[Added 8-19-1998 by Ord. No. 166]

In expansion of the legislative intent contained in Article I, § 150-2, and the community development objectives contained in Article I, § 150-3, of this chapter and in support of the goals and recommendations of the Worcester Township Comprehensive Plan, it is the intent of this article to provide reasonable controls governing the restoration, conservation, disturbance and management of existing riparian corridors by

establishing designated Riparian Corridor Conservation

Districts ("district") In addition, the specific purposes and

intent of this article are to

A. Reduce the amount of nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides and other harmful substances that reach watercourses, wetlands, subsurface and surface water bodies by using scientifically proven processes, including filtration, deposition, absorption, adsorption, plant uptake and denitrification and by improving infiltration, encouraging sheet flow and stabilizing concentrated flows

B. Improve and maintain the safety, reliability and adequacy of the water supply for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial and recreational uses along with sustaining diverse populations of aquatic flora and fauna

C. Regulate the land use, siting and engineering of all development to be consistent with the intent and objectives of this chapter, accepted conservation practices and to work within the carrying capacity of existing natural resources

D. Assist in the implementation of pertinent state laws concerning erosion and sediment control practices, specifically erosion control, of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Lawn Act 394, P L 1987, Chapter 102 of the Administrative Code (as amended October 10, 1980, Act 157 P L), Title 25, and any subsequent amendments thereto, as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Conservation District

E. Conserve the natural features important to land or water resources (e g , headwater areas, groundwater recharge zones, floodway, floodplain, springs, streams, wetlands, woodlands, prime wildlife habitats) and other

features constituting high recreational value or containing amenities that exist on developed and undeveloped land

F. Work with floodplain and other ordinances that regulate environmentally sensitive areas to minimize hazards to life, property and riparian features

G. Conserve natural, scenic and recreation areas within and adjacent to riparian areas for the community's benefit

A. Establishment

(1) The Riparian Corridor Conservation District applies to land adjacent to an identified waterway in Worcester Township The following watercourses or water bodies shall be considered an identified waterway in Worcester Township

(a) Perennial streams, as identified in the most recent Soil Survey of Montgomery County, as prepared by the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture

(b) Streams which are bordered by the following alluvial soils,-as identified in-the-most recent Soil Survey of Montgomery County, prepared by the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture

(c) Streams which are bordered by the following local alluvium soils, as identified in the most recent Soil Survey of Montgomery County, prepared by the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, provided that the local alluvium soil is connected to an alluvial soil listed above in Subsection AWN