PRINCIPLE NO. 19 Minimize Clearing Native Vegetation
Clearing and grading of native vegetation should be limited to the minimum needed to build lots, allow access, and provide fire protection.
A fixed portion of any community open space should be managed as green space in a consolidated manner.
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.