Secondary and Cumulative Impacts Master Management Plan - 2014

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Article 6: Riparian Buffers
Section 6.4. Identification of Riparian Buffers
6.3.2. Riparian Buffer Zones
April 2013 Morrisville, NC
Page 6-4 Unified Development Ordinance - Public Review Draft
Rules 15A NCAC 2H .0500, 15A NCAC 2H .1300, and Sections 401 and 404 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act.)
6.3.2. Riparian Buffer Zones
Riparian buffers shall consist of two zones that have a combined width of 50 feet:
A. Zone One
Zone One consists of a vegetated area that is undisturbed except for uses and activities allowed in
accordance with Section 6.8, Uses and Activities Permitted in Riparian Buffers.
1. For intermittent and perennial streams, Zone One begins at the top of the bank and extends
landward on both sides of the stream a distance of 30 feet, measured horizontally on a line
perpendicular to a vertical line marking the top of the bank.
2. For ponds, lakes, and reservoirs located within natural drainageway, Zone One begins at the
normal water level and extends landward on all sides of the water body a distance of 30 feet,
measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to a vertical line marking the outer edge of the
normal water level.
B. Zone Two
Zone Two consists of a stable, vegetated area that is undisturbed except for uses and activities
allowed in accordance with Section 6.8, Uses and Activities Permitted in Riparian Buffers. Zone Two
begins at the outer edge of Zone One and extends landward a distance of 20 feet, measured
horizontally on a line perpendicular to a vertical line marking the outer edge of Zone One.
SECTION 6.4. IDENTIFICATION OF RIPARIAN BUFFERS499
6.4.1. Surface Waters with Riparian Buffers
A. General
Except as provided in subsection below, riparian buffers subject to this section shall be required
along all surface waters in the Neuse River Basin and the Jordan Lake watershed identified on
designated maps (Section or by on-site determinations (Section .
B. Exception
Riparian buffers shall not be required along mapped surface waters where an on-site determination in
accordance with Section shows that mapped surface water is:
1. A man-made pond or lake that is not part of a natural drainage way classified in accordance
with 15A NCAC 2B .0100, including ponds and lakes created for animal watering, irrigation, or
other agricultural uses (A pond or lake is part of a natural drainage way when it is fed by an
intermittent or perennial stream or when it has a direct discharge point to an intermittent or
perennial stream.);
2. An ephemeral stream;
3. Lacks on-the-ground evidence of a corresponding intermittent or perennial stream, lake, reservoir,
or pond; or
4. A ditch or other man-made water conveyance other than a modified natural stream.
499 This carries forward and consolidates those parts of Sec. 7.A and 7B in the current Riparian Buffer Ordinance used to identify
those water surfaces along which riparian buffers are required, including the maps used to identify them and corrections through
on-site determinations..