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APPENDIX B – WAKE COUNTY PROGRAMS TO MITIGATE SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
B-17
As part of its erosion and sediment control program, the County does not allow land-
disturbing activity near a lake or natural watercourse within the 50-foot-wide
undisturbed buffer. In addition, all sediment and erosion control measures must be
within the limits of disturbance, remaining outside the undisturbed buffer.
The possibilities for phased construction are reviewed in the sediment and erosion
control plan submittal process on a site-specific basis. Site conditions, topography, soils,
and type of construction determine the size of the phases. Wake County requires land-
disturbing activities to be planned and conducted to limit exposure consistent with the
most up to date NCDENR stabilization timeframes. Soils are stabilized as rapidly as
possible by establishing a grass cover or mulching and tacking.
The County requires the identification of especially vulnerable areas in the development
plan, and these areas receive special attention in the permit, plan approval, and
inspection processes. Those projects deemed high risk for sediment and erosion control
concerns, such as projects with steep slopes or water courses, receive more frequent
inspections. Steep slope areas are discussed in a pre-construction conference and
avoided to the maximum extent possible. The County allows steep slopes to be used as
conservation areas or to meet buffer requirements.
The County also encourages contractor education and training related to erosion and
sediment control. The purpose of this educational program is to ensure that contractors
understand the erosion and sediment control requirements and work to minimize the
potential for sedimentation.
B.8
Stormwater Programs and Impervious Surface
Limitations
Wake County is unique in that it has its own volume control SW ordinance and is
subject to three state nutrient management strategies in addition to the Swift Creek Land
Management Plan.
Wake County administers its own stormwater ordinance for unincorporated areas of
Wake County in addition to a different urban stormwater ordinance for three
municipalities in eastern Wake County. For the unincorporated areas, Wake County
uses a volume-control stormwater ordinance with Target Curve Number (TCN) runoff
volume limits for residential development. Both residential and commercial
developments adhere to
The Neuse Rules
stormwater requirements for peak flow,
nutrient management, and riparian buffer rules. Wake County also adopted the Neuse
regulations countywide (including within the Cape Fear Basin). In 2012, Article 9, Part 2
of their UDO was amended to incorporate, by reference, the State mandated stormwater
rules for new development for the Falls Lake and Jordan Lake Nutrient Management
Strategies.
The County has developed stormwater management programs that address the adverse
effects of stormwater runoff associated with new development as well as limit nutrient
enrichment in the Jordan Lake and the Neuse River Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW)
rules.