This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Blair Township Stormwater Management Ordinance."
The governing body of the municipality finds that:
A. 
Inadequate management of accelerated runoff of stormwater resulting from development throughout a watershed increases flows and velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, overtaxes the carrying capacity of streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the cost of public facilities to carry and control stormwater, undermines floodplain management and flood control efforts in downstream communities, reduces groundwater recharge, threatens public health and safety, and increases nonpoint source pollution of water resources.
B. 
A comprehensive program of stormwater management, including reasonable regulation of development and activities causing accelerated runoff, is fundamental to the public health, safety, and welfare and the protection of people of the commonwealth, their resources, and the environment.
C. 
Stormwater is an important water resource, which provides groundwater recharge for water supplies and base flow of streams, which also protects and maintains surface water quality.
D. 
Federal and state regulations require certain municipalities to implement a program of stormwater controls. These municipalities are required to obtain a permit for stormwater discharges from their separate storm sewer systems under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
The purpose of this chapter is to promote health, safety, and welfare within the municipality and its watershed by minimizing the harms and maximizing the benefits described in § 338-2 of this chapter, through provisions designed to:
A. 
Meet legal water quality requirements under state law, including regulations at 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore the existing and designated uses of the waters of this commonwealth.
B. 
Preserve the natural drainage systems as much as possible.
C. 
Manage stormwater runoff close to the source.
D. 
Provide procedures and performance standards for stormwater planning and management.
E. 
Maintain groundwater recharge to prevent degradation of surface and groundwater quality and to otherwise protect water resources.
F. 
Prevent scour and erosion of stream banks and streambeds.
G. 
Provide proper operation and maintenance of all SWM BMPs that are implemented within the municipality.
H. 
Provide standards to meet NPDES permit requirements.
The municipality is empowered to regulate land use activities that affect runoff by the authority of the Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
A. 
All regulated activities and all activities that may affect stormwater runoff, including land development and earth disturbance activity, are subject to regulation by this chapter.
B. 
Any activity by a subdivider or developer, corporation, or other entity involving any surface changes in excess of 5,000 square feet shall be required to prepare and submit a stormwater management plan in conformance with these regulations for review and acceptance by the Township Engineer.
Approvals issued and actions taken under this chapter do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other code, law, regulation, or ordinance.
A. 
Neither the granting nor the denial of any approval nor the compliance with the provisions of this chapter or with any condition imposed by the Township, its officials, employees, or designated representatives thereunder, shall relieve any person from any responsibility for damage to persons or property resulting therefrom, or as otherwise imposed by law, nor impose any liability upon the municipal officials, employees or its designated representatives to the maximum extent permitted by law.
B. 
Neither the granting nor the denial of any permit which includes any stormwater management requirements shall not constitute a representation, guarantee or warranty of any kind by the municipality, the municipal officials, employees, or designated representatives thereof of the practicability or safety of any stormwater structure or facility, use or other plan proposed, and shall create no liability or cause of action upon any municipal official, employee, or designated representative thereof for any damage that may result pursuant thereto to the maximum extent permitted by law.
[Added 11-15-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
Any permit or authorization issued or approved based on false, misleading, or erroneous information provided by an applicant, or any other permit erroneously issued by the municipality, is void without the necessity of any proceedings for revocation. Any work undertaken or use established pursuant to such permit or other authorization is unlawful. No action may be taken by a board, agency or employee of the municipality purporting to validate such a violation.