What uses are allowed within the riparian buffer?
The riparian buffer must be undisturbed, regardless of property size or type of land use. Within each set of buffer rules*, there is a Table of Uses for specific activities: • Exempt uses are allowed in the riparian buffer without approval from the Division of Water Quality (DWQ). • (Potentially) allowable uses may occur in the buffer after written authorization from DWQ (some of these impacts may require mitigation for the impacts). • Prohibited uses are not allowed in the buffer unless a variance is granted from the N.C. Environmental Management Commission. • Activities not listed in the Table of Uses are prohibited. * The Randleman Rules do not have a Table of Uses; however allowable uses are outlined within these rules under Section 2.
