PRACTICE RIPARIAN BUFFER (Ac.) 391 DEFINITION Dominant vegetation will consist of existing, naturally regenerated, or seeded/planted trees An area predominantly trees and/or shrubs and shrubs suited to the soil and hydrology of located adjacent to and up-gradient from the site and the intended purpose(s). watercourses or water bodies. The vegetation will extend a minimum width to PURPOSE achieve the purpose(s). Measurement shall begin at and perpendicular to the normal water Create shade to lower or maintain line, bank-full elevation, or the top of the bank water temperatures to improve habitat for as determined locally. aquatic organisms. Overland flow through the riparian area will be Create or improve riparian habitat and maintained as sheet flow. provide a source of detritus and large woody debris. Excessive sheet-rill and concentrated-flow erosion will be controlled in the areas Reduce excess amounts of sediment, immediately to adjacent and up-gradient of the organic material, nutrients and pesticides in buffer site and for sites to be regenerated or surface runoff and reduce excess nutrients and planted. other chemicals in shallow ground water flow. Use tree and shrub species that are native Reduce pesticide drift entering the and non-invasive. Substitution with improved water body. and locally accepted cultivars or species is allowed. For plantings and Restore riparian plant communities. seeding, only viable, high-quality and adapted Increase carbon storage in plant plant materials will be used. biomass and soils. Favor tree and shrub species that have multiple values such as those suited for timber, CONDITIONS WHERE APPLIES nuts, fruit, floral, browse, nesting, and Riparian forest buffers are applied on areas aesthetics. adjacent to permanent or intermittent streams, Periodic removal of some forest products such lakes, ponds, and wetlands. They are not as high value trees, medicinal herbs, nuts, and applied to stabilize stream banks or shorelines. fruits is permitted provided the intended purpose is not compromised by the loss of CRITERIA vegetation or harvesting disturbance. General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes Necessary site preparation and planting shall The riparian forest buffer shall be positioned be done at a time and manner to insure appropriately and designed to achieve survival and growth of selected species for sufficient width, length, vertical achieving the intended purpose(s). structure/density and connectivity to accomplish the intended purpose(s). Livestock shall be controlled or excluded as necessary to achieve the intended purpose.
RIPARIAN BUFFER (Ac.) 391 DEFINITION An area predominantly trees and/or shrubs located adjacent to and up-gradient from watercourses or water bodies. PURPOSE Create shade to lower or maintain water temperatures to improve habitat for aquatic organisms. Create or improve riparian habitat and provide a source of detritus and large woody debris. Reduce excess amounts of sediment, organic material, nutrients and pesticides in surface runoff and reduce excess nutrients and other chemicals in shallow ground water flow. Reduce pesticide drift entering the water body. Restore riparian plant communities. Increase carbon storage in plant biomass and soils. CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES Riparian forest buffers are applied on areas adjacent to permanent or intermittent streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. They are not applied to stabilize stream banks or shorelines. CRITERIA General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes The riparian forest buffer shall be positioned appropriately and designed to achieve sufficient width, length, vertical structure/density and connectivity to accomplish the intended purpose(s). Dominant vegetation will consist of existing, naturally regenerated, or seeded/planted trees and shrubs suited to the soil and hydrology of the site and the intended purpose(s). The vegetation will extend a minimum width to achieve the purpose(s). Measurement shall begin at and perpendicular to the normal water line, bank-full elevation, or the top of the bank as determined locally. Overland flow through the riparian area will be maintained as sheet flow. Excessive sheet-rill and concentrated-flow erosion will be controlled in the areas immediately to adjacent and up-gradient of the buffer site and for sites to be regenerated or planted. Use tree and shrub species that are native and non-invasive. Substitution with improved and locally accepted cultivars or species is allowed. For plantings and seeding, only viable, high-quality and adapted plant materials will be used. Favor tree and shrub species that have multiple values such as those suited for timber, nuts, fruit, floral, browse, nesting, and aesthetics. Periodic removal of some forest products such as high value trees, medicinal herbs, nuts, and fruits is permitted provided the intended purpose is not compromised by the loss of vegetation or harvesting disturbance. Necessary site preparation and planting shall be done at a time and manner to insure survival and growth of selected species for achieving the intended purpose(s). Livestock shall be controlled or excluded as necessary to achieve the intended purpose.
CB_Riaparian_Buffer_Zone_391_Stand.docx