Riparian Buffer Protection Program To help protect water quality in North Carolina, DWR has in place riparian buffer rules protecting vegetated areas adjacent to intermittent and perennial streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, estuaries, and modified natural streams. The Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Catawba Rules were established to protect estuaries and downstream lakes through their buffer nutrient removal function; Randleman Lake and Jordan Lake Rules were enacted to protect water supply sources; and Goose Creek Rules were created to sustain and recover the federally endangered Carolina Heelsplitter freshwater mussel. Information and links provided on this page address applicability of these rules, protection requirements, authorization/mitigation of impacts, and stormwater considerations. Riparian Buffer Rules Riparian Buffer Rules (including table of uses)Riparian Buffer FAQsHelpful DocumentsRiparian Buffer Authorizations and Variances New rules effective June 15, 2020: Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Catawba, Randleman, & Goose Creek (*Jordan Rules remain unchanged) The tables linked/shown below provide a reference for prior and current citations. Additional tools are also provided to help outline major changes as well as unchanged elements in the rules. Fact sheet Overview (more detailed summary of updates)Detailed PresentationCross-reference table (sorted by new as well as old citations) Prior Rule Citation Current Rule 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 Buffer Mapping Resources 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 TableNRCS Soil Surveys for North Carolina (by county)USGS topographic maps (USGS Store Map Locator & Downloader)Clarification of USGS National Map and clarification of "necessary infrastructure" (Public Notice issued 11/23/21) Model Ordinances Jordan Lake Buffer Clarification Memos Many of the clarification memos listed in the categories below 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 ViolationBuffer 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 BufferExisting Transportation Facility Bridge Versus Road Crossing Parallel Versus Perpendicular Road Impact Ponds, Open Waters and Swimming Pools Beaver ImpoundmentsDrainage of a Buffered PondStormwater Ponds in the BufferSwimming Pools in the Buffer Vegetation Management/Replacement Vegetation Management for Airport Facilities in the BufferVegetation Replacement for Temporary RoadsPruning in the Buffer Diffuse/Dispersed Flow Diffuse/Dispersed Flow Through a Newly Restored BufferWhat is Considered a New Stormwater Conveyance Through the BuffersDefinitions of Frequently Used Stormwater TermsOptions for Meeting Diffuse/Dispersed Flow Provisions of the Stormwater and Riparian Buffer Protection Programs Buffer Location Where a Buffer Begins and Ends When a Stream is PipedWetlands 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 RequiredHow Maintenance on a Perpendicular Utility Line is Exempt from the Buffer Rules if a Structure of Manhole Exists in the Utility Line Footprint Applicable Maps Acceptable Soil Survey Maps -Interpretive RulingMap that should be used for the Jordan Buffer RulesClarification of USGS National Map and clarification of "necessary infrastructure" (Public Notice issued 11/23/21) Miscellaneous Wooden-slatted Decks in the Buffer Greenway/Hiking Trails - Clarification Memo and FactsheetWhen an Additional Secondary and Cumulative Impact Assessment Report is Required for Activities in the Randleman Lake Watershed Disaster Debris Cleanup Guidance Fact Sheet for Session Law 2011-394(17)(c)Clarification of USGS National Map and clarification of "necessary infrastructure" (Public Notice issued 11/23/21)
Riparian Buffer Protection Program To help protect water quality in North Carolina, DWR has in place riparian buffer rules protecting vegetated areas adjacent to intermittent and perennial streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, estuaries, and modified natural streams. The Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Catawba Rules were established to protect estuaries and downstream lakes through their buffer nutrient removal function; Randleman Lake and Jordan Lake Rules were enacted to protect water supply sources; and Goose Creek Rules were created to sustain and recover the federally endangered Carolina Heelsplitter freshwater mussel. Information and links provided on this page address applicability of these rules, protection requirements, authorization/mitigation of impacts, and stormwater considerations. Riparian Buffer Rules Riparian Buffer Rules (including table of uses)Riparian Buffer FAQsHelpful DocumentsRiparian Buffer Authorizations and Variances New rules effective June 15, 2020: Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Catawba, Randleman, & Goose Creek (*Jordan Rules remain unchanged) The tables linked/shown below provide a reference for prior and current citations. Additional tools are also provided to help outline major changes as well as unchanged elements in the rules. Fact sheet Overview (more detailed summary of updates)Detailed PresentationCross-reference table (sorted by new as well as old citations) Prior Rule Citation Current Rule 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 Buffer Mapping Resources 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 TableNRCS Soil Surveys for North Carolina (by county)USGS topographic maps (USGS Store Map Locator & Downloader)Clarification of USGS National Map and clarification of "necessary infrastructure" (Public Notice issued 11/23/21) Model Ordinances Jordan Lake Buffer Clarification Memos Many of the clarification memos listed in the categories below 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 ViolationBuffer 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 BufferExisting Transportation Facility Bridge Versus Road Crossing Parallel Versus Perpendicular Road Impact Ponds, Open Waters and Swimming Pools Beaver ImpoundmentsDrainage of a Buffered PondStormwater Ponds in the BufferSwimming Pools in the Buffer Vegetation Management/Replacement Vegetation Management for Airport Facilities in the BufferVegetation Replacement for Temporary RoadsPruning in the Buffer Diffuse/Dispersed Flow Diffuse/Dispersed Flow Through a Newly Restored BufferWhat is Considered a New Stormwater Conveyance Through the BuffersDefinitions of Frequently Used Stormwater TermsOptions for Meeting Diffuse/Dispersed Flow Provisions of the Stormwater and Riparian Buffer Protection Programs Buffer Location Where a Buffer Begins and Ends When a Stream is PipedWetlands 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 RequiredHow Maintenance on a Perpendicular Utility Line is Exempt from the Buffer Rules if a Structure of Manhole Exists in the Utility Line Footprint Applicable Maps Acceptable Soil Survey Maps -Interpretive RulingMap that should be used for the Jordan Buffer RulesClarification of USGS National Map and clarification of "necessary infrastructure" (Public Notice issued 11/23/21) Miscellaneous Wooden-slatted Decks in the Buffer Greenway/Hiking Trails - Clarification Memo and FactsheetWhen an Additional Secondary and Cumulative Impact Assessment Report is Required for Activities in the Randleman Lake Watershed Disaster Debris Cleanup Guidance Fact Sheet for Session Law 2011-394(17)(c)Clarification of USGS National Map and clarification of "necessary infrastructure" (Public Notice issued 11/23/21)
