The photo is an example of a healthy vegetative buffer. A vegetative or riparian buffer is the natural vegetation extending from the edge of a waterway which serves as a buffer to pollutants. In Virginia Beach, we have 25-100' buffers around our lakes. In the new Bow Creek Stormwater Park, an 80' buffer provides protection to the new $68M retention lakes. And the state of Virginia provides a minimum standard of 25' around lakes. However, in stark contrast, the new design plans for the Wycliffe Development provide a mere 12' buffer for Lake Conrad 2. The city staff has stated that because the lake was "built" before any city design standards for stormwater management facilities, the developer does not have to meet current design standards when creating a new road around the lake.

In fact, this lake was not built. It was a finger of the Lynnhaven River that was dammed off for residential purposes. That dam would be illegal today, and the buffer would be a minimum of 100' to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Virginia Beach planners should not sacrifice the health of this lake, which flows to the River, to serve the interests of this developer. 

A vegetative buffer provides many benefits. It filters pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste from going into our lakes and harming the ecosystem. It stablizes eroding banks. It filters sediment runoff. And it provides shade, shelter, and food for marine life and a habitat for wildlife. 

Another "best management practice" (BMP) for protecting our natural waterways is using flowerbeds to retain and filter water. This developer's design plan will likely provide for those in the backyards of the homes--where people promptly replace them with firepits and sheds. The current design plan has not indicated any requirements or regulatory method to maintain these BMPs once the homes are sold--further threatening the health of Lake Conrad 2.

It is inexcusable for our city to approve of a plan that lowers the state of Virginia's standards for a 25' vegetative buffer. The private road includes a roundabout for vehicles to turn around and above that acres of grass, soil, and trees will be replaced with driveways, homes, patios, sheds, and firepits.  Having this road just 12 feet from Lake Conrad 2 is a recipe for the destruction of the habitat.  

Please write the city leadership and let them know that they should oppose this new design which puts a private road below the minimum state guidelines for a vegetative buffer. This developer should do better and relocate this road. Further, since there are no controls over the maintenance of the backyard BMPs, he should be required to plant and maintain a buffer extending 80' above the waters edge, just like the requirements our city has for the new stormwater park at Bow Creek. 

Please see www.NoBuildVBWetlands.com to find out how to write our leaders and demand better.

Ref:

State Design Specs: DEQ BMP Spec No 14,version 1.8, dated April 13, 2010 Page 12 of 23:“A vegetated buffer should be provided that extends at least 25 feet outward from the maximum water surface elevation of the wet pond. Permanent structures (e.g., buildings) should not be constructed within the buffer area..."