INTERMITTENT STREAM DEFINITION AND POLICY

(For Sensitive Area Element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan)

      WHEREAS, the Washington County Soil Conservation District has been given the responsibility to review and recommend stream buffers for certain development activities under the Washington County Sensitive Area Element of the Comprehensive Plan.

THEREFORE, the following definitions and policies shall be followed when making determinations on the presence or absence of streams and recommendations for buffers:

1.   A stream shall be defined as a perennial or intermittent watercourse identified in the most current Soil Survey for Washington County, Maryland and field verified by the District when necessary. 

2.   A stream buffer is defined as an area on one or both sides of a stream that is designated for the purpose of protecting, preserving or improving water quality by providing for filtration and dissipation of the energy of flowing water or the maintenance or stabilization of the stream bank to prevent erosion.

3.   The updated Soil Survey for Washington County, February 2002, and the attached Sensitive Area Stream Buffer criteria shall be used by the District staff to define streams subject to the requirements for establishment of stream buffers.  Buffer widths shall be determined per the Washington County Subdivision Ordinance, Section 409.

                                           _______________

                                           Betty J. Meyers

                                           District Chair

Enacted:  September 1997

Amended:  November 10, 2004