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, adsorption, 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 surface waters, as well as provide wildlife habitat, moderate water temperature in surface waters, 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 and the best-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 the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Act 394, P.L. 1987 (as amended October 10, 1980, Act 157, P.L. 894),[1] Title 25, Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control, of the Pennsylvania Code, 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, steep slope, 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 Marlborough Township residents.

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

Application. 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. Where steep slopes in excess of 25% are located within Zone 2 as identified in the table above, Zone 1 shall be extended to and include the steeply sloped area.

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

Zones 1 and 2. At least half of any required yard setback area, for any individual lot, must be entirely outside of the Riparian Corridor Conservation District.

Zone 1:

Zone 2:

Clearing of all existing vegetation, except where such clearing is necessary to prepare land for a use permitted under § 275-183 herein, and where the effects of these actions are mitigated by reestablishment of vegetation, as specified under § 275-188 herein.

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 corridor crossings in compliance with § 275-183 herein.

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

Parking lots.

Any type of permanent structure, including fences, except those needed for a use permitted in § 275-183 herein.

Subsurface sewage disposal areas.

Sod farming.

Stormwater basins, including necessary berms and outfall facilities.

When a landowner or applicant disputes the Zone (1 or 2) boundaries of the Riparian Corridor or the defined edge of a watercourse, surface water body, or wetland, the landowner or applicant shall submit evidence to the Township that describes the boundary, presents the landowner's or applicant's proposed boundary, and presents all justification for the proposed boundary change.

The Marlborough Township Engineer and/or other advisors selected by the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate all material submitted and provide a written determination of the riparian corridor boundaries within 45 days to the Board of Supervisors, Township Planning Commission, and landowner or applicant.

Any party aggrieved by any such determination or other decision or determination under this section may appeal the decision of the Zoning Hearing Board to the appropriate administrative appellate body. 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 the Township Building Code Official and/or other representatives designated by the Board of Supervisors when:

The district may also be inspected periodically by the Township Building Code Official and/or other representatives designated by the Board of Supervisors 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 § 215-42F of Chapter 215, Subdivision and Land Development.

Mitigation measures. Uses permitted in § 275-183 involving corridor crossings or other encroachment within the riparian corridor shall be mitigated by increasing the width of the corridor as replacement for the area lost due to the encroachment or disturbance, so that the total corridor area (land area within Zone 1 and Zone 2) for each applicable side of the stream or watercourse is equal to that required by § 275-182.

Corridor area is the product of the corridor width required by § 275-182 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, to the satisfaction of the Township. 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 215, Subdivision and Land Development.

Crossings should be designed to cross the riparian corridor at direct right angles to the greatest extent possible 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.