Figure 7-34 illustrates environmentally sensitive areas recommended for permanent preservation. These areas include the Congaree Swamp and its contiguous riparian areas, the Wateree River corridor and the riparian corridors of all rivers and streams. Native upland forests (as differentiated from pine plantations) are an essential part of the natural landscape of the County. Prime agricultural soils are a valuable resource. Uncommitted recharge zones in the Sand Hills also comprise an essential environmental resource of the County.

These areas constitute the County’s ecological capital and, as such, form the structure for the vision plan as described in Section 6 of the vision plan report. As defined, these areas contribute to the County’s rural character, define towns, and villages within the rural fabric, and preserve the County’s hydrological regime. 

A. Strategies and Principles

Water Resources
A comprehensive groundwater study should be initiated to identify the extent of the recharge zone and details of its hydrology. Results of the study will support the drafting of BMP requirements that promote recharge and reduce runoff to maintain adequate supplies of groundwater and prevent flooding. At the foremost, infiltration of relatively clean roof runoff should be integrated into the required stormwater detention strategy. For more polluted roadway runoff, overland collection and filtration of runoff should be followed with wetland retention basins. The extent of impervious surfaces should also be limited as much as possible. These BMPs will promote recharge, and greatly reduce the extent of toxic pollutants and flooding from developed sites.

Riparian Forest Buffers
A detailed study of the extent and composition of existing riparian forests should be initiated to determine those locations where RFBs need to be reestablished. Policies that require existing riparian forests to be preserved and replaced where absent need to be drafted. Such RFB policies should provide for a forested buffer at least several trees back from stream banks and its associated wetlands, although in general, the wider, the better. A systems approach that relates buffer width to required functions can attain effective results with minimal loss of usable ground in developed areas. RFB polices for development sites could incorporate the benefits of installing RFBs in key agricultural areas offsite in a process similar to that used in wetlands mitigation.

Mature Forests
Large tracts of mature upland forests should be identified. Where possible, reforestation and linkage of these forest tracts by forested corridors should be promoted to mitigate some of the adverse impacts of forest fragmentation.

Prime Agricultural Soils
Those areas of Richland County comprised of prime agricultural soils should be identified for preservation of their agricultural uses.