Much of the environmental damage that occurs now in shorelines or critical areas could be avoided with a Clearing and Grading Ordinance. Such an ordinance, common in other counties, would present a trigger for the county to require a site analysis to proceed. Want to build a road? Install a septic tank? Clear vegetation for a building site? Having a clearing and grading ordinance in place is an important step to allow the county to determine what’s required before you can proceed, saving the county time, property owners money and avoiding damage. The current permitting process that has been in place for decades has loopholes that allow significant impacts (and investments) to occur before the county can conduct site analysis to inform property owners about prohibited actions and best practices.

Tell the county to adopt a clearing and grading ordinance. There is a draft that has been on the books for a long time that simply needs review and adoption. Let’s not delay this important step. Send a note to your county officials today and ask them to get a Clearing and Grading Ordinance passed before December 1.