County moves to consolidate erosion and stormwater rules; public hearing set for Nov. 5

Gloucester County staff on Oct. 7 briefed the Board of Supervisors on a proposed consolidation of local erosion, sediment-control and stormwater-management regulations into a single county ordinance to conform with new state rules. The board voted to advertise a public hearing for Nov. 5 to receive public comment on the draft.

Kevin Landry, director of environmental programs, summarized the regulatory history, noting the state completed a unified Virginia erosion and stormwater management regulation (VESMP) effective July 1. The consolidated local ordinance would replace two existing county chapters and simplify references for applicants and reviewers.

Landry said the draft local ordinance includes program efficiencies (a shorter single document), use of the new state stormwater handbook, an expanded option to use agreements in lieu of a full stormwater management plan for certain farm buildings, and a plan to inspect and maintain existing stormwater best-management practices (BMPs). He also proposed expanding use of county contract inspectors for large projects (30 acres and up) with the inspector cost passed to developers, and increasing after-the-fact permit fees to discourage unpermitted land disturbance.

Landry flagged an upcoming DEQ proposal to raise state permit fees, which could reduce Gloucestershire’s retained portion of fee revenue, and suggested the county consider fee adjustments in 2026 to preserve program funding. He also recommended revisiting a watershed-tier mapping approach used in the past, which staff said has been time-consuming and seldom used by applicants.

Supervisors approved setting a public hearing for Nov. 5 and asked staff to return with additional detail on proposed fee changes and the use and funding of contract inspectors. The draft ordinance and a staff summary of changes were included in the meeting packet.