminate educational materials to encourage voluntary municipal waste reduction, source separation, reuse of materials, recycling efforts, and appropriate management of municipal …

Before an application for the issuance, renewal, transfer, or major modification of a permit under this chapter may be granted, the applicant shall submit to the department a disclosure statement executed under oath or affirmation. The department shall verify and may investigate …

The department may inspect all solid waste management activities and facilities, at all reasonable times, to ensure compliance with the laws of this state, the provisions of this chapter, and the rules authorized under this chapter.

A proceeding under this chapter to adopt or modify rules, including emergency orders relating to solid waste management and land protection, or determine compliance with rules of the department, must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 28-32, and appeals may…

The violation of any provision of this chapter, or any rule or order issued under the chapter is declared a nuisance inimical to the public health, welfare, and safety. Whenever in the judgment of the department a person has engaged in or is about to engage in any acts that const…

A person operating a solid waste management facility for disposal under a permit issued under this chapter shall, upon completion of the operation at each site, file a plat of the area with the recorder of each county in which the facility is located, together with a description …