Riparian Buffers

Clean Water and the Waterways of Springfield

What is a Riparian Buffer? It's an area of natural native growth next to a stream or other waterway to protect our clean water and to stabilize the streambank from erosion. Unbeknownst to many, the water in our streams and lakes eventually becomes drinking water. Our choices are to spend millions and millions of dollars to clean the water or to use nature's way to clean the water before it enters our streams.

What is the science? The science says that a 25-foot buffer is desirable to filter water before entering our streams. This buffer slows the water and cleanses the water. The county recommended a Riparian Ordinance for all Montgomery County towns and boroughs. In areas upcounty from us that are undeveloped, the 25-foot buffer makes a great deal of sense. However, for Springfield, which is so build-out, it didn't make good sense.

Is clean water important? Of course! Is the Riparian Ordinance the best solution to the problem? The Board of Commissioners wrestled with this question for years, sending the ordinance back to the Planning Commission several times. Finally the Board decided to table the concept and to educate our residents, through our EAC (Environmental Advisory Commission) and to proceed with three demonstration projects on township parklands, including a major one in Cisco Park (funded by Merck settlement money, see below).

The EAC will be preparing informational brochures for general distribution with recommendations for those who live along a stream and want to stabilize the streambank and contribute to improved water quality and stormwater management.

The Planning Commission is working on changing our code to permit riparian buffers, as they are currently in violation of § 11-1 "Accumulation of objectionable vegetation prohibited" in our code. [Ref]

The Board of Commissioners will be following the results of the demonstration projects closely and may, in future, reconsider a Riparian Ordinance for Springfield that is effective, responsible, and fair.

Cisco Park Project

The scope includes the stabilization of the Paper Mill Run stream embankment from the stone bridge (near Phil-Mont, part of the walking trail) to Paper Mill Road, and to add a riparian buffer along the length of the stream within Cisco Park. The goal is to reduce erosion (via the bank stabilization) and improve water quality (via the riparian buffer). We have until March 10, 2012 to complete the project, but hope to do so prior to this date.

Riparian Buffers and Flood Control

Source: Understanding the Science Behind Riparian Forest Buffers: Benefits to Communities and Landowners

Riparian forest buffers play an important role in flood control, as they provide a natural basin where floodwaters may spread out horizontally (Lowrance and others 1985). As flood waters move into the riparian area, vegetation slows the water's movement, reducing its erosive potential and capturing materials carried by the floodwaters (Gregory and others 1991). The porous forest floor acts as a "sponge," quickly absorbing and storing floodwaters, then releasing them slowly back into the stream and groundwater. Restoring forests along headwater streams means more storm flow is captured and retained higher in the watershed.

Riparian forest buffers also reduce flood damage as they capture sediments. The sedimentation of streams contributes to flood damage by filling in streambeds and increasing the frequency and depth of flooding and by increasing the volume of flood waters, as well as by causing additional damage itself.