In addition, trout farm site analysis is required to determine if wetlands will be impacted. The 404 permit takes about 3-4 months to process and is required before construction is initiated on the farm or intake site. The effluent discharge permit is required for trout farms producing more than 20,000 pounds and using more than 5,000 pounds of feed in any month.
Most trout farms qualify for a general permit, which takes about one month to process.
The Division may require an individual permit, which extends the amount of time to process the application. In most cases, there is no fee for this permit, which is required before propagation occurs. North Carolina Department of Agriculture - Propagation Permit NCDA requires all commercial trout farmers to have a propagation permit. There is no fee for the permit, which is valid for 5 years. Additional Requirements County Planning Departments may require additional permits to construct a trout farm.