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1.04 RESOURCE PROTECTION AREAS <br /> 1. PREAMBLE <br /> This section designates and defines protective buffer areas adjacent to a resource; i.e. the <br /> "buffer zone", the "no-disturb zone"and the "vegetated buffer strip", and provides <br /> guidance as to their respective purposes and uses. The overall intent of this section is to <br /> limit the potential adverse impact of any activity close to a protected resource on that <br /> resource. No invasive plants listed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service shall <br /> be allowed to be introduced within Commission jurisdiction. (..) <br /> Adverse impacts to protected resources can occur during construction,from the project <br /> as full developed, or both. Such impacts may include, but are not limited to, erosion, <br /> siltation, loss ofgroundwater recharge capability, contamination ofwaterbodies by <br /> surface runoff carrying heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, copper, and/or zinc), <br /> hydrocarbons (such as gasoline and motor oil),pesticides and herbicides,pathogens <br /> (both bacteria and viruses), and sediments. Nutrient loading of waterbodies can occur <br /> from overuse offertilizers as well as septic effluent traveling through groundwater. <br /> 3. NO-DISTURB ZONE <br /> The no-disturb zone is the area within fifty(S0)feet landward of the boundary of any <br /> fresh water wetland, bank beach, dune,flat, marsh, wet meadow, bog, swamp, or any <br /> estuary, creek, stream,pond or lake. Except for those being built on the footprint of an <br /> existing structure, and those deemed necessary to protect the resource, no new structures <br /> will be permitted in the no-disturb zone. Other kinds of proposed activities in this zone <br /> will be closely scrutinized and regulated with very few'activities permitted. These <br /> activities can have no adverse impact on environmental interests. <br /> 4. VEGETATED BUFFER STRIP <br /> A vegetated buffer strip within the buffer zone between the development activity and the <br /> protected resource may be deemed necessary, where none presently exists, to mitigate <br /> past,present or possible future activity impacts in the buffer zone.In the event that the <br /> Commission requires the establishment of a vegetated buffer strip of a given dimension <br /> as a condition to the approval of an activity, such strip shall consist of native or <br /> naturalized plant material listed in appendix. <br /> 1.06 LAWNS <br /> Turf lawns may be a significant source of nutrients to wetlands, coastal embayments, and <br /> other bodies of water through surface runoff and leaching to the groundwater. Excessive <br /> nutrient loading of water bodies may lead to eutrophication. Eutrophication includes <br /> nuisance algal blooms, oxygen depletion,fish kills and foul odors. <br /> Lawn fertilization is of concern because ofpossible overuse and the effects from a single <br /> house lot is extremely difficult to quantify. <br /> To minimize potential contamination, the Conservation Commission may require that turf <br /> lawns-be-minimized-or eveneliminatedfrom landscapingplans;particularly-in lots <br /> adjoining surface water bodies and wetland resource areas. However, so as to reduce <br /> erosion and nutrient loading by sheet runoff, no new lawn may be planted immediately <br /> Pleasant Bay Fertilizer Management Plan 13 Horsley Witten Group,Inc. <br /> Final Report December 2010 <br />