Environmental Audits under N.D.C.C. ch. 32-40.2
The State of North Dakota has implemented a procedure for industry to conduct
self-audits of operations to assess environmental compliance. The audits
are voluntary, internal, and comprehensive evaluations that are intended to prevent
noncompliance with environmental laws, rules, or permits enforced under
chapters 23.1-04 (Hazardous Waste), 23.1-06 (Air Pollution), 23.1-08 (Solid Waste),
38-08 (Gas & Oil Resources), or 61-28 (Surface Water Pollution). Environmental
audits may be conducted by an owner, operator, or prospective owner or operator.
Environmental audits are expected to provide benefits to industry, regulators,
the public, and the environment in North Dakota.
An Environmental Audit may be conducted at any time. However, to gain protection against enforcement,
the process described in N.D.C.C. ch. 32-40.2 and summarized in the
NDDEQ Environmental Audit Policy (pdf)
must be followed. This Audit Summary Form (Excel)
should be used to comply with Section 5.3 of the NDDEQ Environmental Audit Policy.
Note that all audit documents and correspondence must be submitted in writing to:
deq-legal@nd.gov. This email address should be added to the company’s
address book as all communication will be through this email and may contain time-sensitive
information.
