Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 3. Water Resources Riparian Zones The land area bordering the waterfront of the stream is its riparian zone. These areas, which are often floodplains, filter pollutants and sediments from runoff and provide an area of transition between water and land. A highly functional riparian zone acts as a floodplain by reducing flooding and erosion by decreasing the velocity of the flow, retaining water, and stabilizing the surrounding soil. Riparian zones or corridors, as they are sometimes called, regulate water temperature, create fish habitat, provide important corridors for wildlife, and enhance recreational activities. Vegetative buffers prevent erosion and the undercutting of banks. The roots of plants and trees hold the soil in place, as opposed to non-vegetative buffers, where the destabilized soil erodes into the waterway. The above-ground portion of the plants slows down runoff, allowing more water to be absorbed and recharge groundwater supplies. In addition to ecological benefits, vegetative riparian buffers can increase property values, decrease property loss due to erosion, and provide privacy and scenic beauty. Native plants and warm season grasses are most effective, because they tolerate the surrounding environment and weather conditions, and are naturally resistant to pests and disease. The wider the riparian zone, the more effectively it functions. Many agricultural and developed areas along waterways do not have a substantial riparian zone. This leads to bank erosion and the establishment of invasive species. Figure 3-8 displays the recommended riparian buffer width for each beneficial use. Figure 3-8. Recommended Riparian Buffer Widths Riparian Buffer Width 0’ 50’ 100’ 150’ 200’ 250’ 300’ Bank Stabilization Fisheries Habitat Wildlife Habitat Nutrient Removal Sediment Control Flood Control A variety of programs and tools are available to assist landowners in protecting these areas. Programs may have a minimum buffer requirement for cost share funding. Individual landowners should contact their local Farm Service Agency to determine which program would work best for them. Land Purchase A conservation organization or municipality may purchase land or have property donated to them in order to protect, restore, conserve, or provide public access to that property. The organization or municipality becomes the owner of the property and is responsible for maintenance and financial obligations. Conservation Easements Conservation easements are legal agreements between a landowner and a land trust or governmental agency. These agreements restrict the land use of the property and preserve it for future generations. These restrictions become part of the deed for the property and are transferred to new property owners 3-9
Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 3. Water Resources when the property is sold. The landowner maintains ownership of the land, but gives up some of the development rights, while being compensated for the economic loss from the restrictions. Municipal Planning Through the Municipalities Planning Code, there are a variety of options for municipal planning. Comprehensive plans—county, individual, or joint—address development issues. Although these plans are non-regulatory, they influence municipal ordinances because all zoning ordinances must be consistent with a municipality’s comprehensive plan. The plan contains an official municipality map, which designates existing and proposed areas of open space, growth areas, and areas that restrict certain activities. Ordinances restrict activities within a certain distance of a stream, based on size, slope, content, and location. This includes limiting the building of new structures in areas prone to flooding, removing riparian zones, and earth disturbances. Transferable Development Rights Discussed further in the Biological Resources chapter, transferable development rights are used to compensate landowners in areas where development is restricted by allowing them to sell development rights to increase development densities in other areas. Density Bonuses Developments that utilize Conservation by Design strategies often utilize density bonuses to award developers by allowing them to increase development density in exchange for conserving natural areas or contributing to an open space fund. Stormwater Credits A stream riparian buffer reduces stormwater runoff. Developers can receive stormwater credits, which result in construction of less costly stormwater management facilities, in exchange for maintaining or restoring riparian buffers (Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, 2004). Stormwater discharge following a significant rainstorm near Foster Township Park Stormwater Stormwater is precipitation that falls during storm events that is used by vegetation or becomes surface water. When rapid or extended storm events occur, more precipitation falls than the natural processes can manage. Depending on existing conditions, accelerated stormwater can produce different results. When the water cannot permeate the ground, it is shed off the land, becoming runoff. Soil particles and pollutants can adhere to the runoff as it meanders across the land before pervading the ground or entering surface waters. When runoff enters surface water, it causes increased volumes and rates for area streams. This sometimes leads to the scouring of streambanks as increased water volume and velocity erodes the streambank. Scouring alters the stream channel, increasing sedimentation and the risk of flooding. In areas, such as Bradford, Smethport, and Port Allegany, impervious surfaces are often linked to stream impacts. Impervious surfaces are areas where water cannot be absorbed into the ground. These include concrete, pavement, rooftops, and areas with highly compacted soils. Even when only 10 percent of the land cover is comprised of impervious surfaces, significant impacts occur (Schueler, 2003). Minimizing the amount of impervious surface can protect water resources. Zoning, residential design, open spaces, and new technologies are available to help with planning minimal impervious surfaces. 3-10
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Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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