The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was enacted by Congress to help communities plan for chemical emergencies. It also requires industry to report on the storage, use and releases of hazardous substances to federal, state, and local governments. EPCRA requires state and local governments, and Indian tribes to use this information to prepare their community from potential risks.  In addition to this federal law, North Carolina has additional requirements enacted by the Hazardous Chemicals Right to Know Act.

Both laws require commercial users to report hazardous chemicals stored at their facilities.  These reports are called "Tier II Reports" and must be filed by any facility that stores or possess hazardous chemicals (defined as chemicals requiring a Material Safety Data Sheet) in quantities equal to or exceeding the lesser of 55 gallons/500 pounds/Threshold Planning Quantity in accordance with North Carolina's Hazardous Chemicals Right to Know Act.

Dare County only accepts Tier II filings via E-Plan.  This online filing system will allow emergency responders instant access to this information during emergency operations and facilities to easily track and maintain this valuable information. 

E-Plan can be accessed at erplan.net/eplan/home.htm;  there are tutorial available on the site to help guide you through the filing process.  Additional information can be obtained at North Carolina Department of Public Safety website at EPCRA-Tier-2.