Agenda - 02-18-1997 - 10e - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 A Brief Summary of Orange County's Sediment and Erosion Control Program February 4, 1997 North Carolina allows and encourages local enforcement of sediment and erosion control regulations but certain conditions must be met . The local Ordinance must follow a Model Ordinance and be at least as strict as the State' s Ordinance. However, the local ordinance can be stronger and often is. For example, erosion control plan approval can be required on sites where less than one acre will be disturbed, which is the State requirement . In Orange County a plan must be approved for sites disturbing more than 20, 000 square feet. Orange County has its own Erosion Control Manual that contains some requirements that are stricter than the State' s. Our Ordinance also allows us to apply conditions of approval to an erosion control plan. Orange County has a Stop Work Order provision. Orange County originally adopted its Erosion Control ordinance in December 1975 . The State must approve all changes to the local ordinance to ensure that it still meets the minimum requirements. Orange County enforces erosion control County-wide, including the jurisdictions of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and the part of Mebane in Orange County. In addition to the County' s Ordinance, the Town of Chapel Hill has its own ordinance because part of its jurisdiction is in Durham County. County staff enforces the Town' s ordinance through an administrative agreement between the Town and the County. The two Ordinances are essentially the same. The State' s staff reviews local programs once a year to ensure that the Ordinance is being enforced, competent staff are overseeing the program, sites are being inspected and are in compliance, and enforcement action is being taken where there are violations. The State retains jurisdiction over certain land disturbing activities: NC Department of Transportation; school construction; mines; utilities such as OWASA; and local, state, and federal government construction projects. General Ordinance requirements are: containing sediment on-site to protect property, streams, and water bodies; permanent stabilization of all disturbed areas to prevent future erosion; regular inspections to ensure compliance; and erosion control plan approval for disturbances greater than 20, 000 square feet . These requirements apply regardless of the size of the disturbance. Valid agriculture is exempt from the Ordinance. The harvesting of timber is also exempt as long as Forestry Service guidelines are met . Timbering a site for development is not considered exempt .