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Board adopts combined water protection ordinance; residents warn about missing fee tables and DEQ changes
Summary
After a public hearing, the Charles City County Board adopted a combined water protection ordinance; speakers at the hearing raised concerns about missing fee tables, the timing of upcoming DEQ regulatory changes and potential gaps in local oversight for projects like the Point One data center.
The Board opened a public hearing and adopted an ordinance intended to ensure the quality and quantity of combined water protection. Chief of Staff Jessica Poe read the public hearing disclosure and procedures before residents addressed the Board. Concerns raised by multiple speakers included missing fee tables in the ordinance packet, forthcoming DEQ regulatory changes effective July 1, and the relationship between county ordinance language and state/federal entities such as the Wetlands Board and the Chesapeake Bay Board.
Speakers urged that the ordinance be tailored to Charles City County’s specific environmental conditions rather than appearing to mirror existing DEQ language. Brandi Marano questioned assigning administrative responsibility to the Community Development Director given interim leadership and asked whether the position had the qualifications to administer and enforce the program. Other commenters highlighted potential gaps in enforcement and accountability and urged clear implementation pathways and staffing for enforcement.
