Do you know your obstacles?
If you live, or are planning to build, near a stream, river, lake, or wetland, it is important to:
- Maintain or restore a buffer strip of native plants along riverbanks, lakeshores, and wetlands.
- Buffer strips help keep water clean and cool and decrease erosion. The best buffers have a high diversity of plants and are fairly wide. The steeper the slope, the wider the buffer should be. A minimum of 300’ (as per the Governor’s Room to Roam Initiative) should be used, but if that is not possible, use the largest possible area. A 200’ to 250’ wide buffer strip is effective at filtering nutrients. If space is limited, the widest possible buffer will still help trap nutrients and other pollutants.
- Build upland, away from riparian areas and wetlands.
- Locate buildings on slopes with less than a 20% grade to prevent erosion. Use exterior colors that blend in with the landscape to be the least visually disturbing.
- Avoid bright lights on the exterior of your buildings so as not to interfere with nocturnal animals.
- Minimize your building area and keep shorelines and riverbanks free of permanent structures.
- Divert rooftop runoff into rain gardens, rain barrels, or other catchment systems, or onto grass so water will be absorbed gradually.
- Avoid extensive paved areas and other impervious surfaces near water as they may channel polluted water into waterways.
- Keep pathways to the waterfront as narrow as possible and gently winding so run-off will not have a direct route to the water.
- Use wood decking, bricks, pervious paving materials, or interlocking stones for walkways, so water is absorbed into the ground.
- Avoid draining or filling wetlands. They filter pollutants, recharge groundwater, and provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife.
- Don’t fertilize in buffer areas, and don’t apply fertilizer on your property directly before or after heavy rain or when plants are dormant.
- Avoid disturbing wildlife travel routes and nesting areas.
- Use natural herbicides and pesticides (as directed) for lawns and gardens.
- Avoid washing vehicles in an area that could drain to a water body.
- Maintain and pump your septic system on average every 3-5 years, depending on use.
Make sure to check to see what, if any, permits you may need. Potential Permits Required | Living on the Bank