Riparian Buffer Protection Program
NEW Riparian Buffer Rules, effective June 15, 2020
Affects: Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Catawba, Randleman, & Goose Creek
**Jordan rules are unchanged**
Please note, some prior/existing rules were broken out into multiple rules and/or relocated within subchapter 02B. The cross-reference tables linked/shown below provide a reference for prior/existing rule citations and where to find new citations. Additional tools are also provided to help outline major changes as well as unchanged elements in the rules:
Overview (more detailed summary of updates)
Cross-reference table (sorted by new as well as old citations)
| Current Rule Citation | New Citation |
|---|---|
| 15A NCAC 02B .0233 Neuse Buffer Rules |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0714 Neuse Maintenance of Existing Riparian Buffers • 15A NCAC 02B .0610 Definitions • 15A NCAC 02B .0611 Authorization Certificates • 15A NCAC 02B .0612 Forest Harvesting Requirements |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0241 Neuse Buffer Rules Delegation |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0715 Neuse Buffer Rule Delegation Authority |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0259 Tar Pam Buffer Rules |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0734 Tar Pam Maintenance of Existing Riparian Buffers • 15A NCAC 02B .0610 Definitions • 15A NCAC 02B .0611 Authorization Certificates • 15A NCAC 02B .0612 Forest Harvesting Requirements |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0261 Tar Pam Buffer Rules Delegation |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0735 Tar Pam Buffer Rule Delegation Authority |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0243 Catawba Buffer Rules |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0614 Catawba Maintenance of Existing Riparian Buffers • 15A NCAC 02B .0610 Definitions • 15A NCAC 02B .0611 Authorization Certificates • 15A NCAC 02B .0612 Forest Harvesting Requirements |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0250 Randleman Lake Buffer Rules |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0724 Randleman Lake Maintenance of Existing Riparian Buffers • 15A NCAC 02B .0610 Definitions • 15A NCAC 02B .0611 Authorization Certificates • 15A NCAC 02B .0612 Forest Harvesting Requirements |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0251 Randleman Lake Stormwater Rules |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0721 Randleman Lake Stormwater Requirements |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0605 Goose Creek Buffer Rules: Buffer Widths |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0605 Goose Creek Buffer Widths |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0606 Goose Creek Variance Activities |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0606 Goose Creek Authorization Certificates |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0607 Goose Creek Buffer Rules |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0607 Goose Creek Buffer Types and Managing Activities in Buffers |
| 15A NCAC 02B .0608 Goose Creek Forest Harvesting Activities |
• 15A NCAC 02B .0608 Goose Creek Forest Harvesting Activities |
Riparian Buffer Rules (including table of uses)
Riparian Buffer Authorizations and Variances
Maps
Riparian Buffer Protection Programs Map (PDF)
NC Riparian Buffer Area Map (Online interactive map)
Randleman Lake Watershed Map (PTWRA.org)
Most recent published Soil Survey Table
NRCS Soil Surveys for North Carolina (by county)
USGS topographic maps (USGS Store Map Locator & Downloader)
Model Ordinances
Buffer Clarification Memos
*Note that many of these memos are now incorporated into recent buffer rule revisions. Where a topic discussed in a memo has been incorporated into rule, the rule supersedes the buffer clarification memo.
Buffer Mitigation
- Restoring a Riparian Buffer in Response to a Notice of Violation
- Buffer Mitigation Rule Interpretation (August 2013)
- Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0295) Effective November 1, 2015
DOT and Other Road Projects
- NCDOT Borrow Pits within a Protected Riparian Buffer
- Existing Transportation Facility
- Bridge Versus Road Crossing
- Parallel Versus Perpendicular Road Impact
Ponds, Open Waters and Swimming Pools
- Beaver Impoundments
- Drainage of a Buffered Pond
- Stormwater Ponds in the Buffer
- Swimming Pools in the Buffer
Vegetation Management/Replacement
- Vegetation Management for Airport Facilities in the Buffer
- Vegetation Replacement for Temporary Roads
- Pruning in the Buffer
Diffuse Flow
- Diffuse Flow Through a Newly Restored Buffer
- What is Considered a New Stormwater Conveyance Through the Buffers
- Definitions of Frequently Used Stormwater Terms
- Options for Meeting Diffuse Flow Provisions of the Stormwater and Riparian Buffer Protection Programs
Buffer Location
- Where a Buffer Begins and Ends When a Stream is Piped
- Wetlands in a Buffer-How to Consider Impacts and Mitigation Required
Utility Lines and/or Easements
- Non-electric Utility Lines (Other Than Perpendicular Crossings) -When Notification or Mitigation is Required
- How Maintenance on a Perpendicular Utility Line is Exempt from the Buffer Rules if a Structure of Manhole Exists in the Utility Line Footprint
Maps
- Acceptable Soil Survey Maps -Interpretive Ruling
- Map that should be used for the Jordan Buffer Rules
Miscellaneous
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