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Stream Buffer

Buffer Petition

Click Here to Sign the Petition

On Jan. 12th at 5pm the Asheville City Council will hold a public hearing to decide whether to reduce 127 miles of stream buffer protections. Come to the second floor of City Hall to voice your concerns about this dramatic reduction of our environmental protections.

SAY NO TO STREAM BUFFER REDUCTIONS!

In January, Asheville’s City Council will consider a proposal to reduce stream buffers protections.  Now is not the time for Asheville to take a step backward in environmental protection.

Please join us in opposing this reduction in water quality protection!

Why do stream buffers matter?

• Stream buffers, the strip of vegetated land alongside a stream or river, clean stormwater runoff by filtering out pollutants, solids, and other contaminants.  Buffers also protect against flooding, shade waterways and keep water temperatures cool, stabilize streams banks, and provide wildlife habitat. While buffers of as little as 25 feet can offer some protection, research has shown that buffers of 70-100 feet are required before most benefits can be achieved.

• Buffers are important here in WNC because mountainous streams are easily eroded, easily polluted, and more apt to flood from stormwater runoff.  Buffers also help protect our region’s uniquely rich aquatic biodiversity. 

• Buffers are important here in Asheville because recent data shows a decline in the water quality in the French Broad Watershed.  Wider buffers, even on small streams, will help stem that continuing degradation.  Wider buffers also allow for the future development of streamside greenways for recreation.

What’s the proposal?

• Asheville’s current ordinance requires a 30-foot undisturbed stream buffer on all development projects, regardless of the size of the project.  Landowners can maintain and use the buffer as long as they don’t build in it.  The current rule only applies to development or redevelopment and is very flexible allowing maintenance utilities, bridge crossings, and small encroachment for other uses.

• The proposal before City Council would result in 30-foot stream buffers for projects one acre or more and no required buffer for projects under one acre.  This proposal would eliminate buffer protections for 127 miles of stream. 

What buffer rules do other municipalities in North Carolina have?

Dozens of cities and towns across North Carolina have buffers ranging from 30-100 feet. Towns like Apex, Charlotte, Greenville, Newton, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Holly Springs, and Wake Forest, and counties such as Chatham, Lincoln, Orange, Gaston, Pitt, and Wake all have at least 50-foot buffers.

What can I do?

Contact City Council and tell them to vote NO on reducing stream buffer reductions.  Ask them to at least keep in place Asheville’s current 30-foot buffer on all streams and for all development projects.  Email City Council at AshevilleNCCouncil@ashevillenc.gov.  You can also find individual email addresses and phone numbers at www.ashevillenc.gov.  You can also sign Riverlink’s petition at www.riverlink.org. 

Click the link below for scientific studies on buffers

NC Wildlife Resource Buffer Guidelines

Literature Review on Buffer Widths

Buffer Cost Benefit

Buffer Guidebook