Sec. 10-3. Local erosion and sediment control program.

(a) Pursuant to section 10.1-562 of the Code of Virginia, the County hereby adopts the regulations, references, guidelines, standards and specifications (hereinafter "the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations") and the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook ("the Handbook") promulgated by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, as such may be amended from time to time, for the effective control of soil erosion and sediment deposition to prevent the unreasonable degradation of properties, stream channels, waters and other natural resources. The Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations and the Handbook are sometimes referred to hereinafter as "the state program".

(b) Before adopting regulations which are more stringent than the state program, the County shall give due notice and conduct a public hearing on the proposed or revised regulations. No public hearing shall be required when the County is amending the local control program to conform to revisions in the state program.

(c) Pursuant to section 10.1-561.1 of the Code of Virginia, an erosion control plan shall not be approved until it is reviewed by a certified plan reviewer. Inspections of land-disturbing activities shall be conducted by a certified inspector.

(d) The county administrator is hereby designated as the County's agent for the purpose of administering and enforcing the terms of this chapter. The agent is authorized to make such inspections as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of this chapter, and any conditions of approval for specific projects and is authorized to take such steps as are provided by this chapter, and as may be necessary, to ensure compliance with its terms.

(e) The county administrator is hereby designated as the plan approving authority for the purpose of this chapter and is authorized, on behalf of the county, to review and approve applications for permits under the terms of this chapter.

(f) The County's Erosion and Sediment Control Program shall employ or retain one or more certified program administrators, one or more certified plan reviewers, and one or more certified inspectors. A single individual may be designated to perform more than one of such functions provided that the individual possesses the requisite qualifications.

(g) The program and regulations provided for in this ordinance shall be made available for public inspection at the office of the County's Department of Environmental and Development Services.