Legislature passes new storm water rules

New storm-water rules for 20 coastal counties are on the way. The House gave final approval to the new rules Monday night and sent them to Governor Easley for his signature. The rules re-work those approved by two state panels earlier this year. Developers and local governments said the earlier rules were too expensive and didn’t protect sensitive waters.

The new rules require individual land owners who build on a lot close to shell fishing waters to install rain barrels, vegetation and other controls to prevent bacteria from getting into the water.