BUFFER
RULES
Land
disturbing forestry activities (harvesting and site preparation)
are generally governed under the state Sedimentation Pollution
Control Act (SPCA). The
Forest Practice Guidelines for Water Quality (FPG’s) specify
the required measures to protect water quality.
One of these requirements is that a vegetated streamside
management zone (buffer) be maintained on perennial and
intermittent streams and water bodies.
The buffer must be of sufficient width to confine visible
sediment from accelerated erosion. Note: The
rule does not require that standing timber be left in the
buffer. It only
requires a vegetated buffer.
Click
here for water quality and best management practices for loggers in North
Carolina.
Click
here for water quality and best management practices throughout the United
States
Maps showing these and other river basins are available at:
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/maps.
Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins
The state Environmental Management Commission (EMC) has adopted
separate mandatory buffer rules for land in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico
River Basins. These
rules supercede the Forest
Practice Guidelines for Water Quality in these areas since
they are more stringent. The
forest land must either be enrolled as timberland under the
use-value tax program or have a written forest management plan
prepared or approved by a registered forester for these
harvesting allowances to apply.
In general, these
rules require the following:
- The
maintenance of a 50-foot buffer along perennial and intermittent
streams and waterbodies. The
buffer is divided into Zone 1 (the first 30 feet) and Zone 2
(the outer 20 feet).
- Harvesting
of “high value” trees (14-inch or greater DBH pines and
16-inch or greater DBH hardwoods) is allowed within the first 10
feet of Zone 1 provided that the trees do not have exposed
primary roots in the streambank.
- Within
the next 20 feet, fifty percent of the trees 5 inches or greater
DBH may be harvested;
- Harvesting
in Zone 2 is allowed and must be in accordance with the Forest
Practice Guidelines for Water Quality.
Complete Buffer
Rules for the Neuse can be found at:
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/neuse.htm
Complete Buffer Rules for the
Neuse and Tar
Pamlico can be found at:
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/neuse.htm
Catawba River Basin
Buffer rules are also in place for the main stem of the Catawba
River below Lake James and along the main stem lakes.
As in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico rules, the forest land
must be either enrolled as timberland under the use-value tax
program or have a written forest management plan prepared or
approved by registered forester for these harvesting allowances
to apply.
In
general, these rules require the following:
- Maintenance
of a 50-foot buffer, divided into Zone 1 (the first 30 feet) and
Zone 2 (the outer 20 feet);
- Within
Zone 1, selective harvesting is allowed as follows:
1) Only “high value” trees may be removed within the
first 10 feet closest to the stream.
High value is defined as a tree with a stump diameter of
18 inches or more; (2) Trees with a stump diameter of greater
than 12 inches may be harvested within the remaining area of
Zone 1. In the case
of thinnings or partial cuts within plantations, the re-entry
time for harvesting is 5 years.
Note: Mechanized
equipment is not allowed in Zone 1 (Wheeled or tracked vehicles)
- In
Zone 2, harvesting must be in accordance with the Forest
Practice Guidelines for Water Quality.
Complete Buffer Rules on the Catawba can be
found at:
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/catawba.htm
Randleman Lake
Separate rules have been adopted by the Environmental Management
Commission for the Randleman Lake reservoir in the
Greensboro/High Point area.
As in the other rules, a 50-foot buffer is required and
the buffer is divided into Zone 1 (the first 30 feet) and Zone 2
(the outer 20 feet).
The
rule allows for selective harvesting of timber in Zone 1 as
follows:
-
No
trees less than 12-inches DBH may be harvested unless they are
dead or dying, present a threat to a dwelling, structure or the
stream channel or is necessary for insect or disease control.
-
Must be
recommended by the Division of Forest Resources)
-
Half of
the trees 12-inches or greater DBH may be harvested in Zone 1.
-
Trees
may not be harvested more frequently than every 10 years.