The Environment First amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC), were introduced May 13, 2003. They tighten up the already strict and thorough regulations of the UDC, which includes Article 23: Landscaping, Trees, and Erosion. The Environment First amendments strengthen the riparian buffer requirements in order to dissipate the velocity of runoff and control erosion, requires stormwater management and grading efforts to use green technology best management practices and to maintain non-erosive velocities of runoff and allows herbaceous vegetation in lieu of shrubs on landscapes using green technology best management practices.