Orange County NC Website
Landslide vulnerability can be decreased through adoption and enforcement of local land use <br /> regulations that limit development in areas susceptible to landslides due to soil types and slope. <br /> Such regulations are in place in Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough. <br /> Representatives from the participating jurisdictions met in October 2005 to discuss the county's <br /> vulnerability to landslides. At that time, the group determined that additional actions were not <br /> feasible to reduce the area's vulnerability. <br /> Chemical Spills <br /> Local governments generally look to State agencies for leadership in dealing with large <br /> chemical spills, especially because such spills are most likely to occur on State road right-of- <br /> way or along railroad right-of-way. Local governments do not generally have an extensive <br /> Hazardous Materials Team and rely on the State's Regional Response Team for assistance with <br /> hazardous materials. <br /> Orange County's Emergency Services Department(which also serves the municipalities within <br /> the county), addresses vulnerability to chemical spills to the greatest extent they are able with <br /> limited resources. However, little can be done to prevent occurrences within the County. A <br /> large chemical spill occurring in the county would require State assistance to contain and <br /> remove the spill. <br /> C. Ordinances and Actions <br /> Per the Action Items list included in the adopted Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan, <br /> representatives from the participating jurisdictions met in October 2005 to discuss the county's <br /> vulnerability to drought,heat waves, and landslides. At that time, the group determined that <br /> additional actions were not feasible or necessary to reduce the area's vulnerability. Later, in <br /> 2007 in response to severe drought conditions in the county and beyond, elected officials <br /> approved resolutions and measures to encourage water conservation throughout the county. In <br /> addition, the County maintains a website(www.H2Orange.org)that discusses current <br /> conditions, water conservation, and drought relief programs for those in need. <br /> 1. Orange County <br /> The following provides a summary of ordinances that Orange County is currently involved in <br /> or has completed relevant to hazard mitigation. Review processes related to the ordinances are <br /> thorough and overlapping. <br /> Leeal Canabilitv <br /> The North Carolina General Statutes grant Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro and <br /> Hillsborough the general police powers reserved for local governments. This confers the legal <br /> authority to enact and enforce local ordinances which define,prohibit,regulate or abate acts, <br /> omissions or conditions detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the people and to define <br /> and abate nuisances (including public health nuisances). <br /> 48 <br />