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NC DEQ »   About »   Divisions »   Water Resources »   Water Quality Permitting »   401 & Buffer Permitting »   Riparian Buffer Protection Program

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 FAQs
Helpful Documents
Riparian 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 Presentation
Cross-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 Table
NRCS 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 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/Dispersed Flow

Diffuse/Dispersed 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/Dispersed 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

Applicable Maps

Acceptable Soil Survey Maps -Interpretive Ruling
Map that should be used for the Jordan Buffer Rules
Clarification 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 Factsheet
When 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)

401 & Buffer Permitting

  • 401 & Buffer Permitting Contacts
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Helpful Documents and Links
  • Public Notices
  • Application Forms & Help Documents
  • 401 & Isolated Wetlands/ Waters Program & 401 Stormwater
  • General Certifications
  • Riparian Buffer Protection Program
    • Riparian Buffer Rules Education and Outreach
  • Stream & Wetland Mitigation Program
  • Nutrient Offset & Buffer Mitigation Program
  • 401 & Buffer Permitting Statutes & Rules
  • 401 & Buffer Permitting Compliance Assistance
  • Surface Water Identification Training and Certification (SWITC) Course
  • Laserfiche
  • 401 & Buffer Permit Tracker Map
  • Environmental Application Tracker
  • Wetlands ePayments

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https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/401-buffer-permitting/riparian-buffer-protection-program