Orange County updates wetland conservation ordinance

GOTHA – Orange County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a newly updated wetland conservation areas ordinance.

The ordinance aims to strengthen the protection of valuable wetlands and surface waters by balancing natural resource protections and property rights.

What You Need To Know

• Orange County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a newly updated wetland conservation areas ordinance
• The update adds new mitigation site monitoring requirements, clearer code language and streamlines the permitting process, making it more consistent
• The ordinance will officially go into effect on June 1, 2024

According to the county, the original ordinance was created 35 years ago and hadn’t been modified much since then. But now, after two years of studies and discussions, that is all changing.

The update adds new mitigation site monitoring requirements, clearer code language and streamlines the permitting process, making it more consistent.

Experts say wetlands, which act like sponges, capture rain water and prevent runoff.

A study from by Orange County shows they’ve lost about 4% of wetland acreage since 1990.