Development shall comply with the following standards, as well as other provisions of this Code addressing ecological considerations:
(A) There shall be minimal impairment of the regenerative capacity of aquifers and other ground water and surface water supplies. Plugging, filling, or sealing any significant recharge feature, as that term is defined in this Code, is prohibited.
(B) There shall be minimal adverse impact upon critical areas, such as streams, slopes greater than 15%, highly erodible soils and mature stands of native vegetation.
(C) No proposed structure shall impair creek flow or cause lateral back up of water.
(D) Pesticide and fertilizer management plan.
(1) A pesticide and fertilizer management plan shall be submitted providing information regarding proper use, storage, and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers. The plan shall indicate likely pesticides and fertilizers to be used. The plan shall include two lists of pesticides and fertilizers: (1) those which, due to their chemical characteristics, potentially contribute significantly to water quality degradation; and (2) those which, due to the chemical characteristics, potentially would result in minimal water quality degradation.
(2) Landscaped areas should use limited amounts of fertilizer. Nitrogen within the fertilizer should be slow-release formulations: composted organic mulches, urea formaldehyde (UF), methylene urea, isobutylidene diuriea (IBDU), and sulfur coated urea (Pitt, 1994). The mass of nitrogen applied to each area per year should not exceed the estimated nitrogen utilization rate of the vegetation. The following table provides a guide of typical nitrogen utilization rates for the Texas Hill Country:
Vegetation | Nitrogen Uptake (pound/acre/yr.) | Reference |
Lawn grass | 130 | Leps & Duble (no date) |
Ryegrass | 200 - 280 | U.S. EPA (1981) |
Coastal Bermuda Grass | 400 - 675 | U.S. EPA (1981) |
(E) Water conservation plan. As part of the requirements for development, the applicant shall submit a water conservation plan. The water conservation plan shall include as a minimum the following:
(1) Identify of all water users;
(2) Monitoring program to identify and repair water pipe leaks;
(3) Installation of water-efficient plumbing fixtures; and
(4) Description of a water-efficient landscape program, including options for landscape irrigation using rooftop runoff (rainwater harvesting).