In expansion of the declaration of legislative intent contained in § 116-2, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this article with respect to the uses permitted herein to establish reasonable standards and controls for governing the conservation, management, disturbance, and restoration of riparian corridors under authority of Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, Act 247 the Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, and other commonwealth and federal statutes, in conformance with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan, and the following objectives:
A. Improve surface water quality by reducing the amount of nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other harmful substances that reach watercourses, wetlands, subsurface, and surface water bodies by using scientifically proven processes including filtration, deposition, absorption, adsorption, plant uptake, and denitrification, and by improving infiltration, encouraging sheet flow, and stabilizing concentrated flows.
B. Improve and maintain the safety, reliability, and adequacy of the water supply for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and recreational uses along with sustaining diverse populations of aquatic flora and fauna.
C. Preserve and protect areas that intercept surface water runoff, wastewater, subsurface flow, and/or deep groundwater flows from upland sources and function to remove or buffer the effects of associated nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, or other pollutants prior to entry into surface waters, as well as provide wildlife habitat, moderate water temperature in surface waters, attenuate flood flow, and provide opportunities for passive recreation.
D. Regulate the land use, siting, and engineering of all development to be consistent with the intent and objectives of this article and accepted conservation practices, and to work within the carrying capacity of existing natural resources.
E. Assist in the implementation of pertinent state laws concerning erosion and sediment control practices, specifically erosion control, of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Act 394, P.L. 1987, Chapter 102 of the Administrative Code (as amended October 10, 1980 Act 157 P.L.), Title 25, and any subsequent amendments thereto, as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Conservation District.
F. Conserve natural features important to land or water resources such as headwater areas, groundwater recharge zones, floodway, floodplain, springs, streams, wetlands, woodlands, prime wildlife habitats, and other features that provide recreational value or contain natural amenities whether on developed or undeveloped land.
G. Work with floodplain, steep slope, and other requirements that regulate environmentally sensitive areas to minimize hazards to life, property, and riparian features.
H. Recognize that natural features contribute to the welfare and quality of life of the township residents.
I. Conserve natural, scenic, and recreation areas within and adjacent to riparian areas for the community's benefit.
