(A) A riparian buffer for a stream system shall consist of a forested strip of land extending along both sides of a stream and its adjacent wetlands, floodplains or slopes. The riparian buffer width shall be adjusted to include contiguous sensitive areas, such as steep slopes or erodible soils, where development or disturbance may adversely affect water quality, streams, wetlands or other water bodies.
(B) The riparian buffer shall begin at the edge of the stream bank of the active channel.
(C) (1) The required width for all riparian buffers (i.e., the base width) shall be a minimum of 50 feet, with the requirement to expand the buffer depending on:
(a) Stream order;
(b) Percent slope;
(c) 100-year floodplain; and
(d) Wetlands or critical areas.
(2) Minimum riparian buffers shall be as follows:
Minimum Riparian Buffer | Description |
50 feet | Stream order 1 through 3, slope zero through 5%,
100-year floodplain and wetlands or critical areas |
65 feet | Stream order 4 through 10, slope 6 through 25% |
75 feet | Stream order greater than 11, greater than 26% |
Greater than 75 | Based on site conditions |
(D) The following land uses and/or activities are designated as potential water pollution hazards and must be set back from the edge of the stream bank of the active channel by the distance indicated below:
(1) Storage of hazardous substances: 150 feet;
(2) Drain fields from on-site sewage disposal and treatment system (i.e., septic systems): 100 feet;
(3) Raised septic systems: 50 feet;
(4) Solid waste landfills or junkyards: 200 feet;
(5) Confined animal feedlot operations: 250 feet;
(6) Treatment plant: 100 feet; and
(7) Land application of bio-solids: 100 feet.
(E) The riparian buffer shall be composed of two distinct zones, with each zone having its own set of allowable uses and vegetative targets as specified in this chapter.
(1) Zone 1: Streamside zone.
(a) The function of the streamside zone is to protect the physical and ecological integrity of the stream ecosystem.
(b) The streamside zone will begin at the edge of the stream bank of the active channel and extend a minimum of 30 feet from the top of the bank.
(c) Allowable uses within this zone are highly restricted to:
1. Flood control structures;
2. Utility rights-of-way perpen-dicular to stream;
3. Footpaths only, if feasible; and
4. Road crossings, where per-mitted.
(d) The vegetative target for the streamside zone is to be forested.
(2) Zone 2: Outer zone.
(a) The function of the outer zone is to prevent encroachment into the forest buffer and to filter runoff from residential and commercial development.
(b) The outer zone will begin at the landward edge of the zone l and provide a minimum width of 20 feet between zone 1 and the nearest permanent structure.
(c) There shall be no septic systems, permanent structures or impervious cover, with the exception of paths, within the outer zone.
(d) The vegetative target for the outer zone shall be native shrubs for inner ten feet and outer ten feet shall be native shrubs or grass, although the planting of native vegetation should be encouraged to increase the total width of the buffer.
(Ord. passed 8-13-03)