FUNCTIONAL APPROACHES TO RIPARIAN BUFFER STRIP DESIGN

Buffer strips are protective areas adjacent to streams or lakes that s hield them from the effects of management activities. Buffer strip des igns invariably require trees and other vegetation to remain in place for various ecological functions. The term buffer strip includes funct ional descriptions such as filter, stabilization, or leave strips, and administrative designations such as Idaho's Stream Protection Zone, O regon's Riparian Management Area, Washington's Riparian Management Zon e, and the USDA Forest Service's Streamside Management Zone.