Erosion Control Performance Bond - Columbia County, GA in Georgia

Brief Summary

Columbia County will not issue a Land Disturbance Permit until the environmental bond is in hand. A surety bond lets the developer meet that condition with an annual premium instead of tying up up to $3,000 per disturbed acre in cash or a bank letter of credit until the site reaches final stabilization.

Columbia County, Georgia can require an erosion and sediment control bond of up to $3,000 per acre of proposed land disturbance before it issues a Land Disturbance Permit. The bond names the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County as obligee, is filed with the Stormwater Compliance Department with the county's Environmental Bond Administrative Form, and is released once the county approves final stabilization.

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How to Apply for a Erosion Control Performance Bond:

• Calculate the bond amount at up to $3,000 per disturbed acre, rounding acreage over one acre up to the nearest tenth.
• Check whether an existing Sec. 74-45 performance and maintenance bond already covers the same improvements.
• Name the principal exactly as it appears on the Notice of Intent or Land Disturbance Permit application.
• If the principal is a company, confirm it is registered and in good standing with the Georgia Secretary of State.
• Have the bond written on the county's Surety Bond Template with the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County as obligee.
• Submit the signed Environmental Bond Administrative Form and the original bond to the Stormwater Compliance Department before the permit is issued.

Detailed Information About the Georgia Erosion Control Performance Bond:

The amount is per acre, and the acreage is rounded up

The county sets the environmental bond at up to $3,000.00 per acre or fraction of an acre of the proposed land disturbing activity. Disturbed acreage over one acre is rounded up to the nearest tenth of an acre. A 4.32 acre disturbance is bonded as 4.4 acres, not 4.3. The state cap is the same figure, found in O.C.G.A. 12-7-7(f)(2).

Cash, letter of credit or surety bond

The statute and the county's administrative form list government security, cash and an irrevocable letter of credit as acceptable forms. Columbia County also publishes its own Surety Bond Template for the environmental bond, issued by a bond company with the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County as obligee. Use that template wording and confirm with Stormwater Compliance before the bond is issued that a surety bond fits your project.

When you may not need a separate bond

The environmental bond is not required where a performance and maintenance bond posted under county Code Sec. 74-45 already covers the same improvements and conditions. Developers carrying subdivision performance bonds should check this before buying a second instrument.

What the bond guarantees

If the permittee fails to comply with the Land Disturbance Permit or the county's soil erosion, sedimentation and pollution control ordinance, the county may draw on the bond and use the proceeds to hire a contractor to stabilize the site. A draw must be backed by a written certification from the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board, the County Administrator or the Director of Engineering Services. The bond stays in force until the permit and Notice of Termination are granted, unless extended under Sec. 74-46.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Georgia Erosion Control Performance Bond:

• Obligee: Board of Commissioners of Columbia County, Georgia, P.O. Box 498, Evans, GA 30809.
• Bond amount not to exceed $3,000 per acre of proposed land disturbance.
• Administrative form signed by the property owner or the owner's authorized representative.
• Original bond delivered to Stormwater Compliance at P.O. Box 498, Evans, GA 30809, or dropped off at 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Bldg. A, East Wing, Evans.
• Underwriting review of the principal. Premium depends on the bond amount and the principal's credit and financial strength.

Georgia Erosion Control Performance Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Georgia Erosion Control Performance Bond: