As used in this Part 9, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of human activity and the natural processes at a rate greater
than would occur because of the natural process alone.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Activities associated with agriculture such as agricultural
cultivation, agricultural operation, and animal heavy use areas. This
includes the work of producing crops, tillage, land clearing, plowing,
disking, harrowing, planting, harvesting crops, or pasturing and raising
of livestock and installation of conservation measures. Construction
of new buildings or impervious area is not considered an agricultural
activity.
ALTERATION
As applied to land, a change in topography as a result of
the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another;
changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to be more or
less impervious; land disturbance.
APPLICANT
A landowner, developer, or other person who has filed an
application for approval to engage in any regulated activities at
a project site within the City of Harrisburg.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures or procedures used
to manage stormwater impacts from regulated activities, to meet state
water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge and to
otherwise meet the purposes of this Part 9. Stormwater BMPs are commonly
grouped into one of two broad categories or measures: "nonstructural"
or "structural." Nonstructural BMPs are measures referred to as operational
and/or behavior-related practices that attempt to minimize the contact
of pollutants with stormwater runoff, whereas structural BMPs are
measures that consist of a physical device or practice that is installed
to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Structural BMPs include, but
are not limited to, a wide variety of practices and devices, from
large-scale wet ponds and constructed wetlands to small-scale underground
treatment systems, infiltration facilities, filter strips, low-impact
design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed swales,
riparian or forested buffers, sand filters, detention basins, and
manufactured devices. Structural stormwater BMPs are permanent appurtenances
to the project site.
BMP MANUAL
The Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual
as published by the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau
of Watershed Management, document number 363-0300-002, effective date
December 30, 2006, and as revised.
CHANNEL EROSION
The widening, deepening, and headward cutting of small channels
and waterways due to erosion caused by moderate to large floods.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CITY
The City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, or
its designee.
COMBINED SEWER
A system of pipes and inlets that convey both intercepted
runoff and stormwater and also include domestic sewage and industrial
waste flows.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Dauphin County Conservation District (DCCD). The Dauphin
County Conservation District has the authority under a delegation
agreement executed with the Department of Environmental Protection
to administer and enforce all or a portion of the regulations promulgated
under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
CULVERT
A structure with appurtenant works that carries a stream
and/or stormwater runoff under or through an embankment or fill.
DAM
An artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid, or a refuse bank, fill or structure for highway,
railroad or other purposes which does or may impound water or another
fluid or semifluid.
DESIGNEE
The agent of the City of Harrisburg involved with the administration,
review or enforcement of any provisions of this Part 9 by contract
or memorandum of understanding.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation
from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a
twenty-five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the
design and evaluation of stormwater management systems. Also see "return
period."
DETENTION BASIN
An impoundment structure designed to manage stormwater runoff
by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate.
DETENTION VOLUME
The volume of runoff that is captured and released during
or after a storm event into waters of the commonwealth at a controlled
rate.
DEVELOPER
A person, partnership, association, corporation, or other
entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes
any regulated activity of this Part 9.
DEVELOPMENT SITE (SITE)
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed. Also see "project site."
DISTURBED AREA
An unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity
is occurring or has occurred.
DOWNSLOPE PROPERTY LINE
That portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels
of land being developed located such that all overland or pipe flow
from the site would be directed towards it.
DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE FACILITY
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater
runoff and shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits,
culverts, storm sewers, etc.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management, drainage, or conveyance
purposes.
DRAINAGEWAY
Any natural or artificial watercourse, trench, ditch, pipe,
swale, channel, or similar depression into which surface water flows.
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the
surface of the land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural
plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance
activities, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling,
or storing of soil, rock or earth materials.
EROSION
The movement of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice or other natural forces.
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE WATERS
Surface waters of high quality, which satisfies Pennsylvania
Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality
Standards, § 93.4b(b) (relating to antidegradation).
EXISTING CONDITION
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed
construction. If the initial condition of the site is undeveloped
land, the land use shall be considered as "meadow" unless the natural
land cover is proven to generate lower curve numbers or Rational "C"
value, such as forested lands.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FLOOD
A general but temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of streams,
rivers and other waters of the commonwealth.
FLOOD FRINGE
The remaining portions of the one-hundred-year floodplain
outside of the floodway boundary.
FLOODPLAIN
Any land area susceptible to inundation by water from any
natural source or delineated by applicable Department of Housing and
Urban Development, Federal Insurance Administration Flood Hazard Boundary
Map as being a special flood hazard area. Included are lands adjoining
a river or stream that have been or may be inundated by a one-hundred-year
flood. Also included are areas that comprise Group 13 soils, as listed
in Appendix A of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
(PADEP) Technical Manual for Sewage Enforcement Officers (as amended
or replaced from time to time by PADEP).
FLOODWAY
The channel of the watercourse and those portions of the
adjoining floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge
the one-hundred-year-frequency flood. Unless otherwise specified,
the boundary of the floodway is as indicated on maps and flood insurance
studies provided by FEMA. In an area where no FEMA maps or studies
have defined the boundary of the one-hundred-year-frequency floodway,
it is assumed, absent evidence to the contrary, that the floodway
extends from the stream to 50 feet from the top of the bank of the
stream.
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forestland.
These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management
plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design
and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation and reforestation.
FREEBOARD
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high
water and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, or diversion ridge.
The space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
GRADE
A slope, usually of a road, channel or natural ground, specified
in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
HEC-HMS MODEL CALIBRATED
The Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System,
a computer-based hydrologic model technique adapted to the Spring
Creek and Paxton Creek Watershed for the Act 167 Plan. The model has
been calibrated by adjusting key model input parameters.
HIGH-QUALITY WATERS
Surface water having quality which exceeds levels necessary
to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water by satisfying Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental
Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(a).
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (HSG)
Infiltration rates of soils vary widely and are affected
by subsurface permeability as well as surface intake rates. Soils
are classified into four HSGs (A, B, C, and D) according to their
minimum infiltration rate, which is obtained for bare soil after prolonged
wetting. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the
United States Department of Agriculture defines the four groups and
provides a list of most of the soils in the United States and their
group classification. The soils in the area of interest may be identified
from a soil survey report, which can be obtained from the local NRCS
office or the Dauphin County Conservation District office.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (IMPERVIOUS AREA)
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the
ground. Impervious surfaces (or areas) shall include but are not limited
to roofs, additional indoor living spaces, patios, garages, storage
sheds and similar structures, and any new streets and sidewalks. Decks,
parking areas, and driveway areas are not counted as impervious areas
if they do not prevent infiltration. Any surface area proposed to
initially be gravel or crushed stone shall be assumed to be impervious,
unless designed as an infiltration BMP.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
A structure designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g.,
french drains, seepage pits, seepage trench, etc.).
INLET
A surface connection to a closed drain; a structure at the
diversion end of a conduit; the upstream end of any structure through
which water may flow.
KARST
A type of topography or landscape characterized by depressions,
sinkholes, limestone towers and steep-sided hills, underground drainage,
and caves. Karst is formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone or
dolomite and sometimes gypsum.
LAND DEVELOPMENT (DEVELOPMENT)
(1)
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(a)
A group of two or more buildings; or
(b)
The division or allocation of land or space between or among
two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the
purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building
groups, or other features;
(3)
Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.
LIMIT OF DISTURBANCE
A line provided on the SWM site plan that indicates the total
area to be disturbed during a proposed earth disturbance activity.
MAIN STEM (MAIN CHANNEL)
Any stream segment or other runoff conveyance facility used
as a reach in the Dauphin County Act 167 watershed hydrologic model(s).
MANNING EQUATION (MANNING FORMULA)
A method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet
per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels
based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. Open
channels may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under
pressure.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains), which is all of the
following:
(1)
Owned or operated by a state, city, town, borough, township,
county, district, association or other public body (created under
state law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial
wastes, stormwater or other wastes;
(2)
Designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater;
(3)
Not a combined sewer; and
(4)
Not part of a publicly owned treatment works as defined at 40
CFR § 122.2.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)
All separate storm sewers that are defined as "large" or
"medium" or "small" municipal separate storm sewer systems pursuant
to 40 CFR § 122.26(b)(18), or designated as regulated under
40 CFR § 122.26(a)(1)(v).
NOAA ATLAS 14
Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States, Atlas
14, Volume 2, United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological
Design Studies Center, Silver Spring, Maryland (2004). NOAA's
Atlas 14 can be accessed at Internet address: http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution that enters a water body from diffuse origins in
the watershed and does not result from discernible, confined, or discrete
conveyances.
NRCS
The Natural Resource Conservation Service [previously the
Soil Conservation Service(SCS)].
OPEN CHANNEL
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open
surface. Open channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural
and man-made drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes
not under pressure.
OUTFALL
(1)
The point where water flows from a conduit, stream, or drain;
(2)
The point source, as described in 40 CFR § 122.2,
the point where the City of Harrisburg's MS4 discharges to surface
waters of the commonwealth.
OUTLET
The point of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater,
or artificial drain.
PADEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PARKING LOT STORAGE
Involves the use of impervious parking areas as temporary
impoundments with controlled release rates during rainstorms.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm
event.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, public or private association
or corporation, or a governmental unit, public utility or any other
legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject
of rights and duties.
PIPE
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
POINT SOURCE
Any discernible, confined, or discrete conveyance, including
but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, or conduit from
which stormwater is or may be discharged, as defined in state regulations
at 25 Pa. Code § 92.1.
PROBABLE MAXIMUM FLOOD (PMF)
The flood that may be expected from the most severe combination
of critical meteorological and hydrologic conditions that are reasonably
possible in any area. The PMF is derived from the probable maximum
precipitation (PMP) as determined on the basis of data obtained from
the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated activities
in the City of Harrisburg are planned, conducted, or maintained.
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL
Any person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State
or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by this
Part 9.
REDEVELOPMENT
Earth disturbance activities on land which has previously
been disturbed or developed.
REGULATED ACTIVITY
Any earth disturbance activity or any activity that involves
the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect
stormwater runoff.
RELEASE RATE
The percentage of predevelopment peak rate of runoff from
a site or subwatershed area to which the post-development peak rate
of runoff must be reduced to protect downstream areas.
RELEASE RATE DISTRICT
Those subwatershed areas in which post-development flows
must be reduced to a certain percentage of predevelopment flows as
required to meet the plan requirements and the goals of Act 167.
RETENTION VOLUME/REMOVED RUNOFF
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly
into the surface waters of this commonwealth during or after a storm
event.
RETURN PERIOD
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event
of a given magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the probability
of a twenty-five-year storm occurring on any one given year is 0.04
(i.e., a 4% chance).
RIPARIAN BUFFER
A vegetated area, bordering perennial and intermittent streams
and wetlands, that serves as a protective filter to help protect streams
and wetlands from the impacts of adjacent land uses.
RISER
A vertical pipe extending from the bottom of a pond that
is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified
design storm.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Earth disturbance activities within the existing road right-of-way,
such as grading and repairing existing unpaved road surfaces, cutting
road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches, and other similar
activities. Road maintenance activities that do not disturb the subbase
of a paved road, such as milling and pavement overlays, are not considered
earth disturbance activities.
ROOFTOP DETENTION
Temporary ponding and gradual release of stormwater falling
directly onto flat roof surfaces by incorporating controlled-flow
roof drains into building designs.
RUNOFF
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
RUNOFF CAPTURE VOLUME
The volume of runoff that is captured (retained) and not
released into surface waters of the commonwealth during or after a
storm event.
SEDIMENT
Soils or other materials transported by surface water as
a product of erosion.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by the movement of water.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, retention or detention basin located and
designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported
by stormwater runoff.
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
The placement, discharge, or any other introduction of sediment
into the waters of the commonwealth occurring from the failure to
properly design, construct, implement or maintain control measures
and control facilities in accordance with the requirements of this
Part 9.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
coarse material, into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
SHEET FLOW
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a thin, even
layer, not concentrated in a channel.
SOIL-COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by the NRCS that
is based on relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter
called "curve number" (CN).
SPILLWAY
A depression in the embankment of a pond or basin, or other
overflow structure, that is used to pass peak discharge greater than
the maximum design storm controlled by the pond or basin.
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
The regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim,
and restore water quality under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code
and the Clean Streams Law, including, but not limited to:
(1)
Each stream segment in Pennsylvania has a designated use, such
as "cold water fishery" or "potable water supply," which are listed
in Chapter 93. These uses must be protected and maintained, under
state regulations.
(2)
"Existing uses" are those attained as of November 1975, regardless
whether they have been designated in Chapter 93. Earth disturbance
activities must be designed to protect and maintain existing uses
and maintain the level of water quality necessary to protect those
uses in all streams and to protect and maintain water quality in special
protection streams.
(3)
Water quality involves the chemical, biological, and physical
characteristics of surface water bodies. After earth disturbance activities
are complete, these characteristics can be impacted by addition of
pollutants, such as sediment, and changes in habitat through increased
flow volumes and/or rates as a result of changes in land surface area
from those activities. Therefore, permanent discharges to surface
waters must be managed to protect the stream bank, streambed, and
structural integrity of the waterway, to prevent these impacts.
(4)
Protection and maintenance of water quality in special protection
streams pursuant to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93.
STORAGE INDICATION METHOD
A reservoir routing procedure based on solution of the continuity
equation (inflow minus outflow equals the change in storage) with
outflow defined as a function of storage volume and depth.
STORM FREQUENCY
The number of times that a given storm event occurs or is
exceeded on the average in a stated period of years. See also "return
period."
STORMWATER
Drainage runoff from the surface of the land resulting from
precipitation, snow, or ice melt.
STORMWATER HOTSPOT
A land use or activity that generates higher concentrations
of hydrocarbons, trace metals, or toxicants than are found in typical
stormwater runoff.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition,
design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include but are not
limited to detention and retention basins, wet ponds, open channels,
storm sewers, pipes and infiltration structures.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Dauphin County Stormwater Management Plan for managing
stormwater runoff in Dauphin County as required by the Act of October
4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167), and known as the "Stormwater Management
Act."
STREAM ENCLOSURE
A bridge, culvert, or other structure in excess of 100 feet
in length upstream to downstream which encloses a regulated waters
of the commonwealth.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of
land, by any means, into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other
divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the
purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, transfer of ownership,
or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision
by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than
10 acres not involving any new street or easement of access or any
residential dwellings shall be exempt (Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247).
SUBWATERSHED AREA
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater
management criteria have been established in the stormwater management
plan.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land that gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
TIME OF CONCENTRATION (Tc)
The time for surface runoff to travel from the hydraulically
most distant point of the watershed to a point of interest within
the watershed. This time is the combined total of overland flow time
and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
TO GRADE
To finish the surface of a roadbed, top of embankment or
bottom of excavation.
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture.
WATERCOURSE
A channel or conveyance of surface water, such as a stream
or creek, having defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial,
with perennial or intermittent flow.
WATERSHED
The region or area drained by a river, watercourse, or other
body of water, whether natural or artificial.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches,
watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds,
springs and other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and
underground water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial,
within or on the boundaries of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
WETLAND
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water
or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support,
and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including
swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. (The term includes but is
not limited to wetland areas listed in the State Water Plan, the United
States Forest Service Wetlands Inventory of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania
Coastal Zone Management Plan and a wetland area designated by a river
basin commission. This definition is used by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.)