Environmentally Sensitive Areas

The county’s comprehensive development plan includes guidelines for environmentally sensitive area protection. It discusses environmental stewardship actions for sensitive areas, including stream and buffers, floodplains, Natural Heritage Areas, steep slopes, wetlands, and unique watersheds. Policies for protection include reducing stormwater runoff impacts, minimizing disturbances to floodplains, and limiting the allowance of modifications to development regulations to protect sensitive areas. Additionally, a natural resources background report for the General Development Plan summarizes planning and regulatory approaches used to protect environmentally sensitive areas, including the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.