§ 2. Purpose and Intent.

The purposes of the City of Burlington in adopting the following Ordinance is to protect and preserve existing riparian buffers throughout the Jordan Watershed as generally described in Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0262 (Jordan Water Supply Nutrient Strategy: Purpose and Scope), in order to maintain their nutrient removal and stream protection functions. Additionally this Ordinance will help protect the water supply uses of Jordan Reservoir and of designated water supplies throughout the Jordan watershed.

Buffers adjacent to streams provide multiple environmental protection and resource management benefits. Forested buffers enhance and protect the natural ecology of stream systems, as well as water quality through bank stabilization, shading, and nutrient removal. They also help to minimize flood damage in flood prone areas. Well-vegetated streamside riparian areas help to remove nitrogen and prevent sediment and sediment-bound pollutants such as phosphorous from reaching the streams.

(Ord. No. 2012-05, 2-21-12)