Orange County NC Website
PAGE 9 <br /> The Ordinance would also apply: <br /> Where a perennial stream is to be crossed by a road, bridge, or <br /> driveway; <br /> Where a structure with more than 25,000 ft. of floor area is <br /> proposed; <br /> Where the total land disturbance, excluding roads will exceed <br /> 40,000 square feet; <br /> Where commercial or industrial water usage will exceed (some <br /> amount to be specified) ; and <br /> Where there are other potential environmental impacts which have <br /> been identified. <br /> Activities which are exempt from the Ordinance include: <br /> Bona fide farms <br /> Projects less than 2 acres in size, and <br /> Facilities related to the distribution of public utilities. <br /> Scearbo pointed out that these criteria apply to private development <br /> projects. Environmental review is required by the State for projects <br /> which require expenditure of public money; or an action taken by a <br /> State agency; or has a potential effect on elements of the "State's <br /> common inheritance" . <br /> Scearbo explained the various forms of environmental documentation <br /> which may be required and the associated costs. Environmental <br /> documents may include an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental <br /> Impact Statement. <br /> The Environmental Assessment will consist of a form to be supplied by <br /> the Planning Department and completed by the applicant. The EA <br /> application will be drafted and presented at the next public hearing. <br /> The EA application will be in the form of a questionnaire worded to be <br /> very clear and easily understood. Most of the information would be <br /> known by the applicant and by preparing a standardized form, the <br /> applicant will know exactly what is needed. <br /> For projects which meet few of the criteria, the EA could be completed <br /> by the applicant with little or no additional cost. As projects become <br /> more complex, the cost will naturally rise. However, any additional <br /> costs associated with the EA are expected to be minimal in the vast <br /> majority of cases. <br /> An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a more expansive document <br /> and would be required when review of the assessment indicates that <br /> there may be substantial or unmitigated environmental impacts. <br /> The EIS would include: <br />