What are the Priority Areas and where can I get a detailed map of them?
The watersheds where the Runoff Limits apply are known as Priority Areas 1 and 2. Priority Area 1 is home to the most sensitive species protected by the HCP and so has the most restrictive standard. Priority Area 2 supports species that are slightly less sensitive, and has a slightly less restrictive standard. Parts of the Upper Etowah that do not currently provide significant habitat to any imperiled fish are classified as Priority Area 3 and are not subject to the Runoff Limits. In Priority Area 1, the volume of runoff from small storms must be the same as if the site were in a forested condition-in other words, the site must “act like a forest,” as far as runoff is concerned. In Priority Area 2, development projects are allowed to generate an additional volume of runoff; however, it cannot exceed the amount that would occur if the site were 95% forested and 5% impervious. In both Priority Areas 1 and 2, local governments can designate some locations as “development nodes,” where res
