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Environmental Protection Initiatives

Instituted the following Ordinance Amendments to protect the environment:

• Revised stream buffer regulations to apply to all perennial and intermittent streams.

• Revised regulations for development on steep slopes on erodible soils near perennial and intermittent streams (to require super-silt fences during construction and sod after completion.)

• Extended the stream buffer to 100’ where adjacent lands contain certain highly erodible soils.

• Prohibited development of new residential development on steep slopes.

• Reduced the forest clearing exemption for certain projects (thus protecting more forestland.)

• Established clearing limits and impervious surface limits on lots in communities without approved storm-water management plans.  Reducing the amount of impervious surface on small lots recharges the aquifer and helps to manage storm water.
  

• Created a new program to retire existing lots less suited to development via transfer of development rights.

• Strengthened open space requirements to provide more opportunities to protect Forest Interior Dwelling (FID) bird habitat.

Strengthened the Land preservation Program:

• Increased the value of development rights.

• Reduced base zoning densities in Priority Protection Areas to one house per 20 acres.

• Maintained full funding of the land preservation programs.

Increased Staffing:

• Created a Watershed Planner Grant position to conduct environmental education and outreach with special emphasis on watersheds.

Results of initiatives:

• There will be better sediment control provided for sensitive soils and steep slopes.

• There will be better buffers around intermittent and perennial streams.

• There will be less forest loss during development.

• There will be improved water quality.

• There will be more of our rural working landscapes for future generations.