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Sec. 78-1604 Interpretation of Wetlands Boundaries. <br /> Whenever a wetland boundary is disputed or uncertain, the Planning Director may <br /> require the submission of a registered survey of the property and field staking showing <br /> the city-designated wetland contour or a delineation of the wetland, and such other <br /> information as the director may require in order to resolve the dispute or uncertainty. The <br /> Plamiing Director may require review by City consultants or a Technical Evaluation <br /> Panel if necessary. No boundary change may be authorized on the basis of fill that was <br /> placed on the site after the City designated the area as part of the wetland overlay <br /> district. Persons aggrieved by a decision of the Planning Director may appeal such <br /> decision in accordance with the provisions of Section 78-99 of this ordinance and the <br /> WCA rules. <br /> DIVISION 3. <br /> BUFFER AREAS <br /> Sec.78-1605 Wetland Buffer Areas. <br /> (a) This subsection establishes requirements for wetland buffer areas around <br /> protected wetlands. Buffer areas axe necessary and beneficial to maintain the health of <br /> wetlands. Buffer areas protect the edge of wetlands from erosion while filtering sediment, <br /> chemicals and other nutrients from runoff that drains into wetlands. Buffer areas can <br /> improve the biological diversity and health of a wetland environment while reducing the <br /> adverse impacts of human activities. <br /> (b) Buffer areas regulated by this section are areas of vegetative cover that are <br /> upland of the wetland edge, and that occur in a natural condition or through restoration. <br /> Buffer areas consist of shrubbery and trees, native grasses and/or forbs that are not <br /> mowed, fertilized or manicured in any manner. Mowing, fertilizing, manicuring, or <br /> vegetation removal within a buffer area is not allowed unless the City has issued a permit <br /> for such activity in conjunction with an approved buffer management plan. <br /> (1) Acceptable buffer areas shall have the following qualities: <br /> a. A continuous dense layer of perennial grasses that have been <br /> uncultivated or unbroken for at least ten (10) consecutive years, or <br /> b. An over story of trees and/or shrubs with at least eighty (80%) <br /> percent canopy closure that have been uncultivated or unbroken for <br /> at least ten(10) consecutive years, or <br /> c. A mixture of the plant communities described in a. and b. above, <br /> which have been uncultivated or unbroken for at least ten (10) <br /> consecutive years. <br /> Page 5 of 22 <br />