§ 3.07.00. River corridor protection.

3.07.01.

Generally.

A.

Purpose. The purpose of river corridor protection standards is to help maintain high water quality of the designated rivers.

B.

Applicability. The standards of this section apply to all river corridors designated by the State of Georgia because of their unique environmental importance. The South River in Henry County is a designated river.

C.

Stricter standards apply. Proposed development shall comply with both the standards for river corridor protection, the standards for the zoning district in which the proposed development is located, and the goals of the comprehensive plan. Where standards are specified for the same item in both the zoning district standards and the river corridor standards, the stricter standard shall be required.

3.07.02.

River corridor protection area. The river corridor protection area extends from the top of the riverbank on both sides of the river for a distance of one hundred fifty (150) feet landward. The top of the riverbank is the uppermost part of the riverbank, usually marked by a break in the slope. All land that lies within this corridor is part of the river corridor protection area.

3.07.03.

Buffer requirements for the river corridor protection area. A natural vegetative buffer area shall be maintained for a distance of one hundred (100) feet on both sides of the river as measured from the riverbanks.

3.07.04.

Permissible uses within the river corridor protection area. The following specific land uses are permissible within the river corridor protection area, subject to the standards listed for each use:

A.

A single-family dwelling together with permissible accessory structures, limited to one (1) per tract of land, may be located within the buffer area;

B.

Road crossings and utility crossings;

C.

Timber production and harvesting, consistent with best management practices of the Georgia Forestry Commission, and protection of the water quality of the river as required by the Clean Water Act;

D.

Wildlife and fishery management activities;

E.

Wastewater treatment;

F.

Recreational activities that are river dependent and that do not interfere with the maintenance of the required buffer;

G.

Walking paths;

H.

Natural water quality treatment or purification;

I.

Agricultural production and management, consistent with best management practices of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, protection of the water quality of the river as required by the Clean Water Act, and consistent with all requirements of the Georgia Department of Agriculture; and

J.

Uses that are specifically permissible by the Georgia DNR or under section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

3.07.05.

Prohibited uses within the river corridor protection area. The following specific land uses are prohibited within the river corridor protection area:

A.

Septic tanks and septic tank drain fields;

B.

Handling areas for receiving and storage of hazardous waste, unless located within port facilities that comply with all federal and state laws and regulations for the handling and transport of hazardous waste and the operations are performed on impermeable surfaces having spill and leak protection systems as described by the Georgia DNR;

C.

Hazardous waste landfill; and

D.

Solid waste landfill.