A.

Purpose. The Town finds that it is in the public interest to promote healthy and abundant riparian habitats. Riparian habitats are located along the sides of canyon bottoms, streams and rivers, providing watershed protection as well as control transmission and storage of natural water supplies. Riparian areas provide a unique wildlife habitat and contribute to an attractive environment. Riparian areas also provide natural soil erosion and sedimentation control protecting stream banks subject to erosion and undercutting. In addition riparian areas provide sufficient shade to reduce temperature and evaporation and the growth of algae in streams. The provisions of this Chapter are designed to augment and coordinate with the responsibilities of the California Department of Fish and Game.

B.

Scope

1.

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to all riparian areas growing on private land within the Town of Apple Valley and to riparian areas growing on public land owned by the Town of Apple Valley, except as specified by this Chapter.

2.

Exceptions. The provisions of this Chapter are not applicable to emergency Flood Control District operations or water conservation measures established and authorized by an appropriate independent Special District with such responsibility.

C.

Subject Areas and Plants. Except as otherwise provided or excepted by the provisions of this Chapter, the removal of any vegetation within two hundred (200) feet of the bank of a stream indicated as a blue line on a United States Geological Survey Quadrangle (topographic) map or indicated as a protected riparian area on a community or specific plan, shall be subject to a tree or plant removal permit in accordance with the procedures detailed by this Chapter for each respective regional area and shall be subject to environmental review. Any necessary conditions of approval for removal of riparian vegetation may be imposed in addition to, and in combination with, any condition imposed pursuant to this Chapter.