The purpose of the Dragon Run Conservation District (DRCD) is to protect and conserve fragile resource areas which perform valuable functions in their natural state and which are unsuitable for development and intense use. Areas to be designed as the DRCD primarily include wetlands and swamps, but may include other areas deemed to be important for floodplain management, aquifer recharge, water storage, critical wildlife habitat, or similar functions.

The following uses, activities and structures are permitted within the DRCD. Whenever these permitted uses are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, ordinances, or resolutions, the most restrictive or one imposing the higher standards shall govern.

(1)

The construction and maintenance of noncommercial catwalks, piers, fences and duckblinds, provided that such structures are so constructed on pilings as to permit the reasonably unobstructed flow of the tide in tidal areas, or natural contour of marshes, swamps and watercourses.

(2)

The cultivation and harvesting of shellfish and worms for bait.

(3)

Noncommercial outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, boating, trapping, hunting, fishing, shellfishing, horseback riding, swimming, and skeet and trap shooting; provided that no structure shall be constructed except as permitted in subscription [subsection] (1) of this section.

(4)

Conservation, repletion, education and research activities of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the commission of game and inland fisheries, and other related conservation agencies.

(5)

The normal maintenance, repair, or addition to existing roads, highways, or the facilities of any person, firm, corporation, utility, or government abutting or crossing wetlands or swamps; provided that no waterway is altered and no additional wetlands or swamps are covered or drained.

(6)

The normal maintenance of existing manmade drainage ditches; provided that no additional wetlands or swamps are covered or drained and provided further that this paragraph [subsection (6)] shall not be deemed to authorize construction of any drainage ditch.

(7)

Agricultural management activities must incorporate the application of best management practices (BMPs) in a plan approved by the local soil and water conservation district.

(8)

Forestry management activities must incorporate the application of best management practices in a plan approved by the Virginia Department of Forestry.

The boundary between the DRCD and other zoning districts shown on the official zoning map shall consist, for the purpose of this ordinance, of those areas of fluvaquents and sulfaquents soils adjacent to the boundary line between King and Queen County and the county or counties of Essex, Middlesex and Gloucester, plus an additional 100-foot revised setback measured horizontally from the inland-most boundary of these soil types. However, when there is a rise in elevation of ten feet or greater within 50 feet (horizontally measured) from the edge of fluvaquents and sulfaquents soils, then the 100-foot revised setback shall be measured from the highest point of elevation within said 50 feet.

The official map showing the DRCD district is to be made part of and used as provided by article 3 of this zoning ordinance.