Sussex Wetlands and Buffer Working Group work important

Now more than ever, we need to take action for our natural resources. With sea level rise and residential development on the increase, and water quality in Sussex County poor, we need to come up with a plan to protect our property for the future.
Luckily for our county and its vulnerable waterways and wetlands, there is a proposal update that can do just that. The Wetlands and Buffer Working Group has put forth recommendations to the county to protect water quality, wildlife habitat, and prevent flooding all while balancing property rights. The Sussex County Resource Buffer Ordinance would protect the property and the safety of residents by requiring more-extensive natural buffers between new residential developments, as well as wetlands and waters. The existing ordinance has shortcomings that need to be addressed and current regulations to be updated.
We know people are moving to the beach and our coastal areas. We, as the current residents, cannot control that. But through the Wetlands and Buffer Working Group recommendations we can protect development. What is proposed to the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission would update the county code to balance protection of the environment with the preservation of property rights. There is a plethora of ordinance item updates, ranging from increasing the width of buffers, to requiring management plans from homeowner’s associations for buffers in their community. It applies to certain land uses, protects existing forests, and defines permitted uses, to name a few. A simple Google search can give you even more detail.
So, what does that really mean? And why is it important to support? It comes down to water quality and buffers. It’s well known that Sussex County has poor water quality and is vulnerable to flooding, as well as losing wetlands and threats from sea level rise. Buffers are natural areas between developments and wetlands or waters that can protect our property or natural land from humans and pollution. Current buffer regulations provide minimal protection to our natural resources that happen to also be our properties or places we call home.
Better buffers can mean so many valuable things. These areas can improve water quality and remove pollutants from waterways. They end up protecting our wetlands, which make up almost 50 percent of the county. And in these wetlands, critical ecosystem services occur, like protection of streams, drinking water, and bays. Better buffers prevent flooding and aid in our fight against sea level rise due to our county’s low elevation and distance to the coast. This directly impacts property and infrastructure, as well as mitigates costs to us when flooding damage is done.
Amidst a pandemic, we can even increase our economic value through buffer areas. Our county’s recreation and wildlife habitat are a driving force in tourism.
When open space is protected, native animals and plants are abundant, and the water quality is better, we increase economic stimulation.
These recommendations can strike a balance between environmental protection and respect for landowners’ rights. This policy update could be one of the most important pieces brought to the county in years.
Most of all, better buffers protect us. They protect Sussex County heritage, our rural and coastal roots. People save up all year to vacation or experience where we live, and that’s a critical thing to protect. Buffers protect neighborhood playgrounds, the stream down the street, our sandy beaches, and our backyards. Whether you were born here, moved here, or visited once, it doesn’t take long to see the value in our natural resources. The Wetlands and Buffer Working Group recommendations protect that.
Research even more, reach out to the county planning and zoning commission, write a letter to the editor about better buffers. Share our value to protect our value.