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Orange County adopts revised erosion and sedimentation controls to comply with state audit
Summary
The board approved a repeal-and-replace update to Chapter 26 (erosion and sedimentation control) to meet requirements from a DEQ audit and a corrective-action agreement and to modernize local procedures and definitions.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on a 5–0 vote adopted a replacement of Chapter 26 of the county code that updates the erosion and sedimentation control ordinance to align with state program standards and address corrective actions identified by the Department of Environmental Quality.
Michelle Meiksel, director of development services, said the December 2024 DEQ audit resulted in a corrective-action agreement and that the revised ordinance implements that agreement and incorporates the state model language. “This ordinance reflects a key requirement of that audit, and it reflects the requirements of state code,” Meiksel told the board.
Key changes include updated definitions (development, land disturbance, responsible land disturber), an agreement‑in‑lieu option for some farm buildings under specific thresholds, clarified submission and approval steps, security/surety for certain projects, and language on monitoring, inspections, penalties and appeals. Staff said the rewrite replaces piecemeal edits over the years and provides clarity for both county staff and applicants.
The board received one public comment (no substantive remarks) and then moved to approve the ordinance as presented with a minor adjustment to a referenced regulatory term. Supervisor Nichols moved the motion and Supervisor Marshall seconded; the roll-call vote was unanimous.
The ordinance adoption satisfies an essential element of the county’s corrective-action agreement with DEQ and is intended to bring local enforcement and permitting procedures into conformity with the Virginia Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program. The board may revisit implementation details as staff completes procedural checklists and training.
