The Planning Board shall administer and implement this bylaw.
Enforcement will be by the Director of the Department of Public Works.
Any powers granted to or duties imposed upon the Planning Board may
be delegated in writing by the Planning Board to its employees or
agents, or to the Director of the Department of Public Works or the
Conservation Commission after review by the Select Board.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following definitions
describe the meaning of the terms used in this bylaw:
ADVERSE IMPACT
Any deleterious effect on waters or wetlands, including their
quality, quantity, surface area, species composition, aesthetics or
usefulness for human or natural uses which are or may potentially
be harmful or injurious to human health, welfare, safety or property,
to biological productivity, diversity, or stability or which unreasonably
interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, including outdoor
recreation.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP)
The best technologies currently available at that point in
time. These include, but are not limited to, structural or biological
devices that temporarily store or treat stormwater runoff to reduce
flooding, remove pollutants, and provide other amenities. They can
also be non- structural practices that reduce pollutants at their
source. Some examples of BMPs are described in the stormwater design
manual: Massachusetts Stormwater Management Handbook, Volume 2, Chapter
2: Stormwater Best Management Practices (February 2008, Mass. Department
of Environmental Protection, as updated or amended).
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
The disturbance of the ground by removal of vegetative surface
cover or topsoil, grading, excavation, clearing or filling.
DETENTION
The temporary storage of storm runoff which is used to control
the Peak Discharge rates, and which provides gravity settling of pollutants.
DISTURBANCE
Any land clearing, grading, bulldozing, digging or similar
activities.
DRAINAGE AREA
An area contributing runoff to a consolidated flow of water
as measured in a horizontal plane.
EASEMENT
A grant or reservation by the owner of land for the use of
such land by others for a specific purpose or purposes, and which
must be included in the conveyance of land affected by such easement.
HYDROLOGY MODEL
Methodology used to determine quantity and circulation of
surface and subsurface water at and near a particular site and determined
by the Southwick Conservation Commission to be the best available
current technology.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
Any areas, such as pavement or rooftops, which prevent the
infiltration of water into the soil.
INFILTRATION
The downward movement of water from the surface to the subsoil.
INFILTRATION TRENCH
A stormwater management excavation filled with stone rip
rap which removes both soluble and particulate pollutants. Infiltration
Trenches are not intended to trap coarse sediments.
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Any construction activities or land alteration resulting
in total earth disturbances equal to or greater than one acre (or
activities that are part of a larger common plan of development disturbing
greater than one acre) on an area that has not previously been developed
to include impervious cover.
NRCS
The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service).
OUTFALL
The terminus of a storm drain or other stormwater structure
where the contents are released.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum instantaneous rate of flow during a storm, usually
in reference to a specific design storm event.
PERMEABLE SOILS
Soil materials with a sufficiently rapid infiltration rate
so as to greatly reduce or eliminate surface and stormwater runoff.
These soils are generally classified as NRCS hydrologic soil types
A and B.
PERSON
Any individual, group of individuals, association, partnership,
corporation, company, business, organization, trust, estate, administrative
agency, public or quasi-public corporation or body, the Commonwealth
or political subdivision thereof.
REDEVELOPMENT
Any construction, land alteration, or improvement of impervious
surfaces resulting in total earth disturbances equal to or greater
than one acre (or activities that are part of a larger common plan
of development disturbing greater than one acre) that does not meet
the definition of new development (see above).
RETENTION
The holding of runoff in a basin without release except by
means of evaporation, infiltration, or emergency bypass.
SITE
The area extent of construction activities, including but
not limited to the creation of new impervious cover and improvement
of existing impervious cover (excluding redevelopment activities that
are exclusively limited to maintenance and improvement of existing
roadways as described under the "Redevelopment" definition above).
START OF CONSTRUCTION
The first land-disturbing activity associated with a new
development or redevelopment, including land preparation such as:
clearing, grading and filling; installation of streets and walkways;
excavation for basements, footings, piers or foundations; erection
of temporary forms; and installation of accessory buildings such as
garages.
SWALE
A depression or wide shallow ditch used to temporarily store,
route, or filter runoff.