Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District

Westchester County A Guide to Aquatic Buffers Introduction

Several decades of scientific research Yet, the intersection of political and communities. The information presented have gradually shed light on the property boundaries exposes a set of here is focused on interpreting and importance of establishing, maintaining, challenges that require a balance between dissecting the most recent aquatic buffer and enhancing vegetated buffers along landowner rights and buffer functional management research for its application , , , ponds and wetlands. integrity. Education, dialogue, and to typical urban and suburban settings Aquatic buffers provide important adaptive management skills are necessary found throughout Westchester County. ecological benefits, but they also provide tools for effectively managing buffers The following sections are presented in significant social and economic benefits. to facilitate a sustainable link between the document: In fact, healthy buffers should be natural and human systems. • Types of Aquatic Buffers thought of as natural capital that add This document provides key • Benefits of Aquatic Buffers vitality, complexity and resiliency to our background information along with • Characteristics of Good Urban communities. simple building block tools for local Aquatic Buffers Research has identified the importance governments, citizens and elected • Buffer Management and of maintaining the connectivity and officials of Westchester County to lay Protection complexity of aquatic buffers to sustain a foundation for establishing buffer • Guidance on Planting a Buffer and regenerate the dynamic interaction protection and management guidelines • Glossary of Terms between aquatic and terrestrial landscapes. for the aquatic resources in their • References and Resources

Types of Aquatic Buffers

There are three primary aquatic buffer types: 1) / (a.k.a., riparian) buffers; 2) wetland buffers; and 3) pond/ buffers. In each case, a buffer defines and establishes a vegetated transition zone between upland areas and an aquatic resource. It is this unique position in the landscape that enables buffers to absorb and mitigate the impacts of one on another. In the absence of aquatic buffers, these impacts are magnified and become more damaging.

Stream/River Buffers – As stream and river channels meander through the landscape, they shape the land through cycles of and deposition. Riparian areas adjacent to the active channels are needed to provide important hydrological and ecological “rights-of-way,” (Figure 1) just as streets and roads have rights-of-way that are used for utility transmission and Figure 1. Example of a stream buffer. starts from the stream and extends several pedestrian paths. Vegetated stream and feet away from stream. The buffer vegetation is river buffers provide these rights-of-ways comprised of various canopy levels providing a and help maintain the connectivity between for many species. Inset photo is an example of an impacted buffer in Westchester County. the streams and adjacent floodplains, uplands, etc. Riparian buffers also provide

Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Page 1 Source: Westchester County GIS Westchester Source: Figure 2. Forested riparian buffer adjoining residential subdivistion illustrating longitudinal corridors; Mount Kisco. longitudinal connectivity and habitat corridors, which provide important linkages

between critical such as County Westchester Source: patches (Figure 2). Riparian buffer widths can vary depending on factors such as the size and slope of the stream/river and the quality of the stream. Forested riparian Figure 3. Example of a wetland buffer. buffers are typically preferred over grassed Figure 4. Example of a wetland buffer. buffers because they provide a broader range Continuous native vegetation is growing in and of benefits. around the inundated wet area. The buffer extends to the line providing habitat connectivity and transition from one habitat to Wetland Buffers – Wetlands are areas another for wildlife.

saturated or inundated by surface water or Underwood Keith groundwater for extended periods during state of a lake or pond. Vegetated shoreline the year and are characterized by special buffers are an important feature of ponds contribute to the water if they are soil types and plant communities (Figure and lakes that provide and enhance many fertilized, etc. More diverse shoreline buffer 3). Wetlands are easily impacted by functions essential to establishing and plant communities that include emergent adjacent upland activities that affect their maintaining a healthy system. Vegetation plants on aquatic benches, shrubs and hydrologic budget (i.e., the flows in and composition of the shoreline buffer is also are preferred (Figures 6 and 7) and result in out of the wetland). Most communities important. While it is common to see many enhanced ecological integrity, , have requirements that limit direct wetland ponds and lakes with turf grass edges (Figure pollution filtration, and recreational and impacts, but few have recognized the 5), these buffers have limited benefits and may property values of ponds and lakes. importance and benefits of requiring wetland buffers. Wetland buffers are measured horizontally from the edge of the delineated wetland boundary and protect and enhance important wetland functions, including erosion control, removal, diversity of wildlife habitat, flood water storage, groundwater recharge, and increased aesthetic value (Figure 4). Wetland buffers also provide a separation that reduces human access to sensitive habitat and discourages dumping. Similar to stream buffers, wetland buffers can vary in size based on factors such as adjacent land use and wetland size, quality, and function.

Pond/Lake Buffer – Wildlife diversity, County Westchester Source: County Westchester Source: Figures 5 and 6. Before and after photos of pond/lake buffer restoration. The restored shoreline buffer stabilizes , and recreational value are the shoreline and lessens erosion potential, provides more diverse habitat, reduces the maintenance burden, and directly proportional to the health or trophic helps filter out some pollutants; Town Park Pond, Pound Ridge. Page  Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Benefits of Buffers

Vegetated aquatic buffers in ponds and lakes, wetlands, and offer a large array of ecological, stream channels. These depositional sociological, and economic areas carry similar detrimental benefits to communities. In impacts such as smothered urban and suburban settings, it habitats, consumption of flood can be challenging to balance storage capacities, and fish passage these benefits with the need for blockages. public living spaces and services. Often, engineered solutions are A healthy, deep-rooted, vegetated pursued that allow for increased aquatic buffer can effectively development intensity and density dampen energy in the water, slow adjacent to aquatic resources. velocities and promote infiltration.

Unfortunately, these expensive County GIS Westchester Source: The roots of trees and other woody structural solutions can have Figure 7. Forested pond buffer in a golf course setting; vegetation promote stable soil and Bonnie Briar Country Club, Mamaroneck. limited effectiveness, can exacerbate bank structure. Better structure undesirable conditions, and may simply contact with vulnerable and unstable gives the more cohesiveness, transfer a problem to another location. In soil surfaces. In urban and suburban protecting it from the erosive forces of the end, the most ecological, sociological, settings, erosion is typically associated water, resulting in smaller amounts of and economical approach is to set aside with uncontrolled stormwater runoff erosion and deposition. an appropriately sized vegetated buffer (Figure 8). Hardened and compacted around aquatic resources. It is helpful to land surfaces contribute to increased Water Quality Protection – Aquatic consider the following benefits of aquatic volumes and higher velocities by lessening buffers can assimilate pollutants, such buffers: the degree of stormwater infiltration and as sediment, nutrients, pathogens, and increasing the rate of runoff. Where by filtering surface water and Flooding Control – Flooding is a natural erosion occurs, landowners lose property, groundwater. Overland flow is slowed by event of stream and river systems essential infrastructure becomes undermined, and the vegetation, causing larger to floodplain health and maintenance. habitat is destroyed. Furthermore, as the and the pollutants that adsorb to However, human development can energy of the water dissipates, the eroded sediment particles to settle out. Smaller increase the occurrence and severity of materials are deposited, frequently filling sediments, nutrients, pathogens, and floods, often causing property damage. Riparian and other aquatic buffers provide an undeveloped, vegetated, natural area in the floodplain where floodwaters can be slowed, stored and gradually released. The dense vegetation of buffers increases surface roughness of the floodplain and slows the velocity of overland flow while promoting shallow groundwater recharge, depressional surface storage, and vegetative uptake. The reduced velocity and volume of water translates into reduced flood peaks and improved base flows resulting from the slow release of water stored in floodplain soils.

Erosion Control – Channel and shoreline erosion occurs as a result of fast Figure 8. Example of eroded stream banks. There is no vegetation and few roots along the stream to provide structural stabilization. The erosive force of the water cuts the banks and carries sediment moving and turbulent water coming into downstream, thereby degrading water quality.

Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Page  did you know … … that land uses associated with large areas of managed turf grass such as golf courses, athletic fields, cemeteries, and residential yards are associated with high pollutant concentrations in stormwater runoff? Where these land uses are located next to surface water features or areas of shallow groundwater, water quality protection practices such as aquatic buffers and other pollution prevention measures (e.g., using environmentally friendly products, reducing frequency and rates of application, and selecting appropriate times for application) should be used. pesticides not removed from surface aquatic and terrestrial species. Species water will be further removed through diversity and abundance translates into groundwater filtration, uptake by more resilient and stable natural systems vegetation, biogeochemical processes, that are able to adapt to natural and and microbial processes in the shallow human-induced disruptions. Stable soil profile. Without dense naturally natural systems in turn provide reliable vegetated buffers, common urban runoff and consistent benefits to human Figure 9. Schematic showing important wildlife pollutants such as pesticides and fertilizers systems. corridors provided by buffers (Source: www. easily find their way into receiving waters The location and function of aquatic rivercare.org/wildlink/wl_corridors.php) and contribute to their impairment. buffers make them ideal links between Naturally vegetated pond and lake aquatic and upland ecosystems. Equally Natural Capital Value – Vegetated shoreline buffers also provide effective important, they provide continuous aquatic buffers are a component of the barriers to resident waterfowl populations, habitat corridors that are critical for natural capital stock a community has, which can contribute significant nutrient wildlife movement and access (Figure specifically in terms of the ecosystem and pathogen loads. 9). Too often in urban areas, these services it provides. Natural capital refers important corridors become fragmented, to the resources and living systems which Groundwater Recharge and significantly limiting the range of key combine with manufactured and human Protection – Groundwater recharge species and facilitating the presence of capital services to enhance human welfare. and filtration is another benefit of opportunistic invasive and predator Quantifying the natural capital value of aquatic buffers ultimately contributing species. Establishing aquatic buffers in the ecosystem services that buffers provide to improved water quality. Vegetated urban and suburban areas can reduce is challenging. However, it is becoming aquatic buffers slow surface flows, which this fragmentation and help maintain more relevant in the age of reducing carbon promotes infiltration and vegetative important floral and faunal populations emissions, protection of water supplies, and uptake. Pollutants such as nutrients on both a local and regional scale. endangered species protection strategies. and heavy metals can be reduced or completely removed if groundwater is Ecosystem Protection – Buffers as Habitat Thermostats in contact with roots of vegetation and denitrifying microbes in the soil column. Buffer vegetation such as trees and shrubs shade the water and help stabilize Purification of alluvial groundwater the water temperature. Shading the water from sunlight decreases the is particularly enhanced when stream production of blue-green algae, which commonly replaces native food sources. beds and banks act as a natural filtration Streams, lakes, and wetlands devoid of vegetation will have higher water system that reduces pollutant loads temperatures, hindering the reproductive cycles and increasing mortality rates of waters that have been slowed and of aquatic species that require cooler water temperatures. Water temperatures absorbed into adjacent floodplains and are also influenced by direct from nearby impervious surfaces. floodplain buffers. These thermal impacts can be effectively managed by directing the surface runoff to vegetated buffers, allowing it to infiltrate and slowly return to the water Ecosystem Protection – Healthy, body as shallow groundwater flows. Water temperature is inversely proportional diverse aquatic buffers directly provide to the solubility of dissolved oxygen. Therefore, maintaining cooler water or help support critical habitat (e.g., temperatures results in higher dissolved oxygen concentrations, which reduces areas that support rare, threatened stress on aquatic species. or endangered species) to a variety of

Page  Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance At a minimum, communities need to provide cost-effective and reliable human establish and implement aquatic buffers realize the presence of natural capital and health and safety services such as flood typically benefit from increased property establish inventories of natural capital control, erosion control, water quality values due to the aesthetic appeal of stock. For example, aquatic buffers protection and enhancement, and open space. Development next to provide aesthetic value to communities recreational opportunities that would streams, lakes, or wetlands is often able because of the natural habitat comprised otherwise cost communities significant to draw premium sales prices. Where of diverse flora and fauna. Aquatic amounts of money through engineered buffers are absent from aquatic resources, buffers offer recreational and educational structures and systems. communities and property owners may be opportunities for neighborhoods and faced with mitigation and repair costs to schools, promoting healthy lifestyles Economic Value – In addition to the protect infrastructure and property being and enhanced community stewardship natural capital value described above, impacted by erosion, sediment deposition and camaraderie. Finally, aquatic buffers communities and property owners that and floods.

Characteristics of Good Urban Aquatic Buffers

Aquatic Buffer

trails trail spurs to gardens bike paths lookouts lawns shade gardens benches picnic tables picnic tables controlled trails benches access to water bike paths demonstration plantings demonstration arboretum plantings arboretum Source: Westchester County Westchester Source: Figure 10. Example of three-zone buffer with turf, meadow, forest components; Rich Manor Park, Rye Brook. Adapted from: CRJC, 2000 from: Adapted Good urban aquatic buffers are Figure 11. Schematic showing potential uses associated with each of the three zones. defined by three primary characteristics – width, vegetative composition, and Aquatic Buffer Width Correlated to Ecological Function allowable uses. The most effective buffers are commonly structured with Bank Stabilization three zones (inner/waterside, middle,Bank Stabilization and outer), where each zone has a specified width, vegetative composition, Stream Shading Stream Shading and set of allowable uses (Figures 10 and 11). Water Quality Protection Adopting a single buffer specificationWater Quality Protection is the easiest approach from a regulatory and administrative standpoint. However, Flood Water Storage a generic specification may not guaranteeFlood Water StorageBuffer Benefit/Function the protection of water quality, bank stabilization, and fish and wildlife Wildlife Habitat Wildlife Habitat protection, or accommodate human activities. Rather, buffer guidance and 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 requirements are more effective when they Width (feet) can be adapted to site-specific features and Adapted from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Where the Land and Water Meet: A Guide community or regional objectives (e.g., for Protection and Restoration of Riparian Areas First Edition. USDA NRCS, September 2003. watershed management goals). Site-specific Figure 12. Buffer width correlated to benefit/function

Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Page  and unique factors that will influence buffer Table 1. Example of Minimum Riparian Buffer Widths specifications include stream velocities, wave Stream Stream Classification action, slope, shade, soil characteristics, etc. Order (Sensitive Streams) (Restorable Streams) (Impacted Streams) Minimum criteria can be established to 1 75 feet 60 feet 50 feet maintain basic buffer functions and avoid encroachment or abuse. Examples of buffer 2 125 feet 100 feet 75 feet guidance for each of the three primary 3+ 150 feet 125 feet 100 feet characteristics are provided below. Notes: 1. Stream order refers to a classification system for stream networks, where low order (e.g., st1 and 2nd order) are smaller streams and high order are progressively larger streams. When two 1st order streams Width – A substantial body of research meet, they become a 2nd order stream, and so on. exists that correlates aquatic buffer width 2. Stream classification refers to the condition or quality of the stream. Stream classification may with ecological function or value (Figure already exist in a community or can be initially determined using certain indicators such as watershed impervious cover. 12). Communities can use this information 3. Buffer widths are total widths measured from top of active channel bank. to help inform them as they establish buffer 4. Widths may be expanded to include site-specific considerations, such as steep slopes (e.g., >15%), flood zones, critical habitat, etc. guidelines and requirements and balance Adapted from City of Lenexa, KS: Successful Implementation of Riparian Buffer Programs. Stormwater Magazine. Nov/Dec 2006 issue. these with the constraints found in urban and suburban settings. Buffer widths Table 2. Recommended Buffer Widths for Various Wetland Functions can begin with a minimum width based Recommended Wetland Function Special Features on certain baseline criteria and then be Minimum Width (feet) increased (and perhaps decreased) based on Slopes (5-15%) and/or functionally 100 site-specific considerations and the goals valuable wetland and objectives of the buffer, e.g., protection Shallow slopes (<5%) or low quality 50 of water quality, habitat, etc. An example wetland Sediment Reduction of how this can work for riparian buffers is Consider buffer width provided in Table 1. additions with each 1% Slopes over 15% increase of slope (e.g., 10 Wetland buffers can be established feet for each 1% of slope using a similar minimum width approach greater than 15%) that is augmented by site-specific features Steep slope 100 Phosphorus Reduction such as slope, plant and animal species, Shallow slope 50 and soil characteristics and the relationship (Nitrate) Reduction Focus on shallow groundwater flow 100 with a desired function such as nutrient Biological Contaminant reduction or habitat protection (Table 2). N/A 50 and Reduction Shoreline buffers for ponds and lakes Unthreatened species 100 frequently adopted by urban and suburban Rare, threatened, and endangered communities range from 50 feet to 150 Wildlife Habitat and 200-300 species feet in width, with 75 feet being one of Corridor Protection 50 in rural area Maintenance of species diversity the more commonly adopted widths. For 100 in urban area more pristine or drinking water supply Variable, depending on lakes and , buffer widths of 200 Flood Control N/A elevation of flood waters feet to 300 feet are commonly adopted and potential damages to provide a higher level of protection. Adapted from: Center of Watershed Protection and United States Agency. Wetlands and Watersheds: Adapting Watershed Tools to Protect Wetlands. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2005. Some communities set buffer base widths based on a graduating scale tied to pond shoreline appearance is desired. Since also be specified for each zone. These can or lake surface area, where wider buffers pond and lake surface water elevations be accomplished using fixed or minimum are required as surface area increases. can fluctuate, it is important to define the width approaches, percentages of the As with riparian and wetland buffers, basis or benchmark for buffer delineation. total buffer width, or some combination widths should be expanded to include Common delineation benchmarks are of these. For example, it is best for the steep slopes and critical habitats. In the mean high water level or a designed inner/waterside zone of three-zone buffers some urban and suburban settings, it permanent pool elevation (for engineered to have a minimum width requirement might be reasonable to reduce a buffer impoundments). of 25 feet (this width might be increased if pre-existing development is located Where a three-zone buffer is adopted, if special site features are present such as close to the shoreline and a consistent width requirements and guidelines should steep slopes and critical habitat).

Page  Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Vegetation Composition – Vegetation composition can have a significant effect did you know … on the health, function, maintenance … instead of frequently mowing turf grass areas along streams, reducing a and effectiveness of a buffer. Specifying mowing schedule to an annual frequency can promote the growth of denser, more vegetation for buffers is an important deeply rooted grasses or other herbaceous plants. This will go a long way toward consideration, and it can be influenced improving the health of the stream corridor and downstream water resources. by factors such as existing conditions, desired and allowable land use, and Middle zones are commonly comprised detailed planting plan prepared by a aesthetics. As a guiding principle, of managed areas of shrubs and trees, qualified plant ecologist or landscape however, native plants (grasses, shrubs, and inner zones are dominated by shrubs architect that targets specific native and trees) should be used to the greatest and trees subject to limited management. species to meet certain buffer functions extent possible. Native plants are the There are different approaches and benefits is warranted. Examples of best choice because they are adapted available for buffer establishment, buffer benefits provided by vegetation to the climate and relatively resistant typically dictated by the existing buffer types is provided in Table 3. to most diseases and insects in the condition. The best and most cost- Native plant lists are available area, leading to a greater likelihood effective situation is where a naturally online through the Westchester County of creating a regenerative (i.e., self- vegetated buffer already exists to some Department of Planning and the Soil sustaining) ecosystem. Utilizing native extent and the focus is on allowing a and Water Conservation District as well plants also provides specific and unique natural regeneration of the buffer to as the Westchester Community College habitat and food sources that are occur through succession of native Native Plant Center at the following preferred by native wildlife, which in plants, and animal, wind, and insect web links: turn contributes to a more robust and dispersal. Early successional species www.westchestergov.com/ resilient ecosystem in challenging urban will stabilize the and waterquality (click on “Aquatic and suburban settings. eventually be replaced by longer-term Restoration Program” or “Soil and Vegetation composition can vary species. This natural regenerative Water Conservation District” in menu based on identifying different planting process can also be enhanced through on left) zones within a buffer in conjunction beneficial management that includes www.nativeplantcenter.org/ with the three-zone designation selective thinning, invasive species plantsnew.htm illustrated in Figure 11. For example, it management, supplementary native is common to see buffers where outer plantings, or reduced mowing practices. Recommended Uses – In urban and zones (i.e., the buffer zone furthest away A second approach to buffer suburban settings it is often a necessity from the aquatic resource) are more establishment is active revegetation, to accommodate multiple uses in aquatic highly managed and maintained and which allows for faster results in buffer areas. Properly planned and often are comprised of meadow grasses, areas that have little or no beneficial managed buffers can allow for many herbaceous plants or even turf grass. vegetation. In these situations, a more uses while still providing intended Table 3. Effectiveness of Different Vegetation Types for Specific Buffer Benefits Grass/ BENEFITS Perennials Shrubs Trees Stabilize streambanks Filter sediment and the nutrients, pesticides, and pathogens bound to it Filter nutrients, pesticides, and microbes from surface water Protect groundwater and drinking water supplies Improve overall aquatic habitat Improve wildlife habitat for field animals Improve wildlife habitat for forest animals Moderation of water temperatures Provide visual interest Protect against flooding Low Moderate High

Adapted from: Connecticut River Joint Commissions, 2000. Riparian Buffers for the Connecticut River Watershed: No. 8 Planting Riparian Buffers (and Plant List).

Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Page  environmental benefits. Similar to the Table 4. Examples of Allowable Buffer Uses vegetation composition discussion, it Aquatic Buffer Zone Allowable Uses is useful to think about allowable and Inner/waterside Some stormwater management practices (e.g., shallow marsh recommended uses within a buffer based wetlands and wet ponds) and conveyance features, footpaths, on a three-zone approach. Within each and limited utility and roadway right of ways and crossings zone, certain uses are allowed, with uses Middle Passive recreational areas, bike paths, stormwater becoming more restricted as you get management practices, utilities closer to the aquatic resource. Examples Outer Residential and community uses such as lawn, garden, of allowable and recommended uses by compost, yard wastes; stormwater management practices; zone are provided in Table 4. no permanent structures or septic drain fields

Buffer Management and Protection

To minimize the impacts of land development in urban and suburban areas and realize the low-cost benefits of aquatic buffers, Westchester County communities should take meaningful steps to establish aquatic buffer management, protection, and restoration guidelines or local laws. Several approaches are available to local communities as described below.

Baseline Inventory – As a first step, communities should establish an inventory of existing aquatic resources to serve as a baseline condition. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a powerful tool for developing a baseline map, as it provides both geospatial and database information that is flexible and easy to update. With a baseline data set available, it is then possible to apply regulatory or voluntary buffers Figure 13. Example of a golf course operation voluntarily establishing a narrow streamside buffer, around aquatic resources and keep an improving habitat and water quality while reducing operation and maintenance requirements. up-to-date accounting of buffer location, to look at the full suite of zoning and land Good examples of regulatory approaches type and condition. Using aerial photos, development regulations when considering and language (including Westchester communities can conduct simple desktop this option to maintain flexibility in how County’s Model Ordinance for Wetland analyses to identify priority areas to establish development occurs so that other objectives Protection) are presented on the Long buffers as well as track existing aquatic buffer such as densities are not impacted by the Island Sound Study’s Riparian Toolbox condition and areal extent over time. Another overlay. Communities may also find that website (www.longislandsoundstudy.net/ convenient feature of GIS is that much of the other existing local laws are inflexible and riparian). base data has been developed and is available lead to conflicts with establishing buffers. free of charge from Westchester County and Examples include road standards, setbacks, Non-regulatory Mechanisms – Where the State of New York. and utility rights-of-way requirements. buffer regulation is not desired or These laws merit review and modifications deemed feasible, other non-regulatory Zoning Overlays – Communities can should be considered to accommodate more tools are available. For example, consider regulatory approaches such as environmentally sensitive development. communities can set positive examples applying a buffer protection overlay district Links to stormwater management and demonstrate their commitment with associated guidelines that specify requirements may exist as well, where it may by establishing buffers on all aquatic widths and allowable uses. Communities be possible to establish buffers as a means of resources located on public lands (Figure should recognize that it will be important receiving a stormwater management credit. 13). Successful implementation of such a

Page  Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance policy will require important interaction the benefits and importance of buffers. maintain aquatic buffers on their lands. between various community agencies to Once a community shows it is actively Communities can establish an incentive ensure that cross-training is provided and participating in a voluntary manner, it system that identifies and recognizes appropriate education on the benefits of will be easier to develop partnerships buffer friendly landowners and buffers occurs. Adding signage and other with other groups such as land trusts, businesses or even consider providing public education and outreach literature large property owners, and developers property tax breaks for landowners who and website materials serves to reinforce to encourage them to establish and set aside buffers.

Guidance on Planting a Buffer

There are several factors to consider deterrence for geese and other wildlife, a Planting Riparian Buffers - www.crjc. when planting an aquatic buffer. Key living barrier to limit trespassing, erosion org/buffers/Planting%20Riparian%20Bu considerations include: cultural requirements control, or aesthetics). More detailed ffers.pdf of plants, rate and volume of flow for information on planting buffers is provided Where the Land and the Water streamside plantings, maintenance by the Connecticut River Joint Commissions Meet: A Guide for Protection and requirements of plants, site preparation, and United States Department of Restoration of Riparian Areas - www. purchasing healthy plants, selecting native Natural Resources Conservation Service at ct.nrcs.usda.gov/eln-land_and_water_ species, and planting for function (e.g., a the following website links: book.html

Glossary of Terms adaptive management – An explicit, biogeochemical – The relationship between the economic notion of capital iterative and analytical process for adjusting the geochemistry of a given region and its (manufactured means of production) management and research decisions to flora and fauna, including the circulation to environmental ‘goods and services’. better achieve management objectives. of such elements as carbon and nitrogen It refers to a stock (e.g. a forest) which Adaptive management recognizes that between the environment and the cells of produces a flow of goods (e.g. new trees) knowledge about natural resource systems living organisms. and services (e.g. carbon sequestration, is uncertain. Therefore, some management erosion control, habitat). actions are best conducted as a dynamic denitrification –The process whereby (learn as you do) process to find a way to microbial organisms reduce nitrate and riparian – of or relating to or located on achieve the objectives as quickly as possible nitrite, highly oxidized forms of nitrogen, the banks of a river or stream. while avoiding inadvertent mistakes that into gaseous nitrogen, which in turn is could lead to unsatisfactory results. released into the atmosphere. trophic state – Indication frequently associated with ponds and lakes of adsorb – To accumulate gases, liquids, or floodplain– The low-lying land adjoining their biological productivity (i.e., the solutes on the surface of a solid or liquid. a river that is sometimes flooded; generally amount of living material supported, covered by fine-grained sediments (silt and primarily in the form of algae). The least alluvial – Relating to the sand, silt, clay, clay) deposited by the river at flood stage. productive ponds and lakes are called gravel, or other matter deposited by ‘oligotrophic’. These are typically cool flowing water, as in a riverbed, floodplain, forest patch - A relatively homogenous forest and clear, and have relatively low nutrient delta, or alluvial fan. unit where the composition, structure, and concentrations. The most productive lakes ecological functions are similar. are called ‘eutrophic’ and are characterized aquatic bench – Shallow, flat zone by high nutrient concentrations, which along the edge of the permanent pool hydrologic budget – An accounting of the result in algal growth, cloudy water, and that is comprised of emergent wetland inflow to, outflow from, and storage in, low dissolved oxygen levels. Those lakes vegetation that acts as a biological filter. a hydrologic unit, such as a watershed, with a trophic status that falls along wetland, aquifer, or lake. the continuum somewhere between base flow – That portion of stream oligotrophy and eutrophy are termed discharge derived from groundwater. natural capital – An extension of ‘mesotrophic’.

Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Page  References and Resources

1. Boyd, L. Wetland Buffer Zones and 8. Connecticut River Joint 15. Presler, H.H. Successful Beyond: Wildlife Use of Wetland Commissions, 2000. Riparian implementation of Riparian Buffer Buffer Zones and Their Protection Buffers for the Connecticut River Programs. The Journal of Surface under the Massachusetts Wetland Watershed: No. 4 Buffers for Habitat. Water Quality Professionals Protection Act. WCPP, DNRC, and 9. Connecticut River Joint Stormwater. November/December Univ. of Massachusetts, 2001. Commissions, 2000. Riparian 2006. 2. Center for Watershed Protection. Buffers for the Connecticut River 16. Thomas, J. Riparian Conservation Watershed Protection Techniques: Watershed: No. 5 Buffers for in California Wine County: A Urban Lake Management. Center for Agricultural Land. Comparison of the County Planning Watershed Protection, 2001. 10. Connecticut River Joint Approach. Masters Thesis. University 3. Center for Watershed Protection Commissions, 2000. Riparian of California, Berkley, 2004. and United States Environmental Buffers for the Connecticut River 17. USDA Natural Resources Protection Agency. Wetlands and Watershed: No. 6 Urban Buffers. Conservation Service. Where the Watersheds: Adapting Watershed Tools 11. Connecticut River Joint Land and Water Meet: A Guide for to Protect Wetlands. United States Commissions, 2000. Riparian Protection and Restoration of Riparian Environmental Protection Agency, Buffers for the Connecticut River Areas First Edition. USDA NRCS, 2005. Watershed: No. 7 Guidance for September 2003. 4. Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Communities. 18. Wenger, S. A Review of the Scientific Inc., et al., 2006. Riparian Setbacks 12. Connecticut River Joint Literature on Riparian Buffer Width, Technical Information for Decision Commissions, 2000. Riparian Extent and Vegetation. Office of Makers. Buffers for the Connecticut River Public Service and Outreach at the 5. Connecticut River Joint Watershed: No. 8 Planting Riparian Institute of Ecology, University of Commissions, 2000. Riparian Buffers (and Plant List). Georgia, 1999. Buffers for the Connecticut River 13. Connecticut River Joint 19. Westchester County Department Watershed: No. 1 Introduction to Commissions, 2000. Riparian of Planning and Soil and Water Riparian Buffers. Buffers for the Connecticut River Conservation District webpages 6. Connecticut River Joint Watershed: No. 9 Field Assessment. at www.westchestergov.com/ Commissions, 2000. Riparian 14. Connecticut River Joint waterquality, then click on Aquatic Buffers for the Connecticut River Commissions, 2000. Riparian Restoration Program and/or Soil and Watershed: No. 2 Backyard Buffers. Buffers for the Connecticut River Water Conservation Distric in left 7. Connecticut River Joint Watershed: No. 10 Sources of menu. Commissions, 2000. Riparian Assistance. 20. Long Island Sound Study website Buffers for the Connecticut River at www.longislandsoundstudy.net/ Watershed: No. 3 Forestland Buffers. riparian.

Page 10 Westchester County Aquatic Buffer Guidance Developed on behalf of the Westchester County Department of Planning and Soil and Water Conservation District by:

Restore the Earth & Inspire Ecological Stewardship Biohabitats Inc. • 2081 Clipper Park Road • Baltimore, Maryland • www.biohabitats.com • February 2007

This guide has been partially funded through a grant from the Hudson River Estuary Program to the Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts.