The State Environmental Review Clearinghouse manages the N.C. Intergovernmental Environmental Review process. The primary purpose of the process is to notify potentially affected state/local agencies and the public of proposed state development activities in their jurisdiction. Further the process offers a means for agencies with expertise and/or the public to review the environmental assessment/impact documents prepared for the proposed activity and offer comments regarding the adequacy/accuracy of the impact analysis. The process should provide decision makers with the information that would enable them to make an informed decision of the environmental consequences of their actions. This process is not to veto a proposed activity but to offer input as to the environmental consequences of that action.

The State Environmental Review Clearinghouse also assists federal agencies in meeting their requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Federal agencies are encouraged by federal regulation to use State Clearinghouses (where available) as a means of making available their impact documents to state/local agencies and the public for review and comment.

Among its responsibilities the Clearinghouse undertakes the following activities:

1. Receives and circulates NEPA and SEPA documents to state agencies and local governments (via the Councils of Governments)
2. Receives comments on state projects under SEPA and makes the appropriate recommendation as per state administrative rules.
3. Receives comments on the projects submitted for circulation under NEPA and forwards any comments received to the appropriate federal agency for their consideration.
4. Publishes the North Carolina Environmental Bulletin which is comprised of a summary of documents available for review and comment. The Bulletin is available on the Internet at http://www.doa.state.nc.us/clearing/ebnet.htm.
5. Retains a central depository of environment impact documents prepared for projects in North Carolina that are of such size and complexity to require the preparation of an environmental analysis.