For which type of features are buffers required in Randleman Lake?

Buffers are required for all intermittent and perennial streams, as well as for first-order ditches in Randleman Lake. This is because maintaining water quality and ecosystem health around these water bodies is essential. Buffers serve as protective zones that filter pollutants, reduce sedimentation, and enhance biodiversity by providing habitat for various species.

Intermittent and perennial streams have a continuous or seasonal flow, making them crucial for wildlife and plants. First-order ditches, which are the smallest streams in the hierarchy of waterways, also contribute to the overall health of the watershed. The inclusion of buffers around these features helps to mitigate negative impacts from adjacent land use, ensuring the integrity of the water quality and the ecosystem's functionality.

In contrast, large reservoirs and small ponds or lakes may have different management priorities or established buffer requirements that differ from those applied to streams and ditches, leading to their exclusion from the requirement of buffers in specific contexts.