Improve surface water quality by reducing the amount of nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other harmful substances that reach watercourses, wetlands, subsurface, and surface 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, attenuate flood flow, 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 article and 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,[2] Chapter 102 of the Administrative Code (as amended October 10, 1980 Act 157 P.L.), Title 25, and any subsequent amendments thereto, as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Conservation District.

Conserve 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 whether on developed or undeveloped land.

Work with floodplain, steep slope, and other requirements 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 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 the streams, wetlands, and water bodies, and the land adjacent to them, as specified in the following table:

Zone width adjustments for steep slopes. Where steep slopes in excess of 25% are located within Zone 1 along a stream identified in Subsection 1 or 2 of the table above, Zone 1 shall be extended over the steeply sloped area as follows:

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

Conflict with floodplain regulations. Where a conflict exists between these Riparian Corridor Conservation District regulations and the Floodplain Conservation District regulations (Article XXII), the stricter regulation shall apply.

General regulations. There shall be a setback from the boundary of the Riparian Corridor Conservation District. Said setback shall be equal to at least 1/2 of the setback applicable on that portion of any individual lot.

Zone One.

Zone Two.

Clearing of existing vegetation, except where such clearing is necessary to prepare land for a use permitted under § 116-259, herein, and where the effects of these actions are mitigated by reestablishment of vegetation, as specified under § 116-264, herein.

Storage of any hazardous or noxious materials.

Roads or driveways, except where permitted as corridor crossings in compliance with § 116-259, 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 structures needed for a use permitted in § 116-259, herein.

Subsurface sewage disposal areas.

Sod farming.

Stormwater basins, including necessary berms and outfall facilities.

A lot containing a residential dwelling that was in existence at the time this article was adopted may be permitted to expand the principal building or to install a permitted structure into Zone Two. This expansion shall not be more than 25% of the footprint of the principal building that was in existence at the time this article was adopted. Such an expansion may be either singular or cumulative. For purposes of this section, "footprint" shall mean "building footprint" (which, for purposes of this chapter, is defined the same as "building area" in Article II, § 116-11) and shall include the following regardless of their inclusion or exclusion in the definition of "building area" bay windows with floor space, porches, and decks.

Any other nonconformity for either a structure or uses shall be regulated under Article XXVII, Nonconforming Lot, Structure and Use, herein.

When an applicant disputes the Zone 1 and/or 2 boundaries of the Riparian Corridor or the defined edge of a watercourse, surface water body, or wetland, the applicant shall submit evidence to the Township that shows the applicant's proposed boundary and provides justification for the proposed boundary change.

The Township Engineer, and/or other advisors selected by the Board of Supervisors, shall evaluate all material submitted and provide a written determination 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 to the Zoning Hearing Board under the provisions of Article XXIX, Zoning Hearing Board, of this chapter. 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 Overlay District will be inspected by the Township Code Enforcement Officer when:

The district may also be inspected periodically by the Code Enforcement Officer 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 the landscape regulation within the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[1]

Mitigation measures. Uses permitted in § 116-259 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 area of the corridor (Zone 1 and Zone 2) for each applicable side of the stream or watercourse is equal to that required by § 116-258A.

Corridor area is the product of the corridor width required by § 116-258A (the whole table) 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 stream and watercourses the increased width shall not be concentrated into an area less than 1,000 feet in length 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 the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[1]

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.

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 72 inch or greater diameter pipe. When culverts are installed they should consist of slab, arch or box culverts. Corrugated metal pipe shall not be utilized for culverts. Natural materials shall be utilized to maintain the character of the stream channel through the corridor crossing, without adversely affecting the hydraulic capacity of the structure. The design of the corridor crossing shall preclude erosion of the adjoining watercourse by limiting flow velocities to that permitted by the Grading, Erosion Control, and Stormwater Management Ordinance.[2]