Water Resources Board reviews TDEC‑approved streamside buffer variance process

Josh, a staff member, briefed the Water Resources Board on the county’s streamside buffer policy and the variance process the state (TDEC) required as part of the board’s recent permit renewal. He said the county has processed seven or eight variances since the policy’s creation in 2008 and that the state asked for an approved variance procedure as a condition of the new permit.

Josh described what a streamside buffer is and why it matters: “It’s the natural area of land alongside a stream or a wetland… it helps regulate the stream temperature, holds the stream bank in place, provides habitat for aquatic life,” and in places with intact buffers the county has observed higher biodiversity scores. He showed photos of healthy buffers (Sinking Creek, Pucket Crossing) and noted the county formerly used two buffer zones but has revised the…