(See S.L. 2013-395)

Protection of the nutrient removal and other water quality benefits provided by riparian buffers throughout the watershed is an important element of the overall Jordan water supply nutrient strategy. The following is the strategy for riparian buffer protection and maintenance in the Jordan watershed, as prefaced in 15A NCAC 02B .0262:

1. (1) PURPOSE. The purposes of this Rule shall be to protect and preserve existing riparian buffers throughout the Jordan watershed as generally described in 15A NCAC 02B .0262, in order to maintain their nutrient removal and stream protection functions. Additionally this Rule will help protect the water supply uses of Jordan Reservoir and of designated water supplies throughout the Jordan watershed. Local governments shall establish programs to meet or exceed the minimum requirements of this Rule. The requirements of this Rule shall supersede all locally implemented buffer requirements stated in 15A NCAC 02B .0214 through .0216 as applied to WS-II, WS-III, and WS-IV waters in the Jordan watershed. Local governments subject to this Rule may choose to implement more stringent requirements, including requiring additional buffer width.

2. (2) DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this Rule, these terms shall be defined as follows:

   1. (a) 'Access Trails' means pedestrian trails constructed of pervious or impervious surfaces and related structures to access a surface water, including boardwalks, steps, rails, and signage.

   2. (b) 'Airport Facilities' means all properties, facilities, buildings, structures, and activities that satisfy or otherwise fall within the scope of one or more of the definitions or uses of the words or phrases 'air navigation facility', 'airport', or 'airport protection privileges' under G.S. 63-1; the definition of 'aeronautical facilities' in G.S. 63-79(1); the phrase 'airport facilities' as used in G.S. 159-48(b)(1); the phrase 'aeronautical facilities' as defined in G.S. 159-81 and G.S. 159-97; and the phrase 'airport facilities and improvements' as used in Article V, Section 13, of the North Carolina Constitution, which shall include, without limitation, any and all of the following: airports, airport maintenance facilities, clear zones, drainage ditches, fields, hangars, landing lighting, airport and airport-related offices, parking facilities, related navigational and signal systems, runways, stormwater outfalls, terminals, terminal shops, and all appurtenant areas used or suitable for airport buildings or other airport facilities, and all appurtenant rights-of-way; restricted landing areas; any structures, mechanisms, lights, beacons, marks, communicating systems, or other instrumentalities or devices used or useful as an aid, or constituting an advantage or convenience to the safe taking off, navigation, and landing of aircraft, or the safe and efficient operation or maintenance of an airport or restricted landing area; easements through, or interests in, air space over land or water, interests in airport hazards outside the boundaries of airports or restricted landing areas, and other protection privileges, the acquisition or control of which is necessary to ensure safe approaches to the landing areas of airports and restricted landing areas, and the safe and efficient operation thereof and any combination of any or all of such facilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be included in the definition of 'airport facilities':

      1. (i) Satellite parking facilities;
      2. (ii) Retail and commercial development outside of the terminal area, such as rental car facilities; and
      3. (iii) Other secondary development, such as hotels, industrial facilities, free-standing offices and other similar buildings, so long as these facilities are not directly associated with the operation of the airport, and are not operated by a unit of government or special governmental entity such as an airport authority, in which case they are included in the definition of 'airport facilities'.
   3. (c) 'Forest management plan' means as defined in Chapter 160A-458.5(4).
   4. (d) 'Forest plantation' means an area of planted trees that may be conifers (pines) or hardwoods. On a plantation, the intended crop trees are planted rather than naturally regenerated from seed on the site, coppice (sprouting), or seed that is blown or carried into the site.
   5. (e) 'Greenway / Hiking Trails' means pedestrian trails constructed of pervious or impervious surfaces and related structures including but not limited to boardwalks, steps, rails, and signage, and that generally run parallel to the shoreline.
   6. (f) 'High Value Tree' means a tree that meets or exceeds the following standards: for pine species, 14-inch DBH or greater or 18-inch or greater stump diameter; or for hardwoods and wetland species, 16-inch DBH or greater or 24-inch or greater stump diameter.
   7. (g) 'Shoreline stabilization' is the in-place stabilization of an eroding shoreline. Stabilization techniques which include "soft" methods or natural materials (such as root wads, or rock vanes) may be considered as part of a restoration design. However, stabilization techniques that consist primarily of "hard" engineering, such as concrete lined channels, riprap, or gabions, while providing bank stabilization, shall not be considered stream restoration.
   8. (h) 'Stream restoration' is defined as the process of converting an unstable, altered or degraded stream corridor, including adjacent riparian zone and flood-prone areas to its natural or referenced, stable conditions considering recent and future watershed conditions. This process also includes restoring the geomorphic dimension, pattern, and profile as well as biological and chemical integrity, including transport of water and sediment produced by the stream's watershed in order to achieve dynamic equilibrium. 'Referenced' or 'referenced reach' means a stable stream that is in dynamic equilibrium with its valley and contributing watershed. A reference reach can be used to develop natural channel design criteria for stream restoration projects.
   9. (i) 'Stump diameter' means the diameter of a tree measured at six inches above the ground surface level.
   10. (j) 'Temporary road' means a road constructed temporarily for equipment access to build or replace hydraulic conveyance structures such as bridges, culverts, pipes or water dependent structures, or to maintain public traffic during construction.

3. (3) APPLICABILITY. This Rule applies to all landowners and other persons conducting activities in the Jordan watershed, including state and federal entities, and to all local governments in the Jordan watershed, as described in 15A NCAC 02B .0262. Local governments shall develop riparian buffer protection programs for approval by the Commission, incorporating the minimum standards set out throughout this Rule and shall apply the requirements of this Rule throughout their jurisdictions within the Jordan watershed except where The Division shall exercise jurisdiction. For the following types of buffer activities in the Jordan watershed, wherever local governments are referenced in this Rule, the Division shall implement applicable requirements to the exclusion of local governments:

   1. (a) Activities conducted under the authority of the State.
   2. (b) Activities conducted under the authority of the United States.
   3. (c) Activities conducted under the authority of multiple jurisdictions.
   4. (d) Activities conducted under the authority of local units of government.
   5. (e) Forest harvesting activities described in Item (14) of this Rule.
   6. (f) Agricultural activities.
   7. (g) Activities conducted in a location where there is no local government program implementing NPDES stormwater requirements, Water Supply Watershed requirements, or a voluntary local stormwater or buffer initiative at the time of the activity.

4. (4) BUFFERS PROTECTED. The following minimum criteria shall be used for identifying regulated buffers:

   1. (a) This Rule shall apply to activities conducted within, or outside of with impacts upon, 50-foot wide riparian buffers directly adjacent to surface waters in the Jordan watershed (intermittent streams, perennial streams, lakes, reservoirs and ponds), excluding wetlands.
   2. (b) Wetlands adjacent to surface waters or within 50 feet of surface waters shall be considered as part of the riparian buffer but are regulated pursuant to 15A NCAC 02H .0506.

   3. (c) A surface water shall be subject to this Rule if the feature is approximately shown on any of the following references, and shall not be subject if it does not appear on any of these references:

      1. (i) The most recent version of the soil survey map prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
      2. (ii) The most recent version of the 1:24,000 scale (7.5 minute) quadrangle topographic maps prepared by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS).
      3. (iii) Maps approved by the Geographic Information Coordinating Council and by the Commission. Prior to approving such maps, the Commission shall provide a 30-day public notice and opportunity for comment. Maps approved under this sub-item shall not apply to projects that are existing and ongoing within the meaning of this Rule as set out in Item (6).
   4. (d) Where the specific origination point of a stream regulated under this Item is in question, upon request of the Division or another party, the local government shall make an on-site determination. A local government representative who has successfully completed the Division's Surface Water Identification Training Certification course, its successor, or other equivalent training curriculum approved by the Division, shall establish that point using the latest version of the Division publication, Identification Methods for the Origins of Intermittent and Perennial Streams, available at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/swp/ws/401/waterresources/streamdeterminations or from the Division of Water Quality, 401/Wetlands Unit, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1650. A local government may accept the results of a site assessment made by another party who meets these criteria. Any disputes over on-site determinations made according to this Sub-Item shall be referred to the Director in writing. The Director's determination is subject to review as provided in Articles 3 and 4 of G.S. 150B.
   5. (e) Riparian buffers protected by this Rule shall be measured pursuant to Item (7) of this Rule.
   6. (f) Parties subject to this rule shall abide by all State rules and laws regarding waters of the state including but not limited to 15A NCAC 02H .0500, 15A NCAC 02H .1300, and Sections 401 and 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
   7. (g) A riparian buffer may be exempt from this Rule as described in Item (5) or (6) of this Rule.
   8. (h) No new clearing, grading, or development shall take place nor shall any new building permits be issued in violation of this Rule.

5. (5) EXEMPTION BASED ON ON-SITE DETERMINATION. When a landowner or other affected party including the Division believes that the maps have inaccurately depicted surface waters, he or she shall consult the appropriate local government. Upon request, a local government representative who has successfully completed the Division's Surface Water Identification Training Certification course, its successor, or other equivalent training curriculum approved by the Division, shall make an on-site determination. Local governments may also accept the results of site assessments made by other parties who have successfully completed such training. Any disputes over on-site determinations shall be referred to the Director in writing. A determination of the Director as to the accuracy or application of the maps is subject to review as provided in Articles 3 and 4 of G.S. 150B. Surface waters that appear on the maps shall not be subject to this Rule if a site evaluation reveals any of the following cases:

   1. (a) Man-made ponds and lakes that are not part of a natural drainage way that is classified in accordance with 15A NCAC 02B .0100, including ponds and lakes created for animal watering, irrigation, or other agricultural uses. A pond or lake is part of a natural drainage way when it is fed by an intermittent or perennial stream or when it has a direct discharge point to an intermittent or perennial stream.
   2. (b) Ephemeral streams.
   3. (c) The absence on the ground of a corresponding intermittent or perennial stream, lake, reservoir, or pond.
   4. (d) Ditches or other man-made water conveyances, other than modified natural streams.

6. (6) EXEMPTION WHEN EXISTING USES ARE PRESENT AND ONGOING. This Rule shall not apply to uses that are existing and ongoing; however, this Rule shall apply at the time an existing, ongoing use is changed to another use. Change of use shall involve the initiation of any activity that does not meet either of the following criteria for existing, ongoing activity:

   1. (a) It was present within the riparian buffer as of the effective date of a local program enforcing this Rule and has continued to exist since that time. For any Division-administered activities listed in Item (3) of this Rule, a use shall be considered existing and ongoing if it was present within the riparian buffer as of the Rule’s effective date of August 11, 2009 and has continued to exist since that time. Existing uses shall include agriculture, buildings, industrial facilities, commercial areas, transportation facilities, maintained lawns, utility lines and on-site sanitary sewage systems, any of which involve either specific, periodic management of vegetation or displacement of vegetation by structures or regular activity. Only the portion of the riparian buffer occupied by the footprint of the existing use is exempt from this Rule. Change of ownership through purchase or inheritance is not a change of use. Activities necessary to maintain uses are allowed provided that the site remains similarly vegetated, no impervious surface is added within 50 feet of the surface water where it did not previously exist as of the effective date of a local program enforcing this Rule, or for Division-administered activities listed in Item (3) of this Rule as of the Rule’s effective date of August 11, 2009, and existing diffuse flow is maintained. Grading and revegetating Zone Two is allowed provided that the health of the vegetation in Zone One is not compromised, the ground is stabilized and existing diffuse flow is maintained.

   2. (b) Projects or proposed development that are determined by the local government to meet at least one of the following criteria:

      1. (i) Project requires a 401 Certification/404 Permit and these were issued prior to the effective date of the local program enforcing this Rule, and prior to the August 11, 2009 effective date of this Rule for Division-administered activities listed in Item (3) of this Rule;
      2. (ii) Projects that require a state permit, such as landfills, NPDES wastewater discharges, land application of residuals and road construction activities, have begun construction or are under contract to begin construction and had received all required state permits and certifications prior to the effective date of the local program implementing this Rule, and prior to the August 11, 2009 effective date of this Rule for Division-administered activities listed in Item (3) of this Rule;
      3. (iii) Projects that are being reviewed through the Clean Water Act Section 404/National Environmental Policy Act Merger 01 Process (published by the US Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Highway Administration, 2003) or its immediate successor and that have reached agreement with DENR on avoidance and minimization by the effective date of the local program enforcing this Rule, and prior to the August 11, 2009 effective date of this Rule for state and federal entities; or
      4. (iv) Projects that are not required to be reviewed by the Clean Water Act Section 404/National Environmental Policy Act Merger 01 Process (published by the US Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Highway Administration, 2003) or its immediate successor if a Finding of No Significant Impact has been issued for the project and the project has the written approval of the local government prior to the effective date of the local program enforcing this Rule, or the written approval of the Division prior to the August 11, 2009 effective date of this Rule for state and federal entities.

7. (7) ZONES OF THE RIPARIAN BUFFER. The protected riparian buffer shall have two zones as follows:

   1. (a) Zone One shall consist of a vegetated area that is undisturbed except for uses provided for in Item (9) of this Rule. The location of Zone One shall be as follows:

      1. (i) For intermittent and perennial streams, Zone One shall begin at the top of the bank and extend landward a distance of 30 feet on all sides of the surface water, measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to a vertical line marking the top of the bank.
      2. (ii) For ponds, lakes and reservoirs located within a natural drainage way, Zone One shall begin at the normal water level and extend landward a distance of 30 feet, measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to a vertical line marking the normal water level.
   2. (b) Zone Two shall consist of a stable, vegetated area that is undisturbed except for uses provided for in Item (9) of this Rule. Grading and revegetating in Zone Two is allowed provided that the health of the vegetation in Zone One is not compromised. Zone Two shall begin at the outer edge of Zone One and extend landward 20 feet as measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to the surface water. The combined width of Zones One and Two shall be 50 feet on all sides of the surface water.

8. (8) DIFFUSE FLOW REQUIREMENT. Diffuse flow of runoff shall be maintained in the riparian buffer by dispersing concentrated flow prior to its entry into the buffer and reestablishing vegetation as follows:

   1. (a) Concentrated runoff from new ditches or manmade conveyances shall be converted to diffuse flow at non-erosive velocities before the runoff enters Zone Two of the riparian buffer;
   2. (b) Periodic corrective action to restore diffuse flow shall be taken as necessary and shall be designed to impede the formation of erosion gullies;
   3. (c) As set out in Items (7) and (9) of this Rule, no new stormwater conveyances are allowed through the buffers except for those specified in Item (9) of this Rule addressing stormwater management ponds, drainage ditches, roadside ditches, and stormwater conveyances; and
   4. (d) Activities conducted outside of buffers identified in Item (4) that alter the hydrology in violation of the diffuse flow requirements set out in this Item shall be prohibited.

9. (9) TABLE OF USES. The following chart sets out potential new uses within the buffer, or outside the buffer with impacts on the buffer, and categorizes them as exempt, allowable, or allowable with mitigation. All uses not categorized as exempt, allowable, or allowable with mitigation are considered prohibited and may not proceed within the riparian buffer, or outside the buffer if the use would impact diffuse flow through the buffer, unless a variance is granted pursuant to Item (12) of this Rule. The requirements for each category are given in Item (10) of this Rule.

   * To qualify for the designation indicated in the column header, an activity must adhere to the limitations defined for it in a given listing as well as the requirements established in Item (10) of this Rule.

   ¹ Provided that:

   · No heavy equipment is used in Zone One.

   · Vegetation in undisturbed portions of the buffer is not compromised.

   · Felled trees are removed by chain.

   · No permanent felling of trees occurs in protected buffers or streams.

   · Stumps are removed only by grinding.

   · At the completion of the project the disturbed area is stabilized with native vegetation.

   · Zones one and two meet the requirements of Sub-Items (7) and (8) of this Rule.

   ² Provided that, in Zone One, all of the following BMPs for overhead utility lines are used. If all of these BMPs are not used, then the overhead utility lines shall require a no practical alternative evaluation by the local government, as defined in Item (11) of this Rule.

   · A minimum zone of 10 feet wide immediately adjacent to the water body shall be managed such that only vegetation that poses a hazard or has the potential to grow tall enough to interfere with the line is removed.

   · Woody vegetation shall be cleared by hand. No land grubbing or grading is allowed.

   · Vegetative root systems shall be left intact to maintain the integrity of the soil. Stumps shall remain where trees are cut.

   · Riprap shall not be used unless it is necessary to stabilize a tower.

   · No fertilizer shall be used other than a one-time application to re-establish vegetation.

   · Construction activities shall minimize the removal of woody vegetation, the extent of the disturbed area, and the time in which areas remain in a disturbed state.

   · Active measures shall be taken after construction and during routine maintenance to ensure diffuse flow of stormwater through the buffer.

   · In wetlands, mats shall be utilized to minimize soil disturbance.

   ³ Provided that poles or aerial infrastructure shall not be installed within 10 feet of a water body unless the local government completes a no practical alternative evaluation as defined in Item (11) of this Rule.

   ⁴ Provided that, in Zone One, all of the following BMPs for underground utility lines are used. If all of these BMPs are not used, then the underground utility line shall require a no practical alternative evaluation by the local government, as defined in Item (11) of this Rule.

   · Woody vegetation shall be cleared by hand. No land grubbing or grading is allowed.

   · Vegetative root systems shall be left intact to maintain the integrity of the soil. Stumps shall remain, except in the trench where trees are cut.

   · Underground cables shall be installed by vibratory plow or trenching.

   · The trench shall be backfilled with the excavated soil material immediately following cable installation.

   · No fertilizer shall be used other than a one-time application to re-establish vegetation.

   · Construction activities shall minimize the removal of woody vegetation, the extent of the disturbed area, and the time in which areas remain in a disturbed state.

   · Measures shall be taken upon completion of construction and during routine maintenance to ensure diffuse flow of stormwater through the buffer.

   · In wetlands, mats shall be utilized to minimize soil disturbance.

   ⁵ Perpendicular crossings are those that intersect the surface water at an angle between 75 degrees and 105 degrees.

10. (10) REQUIREMENTS FOR CATEGORIES OF USES. Uses designated in Item (9) of this Rule as exempt, allowable, and allowable with mitigation within a riparian buffer shall have the following requirements:

    1. (a) EXEMPT. Uses designated as exempt are permissible without local government authorization provided that they adhere to the limitations of the activity as defined in Item (9). In addition, exempt uses shall be designed, constructed and maintained to minimize soil disturbance and to provide the maximum water quality protection practicable, including construction, monitoring, and maintenance activities.
    2. (b) ALLOWABLE. Uses designated as allowable may proceed provided that there are no practical alternatives to the requested use pursuant to Item (11) of this Rule. This includes construction, monitoring, and maintenance activities. These uses require written authorization from the local government.
    3. (c) ALLOWABLE WITH MITIGATION. Uses designated as allowable with mitigation may proceed provided that there are no practical alternatives to the requested use pursuant to Item (11) of this Rule and an appropriate mitigation strategy has been approved pursuant to Item (13) of this Rule. These uses require written authorization from the local government.

11. (11) DETERMINATION OF "NO PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVES."

    1. (a) Persons who wish to undertake uses designated as allowable or allowable with mitigation shall submit a request for a "no practical alternatives" determination to the local government. The applicant shall certify that the project meets all the following criteria for finding "no practical alternatives":

       1. (i) The basic project purpose cannot be practically accomplished in a manner that would better minimize disturbance, preserve aquatic life and habitat, and protect water quality;
       2. (ii) The use cannot practically be reduced in size or density, reconfigured or redesigned to better minimize disturbance, preserve aquatic life and habitat, and protect water quality; and
       3. (iii) Best management practices shall be used if necessary to minimize disturbance, preserve aquatic life and habitat, and protect water quality;

    2. (b) The applicant shall also submit at least the following information in support of their assertion of "no practical alternatives":

       1. (i) The name, address and phone number of the applicant;
       2. (ii) The nature of the activity to be conducted by the applicant;
       3. (iii) The location of the activity, including the jurisdiction;
       4. (iv) A map of sufficient detail to accurately delineate the boundaries of the land to be utilized in carrying out the activity, the location and dimensions of any disturbance in riparian buffers associated with the activity, and the extent of riparian buffers on the land;
       5. (v) An explanation of why this plan for the activity cannot be practically accomplished, reduced or reconfigured to better minimize disturbance to the riparian buffer, preserve aquatic life and habitat and protect water quality; and
       6. (vi) Plans for any best management practices proposed to be used to control the impacts associated with the activity.

    3. (c) Within 60 days of a submission that addresses Sub-Item (11)(b) of this Rule, the local government shall review the entire project and make a finding of fact as to whether the criteria in Sub-Item (11)(a) have been met. A finding of "no practical alternatives" shall result in issuance of an Authorization Certificate. Failure to act within 60 days shall be construed as a finding of "no practical alternatives" and an Authorization Certificate shall be issued to the applicant unless one of the following occurs:

       1. (i) The applicant agrees, in writing, to a longer period;
       2. (ii) The local government determines that the applicant has failed to furnish requested information necessary to the local government's decision;
       3. (iii) The final decision is to be made pursuant to a public hearing; or
       4. (iv) The applicant refuses access to its records or premises for the purpose of gathering information necessary to the local government's decision.
    4. (d) The local government may attach conditions to the Authorization Certificate that support the purpose, spirit and intent of the riparian buffer protection program.
    5. (e) Any appeals of determinations regarding Authorization Certificates shall be referred to the Director. The Director's decision is subject to review as provided in G.S. 150B Articles 3 and 4.

12. (12) VARIANCES. Persons who wish to undertake prohibited uses may pursue a variance. The local government may grant minor variances. For major variances, local governments shall prepare preliminary findings and submit them to the Commission for approval. The variance request procedure shall be as follows:

    1. (a) For any variance request, the local government shall make a finding of fact as to whether there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships that prevent compliance with the riparian buffer protection requirements. A finding of practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships shall require that the following conditions are met:

       1. (i) If the applicant complies with the provisions of this Rule, he/she can secure no reasonable return from, nor make reasonable use of, his/her property. Merely proving that the variance would permit a greater profit from the property shall not be considered adequate justification for a variance. Moreover, the local government shall consider whether the variance is the minimum possible deviation from the terms of this Rule that shall make reasonable use of the property possible;
       2. (ii) The hardship results from application of this Rule to the property rather than from other factors such as deed restrictions or other hardship;
       3. (iii) The hardship is due to the physical nature of the applicant's property, such as its size, shape, or topography, such that compliance with provisions of this rule would not allow reasonable use of the property;
       4. (iv) The applicant did not cause the hardship by knowingly or unknowingly violating this Rule;
       5. (v) The applicant did not purchase the property after August 11, 2009, the effective date of this Rule, and then request a variance; and
       6. (vi) The hardship is rare or unique to the applicant's property.
    2. (b) For any variance request, the local government shall make a finding of fact as to whether the variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the State's riparian buffer protection requirements and preserves its spirit; and
    3. (c) For any variance request, the local government shall make a finding of fact as to whether, in granting the variance, the public safety and welfare have been assured, water quality has been protected, and substantial justice has been done.
    4. (d) MINOR VARIANCES. A minor variance request pertains to activities that will impact only Zone Two of the riparian buffer. Minor variance requests shall be reviewed and approved based on the criteria in Sub-Items (12)(a) through (12)(c) of this Rule by the local government pursuant to G.S. 153A-Article 18, or G.S. 160A-Article 19. The local government may attach conditions to the variance approval that support the purpose, spirit and intent of the riparian buffer protection program. Request for appeals to decisions made by the local governments shall be made in writing to the Director. The Director's decision is subject to review as provided in G.S. 150B Articles 3 and 4.
    5. (e) MAJOR VARIANCES. A major variance request pertains to activities that will impact any portion of Zone One or any portion of both Zones One and Two of the riparian buffer. If the local government has determined that a major variance request meets the requirements in Sub-Items (12)(a) through (12)(c) of this Rule, then it shall prepare a preliminary finding and submit it to the Commission for approval. Within 90 days after receipt by the local government, the Commission shall review preliminary findings on major variance requests and take one of the following actions: approve, approve with conditions and stipulations, or deny the request. Appeals from a Commission decision on a major variance request are made on judicial review to Superior Court.

13. (13) MITIGATION. Persons who wish to undertake uses designated as allowable with mitigation shall meet the following requirements in order to proceed with their proposed use:

    1. (a) Obtain a determination of "no practical alternatives" to the proposed use pursuant to Item (11) of this Rule; and
    2. (b) Obtain approval for a mitigation proposal pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0268.

14. (14) REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC TO FOREST HARVESTING. The following requirements shall apply for forest harvesting operations and practices:

    1. (a) All the following measures shall apply in the entire riparian buffer as applicable:

       1. (i) Logging decks and sawmill sites shall not be placed in the riparian buffer;
       2. (ii) Access roads and skid trails shall be prohibited except for temporary and permanent stream crossings established in accordance with 15A NCAC 01I .0203. Temporary stream crossings shall be permanently stabilized after any site disturbing activity is completed;
       3. (iii) Timber felling shall be directed away from the stream or waterbody;
       4. (iv) Skidding shall be directed away from the stream or water body and shall be done in a manner that minimizes soil disturbance and prevents the creation of channels or ruts;
       5. (v) Individual trees may be treated to maintain or improve their health, form or vigor;
       6. (vi) Harvesting of dead or infected trees as necessary to prevent or control the spread of tree pest and disease infestation shall be allowed. These practices must be approved by the Division of Forest Resources for a specific site pursuant to the rule. The Division of Forest Resources must notify the Division of all approvals;
       7. (vii) Removal of individual trees that are in danger of causing damage to structures or human life shall be allowed;
       8. (viii) Natural regeneration of forest vegetation and planting of trees, shrubs, or ground cover plants to enhance the riparian buffer shall be allowed provided that soil disturbance is minimized;
       9. (ix) High-intensity prescribed burns shall not be allowed; and
       10. (x) Application of fertilizer shall not be allowed except as necessary for permanent stabilization. Broadcast application of fertilizer to the adjacent forest stand shall be conducted so that the chemicals are not applied directly to or allowed to drift into the riparian buffer.

    2. (b) In Zone One, forest vegetation shall be protected and maintained. Selective harvest as provided for below is allowed on forest lands that have a deferment for use value under forestry in accordance with G.S. 105-277.2 through 277.6 or on forest lands that have a forest management plan. A plan drafted under either option shall meet the standards set out in this Item. Copies of either the approval of the deferment for use value under forestry or the forest management plan shall be produced upon request. For such forest lands, selective harvest is allowed in accordance with the following:

       1. (i) Tracked or wheeled vehicles are permitted for the purpose of selective timber harvesting where there is no other practical alternative for removal of individual trees provided activities comply with forest practice guidelines for water quality as defined in 15A NCAC 01I .0101 through .0209, and provided no equipment shall operate within the first 10 feet immediately adjacent to the stream except at stream crossings designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with Rule 15A NCAC 01I .0203;
       2. (ii) Soil disturbing site preparation activities are not allowed; and
       3. (iii) Trees shall be removed with the minimum disturbance to the soil and residual vegetation.

    3. (c) In addition to the requirements of (b) in this Item, the following provisions for selective harvesting shall be met:

       1. (i) The first 10 feet of Zone One directly adjacent to the stream or waterbody shall be undisturbed except for the removal of individual high value trees as defined provided that no trees with exposed primary roots visible in the streambank be cut unless listed as an exempt activity under Vegetation Management in the Table of Uses, Sub-Item (9) of this Rule;
       2. (ii) In the outer 20 feet of Zone One, a maximum of 50 percent of the trees greater than five inches DBH may be cut and removed. The reentry time for harvest shall be no more frequent than every 15 years, except on forest plantations where the reentry time shall be no more frequent than every five years. In either case, the trees remaining after harvest shall be as evenly spaced as possible; and
       3. (iii) In Zone Two, harvesting and regeneration of the forest stand shall be allowed in accordance with 15A NCAC 01I .0100 through .0200 as enforced by the Division of Forest Resources.

15. (15) RULE IMPLEMENTATION. This Rule shall be implemented as follows:

    1. (a) For Division-administered activities listed in Item (3) of this Rule, the Division shall continue to implement the requirements of this Rule, which it has done since its effective date of August 11, 2009:

    2. (b) Local governments shall continue to implement buffer programs approved by the Commission in September 2010 and January 2011, or subsequent revisions to those programs approved by the Commission or its delegated authority, to ensure that existing land use activities and proposed development complies with local programs. These programs are required to meet the standards set out in this Rule, 15A NCAC 02B .0268, and are guided by the model buffer program approved by the Commission in September 2009. A local government shall issue an approval for new development only if the development application proposes to avoid impacts to riparian buffers defined in Item (4) of this Rule, or where the application proposes to impact such buffers, it demonstrates that the applicant has done the following, as applicable:

       1. (i) Determined that the activity is exempt from requirements of this Rule;
       2. (ii) Received an Authorization Certificate from the Division pursuant to Item (11) of this Rule for uses designated as Allowable or Allowable with Mitigation;
       3. (iii) For uses designated as Allowable with Mitigation, received approval of a mitigation plan pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0268; and
       4. (iv) Received a variance pursuant to Item (12) of this Rule;
    3. (c) Local governments shall continue to submit annual reports to the Division summarizing their activities in implementing the requirements of this Rule;
    4. (d) If a local government fails to adopt or adequately implement its program as called for in this Rule, the Division may take appropriate enforcement action as authorized by statute, and may choose to assume responsibility for implementing that program until such time as it determines that the local government is prepared to comply with its responsibilities; and

    5. (e) LOCAL OVERSIGHT. The Division shall periodically inspect local programs to ensure that they are being implemented and enforced in keeping with the requirements of this Rule. Local governments shall maintain on-site records for a minimum of five years, and shall furnish a copy of these records to the Division within 30 days of receipt of a written request for them. Local programs' records shall include the following:

       1. (i) A copy of all variance requests;
       2. (ii) Findings of fact on all variance requests;
       3. (iii) Results of all variance proceedings;
       4. (iv) A record of complaints and action taken as a result of complaints;
       5. (v) Records for stream origin calls and stream ratings; and
       6. (vi) Copies of all requests for authorization, records approving authorization and Authorization Certificates.
16. (16) OTHER LAWS, REGULATIONS AND PERMITS. In all cases, compliance with this Rule does not preclude the requirement to comply with all other federal, state and local laws, regulations, and permits regarding streams, steep slopes, erodible soils, wetlands, floodplains, forest harvesting, surface mining, land disturbance activities, or any other landscape feature or water quality-related activity.

History Note: Authority 143-214.1; 143-214.5; 143-214.7; 143-215.3(a)(1); 143-215.6A; 143-215.6B; 143-215.6C; 143 215.8B; 143B-282(c); 143B-282(d) S.L. 1999-329, s. 7.1.; S.L. 2005-190; S.L. 2006-259; S.L. 2009-216; S.L. 2009-484;
Eff. August 11, 2009;
Amended Eff. September 1, 2011;
See S.L. 2013-395;
Amended Eff. July 7, 2014.