County and conservation district discuss new steps after March construction discharges; staff to return with targeted recommendations

County staff and representatives of the Sussex Conservation District briefed the Sussex County Council on April 8 about sediment discharges from active construction sites during a late‑March rainfall event and described a three‑part path forward that includes education, improved enforcement and potential regulatory changes.

County Administrator Andrew Lawson opened the topic with drone photographs of two construction sites where turbidity and sediment had left building sites and entered nearby waterways. Lawson noted the incidents occurred on active construction parcels and asked district staff to explain causes and potential fixes.

Jessica Watson, who manages the district’s sediment and stormwater program, told the council that the March event delivered roughly 4 inches of rain in about two hours and that “sediment erosion controls are really only good for about a 1 inch rainfall event. They will become overwhelmed, and as you saw, there will be breaches.” She described typical…