County Building Renamed for Water Quality Advocate Rusty Rozzelle
Rusty Rozzelle was an icon in Mecklenburg County, and now, his name will adorn the building where he lived out his calling.
On Sept. 16, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners approved the renaming of the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) building to the Russell S. Rozzelle Office Building. The recognition honors a longtime water quality advocate who dedicated his life to making sure area waterways could be enjoyed by generations to come.
Rozzelle served as program manager of the Storm Water Services Water Quality team for 45 years. He passed away on May 13, at the age of 68.
He played a vital role in the preservation and restoration of surface water resources at a local, state, and regional level. As a lifelong resident of Mecklenburg County whose family settled in the area in the late 1700s, Rozzelle would use personal stories and family history to educate people on the importance of preserving our waterways.
“He was a gifted storyteller and educator who could explain things at every level to help people understand,” said Commissioner Elaine Powell, chair of the Environmental Stewardship committee. “He woke up every day to face the never-ending challenges of environmental stewardship and did everything that he could to make a positive difference. We are all beneficiaries of his work.”
Rozzelle was well-known for his ability to bring different groups together to build consensus and masterfully balanced the area’s rapid growth with the need for preservation. He guided Mecklenburg County, the surrounding towns, Central Piedmont Community College and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in obtaining the first joint National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in the state, which provided consistent water quality protection throughout the County. In 2008, he helped stakeholders come to an agreement on the Post-Construction Stormwater Ordinance, which managed stormwater runoff after construction and included a provision to protect the Carolina heelsplitter, a federally endangered species of freshwater mussel.
While some days had him in the field, others had him at the building on Suttle Avenue, where he developed and implemented protective ordinances. It was also where he grew relationships with the Water Quality team, who he treated like family.
“Most people may not know that as much as he loved the environment, he loved his staff even more,” said Don Ceccarelli, Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services director. “I hope when people see his name on the building, they remember his legacy of dedication to our waterways, his servant leadership, and his love for our environment.”