Orange County NC Website
DocuSign Envelope ID: E39A7F34-1956-4F98-91AB-121A6B293FOE <br /> Practice Standards and Specifications <br /> Native Seed and Plant Selection for Stabilization of Wetlands, Riparian <br /> Areas,and Floodplains <br /> pon the completion of the land disturbing activity, vegetative cover must <br /> be establ i shed on al I areas not stabi I i ed by other means. f wor i n these <br /> areas stops for more than 15 working days, temporary vegetative cover and/ <br /> or matting must be applied to all disturbed areas. The goal is to protect these <br /> areasfrom erosion and to prevent sedimentation of ad acent streams,wetlands, <br /> la es,and other water bodies. <br /> Planning considerations for wetlands, riparian areas and floodplains will <br /> require additional research, detail and specifications. Native grasses are <br /> usually required as a condition of a 401 Water Quality Certification or a trout <br /> buffer vari ance. <br /> ati ve vegetati ve sped es are pl ant sped es that natural I y occur i n the regi on i n <br /> whi ch they evol ved. These pl ants are adapted to I oval soi I types and cl i mati c <br /> vari ati ons. ecause most nati ve sped es do not germi nate and establ i sh as <br /> readi I y as some introduced species, it is necessary to provide a non native <br /> nurse crop or matting to stabi I i e the soi I unti I the native crop can become <br /> established as the dominant cover. Once established, the native plants will <br /> produce an extensive root structure that,if properly maintained,will stabilize <br /> soils and reduce erosive forces of rainfall and overland stormwater flow. Many <br /> of these pl ants al so possess characteri sti cs that,when establ i shed,al I ow them <br /> not only to survive, but also to thrive under local conditions. <br /> Seeding a mixture of perennial native grasses, rushes, and sedges is a way <br /> to establish permanent ground cover within wetlands, riparian areas and <br /> floodplains. The use of propagated plants is another method of reestablishing <br /> natives in these environments. Selecting a seed mixture and/or propagated <br /> plants of different species with complimentary characteristics will provide <br /> vegetation to fill select niches on sites with varying physical conditions. <br /> The design professional should note that because most native species do not <br /> germinate and establish as readi I y as some introduced species, it is necessary <br /> to provi de a non nati ve nurse crop or matti ng to stabi I i e the Soi I unti I the <br /> native crop can become establ i shed as the dominant cover. or additional <br /> information about acceptable nurse crop varieties, consult the pl anti ng I i st in <br /> Appendix 8.02,local seed and plant suppliers,the North Carolina Cooperative <br /> Extension Service or a qualified design professional to assure the proper <br /> selection and plant mix. <br /> Rev. /0 6.11. <br />