Undisturbed stream buffer5/30/2023 ![]() ![]() Examples are the right to use a driveway to access land, an HOA-owned drainage easement, or an access point to perform repairs or maintenance to a private stormwater infrastructure. Private Easements are restricted to and benefit a limited number of persons or a specific person. For more information on OWASA-held easements, please contact OWASA directly at or 91. OWASA manages all easements it holds separately from local governments. OWASA (Orange Water and Sewer Authority).For more information on utility easements, please see the following websites: The property owner may maintain the easement area but may limit use dependent on the easement holder’s requirements. Utility Easements are designated for overhead and underground electric, water, sewer, gas, telephone, and cable lines. They are generally granted and recorded to the Town. Public Easements for Stormwater include drainage easements that allow the Town to maintain stormwater infrastructure on private property. There are 3 types of easements in Carrboro: Easements are recorded with the Orange County Register of Deeds. Most easements include a prohibition on building in or blocking the easement. How Do Easements Affect Activity on My Property?Īn easement allows property owners to grant use of some amount of their land to others while retaining ownership and full access to the area. Technical and regulatory guidance can be found in the Land Use Ordinance Article XVI. Learn more about the role of stream buffers and how to restore or enhance them from the Clean Water Partnership. Taking out poison ivy and invasive exotic vegetation as defined by the NCDENR.Removing individual trees which are dead, diseased, or damaged are in danger of causing damage to dwellings, other structures or human life or are imminently endangering the stability of the streambank.Pruning without compromising the health and function of the forest vegetation.Planting to enhance the riparian buffer.Mowing and harvesting of plants in Zone 2 only.Conducting emergency fire control measures provided that the buffer is restored.Vegetation management within the Water Quality Buffer is allowable in these situations: The following is not intended to specifically interpret or substitute for these provisions but provides generalizations about managing vegetation in the buffer. If a particular activity or use is not specified, it is prohibited. The Town enforces Water Quality Buffers as part of the Land Use Ordinance, Article XVI, Section 15-269.5, which outlines allowed and regulated activities. What Is Allowed and Prohibited Within a Stream Buffer? Contact the Stormwater Division at for more information or to arrange a visit. ![]() More technical advice on streams and buffers is available from the Stormwater Division of Public Works upon request. Naturally occurring downed trees and vegetative debris from within the buffer itself should be left to complete the natural decomposition cycle. This material can clog storm drains and impact water quality. Natural debris from outside the stream buffer, like bucked and or split logs, grass clippings, collected leaf piles, garden trimmings, etc., should not be stored within stream buffers. Zone 1 buffers, which begin at the top of the stream bank and extend for 30 feet, must remain undisturbed Zone 2 buffers, which extend for 20 feet beyond Zone 1, must be vegetated, but certain additional uses are allowed.įigure 6 Zones 1 and 2 Stream Buffers How Do I Maintain a Stream Buffer on My Property? Figure 6 shows a stream with its surrounding stream buffers. Contact information is available in Appendix 1 and at the Town's Directory. Stormwater and/or Planning staff are available to field questions. Note that the data shown in the GIS does not represent surveyed data, and is, therefore, an approximation, and may need to be field verified. Click on the “Development Constraints” layer to see the buffers. Visit the Town’s online Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine if there is a stream buffer on your property. How Do I Know if I Have a Stream Buffer on My Property? These activities may compromise the ability of the buffer to serve its purpose. Buffers should not have channels or pipes concentrating flow or experience much disturbance from transportation or utility corridors, structures, grading, or other human uses. These actions lower the likelihood of erosion, gullying, and downstream flooding (See Figure 5). Figure 5 Benefits of Healthy Stream BuffersĪ stream buffer is the undeveloped area parallel and adjacent to a stream that protects and enhances water quality. To be effective, a buffer should harbor abundant native woody vegetation that helps slow down, store and infiltrate runoff. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |