ML070400331

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Web Document Vegetated Buffers

ML070400331
Person / Time
Site:	FitzPatrick
Issue date:	01/26/2007
From:	Environmental Protection Agency
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Muir, Jesse, PM, REBB, 415-0491
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ML070400200	List: ML070400050 ML070400185 ML070400329 ML070400331
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'EPA - Stormwater Menu of BMPs Pagel of3 U.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

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EPA Home > OW Home > OWM Home > NPDES Home > Stormwater > Menu of BMPs Menu of BMPs Home BMP Background Public Education &

Outreach on I . -- FAM Stormwater Impacts Public Involvement/ Vegetated Buffers f - Click here to comment on this fact sheet- -

Participation Illicit Discharge Minimum Measure: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Detection &

Elimination Subcategory: Sediment Control Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control Description Post-Construction Vegetated buffers are areas of natural or established vegetation maintained to Stormwater protect the water quality of neighboring areas. Buffer zones slow stormwater Management in New runoff, provide an area where runoff can permeate the soil, contribute to ground Development & water recharge, and filter sediment. Slowing runoff also helps to prevent soil Redevelopment erosion and streambank collapse.

Pollution Prevention/Good Applicability Housekeeping for Municipal Operations Vegetated buffers can be used in any area able to support vegetation. They are most effective and beneficial on floodplains, near wetlands, along streambanks, Measurable Goals and on unstable slopes.

Stormwater Home Siting and Design Considerations are simnars agncuurai omaers in m mwy To establish an effective vegetative buffer, follow these guidelines: trap secments and remove pollutants in runoff from exposed areas (Source: Nova Scotia

" Make sure soils are not compacted. Departmient of Aw lture and Fiberies, ZINO)

" Make sure slopes are less than 5 percent unless temporary erosion control mats are also used.

• Determine buffer widths after carefully considering slope, vegetation, soils, depth to impermeable layers, runoff sediment characteristics, type and amount of pollutants, and annual rainfall.

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" Make sure buffer widths increase as slope increases.

" Intermix zones of vegetation (native vegetation in particular), including grasses, deciduous and evergreen shrubs, and understory and overstory trees.

" In areas where flows are concentrated and fast, combine buffer zones with other practices such as level spreaders, infiltration areas, or diversions to prevent erosion and rilling.

Limitations Adequate land must be available for a vegetated buffer. If land cost is high, buffer zones might not be cost-effective. In addition, adequate vegetative cover must be maintained in the buffer to keep it effective. Vegetated buffers work well with sheet flows, but they are not appropriate for mitigating concentrated stormwater flows.

Maintenance Considerations Keeping vegetation healthy in vegetated buffers requires routine maintenance. Depending on species, soil types, and climatic conditions, maintenance can include weed and pest control, mowing, fertilizing, liming, irrigating, and pruning. Inspection and maintenance are most important when buffer areas are first installed. Once established, vegetated buffers do not require maintenance beyond the routine procedures and periodic inspections. Inspect them after heavy rainfall and at least once a year.

Focus on encroachment, gully erosion, the density of the vegetation, evidence of concentrated flows through the areas, and any damage from foot or vehicular traffic. If more than 6 inches of sediment has accumulated, remove it.

Effectiveness Several studies indicate greater than 90 percent reductions in sediment and nitrate concentrations when vegetated buffers are used.

Buffer/filter strips do a reasonably good job of removing phosphorus attached to sediment, but they are not so effective at removing dissolved phosphorus (Gilliam, 1994).

References Gilliam, J.W. 1994. Reparian Wetlands and Water Quality. Journalof Environmental Quality 23:896-900. Cited in Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. 1998. Guidebook of Best Management Practices for Michigan Watersheds. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Surface Water Quality Division, Lansing, MI.

Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 2000. Awareness and Communication ProjectReports, Appendix E:

PhotographsEXIT'Disclaimer . Accessed December 1, 2005.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1992. StormwaterManagement for IndustrialActivities: Developing Pollution Prevention Plans and Best Management Practices.EPA 832-R-92-006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1996. ProtectingNatural Wetlands: A Guide to StormwaterBest Management Practices. EPA 843-B-96-001. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.

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'EPA -'Stormwater Menu of BMPs Page 3 of 3 Office of Water I Office of Wastewater Management I Disclaimer I Search EPA EPA Home I Privacy and Security Notice I Contact Us Last updated on May 22, 2006 8:28 AM URL:http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=factsheet-results&view=specific&bmp=50 2/6/2007