Orange County’s new wetlands ordinance aims to protect ‘earth’s kidneys’

The rules seek to balance environmental preservation and property rights

Orange County is strengthening its protections for the area’s vast expanse of wetlands, delicate but critical natural areas often imperiled by pressure for new development.

The updated rules, effective June 1, were two years in the making but won unanimous approval at the county board’s final meeting of 2023.

Wetlands, sometimes called the earth’s kidneys because they filter pollutants from water that flows through them, account for 162,000 acres, about a quarter of the county’s area, but have shrunk at rates alarming to environmental groups.

They also help prevent neighborhood flooding by absorbing runoff from heavy rains.

“Most of our uplands are already developed and so that leaves mostly lower wet areas,” said Deborah Green, president of Orange Audubon, which endorsed revision of the 35-year-old ordinance. “Even small wetlands have importance to wildlife. From the point of view of birds and nature, we want to save as many wetlands as possible.”

The county has lost about 4% of its wetland acres since 1990, according to a study conducted for the revision.