§ 517. Uses permitted in river corridors.

The following uses shall be permitted in river corridors/river buffers:

(a)

Agricultural production and management, provided that it shall be consistent with best management practices established by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, all state and federal laws, and all regulations promulgated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and shall not impair the drinking quality of the river water as defined by the federal Clean Water Act, as amended.

(b)

Single-family dwellings, including the usual appurtenances, subject to compliance with the following requirements:

1.

The dwelling shall be in compliance with all other requirements of this UDC.

2.

The dwelling shall be located on a tract of land containing at least two acres. For the purposes of this subsection, the size of the tract of land shall not include any area that lies within the protected river (that is, for tracts of land that include portions of a protected river, the area between the river banks cannot be counted towards the two-acre minimum size).

3.

There shall be only one such dwelling on each two-acre or larger tract of land.

4.

Septic tanks and septic tank drainfields shall not be located within the buffer area.

(c)

Timber production and harvesting, subject to the following conditions: Forestry activity shall be consistent with best management practices established by the Georgia Forestry Commission; and forestry activity shall not impair the drinking quality of the river water as defined by the federal Clean Water Act, as amended.

(d)

Wildlife and fisheries management activities consistent with the purposes of O.C.G.A. 12-2-8.

(e)

Waste-water treatment.

(f)

Recreational usage consistent either with the maintenance of a natural vegetative buffer or with river-dependent recreation. This includes a boat ramp, paths, and walkways, but excludes hard-surface tennis courts and parking lots.

(g)

Natural water quality treatment or purification.

(h)

Utilities, if such utilities cannot feasibly be located outside the buffer area, provided that: the utilities shall be located as far from the river bank as reasonably possible; and provided the utilities are installed and maintained such as to protect the integrity of the buffer area as well as is reasonably possible and shall not impair the drinking quality of the river water. Construction of any road or utility crossing a river corridor, is permitted, provided that it shall meet all requirements of the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act of 1975, as amended, and any applicable requirements of this UDC including but not limited to soil erosion and sedimentation control.

(i)

Other uses permitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or under section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

(Ord. No. 17-003 , § 1, 10-2-2017)