Wetlands board hears update on unpaid mitigation fees; permits blocked until payment

Accomack County staff reported on outstanding wetlands mitigation fees during the Aug. 2025 Wetlands Board meeting, saying one of the two assessed property owners has indicated an intention to pay while the other’s certified notice was returned unclaimed.

Paul Watson, director of the Code Administration Division, told the board that one mitigation fee (Kaylee mitigation fee) has been paid, that certified notices were sent to property owners identified as Buckland and Burke (recorded in the file using that spelling), and that the Buckland property owner had spoken to staff and said he would pay the amount though payment had not been received at the time of the meeting. Watson said one certified letter addressed to Burke was 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. He explained the county’s next step would be seeking a judgment to place the unpaid amount as a lien on the property so the property could not be conveyed without satisfying the debt.

Board members asked staff to continue attempts to contact the property owners; Watson said staff had obtained phone and email contact information for one owner and would follow up and report back at future meetings. He said he expected the matter could be resolved by the October meeting if payments were made.

There was no formal motion or vote recorded on the unpaid-fee matter during the meeting; staff described administrative steps already taken and potential legal remedies if owners do not pay.