Proposed residential and commercial development plans are reviewed to address environmental concerns, including: surface and ground water protection, wetlands, upland buffers, conservation easements, pollution abatement swales, air pollution, noise, odors, special environmental protection zones, shorelines, boat docks and ramps, soil contamination and habitat protection. Compliance with Orange County environmental code is the guiding principle. Various levels of development and land use are analyzed: pre-application, sufficiency reviews, land use plans, planned developments, preliminary subdivision plans, in-fill projects, re-development, new development, residential, commercial, industrial, roadway projects, annexations and land use permits.
The Engineering Support Services Section collaborates with the Natural Resource Management Section to administer the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for the county Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. Guidance is provided for permit oversight, technical support for runoff pollutant loadings, collaboration with the ten co-permittees (local municipalities and other governing bodies), annual permit inspection facilitation, and annual report review.
Engineering Support provides for the permitting of private/commercial solid waste management facilities including: landfills, composting, used oil and waste tire processing, solid waste transfer stations, yard waste and land clearing debris recycling, and material recovery facilities. This involves new permits, renewals, modifications, closures and related financial assurance documentation. Coordination of these permits includes the permit application review, meetings with the applicants, community meetings, meetings with the Development Review Committe and the Board of Zoning Adjustment, and Public Hearings with the Board of County Commissioners.
This activity includes the review, inspection, monitoring and the permitting of nearly 50 small domestic wasterwater package treatment facilities that have 5-year permits. In addition, permitting includes larger wastewater residual management facilities and wastewater residual land application permits. An emergency-response service provides environmental assessment and protection in the event of sanitary sewer overflows and treatment plant malfunctions resulting in discharges of domestic waste or commercial wastes into the environment. Emergency responses involve sewage spills, force main breaks, and lift station overflows that impact lakes, rivers, and stormwater ponds. Timely 24/7 responses of affected areas minimize negative impacts to the environment or the health/safety of the citizens.
Environmental Protection Division 
