Section 4-701 A Shoreline Protection Strip is required to protect all water bodies on USGS maps from onshore use, to preserve natural beauty and to control erosion.

Section 4-702 Proposed alterations of the Shoreline Protection Strip will require a site plan.

Section 4-703 A Shoreline Protection Strip (or greenbelt) established from the ordinary high water mark to a distance of thirty feet (30') inland from the shoreline(s) of all natural water bodies within Forest Home Township shall be established and maintained.

Section 4-704 Native shrubbery, trees, or other vegetation shall be preserved as far as practicable. If they have been removed then they shall be replaced with other vegetation that is equally effective in retarding runoff, preventing erosion and preserving natural beauty.

Section 4-705 A mowed lawn is not a desirable vegetation strip adjacent to the shoreline. Native plants, shrubbery and trees should be planted when new vegetation is needed.

Section 4-706 Existing soil and organic matter shall not be altered or disturbed within the Shoreline Protection Strip.

Section 4-707 No structures shall be permitted within the Shoreline Protection Strip, except docks, boat ramps, walkways, and elevated boardwalks which provide the property owner with reasonable access to the water.

Section 4-708 Lighting on docks shall be permitted, provided that such lighting shall be shielded and directed downward so as to prevent light and glare on adjoining properties.

Section 4-709 No unsightly, offensive or potentially polluting material including, but not limited to lawn clippings, leaves, garbage, trash, refuse, junk cars, junk appliances or toxic materials may be dumped or stored within the natural vegetation strip.

Section 4-710 Removal of vegetation shall be limited in accordance with the following requirements:

Section 4-711 No more than thirty percent (30%) of the vegetation maybe cut down or trimmed. This selective cutting should provide a filtered view.

Section 4-712 A path or walkway to the water's edge may be cleared to a width of twelve feet (12'). Section 4-713 All stumps and root masses must be left intact to stablize the shoreline.

Section 4-714 If soil and/or vegetation is removed, altered or otherwise disturbed within the Shoreline Protection Strip in violation of this ordinance, the Shoreline Protection Strip shall be restored to its pre-disturbed condition.

Section 4-715 If information is not available to determine the pre-disturbed condition, then the following actions shall be taken by the property owner to restore the Shoreline Protection Strip to a conforming condition. In addition, other penalties, fines or conditions may be imposed.

1. All fill, material that was placed on the property shall be removed. Soils similar to those removed or disturbed shall be used to restore the site and to aid in the regeneration of vegetation.

2. Native plants occurring in this area that are compatible with the restored soils shall consist of a mixture of deep and shallow rooted trees and shrubs.

3. A minimum of three rows of trees featuring a mix of deciduous aid coniferous trees shall be spaced no further than twenty feet (20) apart in each row.

4. Each row shall be offset in order to provide for adequate area for each tree to grow as well as to provide a visual barrier.

5. Deciduous trees (hardwoods), shall be a minimum of twelve feet (12) in height and have a minimum caliper of 2 % inches at a distance of five feet (5') above the ground at the time of planting.

6. Coniferous trees (evergreens), shall have a height of six feet (6) at the time of planting.

7. Between each row of trees, a staggered row of woody shrubs shall be planted having a spacing no greater than six feet (6) apart.
8. All vegetation shall be watered and otherwise maintained to ensure the reestablishment of the Shoreline Protection Strip.

Section 4-716 These provisions shall not apply to the removal of dead, diseased or dying trees at the discretion of the landowner, or to silvicultural thinning upon recommendation of a professional forester.

Section 4-717 All principal uses of land adjacent to inland lakes shall be set back according to the requirements below, except for the following uses: recreational docks and marinas, when located and designed so they do not interfere with or degrade the existing uses and water quality.

Section 4-718 Setbacks from the ordinary high water mark of any lake/stream shall be: 1. Fifty feet (50') for any structure.

2. One hundred feet (100') for any septic system. 3. Thirty feet (30') for any well.

4. Fifty feet (50') for every parking lot or parking area.

5. Fifty feet (50') for any agricultural cultivation or livestock assembly.

6. Fifty feet (50') for any roads, driveways, or recreational trails unless no alternatives exist.