Why Are Stream Buffers Important?
State Regulations - Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act
Federal Regulations - Army Corps of Engineers
Enforcement Highlights—Stream Buffers
Why Are Stream Buffers Important?
A stream buffer is an area along a stream, shoreline, or wetland where development is restricted or prohibited. The primary functions of stream buffers are to physically protect and separate a stream, lake or wetland from future disturbance or encroachment and to filter stormwater on its path to the waterway. If properly maintained, buffers can provide stormwater management to protect water quality and act as a right-of-way during floods, sustaining the integrity of stream ecosystems and habitats.
Many small streams do not show up on topographical maps, but that doesn’t mean that they are not ecologically important. See Where Rivers Are Born: The Scientific Imperative for Defending Small Streams and Wetlands.
State Regulations - Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act
The Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (12-7-1) requires a 25-foot vegetated buffer along all state waters and a 50-foot vegetated buffer on state-designated trout streams. A variance may be obtained from this law under certain circumstances, upon application to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). UCR actively monitors buffer variance applications and investigates citizen complaints of potential buffer encroachment violations.
Federal Regulations - Army Corps of Engineers
While protection of stream buffers is regulated by the state, a stream channel itself is protected by federal regulations.
If there's going to be any dredged or filled material placed within that stream channel, then a Section 404 permit must be applied for and obtained through the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) . The Corps has nationwide permits for acitivities with "minimal" impacts and individual permits for activities with substantial impacts.
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