The Coalition’s ad hoc committee on Watersheds and Flood Plains has been monitoring recommendations by the Zoning Ordinance Action Group for amendments to Loudoun County’s flood plain zoning regulations.  There is a concern that some of these proposals will actually increase the potential damage from floods, add pollution to Loudoun’s streams, and negatively impact the environmental asset flood plains provide for plants and animals as well as passive recreation and scenic beauty for our residents.

At the moment these flood plain proposals are being integrated with other regulations demanded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be passed by December 31, 2015.  The County Staff will be preparing the material for a public hearing at the Planning Commission as early as June, 2015 and then they will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing in the Fall.

The Coalition committee members expect to circulate comments in advance and participate actively in the public process in an effort to preserve the integrity of the watershed system of floodplains from being further compromised.

Al Van Huyck