United States Department of Agriculture 391-CPS-1

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NRCS reviews and periodically updates conservation practice standards. To obtain the current 

version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State office or 

visit the Field Office Technical Guide online by going to the NRCS website at 

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and type FOTG in the search field. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Natural Resources Conservation Service 

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD 

RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFER 

CODE 391 

(ac)

DEFINITION 

An area predominantly covered by trees and/or shrubs located adjacent to and up-gradient from a

watercourse or water body. 

PURPOSE 

This practice is used to accomplish one or more of the following purposes: 

• Reduce transport of sediment to surface water, and reduce transport of pathogens, chemicals,

pesticides, and nutrients to surface and ground water 

• Improve the quantity and quality of terrestrial and aquatic habitat for wildlife, invertebrate species,

fish, and other organisms 

• Maintain or increase total carbon stored in soils and/or perennial biomass to reduce atmospheric

concentrations of greenhouse gasses 

• Lower elevated stream water temperatures 

• Restore diversity, structure, and composition of riparian plant communities 

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES 

Apply riparian forest buffers on areas adjacent to permanent or intermittent streams, lakes, ponds, and

wetlands where channels and streambanks are sufficiently stable. 

CRITERIA 

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes 

Position and design the riparian forest buffer to achieve enough width, length, vertical structure/density,

and connectivity to accomplish the intended purpose(s). 

Design for dominant vegetation that consists of existing, naturally regenerated, or seeded/planted trees

and shrubs suited to the soil and hydrology of the site and the intended purpose(s). 

Extend the vegetation to the minimum width needed to achieve the intended purpose(s). Width of buffer

refers to one side of the watercourse. Begin measurement at and perpendicular to the normal water line,

bank-full elevation, or the top of the bank as determined locally. 

Control excessive sheet, rill, and concentrated flow erosion through the riparian forest buffer site and in

the areas immediately adjacent and up-gradient of the buffer site. 

Use tree and shrub species that are native and noninvasive. Substitution with improved locally adapted

species, or with species suited for a specific purpose, is allowed. For plantings and seeding, use only
viable, high quality, and adapted plant materials. Where available, use the ecological site description to

guide restoration to an appropriate vegetative community phase. 

Select plant species that are adapted to site and hydrologic conditions and provide the structural and

functional diversity preferred by fish and wildlife species likely to benefit from the installation of the

practice, provided the intended purpose is not compromised. 

Favor tree and shrub species that have multiple values, such as those suited for timber, nuts, fruit, florals,

browse, nesting, and aesthetics, provided the intended purpose is not compromised. 

Periodic removal of some forest products such as high value trees and medicinal herbs, nuts, and fruits is

permitted provided the intended purpose is not compromised by the loss of vegetation or harvesting

disturbance. Refer to criteria in NRCS Conservation Practice Standards (CPSs) Forest Stand

Improvement (Code 666) and/or Multi-Story Cropping (Code 379). 

Perform necessary site preparation and planting at a time and manner that ensures the survival and

growth of species selected for achieving the intended purpose(s). Refer to criteria in NRCS CPSs Tree

and Shrub Site Preparation (Code 490) and/or Tree and Shrub Establishment (Code 612) as applicable. 

Control or exclude livestock as necessary to achieve the intended purpose. Refer to criteria in NRCS

CPSs Access Control (Code 472) and/or use Prescribed Grazing (Code 528) as applicable. 

Control or exclude harmful plant and animal pests present on the site as necessary to achieve and

maintain the intended purpose. If pesticides are to be applied, refer to Windows Pesticide Screening Tool

(WIN-PST) Criteria in NRCS CPS Pest Management Conservation System (Code 595) and comply with

applicable State and local laws and product labels. Refer to criteria in NRCS CPSs Brush Management

(Code 314) and/or Herbaceous Weed Treatment (Code 315) as applicable. 

For stabilization of stream banks or shorelines, use NRCS CPSs Streambank and Shoreline Protection

(Code 580) and/or Critical Area Planting (Code 342). 

Stream type and site hydrology will determine buffer design and layout to ensure purpose is achieved. 

Use plant species adapted to the projected duration of site saturation and inundation. 

Design tree and shrub stem densities to assure the established riparian forest buffer is predominantly

covered by trees and/or shrubs by the end of the practice lifespan. 

Additional Criteria to Reduce Transport of Sediment to Surface Water, and Reduce Transport of

Pathogens, Chemicals, Pesticides, and Nutrients to Surface and Ground Water 

To reduce overland flow transport of sediment and organic material the minimum horizontal width shall be

35 feet. 

To treat waterbodies threatened by transport of pathogens, chemicals, pesticides, or nutrients in surface

runoff or ground water flows, either extend the minimum horizontal width to 50 feet or add an associated

practice that treats the targeted resource concerns. Use NRCS CPSs Filter Strip (Code 393) or Field

Border (Code 386). 

Filter pollutants from underground drains that bypass the riparian area by plugging, removing, or replacing

drains with perforated pipe/end plugs or water control structures. Saturated conditions in the riparian and

adjacent areas may limit existing land use and management. 

Additional Criteria to Improve the Quantity and Quality of Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitat for

Wildlife, Invertebrate Species, Fish, and Other Organisms 

The minimum width to improve terrestrial and aquatic habitat shall be 35 feet. 

Extend the width to meet the habitat requirements of the wildlife or aquatic species of concern. 

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Establish plant communities to meet the needs of target aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and provide

multiple values such as habitat, nutrient uptake, and shading. The establishment of diverse native species

will enhance wildlife and pollinator values. 

Additional Criteria to Maintain or Increase Total Carbon Stored in Soils and/or Perennial Biomass

to Reduce Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gasses 

The minimum width to maintain or increase total carbon stored in soils and or plant biomass and to reduce

atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses shall be 35 feet. 

Maximize width and length of the riparian forest buffer. 

Select adapted plants known to sequester high rates of carbon in soils and plant biomass. Use the

appropriate stocking, seeding, or planting rate for the site. 

Additional Criteria to Lower Elevated Stream Water Temperatures 

Establish plant communities capable of reaching adequate heights to provide shade over stream channel

water surfaces. 

Incorporate topography and bank shade in the riparian forest buffer site design. 

CONSIDERATIONS 

Maximize widths, lengths, and connectivity of riparian forest buffers. 

Avoid tree and shrub species that are alternate hosts to pests. Consider species diversity to avoid loss of

function due to species-specific pests. 

Use seed and/or seedlings collected or propagated from multiple sources to increase genetic diversity. 

Consider selecting species with tolerance to herbicide runoff or spray drift from adjoining fields. 

Consider allelopathic impacts of plants. 

The location, layout, and density of the buffer should complement natural features and mimic natural

riparian forests. 

Consider extending the minimum width depending on wildlife species habitat needs. Minimum

recommended widths are 50 feet for invertebrates, aquatic species, reptiles, amphibians, and birds that

use edge habitat; 100 feet for birds needing interior habitat and small mammals; and 165 feet for large

mammals. 

For sites where continued function of drains is desired, woody root penetration may eventually plug the

underground structure. In these cases, setback woody vegetation from the drain and use herbaceous

cover or rigid nonperforated pipe. 

When applied near current or historic Native American or other Tribal lands, consider consulting regional

Tribes for any traditional ecological knowledge that may be applicable or advantageous to implement. 

Materials and methods used to implement the standard on organic and transitioning to organic operations

must comply with National Organic Program (NOP) rules and follow the NRCS National Organic Farming

Handbook (Title 190), Part 612. 

This practice can be included in a NOP applicant’s organic system plan as part of the plan for meeting

NOP requirements for resource conservation. 

Consider how this practice will complement the functions of adjacent riparian, terrestrial, and aquatic

habitats. 

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Consider the effects of upstream and downstream conditions, structures, facilities, and constraints on the

planned activities. 

Establish alternative water sources or controlled access stream crossings to manage livestock access to

the stream and riparian area. 

Corridor configuration, establishment procedures, and management should enhance habitats for

threatened, endangered, State Species of Greatest Conservation Need, and other plant or animal species

of concern, where applicable. 

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS 

Prepare plans and specifications that describe requirements for applying the practice to achieve its

intended purpose and obtain any required permits. 

Use implementation requirements or other acceptable documentation. At a minimum, provide— 

• Objective(s) for establishment. 

• Conservation plan map. 

• Map showing the location of plantings and/or natural regeneration areas. 

• Establishment method by species or vegetation type. 

• Number and spacing of trees/shrubs per acre by vegetation type. 

• Timing of planting relative to seasonal factors, plant physiology, disease, insects, and wildlife

impacts. 

• Methods of plant protection used during plant establishment. 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 

Prepare an operation and maintenance plan for the riparian forest buffer site. As a minimum, include— 

• Limiting access or damage from vehicles, equipment, livestock, and wildlife, during tree planting

and until riparian buffer establishment to protect new plants and minimize erosion, compaction, and

other site impacts. 

• Inspecting the site at an appropriate time following planting to determine whether the survival rate

for tree and shrubs meets practice and client objectives. 

• Replacing dead trees or shrubs and controlling undesirable vegetative competition until the buffer is

or will progress to a fully functional condition. 

• Controlling undesirable plant species that may include but not be limited to those on the Federal or

State invasive species and noxious weed lists. 

• Inspecting the trees, shrubs, and site periodically, and protecting the plantings and site from

adverse impacts of insects, diseases, competing vegetation, fire, livestock, excessive vehicular and

pedestrian traffic, wildlife, concentrated flows, nonfunctioning tree shelters and/or weed barriers,

etc. 

• Applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals used to maintain buffer function in a way that

will not impact water quality. 

REFERENCES 

Bentrup, G. 2008. Conservation Buffers—Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways.

General Technical Report SRS—109. Asheville, NC: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station.

https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/33522

Benedict, M., K. Kindscher, and R. Pierotti. 2014. Learning From the Land: Incorporating Indigenous

Perspectives into the Plant Sciences. In C.L. Quave (ed.). Innovative Strategies for Teaching in the Plant

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Sciences. Springer: New York, NY.

https://www.springer.com/us/search?query=Innovative+Strategies+for+Teaching+in+the+Plant+Sciences&

submit=Submit+Query. 

Burke, M., B.C. Rundquist, and H. Zheng. 2019. Detection of Shelterbelt Density Change Using Historic

APFO and NAIP Aerial Imagery. Remote Sensing, 11(3):218. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11030218. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—National Native American Programs. 2019. Traditional Ecological

Knowledge—Basic FWS Information. Accessed: May 2019.

https://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/traditional-knowledge.html. 

Wallace, C.W., G. McCarty, L. Sangchul, R.P. Brooks, T.L. Veith, P.J.A. Kleinman, and A.M. Sadeghi.

2018. Evaluating Concentrated Flowpaths in Riparian Forest Buffer Contributing Areas Using LiDAR

Imagery and Topographic Metrics. Remote Sensing 10(4):614; doi:10.3390/rs10040614.

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/10/4/614

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