Slide 92 of 110
Notes:
Most communities allow clearing and grading of an entire development site, with a few exceptions for regulated areas such as jurisdictional wetlands, steep slopes, and floodplains. The preservation of natural areas helps balance the impacts of development by maintaining the natural hydrologic cycle and limiting the amount of disturbed soils. Clearing should be limited to the minimum area required for building footprints, construction access, and safety setbacks. Existing tools that could be adapted to limit clearing include erosion and sediment control ordinances, grading ordinances, forest conservation or tree protection ordinances, and open space development.