Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/02/2017

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management term, is used in Executive Order 79-19 to establish the management practice of removing single scattered trees or shrubs throughout a stand of trees or vegetated area. Executive Order 79-19 has no provision for protecting riparian vegetation, an important element for both water quality and ecosystem health. The use of these forest management concepts has not served the MRCCA particularly well, especially in developed areas, which are different from traditional forestry settings. Also, vegetation management standards across the MRCCA are inconsistent and do not adequately protect important MRCCA resources or public safety. Most local MRCCA ordinances currently include provisions prohibiting clearcutting as required by Executive Order 79-19; beyond this, they vary considerably. In many local MRCCA ordinances it is not clear what vegetation management activities are allowed where and what vegetation management practices are restricted. As a result, expectations for administration and enforcement of vegetation management across the MRCCA are unclear. Additionally, the removal of riparian vegetation is not specifically addressed, either in the executive order or in most local MRCCA ordinances. These deficiencies become especially problematic when property owners clear vegetation on riverbanks or in areas that are highly visible from adjacent property or property across the river. Not only does this adversely impact views in the MRCCA, but removal of riparian vegetation adversely impacts water quality, increases the likelihood of shoreline erosion, decreases habitat, and adversely impacts aquatic ecosystems. From an ecological perspective, maintaining shoreline vegetation is very important, as riparian zones are the interfaces between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and support many ecological processes and plant communities.' The nearshore areas adjacent to lakes and rivers are considered among the richest zones for aquatic organisms, mammals, and birds.12 Maintaining riparian vegetative is also beneficial to water quality because it filters and reduces nutrient and sediment pollution and mitigates temperature increases.13 It is also well documented that steeper slopes have a higher potential for erosion, and perennial vegetation can mitigate this erosion potential by stabilizing soils.' Local government staff regularly receive complaints about the removal of riparian vegetation but have a limited ability to address the problems because of vague ordinance language and the lack of enforcement mechanisms. The proposed vegetation management standards were developed in close collaboration with local governments, resource professionals, and other interests, including private property owners. These standards seek to correct current regulatory deficiencies and improve vegetation protection by designating specific areas on the landscape for protection and adopting stronger performance 11 Gregory et al. 1991 12 Castelle et al. 1992 13 Castelle et al. 1994 14 U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1997 55