INTRODUCTION. Stormwater-borne (nonpoint source) pollution from urban and agricultural runoff is a critical water quality problem in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Nutrient and sediment pollution of rivers and estuaries is largely attributed to farm runoff, while bacterial contamination of shellfish beds and recreational waters and accumulations of metals and toxics in coastal waters have been linked to urban, residential, and recreational development along North Carolina's estuarine shorelines. (J) A key management technique for dealing with these runoff-borne pollutants is the maintenance of vegetated riparian buffer zones. These buffers provide filters to cleanse contaminated runoffbefore it can enter surface waters, delay stormwater so that contaminants may decompose or settle out, and simply move development farther from the shore, which reduces pollutant delivery. In the case of agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, riparian buffers are generally in the form ofbottomland forests along stream corridors. Where the concern is stormwater from urban and commercial shoreline development, the buffer is typically a vegetated (usually with grass) setback from the water line. Establishment and maintenance of an undeveloped vegetated area along stream banks and estuary shores have significant potential landuse implications. In the case of coastal shorelines, there are clear economic impacts because of strong development pressures, intense landuse competition, and the extremely high value of waterfront property. These variables are usually not important along inland stream corridors in Eastern North Carolina, but restrictions on rural and agricultural land use are even more controversial than in residential and commercial areas. (2) * Information provided by Lynn Phillips (Director, Carteret County Planning Department) was helpful in interpreting the land-use implications of the buffer model. Leo Zonn provided useful comments on an earlier draft. Dr. Phillips is Associate Professor ofGeography and Planning at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC 27858.