Guide to implementing the Catawba Riparian Buffer Rule for forest harvesting activities in North Carolina

March, 2009 WQ-10 A Guide to Implementing the Catawba Riparian Buffer Rule For Forest Harvesting Activities in North Carolina The permanent “Catawba Riparian Buffer Rule” 15A NCAC 02B .0243 became effective August 1 , 2004. There are certain restrictions on forest harvesting activities within this riparian buffer. Where This Rule Applies along the Catawba Rive The Catawba Riparian Buffer Rule only applies in North Carolina along the main- stem of the Catawba River below Lake James and along the main-stem lakes from and including Lake James, to the NC/SC border. This Leaflet is not intended to provide legal advice or a final interpretation of the Catawba Riparian Buffer Rule. Obtain assistance from NC Division of Water Quality in determining the applicability of this rule on a specific site. On intermittent and perennial streams or waterbodies where the Catawba Riparian Buffer Rule does not apply a SMZ is still required during forestry-related site disturbing activities to comply with the North Carolina Forest Practices Guidelines Related to Water Quality (FPGs). There may be other requirements in this ‘buffer rule’ that forestry activities must comply with that are not covered in this Leaflet. Check the entire rule document for all requirements related to road construction and land disturbing activities. Required Riparian Buffer Width and Zones The Catawba Riparian Buffer is made up of two zones that together equal 50 feet in width: Zone 1 = the closest 30 feet (10’ + 20’) extending outward from the waterbody ( see section below) and , Zone 2 = the next 20 feet extending from the end of Zone 1 out away from the waterbody Zone 1 (O’ - 1 0’) Only remove “High Value" trees (see p.2 for “high value"' *•••••« Zone 1 (10’-30’) Only remove trees of stump diameter larger than 12" Zone 2 (30' - 50’) All tree removal is allowed, but must maintain ground cover NOTE: “Stump Diameter’’ is measured at 6” above ground surface level How to Measure the Catawba Riparian Buffe For Catawba River: Measurement starts “at the most landward limit of the top of the bank” For the main-stem lakes: Measurement starts at the “most landward limit of the full-pond level.” The full-pond level may be obtained from the Duke Energy Company Web site www.duke-energy.com/lakes/ or by calling Duke Energy toll-free at 1 -800-829-LAKE (1-800-829-5253). Page 1 ot2