Buncombe County, N.C., may begin enforcing $25,000 per day runoff violation fines for noncompliant developers. County commissioners received today a proposal outlining the county storm water ordinance amendments, which include the increase from the current $5,000 per day maximum fine.

The commissioners enacted the storm water ordinance unanimously in September 2006 in order to control development sites' pollutants and keep them from damaging neighboring properties.

"I don't have a problem with fining people if they don't do what they're supposed to do," said Commissioner Bill Stanley. "I think the fine ought to be severe enough to get them to do it right the first time."

Commissioners Chairman Nathan Ramsey, however, said he wants county staff to explain their reasoning for the changes. "I would think $5,000 a day would be an adequate incentive for any development to do anything they could to come under compliance," he said.

Most of the proposed ordinance changes are intended to bring the county's legislation in line with that of the state, according to County Storm Water Administrator Mike Goodson.

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times