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Mar 10, 2023 231 likes •426 views

Riparian Buffers in North Carolina Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality What is a Riparian Buffer? A riparian buffer is a strip of forested or vegetated land bordering a body of water 2 Photo courtesy of USDA 3 4 5

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Riparian Buffers in North Carolina

Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality

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What is a Riparian Buffer?

  • A riparian buffer is

a strip of forested

  • r vegetated land

bordering a body

  • f water

Photo courtesy of USDA

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Photo courtesy of NCDENR

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N.C. General Assembly took action

  • SL 1995-572

– Directed the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to develop a plan to reduce the average annual load of nitrogen to the Neuse River Estuary by 30%

Photos courtesy of NCDENR and UNC-Chapel Hill

June 19, 1996

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Neuse Management Strategy

  • The EMC adopted the Neuse River Basin -

Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy for:

– protection and maintenance of riparian areas – wastewater discharges – urban stormwater management – agricultural nitrogen reduction – fertilizer management – nitrogen offset fees

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How do Riparian Buffers Work?

Roots of vegetation take up subsurface Nitrogen and enhance denitrification. Vegetation slows and filters pollutants in surface runoff

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How do Riparian Buffers Work?

  • Studies show that the first 50 feet adjacent to

a water body provide the highest proportion

  • f water quality benefits

Photos courtesy of NC DWQ and NC State Parks

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Buffer Benefits

  • Remove nutrients
  • Filter stormwater runoff

Photos courtesy of DENR, WakeUp Wale County

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Buffer Benefits

Prevent erosion

Photos courtesy of ASU, NCSWC and NCDENR

Flood control Provide fish & wildlife habitat

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Buffer Benefits

  • A study done in Craven

County found that waterfront property commands a higher premium compared to an otherwise equivalent property

  • The study also found that

the mandatory riparian buffer rules did not lower waterfront property values

Photos courtesy of NC State Parks

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Neuse Riparian Buffer Rules

  • Initial rules adopted in July 22, 1997

– Main purpose: protect existing stream buffers

  • Revised rules

– SL 1998-221: Stakeholder Advisory Committee – June 1999: Revised rules adopted by EMC

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Jordan Lake Watershed (Aug. 1, 2009)

North Carolina Riparian Buffer Rules

Catawba River Basin (Jun. 30, 2001) Goose Creek Watershed (Feb. 1, 2009) Neuse River Basin

(Jul. 22, 1997/ Aug. 1, 2000)

Tar-Pamlico River Basin (Aug. 1, 2000)

Tennessee French Broad Watauga New Yadkin- Pee Dee Roanoke Hiwassee Savannah Broad Catawba Cape Fear White Oak Neuse Randleman Goose Creek

Randleman Lake Watershed

(Apr. 1, 1999/Jun. 1, 2010)

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The Benefits are Crystal Clear

  • Riparian buffers provide many benefits

– Remove nutrients – Filter stormwater runoff – Provide flood control – Prevent erosion / protect investment – Provide fish and wildlife habitat – Protect tourism industry

  • Riparian buffer protection rules are

part of comprehensive strategies to address water quality issues

Phelps Lake - July 2005 Jordan Lake - August 2005

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