Improve surface water quality by reducing the amount of nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other harmful substances that reach wetlands and water bodies by using scientifically proven processes including filtration, deposition, absorption, plant uptake, and denitrification, and by improving infiltration, encouraging sheet flow, and stabilizing concentrated flows.

Improve and maintain the safety, reliability, and adequacy of the water supply for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and recreational uses along with sustaining diverse populations of aquatic flora and fauna.

Preserve and protect areas that intercept surface water runoff, wastewater, subsurface flow, and/or deep groundwater flows from upland sources and function to remove or buffer the effects of associated nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, or other pollutants prior to entry into water bodies, as well as provide wildlife habitat, moderate water temperature in water bodies, and provide opportunities for passive recreation.

Regulate the land use, siting, and engineering of all development to be consistent with the intent and objectives of this chapter, accepted conservation practices, and to work within the carrying capacity of existing natural resources.

Assist in the implementation of pertinent state laws concerning erosion and sediment control practices, specifically Erosion Control, of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Act 394, P.L. 1987, Chapter 102 of the Administrative Code (as amended October 10, 1980, Act 157), Title 25, and any subsequent amendments thereto, as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Conservation District.

Conserve the natural features important to land or water resources such as headwater areas, groundwater recharge zones, floodway, floodplain, springs, streams, wetlands, woodlands, prime wildlife habitats and other features that provide recreational value or contain natural amenities that exist on developed and undeveloped land.

Work with floodplain and other ordinances that regulate environmentally sensitive areas to minimize hazards to life, property, and riparian features.

Recognize that natural features contribute to the welfare and quality of life of the Douglass Township residents.

Conserve natural, scenic, and recreation areas within and adjacent to riparian areas for the community's benefit.

Applicability.

Boundary definition, zone determination, and interpretation. The Riparian Corridor Conservation District is an overlay district that applies to streams, wetlands, and water bodies, and the land adjacent to them, as specified in the following table:

Zone designation adjustments for steep slopes. If the extent of the steeply sloped area (>25% slope) is more than 50 feet, Zone 1 shall extend to the fifty-foot maximum corridor width and Zone 2 shall not be required. If the extent of the steeply sloped area is less than 50 feet, Zone 1 shall extend to the limit of the steeply sloped area and the width of Zone 2 shall be adjusted so that the total corridor width on one side of a stream will be 50 feet maximum.

Boundary adjustments. The boundaries of the Riparian Corridor Conservation District, shall be adjusted in compliance with the following:

Identification and width determination. The applicant shall be responsible for the following:

Zone 1:

Zone 2.

Clearing of existing vegetation, except where such clearing is necessary to prepare land for a use permitted under § 265-188, herein, and where the effects of these actions are mitigated by reestablishment of vegetation, as specified under § 265-193A.

Storage of any hazardous or noxious materials.

Use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and/or other chemicals in excess of prescribed industry standards or the recommendations of the Montgomery County Conservation District.

Roads or driveways, except where permitted as stream crossings in compliance with § 265-188.

Motor or wheeled vehicle traffic in any area not designed to accommodate adequately the type and volume.

Parking lots.

Any type of permanent structure, except those needed for a use permitted in 265-188, herein.

Subsurface sewage disposal areas.

Stormwater basins, berms, and outfall facilities.

Sod farming.

When a landowner or applicant disputes the Zone (1 or 2) boundaries of the riparian corridor or the defined edge of a water body the landowner or applicant shall submit evidence to the Zoning Hearing Board that describes the boundary, presents the landowner or applicant's proposed boundary, and presents all justification for the proposed boundary change.

The Municipal Engineer and/or other advisors selected by the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate all material submitted and provide a written determination within 45 days to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Agency, and landowner or applicant.

Any party aggrieved by any such determination or other decision or determination under this section may appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board under the provisions of Article XXVII, Administrative Procedures. The party contesting the location of the district boundary shall have the burden of proof in case of any such appeal.

Lands within or adjacent to an identified Riparian Corridor Conservation District may be inspected by a Township representative when:

The district may also be inspected periodically by a Township representative for compliance with an approved restoration plan, excessive or potentially problematic erosion, hazardous trees, or at any time when the presence of an unauthorized activity or structure is brought to the attention of Township officials.

Riparian corridor planting. Reestablishment of forest cover and woodland habitat shall be required consistent with the requirements of § 230-53 of Chapter 230, Subdivision and Land Development.

Mitigation measures. Uses permitted in § 265-188 involving stream crossings within the riparian corridor shall be mitigated by increasing the width of the corridor as replacement for the area lost due to the encroachment, so that the total corridor area (land area within Zone 1 and Zone 2) for each applicable side of the stream or water body is equal to that required by § 265-187A. Corridor area is the product of the corridor width required by § 265-187A and the total length for each applicable side of the stream or watercourse for which a riparian corridor is being established. Perimeter shall be used in place of length for determining wetland buffer area. The increased width shall be spread throughout the corridor to the maximum extent possible. For streams and watercourses, the increased width shall be applied along the length of the stream in blocks of 1,000 feet or more, or the full length of the corridor on the affected property, whichever is less.

The width of the right-of way should not be greater than the minimum right-of-way width required by Chapter 230, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Douglass Township Code.

Crossings should be designed to cross the riparian corridor at direct right angles in order to minimize disturbance of the corridor.

Crossings should be separated by a minimum of 1,000 feet of buffer length.

Bridges should be used in place of culverts when crossings would require a seventy-two-inch or greater diameter pipe. When culverts are installed they should consist of slab, arch, or box culverts and not corrugated metal pipe. Culverts should also be designed to retain the natural channel bottom to ensure the passage of water during low flow or dry weather periods.