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Article 6: Development Standards36 <br /> Section 6.14: Stormwater Management <br /> (B) Existing forested areas or any other healthy vegetation may not be removed from a <br /> stream buffer, except where replaced with vegetation resulting in comparable stormwater <br /> runoff velocity and quantity one year after planting. <br /> (C) New vegetation shall be planted to capture non-source pollutants before they reach the <br /> perennial stream, as per applicable Orange County Standards. <br /> SECTION • - <br /> 6.14.1 Introduction <br /> As a watershed becomes more developed, the amount of impervious surface area increases, <br /> causing a decrease in the rate at which stormwater runoff can be absorbed into the soil. This <br /> results in additional stormwater runoff flowing directly into streams and other water bodies. <br /> Because this additional direct stormwater runoff has not been filtered through the soil, pollutants <br /> from the air and land surface enter streams and increase the potential for pollution of <br /> hydrologically connected aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies. <br /> 6.14.2 Purpose <br /> It has been determined that proper management of construction-related and post-development <br /> stormwater runoff will minimize damage to public and private property and infrastructure; <br /> safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare; and protect water and aquatic <br /> resources. The purpose of the Board of County Commissioners in adopting stormwater <br /> management regulations is to protect the water quality of the streams that lie within Orange <br /> County by reducing and controlling stormwater runoff and addressing nutrient reductions for both <br /> new and existing development. <br /> 6.14.3 Jurisdiction-Wide and Inter-Local Approaches <br /> (A) Orange County shall have the option of implementing jurisdiction-wide and/or inter-local <br /> approaches to control stormwater runoff and achieve nutrient reductions. <br /> (B) Any jurisdiction-wide and/or inter-local approaches must be approved by the Orange <br /> County Board of Commissioners, and the North Carolina Environmental Management <br /> Commission before implementation. <br /> 6.14.4 General Methods <br /> The following general approaches shall be utilized to minimize the effects of stormwater pollution <br /> on hydrologically connected aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies in Orange County: <br /> (A) Non-Structural Methods <br /> (1) The stormwater run-off generated by one inch of rain from all project area <br /> surfaces shall be controlled to the extent possible through on-site infiltration and <br /> through the use of methods which rely on natural soil properties for absorption <br /> and treatment. <br /> (2) Stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, and/or sidewalks shall be directed to <br /> undisturbed areas through use of berms, grassed diversion ditches or swales, or <br /> other acceptable means to reduce stormwater runoff velocity and volume, and <br /> filter out pollutants. <br /> (3) Impervious Surface Limits <br /> (a) In order to promote infiltration of stormwater runoff into the soil and <br /> minimize direct and immediate runoff into streams and water supply <br /> impoundments, the maximum percentage of the total lot area which may <br /> be covered with an impervious surface shall be specified. This limit is <br /> referred to as the "impervious surface ratio". <br /> Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-96 <br />