2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Pitt County Government

Riparian buffers provide a number of economic benefits by:1. Removing pollutants, in particular sediment which is expensive to treat at water supplytreatment plants;2. Protecting stream banks from erosion which can cause expensive property damage;and3. Keeping buildings and other structures away from damaging floodwaters.The Riparian Buffer Rule establishes a 50’ wide riparian buffer in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.The buffer protection rule requires that riparian buffer areas be protected and maintained onthe banks of all waterways within the river basin. The rule does not require the establishmentof new buffers unless the existing use of the buffer changes.The rule applies to existing intermittent and perennial streams, lakes, ponds and estuarinewaters shown on either Pitt County Soil Survey maps or U.S. Geologic Survey maps of theCounty. The rule does not apply to:a) manmade ditches other than modified natural streams except for water conveyancesthat have been constructed for navigation or boat access;b) manmade ponds and lakes that are outside natural drainageways; andc) ephemeral (stormwater) streams.Under the rule, Zone 1 - the 30’ closest to the water body - is to remain essentially undisturbed.Zone 2 – the next 20’ beyond Zone 1 - is to be vegetated. Any existing, on-going uses withinthe protected buffer are exempt from the rule. Existing uses may include, but are not limitedto, agriculture activities, buildings, industrial, commercial and transportation facilities,maintained lawns, utility lines, and on-site wastewater treatment systems.The buffer protection rule includes a table of uses, which may be permitted within the bufferarea. Specific activities are listed as either “exempt”, “allowable”, “allowable with mitigation”,or “prohibited’. A separate buffer mitigation rule establishes requirements for activities thatare allowable with mitigation. Under certain circumstances, a prohibited activity may beallowed by variance where complying with the rule will cause practical difficulties orunnecessary hardships.2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Appendix A: Inventory and AnalysisPitt County, North Carolina A-87