In December, a Doddridge County judge ruled the county's floodplain ordinance unconstitutional. He said that the way it was written didn't give attaching landowners or surface owners fair warning of things that may be happening there. That's why people are now trying to re-write that ordinance and they want your input.

The floodplain ordinance issue came out during the Equitable Gas and Doddridge County lawsuit. The county had given EQT a permit to drill in a floodplain but nearby homeowners were against it. The county ended up revoking the permit and EQT took them to court. That's why the ordinance was looked at.

The county, under the direction of floodplain manager Dan Wellings, is currently working to rewrite the ordinance. They had a public comment period for the first draft and used some of the concerns to work on the second draft, which is what is available now. During the revisions, they're focusing on the parts that the judge called unconstitutional.

If you would like to review the ordinance, you have until March 25 to let your voice be heard during the public comment period. You can pick up a copy at the County Clerk's office or you can email Wellings at wellingsd8@gmail.com. You should also email him your opinions on the floodplain.