1. Riparian Buffers And Their Role In Coastal Georgia By Jackie Jackson & Bethany Jewell Water Resource Planners

2. What is a Riparian Buffer?  A riparian buffer is a naturally vegetated strip of land adjacent to a stream, lake, river, wetland or estuary.

3. Natural Functions of a Riparian Buffer  Stormwater Filtration Captures sediments, pesticides, nitrogen and phosphorus before reaching waterway  Flood Control Reduce stormwater velocity Keeps Development from immediate banks Natural absorption processes (if marsh or wetland buffer)

4. The Results of Loss  Stormwater not managed by the natural filtration methods of marshes can attribute to the closure of beaches and shellfish beds.  Fish and wildlife habitat degraded by erosion and sediment.  Surface heating occurs due to loss of shade.  Wildlife species suffer. Wider buffers protect amphibians, colonial water birds, and coastal fish spawning and nursery areas.  Human Impacts…

5. Buffers Save Money  Property damage lessened  Less investment stormwater management  Cost less than turf  Native vegetation requires less water

6. What are the Benefits to a Buffer?  Minimize stormwater pollution  Reduce erosion  Maintain natural temperature of waterways  Reduce noise pollution  Reduce flooding and flood damage  Preserve natural habitats  Save money  Scenic value

7. Natural Buffer in Chatham County Vernonburg Area Courtesy of The Georgia Land Trust

8. 35 FEET BUFFER 50 FEET SETBACK BUFFERS AND BUILDING SETBACKS

9. Source: Dr. F. Holland, MPC workshop, 9/12/02

10. Traditional Bulkheads

11. The Complications of Bulkheads

12. Minimum Buffer Widths (Setback needed to achieve any result.)

13. The Setback Research  The current buffer size of 25 ft only removes half of the stormwater sediment load and is considered of poor habitat value (Desbonnet et al., 1994).  Buffers smaller than 33ft are “functionally ineffective” (Watershed Protection Techniques, 1997).

14. Source: Dr. F. Holland, MPC workshop, 9/12/02

15. Options for Developers  Green Growth Guidelines  Low Impact Development

16. Green Growth Guidelines  Prepared by Georgia DNR Coastal Division  Strategies for development that protect the natural resources of our coast

17. Low Impact Development  Utilized in the Green Growth Guidelines  LID blends engineered and natural systems  LID focus is on multiple systems and integrated solutions  It also can provide alternatives to buffers

18. Source: L. Coffman, MPC Workshop presentation, 9/12/2002 LID Alternatives

19. Questions?