Wetlands board staff: unpaid mitigation fees block new permits; one property owner likely to pay

County permitting staff told the Accomack County Wetlands Board that mitigation fees remain outstanding on two properties assessed after prior wetlands actions and that the county has taken administrative steps to prevent new permits until payment is received.

Paul Watson, director of Code Administration, said the fee assessed for Kaylee (name referenced in discussion) has been paid but letters to owners Buckland and Burke were either delivered or returned unclaimed. “We already have put it into our permitting system, such that these properties cannot get new permits until it's paid,” Watson said.

Watson reported he spoke with Buckland at length and that Buckland indicated he would pay; staff reissued an invoice with an online payment link. The certified letter to Burke was returned unclaimed; Watson said the county will pursue further contact and that the next enforcement step could be obtaining a judgment that places the unpaid fee as a lien on the property so it cannot be conveyed until the debt is resolved.

Raymond Britton Sr., who spoke after being sworn, described conversations he had with a property owner who said they had not previously received notice of the obligation and that contract language did not list the fee. Watson and board members said the county would continue to follow a step-by-step enforcement process and try to resolve payment informally before seeking a judgment that would encumber the property.

Board members asked that staff report back at a future meeting; staff said they expected follow-up and hoped Buckland would have paid by the board's next meeting in October.