Buffers and Best Management Practices (BMPs) are a natural and effective way to protect or restore our streams, ponds and lakes. Local ordinances explain when buffers and BMPs are required.

Buffers are “no build zones” along local waterways. The buffer is a strip of land with a mix of grasses, trees and other vegetation. Plants in the buffer stabilize creek banks to reduce erosion, shade the water to keep it from getting too hot, and provide aquatic and wildlife habitat.

Step-by-step explanation of buffer requirements

Watch a video about stream buffers

Buffer along a wetland in Cornelius

This detention pond in Hidden Valley is
a storm water BMP

Buffers are one type of storm water tool used to protect streams and lakes.  Other tools are BMPs which would include:

• wetlands
• rain gardens/bio-retention cells
• vegetated swales
• wet ponds

BMPs do more than improve water quality. They temporarily detain storm water and release it at a slower rate into storm drains, streams, rivers and lakes. This can reduce the risk of erosion and some flooding.