6.10.1 Streambank Conservation:        Current Language
To prevent soil erosion and to conserve streams, an undisturbed, naturally vegetated buffer strip shall be maintained from the shores of ponds and from the banks of streams and rivers. The width of the buffer strip should be measured from the regular high water mark. No new development or manipulation of vegetation, other than approved stream crossings or activities deemed acceptable by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife approved management practices, should occur within buffer strips. Stream crossings must be approved by the State of Vermont River Management Program. The following table provides widths of required buffer strips based on slope and water body type

Standard Width of Buffer Strip

Percent Slope of Adjacent               Seasonal (Intermittent)                           Lakes and Ponds, Rivers and

Land                                                Streams, Permanent Streams:                    Streams:

≺10 feet I average channel width                ≻ 10 feet in average channel width

(at regular high water mark)                        (at regular high water mark)*


01-10%                                                        25 feet                                                50 feet
11-20%                                                        45 feet                                                70 feet
21-30%                                                        65 feet                                                 90 feet
31-40%**                                                    85 feet                                               100 feet

* See wetlands section if wetlands are involved
** Add 20 feet for each additional 10% slope

6.10.1 Streambank Conservation: Proposed Language
Purpose
The purpose of this bylaw is to prevent:
• erosion of the soil adjacent to streams;
• sedimentation of streams; and
• destruction of stream bank habitat.

Application
This bylaw shall be applied to any stream wherever the stream channel width is greater than 4 feet at the regular high water mark. These streams shall be referred to as "protected streams". (See definition of stream, Section 8)

Method
• A naturally vegetated buffer strip shall be maintained on the banks of protected streams.
• The width of the buffer strip shall be measured from the regular high water mark (see definition of regular high water mark, Section 8) of the protected stream to the top of the stream bank or 25 feet, whichever is less.
• The buffer strip width shall be measured as the tape lies.
• No new development or manipulation of the buffer vegetation, other than approved management practices or approved stream crossings, shall occur within the buffer strip.
• Stream crossings shall be approved by the State of Vermont River Management Program where required by the State of Vermont.
• No structure shall be placed within 10 feet of the buffer strip.
• No structure shall be placed or erected within 10' of the buffer.
• No structure that requires a zoning permit shall be placed within 50 feet of the buffer strip.
• No structure requiring a building permit shall be erected within 50' of the buffer.

Approved Management Practices
The following activities are allowed to occur within a protected stream bank buffer:
• Removal of invasive species
• Cutting hazard trees and/or limbs (stump shall remain)
• Removal of debris