The guidelines and standards provide instructions to property owners and developers about how to design and construct streamside development in a way that protects both the property and the resource.
They are designed to clarify who is responsible for protecting water resources near streams; to protect properties along the stream from flooding, slope failures, erosion, and soil deposits; and to protect the stability of structures near streams and the stream bank itself.
Local communities benefit from healthy streams, safe streamside structures, improved flood protection and water quality, and potentially increased property values if streamside habitat is left intact.