Opposition to a Union County flood plain ordinance faded with the inclusion of an exception for water gaps.
A version of the ordinance was originally passed in July but required revision to meet the requirements for the Department of Natural Resources in order for the county to receive federal funding for projects such as the new generator that was approved last week.
Emergency management coordinator Jo Duckworth said the DNR had reviewed the new wording in the ordinance and had given tentative approval.
During the public hearing, Union County resident Steve Chamberlain asked if a permit would be needed to create a new water gap. Duckworth said that a permit would be necessary, but it would not have a cost and would be taken care of in Union County without the need for approval by the DNR.
“The DNR didn’t leave me much latitude other than issue a permit,” Duckworth said. “But, that’s something that can be handled totally locally.”
The revised flood plain ordinance passed unanimously during the weekly Union County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday at the Union County Courthouse.