[Ord. 7-98, 9/1/1998, § 101]
1. The Board of Board of Supervisors of Richmond Township finds that:
A. Inadequate management of accelerated runoff of stormwater resulting
from development throughout a watershed increases flood 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, and threatens public health and safety.
B. A comprehensive program of stormwater management, including reasonable
regulation of development and activities causing accelerated erosion,
is fundamental to the public health, safety and welfare and the protection
of the people of Richmond Township and all the people of the Commonwealth,
their resources and the environment.
[Ord. 7-98, 9/1/1998, § 102]
1. The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by minimizing the damages described in §
26-101, Subsection
1, of this Part by provisions designed to:
A. Control accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems
at their source by regulating activities which cause such problems.
B. Utilize and preserve the desirable existing natural drainage systems.
C. Encourage recharge of groundwater.
D. Maintain the existing flows and quality of streams and water courses
in Richmond Township and the Commonwealth.
E. Preserve and restore the flood carrying capacity of streams.
F. Provide for proper maintenance of all permanent stormwater management
structures which are constructed in Richmond Township.
[Ord. 7-98, 9/1/1998, § 103]
Richmond Township is empowered to regulate these activities
by the authority of the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167),
the "Stormwater Management Act," and the Second Class Township Code.
[Ord. 7-98, 9/1/1998, § 104]
1. The following activities are included within the scope of this Part unless specifically excluded pursuant to the exemptions contained in §
26-302 herein:
C. Earthmoving involving 1/2 or more acres.
E. Construction of new or additional impervious or semipervious surfaces
(driveways, parking lots, etc.).
F. Construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings.
G. Forest management operations.
I. Diversion or piping of any natural or man-made stream channel.
J. Installation of stormwater systems or appurtenances thereto.
L. Any new building proposed to be constructed on land where the slope
exceeds 12%, unless exempted by the duly authorized officer of the
Township responsible for issuing permits under this chapter. In making
the decision as to whether to exempt such a new building, the permitting
officer shall consider lot size, location of proposed building with
respect to other properties and lot lines, and available drainage
features.
M. Anything not specifically covered by this chapter relating to stormwater
management must be brought to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
[Ord. 7-98, 9/1/1998, § 105]
Permits and approvals issued pursuant to this chapter do not
relieve the applicant from the responsibility to secure required permits
or approvals for activities regulated by any other applicable code,
rule, act or ordinance. If more stringent requirements concerning
regulation of stormwater or erosion and sedimentation control are
contained in the other code, rule, act or ordinance, the more stringent
regulation shall apply.
[Ord. 7-98, 9/1/1998, § 106]
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of man's activities and natural processes at a rate greater
than would occur because of the natural processes alone.
CISTERN
An in-ground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CULVERT
A pipe, conduit or similar structure including appurtenant
works which carries surface water.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured
in probability of occurrence (e.g., fifty year storm) and duration
(e.g., twenty-four hour), and used in computing stormwater management
control systems.
DETENTION BASIN
A basin designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily
storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate. A detention
basin can be designed to drain completely after a storm event or it
can be designed to contain a permanent pool of water.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent or such landowner, or tenant with the
permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision
of land or a land development.
DIVERSION TERRACE
A channel and a ridge constructed to a predetermined grade
across a slope, and designed to collect and divert runoff from slopes
which are subject to erosion.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
EROSION
The removal of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice or other geological agents.
FOREST MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
All activities connected with growing and harvesting of forest
products including the site preparation, cultivation and logging of
trees, and the construction and maintenance of roads.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface which restricts or prevents the percolation of
water into the ground.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
A.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1)
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings
whether proposed initially or cumulatively or single nonresidential
building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or
tenure.
(2)
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.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging or filling
of ground or stripping of vegetation, or any other activity which
causes land to be exposed to the danger of erosion.
NURSERY
A tract of land on which trees and plants are raised or stored
for transplanting and sale.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of flow of water at a given point and time
resulting from a specified storm event.
RUNOFF
That part of precipitation which flows over the land.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension,
is being transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by
water.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, retention or detention basin designed to
retain sediment.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
material and into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
SEMIPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface such as stone, rock, concrete or other material
which permits some vertical transmission of water.
SOIL-COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by SCS, and found
in its publication "Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds," Technical
Release No. 55, SCS, January 1975.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted, or to be
adopted, by Tioga County as required by the Act of October 4, 1978,
P.L. 864, (Act 167), and known as the "Stormwater Management Act."
STORMWATER SYSTEM
A system of pipes or other conduits which carries intercepted
surface runoff, street water and other wash waters or drainage, but
excludes domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
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, partition by the court for distribution
to heirs or devisees, 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 or access or any residential dwelling, shall be
exempted.
SWALE
A low lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.