9.4.4 Natural Buffers

1. Existing healthy, natural forest cover and other vegetation shall be used to meet buffer requirements in the Rural and Suburban Tiers in the following instance:

a. Where a buffer with an opacity of 0.6 or greater is required;

b. Where the existing tree cover exceeds 15 feet in height; and

c. Where the existing tree canopy covers at least 25% of the required buffer area.

2. The minimum width of a required natural buffer shall be 30 feet.

In the Urban Tier and in projects in the Rural and Suburban Tiers that do not require use of a natural buffer, a natural buffer can be employed. A minimum natural buffer width of 20 feet or the width required to satisfy paragraph 9.4.5, Constructed Buffer, whichever is greater, shall be required in these instances.

In addition to the requirements of paragraph 8.3.2, Protection of Existing Vegetation, trees within natural buffers shall be protected as follows:

1. For the trees with a dbh of 30 inches or less, 75% of the tree protection zone shall be undisturbed; and

2. For trees over 30 inches dbh, at least 90% of the tree protection zone shall be undisturbed.

If a natural buffer does not meet the opacity standards required by paragraph 9.4.3B, Project Boundary Buffer Table, then additional native-species plant material, based upon the applicable planting table in paragraph 9.4.5, Constructed Buffer, shall be provided to meet those standards. Sampling of existing vegetation within a natural buffer pursuant to paragraph 9.3.3, Sampling, shall be required to determine if it meets this standard.