[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Clarkstown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Drainage and watercourses — See Ch. 128.
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 146.
Sewers — See Ch. 236.
Zoning — See Ch. 290.
[Adopted 5-9-2006 by L.L. No. 9-2006]
The purpose of this article is to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the Town of Clarkstown through the regulation of nonstormwater discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) to the maximum extent practicable as required by federal and New York State law. This article establishes methods for controlling the introduction of pollutants into the MS4 in order to comply with requirements of the SPDES General Permit for municipal separate storm sewer systems. The objectives of this article are:
A. 
To meet the requirements of the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from MS4s, Permit No. GP-02-02 or as amended or revised;
B. 
To regulate the contribution of pollutants to the MS4 since such systems are not designed to accept, process or discharge nonstormwater wastes;
C. 
To prohibit illicit connections, activities and discharges to the MS4;
D. 
To establish legal authority to carry out all inspection, surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this article; and
E. 
To promote public awareness of the hazards involved in the improper storage and/or discharge of trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater, grease, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products, hazardous waste, sediment, snow and ice control materials, and other pollutants into the MS4.
Whenever used in this article, unless a different meaning is stated in a definition applicable to only a portion of this article, the following terms will have meanings set forth below:
BMPs (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES)
Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, general good-housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and educational practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to stormwater, receiving waters, or stormwater conveyance systems. BMPs also include treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) and any subsequent amendments thereto.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Activities requiring authorization under the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity, GP-02-01, as amended or revised, and any land disturbance requiring a municipal, New York State, or federal permit. These activities include construction projects resulting in land disturbance. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.
DISCHARGER
Any person who owns or is in control of real or personal property that discharges, directly or indirectly, any material into the MS4.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety, property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows an illegal discharge to enter the MS4, including but not limited to:
A. 
Any conveyances that allow any nonstormwater discharge, including treated or untreated sewage, process wastewater, and wash water, to enter the MS4 and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain or connection had been previously allowed, permitted, or approved by an authorized enforcement agency; or
B. 
Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial land use to the MS4 which has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by an authorized enforcement agency.
ILLICIT DISCHARGE
Any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the MS4, except as exempted in § 249A-5 of this article.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM
A facility, including septics, cesspools and similar facilities, serving one or more parcels of land or residential households, or a private, commercial or institutional facility, that treats sewage or other liquid wastes for discharge into the groundwaters of New York State, except where a permit for such a facility is required under the applicable provisions of Article 17 of the Environmental Conservation Law.
INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY
Activity requiring the SPDES permit for discharges from industrial activities except construction. GP-98-03, as amended or revised.
MS4
Municipal separate storm sewer system.
MUNICIPALITY
The Town of Clarkstown.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains):
A. 
Owned or operated by the Town of Clarkstown;
B. 
Designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater;
C. 
Which is not a combined sewer; and
D. 
Which is not part of a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) as defined at 40 CFR 122.2.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGE
Any discharge to the MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater. This includes any pollutants, as well as but not limited to trash, yard waste, or pet waste.
NYS DEC
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
PERSON
Any individual, association, organization, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity owning the property or having control of the property.
POLLUTANT
Dredged spoil, filter backwash, solid waste, incinerator residue, treated or untreated sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, soil and industrial, municipal, or agricultural waste and ballast discharged into water or any substance that may cause or might reasonably be expected to cause pollution of the waters of the state in contravention of the standards.
PROPERTY
Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land, whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips and all chattel.
SMO (STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OFFICER)
An employee, the municipal engineer or other public official(s) designated by the Town of Clarkstown to enforce this article. The SMO may also be designated by the municipality to accept and review stormwater pollution prevention plans, forward the plans to the applicable municipal board and inspect stormwater management practices and designate certain responsibilities pursuant to this article to other employees or agents of the municipality.
SPDES GENERAL PERMIT FOR STORMWATER DISCHARGES FROM MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEMS GP-02-02
A permit under the New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) issued to operators of small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to authorize them to discharge to waters of the United States in accordance with the conditions and requirements set forth within the Permit No. GP-02-02.
SPDES (STATE POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM) GENERAL PERMIT FOR STORMWATER DISCHARGES FROM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY GP-02-01
A permit under the New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) issued to developers of construction activities to regulate disturbance of one or more acres of land.
SPDES (STATE POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM) STORMWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT
A permit issued by the NYS DEC that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the state.
SPECIAL CONDITION
A. 
Discharge compliance with water quality standards. The condition that applies where a municipality has been notified by the NYS DEC that the discharge of stormwater authorized under its MS4 permit may have caused or has the reasonable potential to cause or contribute to the violation of an applicable water quality standard. Under this condition, the municipality must take all necessary actions to ensure future discharges do not cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards.
B. 
Section 303(d)-listed water. The condition in the municipality's MS4 permit that applies where the MS4 discharges to a 303(d)-listed water. Under this condition, the stormwater management program must ensure no increase of the listed pollutant of concern to the 303(d) listed water.
C. 
TMDL (total maximum daily load) strategy. The condition in the municipality's MS4 permit where a TMDL including requirements for control of stormwater discharges has been approved by the EPA for a water body or watershed into which the MS4 discharges. If the discharge from the MS4 did not meet the TMDL stormwater allocations prior to September 10, 2003, the municipality was required to modify its stormwater management program to ensure that reduction of the pollutant of concern specified in the TMDL is achieved.
D. 
The condition in the municipality's MS4 permit that applies if a TMDL is approved in the future by the EPA for any water body or watershed into which an MS4 discharges. Under this condition the municipality must review the applicable TMDL to see if it includes requirements for control of stormwater discharges. If an MS4 is not meeting the TMDL stormwater allocations, the municipality must, within six months of the TMDL's approval, modify its stormwater management program to ensure that reduction of the pollutant of concern specified in the TMDL is achieved.
STORMWATER
Rainwater, snowmelt, drainage and uncontaminated groundwater.
303(D) LIST
A list of all surface waters in the state for which beneficial uses of the water (drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial use) are impaired by pollutants, prepared periodically by the NYS DEC as required by Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Section 303(d)-listed waters are estuaries, lakes and streams that fall short of state surface water quality standards and are not expected to improve within the next two years.
TMDL
Total maximum daily load.
TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD
The maximum amount of a pollutant to be allowed to be released into a waterbody so as not to impair uses of the water, allocated among the sources of that pollutant.
WASTEWATER
Water that is not stormwater, is contaminated with pollutants and is or will be discarded.
The Stormwater Management Officer(s) [SMO(s)] shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this article.
The provisions of this article are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, clause, sentence, or paragraph of this article or the application thereof to any person, establishment, or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of this article.
A. 
Prohibition of illegal discharges; exemptions. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 any materials other than stormwater except as provided in Subsection A(1). The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the MS4 is prohibited except as described as follows:
(1) 
The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this article, unless the NYS DEC or the municipality has determined them to be contributors of pollutants that could negatively impact water quality: water line flushing or other potable water sources; landscape irrigation or lawn watering; existing diverted stream flows; rising groundwater; groundwater infiltration to storm drains; pumped groundwater, foundation or footing drains; crawl space or basement sump pumps; air conditioning condensate; irrigation water; springs; water from individual residential car washing; natural riparian habitat or wetland flows; dechlorinated/debrominated swimming pool, spa and pond discharges; residential street, driveway, home or deck wash water; water from fire-fighting activities; and any other water source not containing pollutants. Such exempt discharges shall be allowed only if uncontaminated.
(2) 
Discharges approved in writing by the SMO to protect life or property from imminent harm or damage, provided that such approval shall not be construed to constitute compliance with other applicable laws and requirements, and further provided that such discharges may be permitted for a specified time period and under such conditions as the SMO may deem appropriate to protect such life and property while reasonably maintaining the purpose and intent of this article.
(3) 
Dye testing in compliance with applicable state and local laws is an allowable discharge but requires a written notification to the SMO prior to the time of the test.
(4) 
Any discharge permitted under an SPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the authority of the NYS DEC, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations, and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge to the MS4. The discharger shall be required to file a copy of said written approval with the MS4 prior to the discharge.
B. 
Prohibition of illicit connections.
(1) 
The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of any illicit connections to the MS4 is prohibited.
(2) 
This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit connections made in the past, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of connection.
No persons shall operate a failing individual sewage treatment system in areas tributary to the municipality's MS4. A failing individual sewage treatment system is a system that has one or more of the following conditions:
A. 
The backup of sewage into a structure.
B. 
Discharges of treated or untreated sewage onto the ground surface.
C. 
A connection or connections to a separate stormwater sewer system.
D. 
Liquid level in the septic tank above the outlet invert.
E. 
Structural failure of any component of the individual sewage treatment system that could lead to any of the other failure conditions as noted in this section.
F. 
Contamination of off-site groundwater that can reasonably be attributed to the individual sewage treatment system.
A. 
Activities that are subject to the requirements of this section are those types of activities which:
(1) 
Cause or contribute to a violation of this article.
(2) 
Cause or contribute to the municipality being subject to the special conditions as defined in § 249A-2 of this article.
B. 
Such activities include failing individual sewage treatment systems as defined in § 249A-6, improper management of pet waste, or any other activity that causes or contributes to violations of the municipality's MS4 SPDES permit authorization.
C. 
Upon notification to a person that he or she is engaged in activities that cause or contribute to violations of the municipality's MS4 SPDES permit authorization, that person shall take all reasonable actions to correct such activities such that he or she no longer causes or contributes to violations of the municipality's MS4 SPDES permit authorization.
A. 
Best management practices. Where the SMO has identified illicit discharges as defined in § 249A-2 or activities contaminating stormwater as defined in § 249A-7 the municipality may require implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to control those illicit discharges and activities.
(1) 
The owner or operator of a commercial or industrial establishment shall provide, at his or her own expense, reasonable protection from accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other wastes into the MS4 through the use of structural and nonstructural BMPs and shall keep and maintain records and logs of the inspection and maintenance of the BMPs and make them available for inspection by the MS4 for a period of three years.
(2) 
Any person responsible for a property that is, or may be, the source of an illicit discharge or an activity contaminating stormwater as defined in § 249A-7, may be required to implement, at said person's expense, additional structural and nonstructural BMPs to reduce or eliminate the source of pollutant(s) to the MS4, including the recordkeeping requirements described in Subsection A(1).
(3) 
Compliance with all terms and conditions of a valid SPDES permit authorizing the discharge of stormwater associated with industrial activity, to the extent practicable, shall be deemed compliant with the provisions of this section.
B. 
Individual sewage treatment systems; response to special conditions requiring no increase of pollutants or requiring a reduction of pollutants. Where individual sewage treatment systems are contributing to the municipality's being subject to the special conditions as defined in § 249A-2 of this article, the owner or operator of such individual sewage treatment systems shall be required to:
(1) 
Maintain and operate individual sewage treatment systems as follows:
(a) 
Inspect the septic tank annually to determine scum and sludge accumulation. Septic tanks must be pumped out whenever the bottom of the scum layer is within three inches of the bottom of the outlet baffle or sanitary tee or the top of the sludge is within 10 inches of the bottom of the outlet baffle or sanitary tee.
(b) 
Avoid the use of septic tank additives.
(c) 
Avoid the disposal of excessive quantities of detergents, kitchen wastes (including oil and grease), laundry wastes, and household chemicals; and
(d) 
Prohibit the disposal of cigarette butts, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, trash and other such items.
(e) 
Most tanks should be pumped out every two to three years. However, pumping may be more or less frequent depending on use. Inspection of the tank for cracks, leaks and blockages should be done by the septage hauler at the time of pumping of the tank contents.
(2) 
Repair or replace individual sewage treatment systems as follows:
(a) 
In accordance with 10 NYCRR Appendix 75A and Article IV of the Rockland County Sanitary Code.
(b) 
A professional engineer licensed to practice in New York State shall prepare design plans for any type of absorption field that involves:
[1] 
Relocating or extending an absorption area to a location not previously approved for such.
[2] 
Installation of a new subsurface treatment system at the same location.
[3] 
Use of alternate system or innovative system design or technology.
(c) 
A written certificate of compliance shall be submitted by the design professional to the municipality at the completion of construction of the repair or replacement system. A written certificate of approval shall be issued by the Rockland County Health Department after inspection of the construction of the repair or replacement system.
A. 
If it is necessary for the SMO to take action, the SMO may, without prior notice, suspend MS4 discharge access to a person when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge that presents or may present imminent and substantial danger to the environment, to the health or welfare of persons, or to the MS4. The SMO shall notify the person of such suspension within a reasonable time thereafter in writing of the reasons for the suspension. If the person fails to comply with a suspension order issued in an emergency, the SMO may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the MS4 or to minimize danger to persons. All costs and expenses incurred by the SMO to remedy the situation, including proper disposal, shall be assessed to the owner of the property. If the property owner fails to pay same, it may become a lien against the property, subject to a hearing a minimum of 10 days prior to the imposition of the tax lien.
B. 
Suspension due to the detection of illicit discharge. Any person discharging to the municipality's MS4 in violation of this article may have their MS4 access terminated if such termination would abate or reduce an illicit discharge. The SMO will notify such person in writing of the proposed termination of his/her or its MS4 access and the reasons therefor. The person may petition the SMO for a reconsideration and hearing. Access may be granted by the SMO if he/she finds that the illicit discharge has ceased and the person has taken steps to prevent its recurrence. Access may be denied if the SMO determines in writing that the illicit discharge has not ceased or is likely to recur. A person commits a violation if the person reinstates MS4 access to property terminated pursuant to this section without the prior approval of the SMO.
Any person subject to an industrial or construction activity SPDES stormwater discharge permit shall comply with all provisions of such permit. Proof of compliance with said permit shall be required by the municipality in a form acceptable to the NYS DEC prior to the allowing of discharges to the MS4.
A. 
Access to properties.
(1) 
The SMO or his/her designee shall be permitted to enter and inspect all properties subject to regulation under this article as often as may be necessary to determine compliance with this article. If a person has security measures in force that require proper identification and clearance before entry into its premises, the person shall make the necessary arrangements to allow access to the SMO.
(2) 
All persons shall allow the SMO ready access to all parts of the property for the purposes of inspection, sampling, examination and the copying of records as may be required to implement this article.
B. 
The municipality shall have the right to set up on any property subject to this article such devices as are necessary in the opinion of the SMO to conduct monitoring and/or sampling of the property's stormwater discharge,
C. 
The municipality has the right to require the properties subject to this article to install monitoring equipment as is reasonably necessary to determine compliance with this article. The property's sampling and monitoring equipment shall be maintained at all times in a safe and proper operating condition by the person at his/her or its own expense. All devices used to measure stormwater flow and quality shall be calibrated to ensure their accuracy.
D. 
Unreasonable delays in allowing the municipality access to a property subject to this article is a violation of this article. A person who is the operator of a property subject to this article commits an offense if the person denies the municipality reasonable access to the property for the purpose of conducting any activity authorized or required by this article.
E. 
If the SMO has been refused access to any part of the property from which stormwater is discharged and he/she is able to demonstrate probable cause to believe that there may be a violation of this article or that there is a need to inspect and/or sample as part of a routine inspection and sampling program designed to verify compliance with this article or any order issued hereunder, then the SMO may seek issuance of a search warrant from any court of competent jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding other requirements of law, as soon as any person responsible for a property or operation, or responsible for the emergency response for a property or operation, has information of any known or suspected release of materials that are resulting or may result in illegal discharges or pollutants discharging into the MS4, said person shall take all necessary steps to ensure the discovery, containment, and cleanup of such release. In the event of such a release of hazardous materials, said person shall immediately notify emergency response agencies, the municipality, and the responsible MS4 of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services. In the event of a release of nonhazardous materials, said person shall notify the municipality and the responsible MS4 in person or by telephone or facsimile no later than the next business day. Notifications in person or by telephone shall be confirmed by written notice addressed and mailed to the municipality within three business days of the telephone notice. If the discharge of prohibited materials emanates from a commercial or industrial establishment, the owner or operator of such establishment shall also retain an on-site written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years.
A. 
Notice of violation.
(1) 
When the municipality's SMO finds that a person has violated a prohibition or failed to meet a requirement of this article, the SMO may order compliance by written notice of violation by certified mail and/or posting of the property to the responsible person. Such notice may require without limitation:
(a) 
The elimination of illicit connections or discharges;
(b) 
That violating discharges, practices, or operations shall cease and desist;
(c) 
The abatement or remediation of stormwater pollution or contamination hazards and the restoration of any affected property;
(d) 
The performance of monitoring, analyses, and reporting;
(e) 
Payment of a fine and reimbursement of any costs and/or expenses incurred by the municipality relating to the violation, and
(f) 
The implementation of source control or treatment BMPs. If abatement of a violation and/or restoration of affected property is required, the notice shall set forth a deadline within which such remediation or restoration must be completed. Said notice shall further advise that, should the violator fail to remediate or restore within the established deadline, the work will be done by a designated governmental agency or a contractor and the expense thereof shall be charged to the violator.
(2) 
The municipality shall also have the right to issue an appearance ticket for said violation.
B. 
Penalties for offenses. In addition to or as an alternative to any penalty provided herein or by law, any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for conviction of a first offense; for conviction of a second offense both of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,500 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense, all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $2,500 nor more than $5,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both. However, for the purposes of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers generally, violations of this article shall be deemed offenses. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional offense.
Any person receiving a notice of violation may appeal the determination of the SMO to the Town within 15 days of its issuance, which shall hear the appeal within 30 days after the filing of the appeal and, within five days of making its decision, file its decision in the office of the Municipal Clerk and mail a copy of its decision by certified mail to said person.
A. 
If the violation has not been corrected pursuant to the requirements set forth in the notice of violation or, in the event of an appeal, within five business days of the decision of the municipal authority upholding the decision of the SMO, then the SMO may request the person's permission for access to the subject property to take any and all measures reasonably necessary to abate the violation and/or restore the property. The cost of implementing and maintaining such measures shall be the sole responsibility of the person.
B. 
If refused access to the subject property, the SMO may seek a warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction to be authorized to enter upon the property to take any and all measures reasonably necessary to abate the violation and/or restore the property. The cost of implementing and maintaining such measures shall be the sole responsibility of the person.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this article. If a person has violated or continues to violate the provisions of this article, the SMO may petition for a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining the person from activities that would create further violations or compelling the person to perform abatement or remediation of the violation.
A. 
Where a person has violated a provision of this article, he/she may be eligible for alternative remedies in lieu of a penalty, upon recommendation of the Town of Clarkstown Attorney and concurrence of the SMO, where:
(1) 
The violation was unintentional.
(2) 
The discharger has no history of previous violations of this article.
(3) 
Environmental damage was minimal.
(4) 
The discharger acted quickly to remedy violation.
(5) 
the discharger cooperated in investigation and resolution.
B. 
Alternative remedies may consist of one or more of the following:
(1) 
Attendance at compliance workshops.
(2) 
Storm drain stenciling or storm drain marking.
(3) 
River, stream or creek cleanup activities.
In addition to the enforcement processes and penalties provided, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this article is a threat to public health, safety, and welfare, and is declared and deemed a nuisance, and may be summarily abated or restored at the Violator's expense, and/or a civil action to abate, enjoin, or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be taken.
The remedies listed in this article are not exclusive of any other remedies available under any applicable federal, state or local law, and it is within the discretion of the authorized enforcement agency to seek cumulative remedies.
[Adopted 6-19-2007 by L.L. No. 17-2007]
A. 
It is hereby determined that land development activities and associated increases in site impervious cover often alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, flooding, stream channel erosion, or sediment transport and deposition and that this stormwater runoff contributes to increased quantities of water-borne pollutants, including siltation of aquatic habitat for fish and other desirable species. Further, the clearing and grading during construction tends to increase soil erosion and add to the loss of native vegetation necessary for terrestrial and aquatic habitat. Improper design and construction of stormwater management practices can increase the velocity of stormwater runoff, thereby increasing stream bank erosion and sedimentation. Impervious surfaces allow less water to percolate into the soil, thereby decreasing groundwater recharge and stream baseflow. Substantial economic losses can result from these adverse impacts on the waters of the Town. Stormwater runoff, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of stormwater runoff from land development and is in the public interest and will minimize threats to public health and safety. This regulation of land development through performance standards will mitigate the adverse effects of erosion and sedimentation.
B. 
The following objectives are sought by this article:
(1) 
Meet the requirements of minimum Measures 4 and 5 of the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4s), Permit No. GP-02-02 or as amended or revised.
(2) 
Require land development activities to conform to the substantive requirements of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Construction Activities GP-02-01 or as amended or revised.
(3) 
Minimize increases in stormwater runoff from land development activities in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature, and streambank erosion and maintain the integrity of stream channels.
(4) 
Minimize increases in pollution caused by stormwater runoff from land development activities, which would otherwise degrade local water quality.
(5) 
Minimize the total annual volume of stormwater runoff which flows from any specific site during and following development to the maximum extent practicable.
(6) 
Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution, wherever possible, through stormwater management practices and ensure that these management practices are properly maintained and enforced to eliminate threats to public safety.
This article is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by Article 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York.
This article shall be applicable to all land development activities as defined in § 249A-25 (Definitions) herein.
[Amended 12-13-2018 by L.L. No. 9-2018]
The Town Board has designated the Director of the Department of Engineering and Facilities Management as the Stormwater Management Officer, whose duties are to accept and review all stormwater pollution prevention plans and forward such plans to the applicable municipal board. The Stormwater Management Officer may (1) review the plans, (2) upon approval by the Town Board or Planning Board, engage the services of a registered professional engineer to review the plans, specifications and related documents at a cost not to exceed a fee schedule established by the Town Board, or (3) accept the certification of a licensed professional that the plans conform to the requirements of this article. All land development activities subject to review and approval by the Town Board, Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals under subdivision, site plan, or special permit regulations shall be reviewed subject to the standards contained in this article. All land development activities not subject to review as stated herein shall be required to submit a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) to the Stormwater Management Officer, who shall approve the SWPPP if it complies with the requirements of this article.
The following activities may be exempt from review under this article:
A. 
Agricultural activity as defined in this article.
B. 
Silvicultural activity, except that landing areas and log haul roads are subject to this article.
C. 
Routine maintenance activities that disturb fewer than five acres and are performed to maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity or original purpose of a facility.
D. 
Repairs to any stormwater management practice or facility deemed necessary by the Stormwater Management Officer.
E. 
Any part of a subdivision if a plat for the subdivision has been approved by the Planning Board on or before the effective date of this article.
F. 
Land development activities for which a building permit has been approved on or before the effective date of this article.
G. 
Cemetery graves.
H. 
Installation of fence, sign, telephone, and electric poles and other kinds of posts or poles.
I. 
Emergency activity immediately necessary to protect life, property or natural resources.
J. 
Activities of an individual engaging in home gardening by growing flowers, vegetable and other plants primarily for use by that person and his or her family.
K. 
Landscaping and horticultural activities in connection with an existing structure.
The terms used in this article or in documents prepared or reviewed under this article shall have the meaning as set forth in this section.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
The activity of an active farm, including grazing and watering livestock, irrigating crops, harvesting crops, using land for growing agricultural products, and cutting timber for sale, but shall not include the operation of a dude ranch or similar operation, or the construction of new structures associated with agricultural activities.
CHANNEL
A natural or artificial watercourse with a definite bed and banks that conducts continuously or periodically flowing water.
DESIGN MANUAL
The New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual, most recent version, including applicable updates, which serves as the official guide for stormwater management principles, methods and practices.
EROSION CONTROL MANUAL
The most recent version of the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control manual, commonly known as the "Blue Book."
INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER PERMIT
A State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued to a commercial industry or group of industries, which regulates the pollutant levels associated with industrial stormwater discharges or specifies on-site pollution control strategies.
INFILTRATION
The process of percolating stormwater into the subsoil.
LAND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
A. 
Activity including clearing, grading, excavating, soil disturbance or placement of fill that results in land disturbance of equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet of land area; or
B. 
Activities disturbing an aggregate total equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet of land area that is part of a larger common plan of development or sale, even though multiple separate and distinct land development activities may take place at different times on different schedules.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner of land, including those holding the right to purchase or lease the land, or any other person holding proprietary rights in the land.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
A legally recorded document that acts as a property deed restriction, and which provides for long-term maintenance of stormwater management practices.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution from any source other than from any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, and shall include, but not be limited to, pollutants from agricultural, silvicultural, mining, construction, subsurface disposal and urban runoff sources.
NYSDEC
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
POLLUTANT OF CONCERN
Sediment or a water quality measurement that addresses sediment (such as total suspended solids, turbidity or siltation) and any other pollutant that has been identified as a cause of impairment of any water body that will receive a discharge from the land development activity.
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL
A certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC), professional engineer (PE), registered landscape architect (RLA) and/or soil scientist.
RECHARGE
The replenishment of underground water reserves.
SEDIMENT CONTROL
Measures that prevent eroded sediment from leaving the site.
SPDES GENERAL PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES GP-02-01
A permit under the New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) issued to developers of construction activities to regulate disturbance of one or more acres of land.
SPDES GENERAL PERMIT FOR STORMWATER DISCHARGES FROM MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORMWATER SEWER SYSTEMS GP-02-02
A permit under the New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) issued to municipalities to regulate discharges from municipal separate storm sewers for compliance with EPA-established water quality standards and/or to specify stormwater control standards.
STABILIZATION
The use of practices that prevent exposed soil from eroding.
STORMWATER
Rainwater, surface runoff, snowmelt and drainage.
STORMWATER HOTSPOT
A land use or activity that generates higher concentrations of hydrocarbons, trace metals or toxicants than are found in typical stormwater runoff, based on monitoring studies.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The use of structural or nonstructural practices that are designed to reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate its adverse impacts on property, natural resources and the environment.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
One or a series of stormwater management practices installed, stabilized and operating for the purpose of controlling stormwater runoff.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OFFICER
An employee or officer designated by the municipality to accept and review stormwater pollution prevention plans, forward the plans to the applicable municipal board and inspect stormwater management practices. The Town Board has designated the Director of the Department of Engineering and Facilities Management as the Stormwater Management Officer for the Town of Clarkstown.
[Amended 12-13-2018 by L.L. No. 9-2018]
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (SMPS)
Measures, either structural or nonstructural, that are determined to be the most effective, practical means of preventing flood damage and preventing or reducing point source or nonpoint source pollution inputs to stormwater runoff and water bodies.
STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (SWPPP)
A plan for controlling stormwater runoff and pollutants from a site during and after construction activities.
STORMWATER RUNOFF
Flow on the surface of the ground, resulting from precipitation.
SURFACE WATERS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Lakes, bays, sounds, ponds, impounding reservoirs, springs, wells, rivers, streams, creeks, estuaries, marshes, inlets, canals, the Atlantic Ocean within the territorial seas of the State of New York and all other bodies of surface water, natural or artificial, inland or coastal, fresh or salt, public or private (except those private waters that do not combine or effect a junction with natural surface or underground waters), which are wholly or partially within or bordering the state or within its jurisdiction. [Storm sewers and waste treatment systems, including treatment ponds or lagoons, which also meet the criteria of this definition, are not waters of the state. This exclusion applies only to man-made bodies of water, which neither were originally created in waters of the state (such as a disposal area in wetlands) nor resulted from impoundment of waters of the state.]
TOWN
The Town of Clarkstown.
WATERCOURSE
Any permanent or intermittent natural or artificial stream, river, creek, ditch, channel, canal, conduit, culvert, drain, waterway, gully, or ravine, in and including any area adjacent thereto, in which water normally flows.
WETLANDS
An area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly known as "hydrophytic vegetation."
A. 
Stormwater pollution prevention plan requirement. No application for approval of a land development activity shall be reviewed until the appropriate board has received a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) prepared in accordance with the specifications in this article.
B. 
Contents of stormwater pollution prevention plans. All SWPPPs shall provide the following background information and erosion and sediment controls:
(1) 
Background information about the scope of the project, including location, type and size of project;
(2) 
Site map/construction drawing(s) for the project, including a general location map. At a minimum, the site map should show the total site area; all improvements with dimensions; areas of disturbance; areas that will not be disturbed; existing vegetation; on-site and adjacent off-site surface water(s); wetlands and drainage patterns that could be affected by the construction activity; existing and final slopes; locations of off-site material, waste, borrow or equipment storage areas; and location(s) of the stormwater discharges(s). The site map should be at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 100 feet (e.g., one inch equals 500 feet is smaller than one inch equals 100 feet);
(3) 
Description of the soil(s) present at the site;
(4) 
Construction phasing plans describing the intended sequence of construction activities, including clearing and grubbing, excavation and grading, utility and infrastructure installation and any other activity at the site that results in soil disturbance. Consistent with the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (Erosion Control Manual), not more than five acres shall be disturbed at any one time unless pursuant to an approved SWPPP;
(5) 
Description of the pollution prevention measures that will be used to control litter, construction chemicals and construction debris from becoming a pollutant source in stormwater runoff;
(6) 
Description of all materials expected to be stored on-site with updates as appropriate, and a description of controls to reduce pollutants from these materials, including storage practices to minimize exposure of the materials to stormwater, and spill prevention and response;
(7) 
Temporary and permanent structural and vegetative measures to be used for soil stabilization, runoff control and sediment control for each stage of the project from initial land clearing and grubbing to project close-out;
(8) 
A site map/construction drawing(s) specifying the location(s), size(s) and length(s) of each erosion and sediment control practice;
(9) 
Dimensions, material specifications and installation details for all erosion and sediment control practices, including the siting and sizing of any temporary sediment basins;
(10) 
Temporary practices that will be converted to permanent control measures;
(11) 
Implementation schedule for staging temporary erosion and sediment control practices, including the timing of initial placement and duration that each practice should remain in place;
(12) 
Maintenance schedule to ensure continuous and effective operation of the erosion and sediment control practice;
(13) 
Name(s) of the receiving water(s);
(14) 
Delineation of SWPPP implementation responsibilities for each part of the site;
(15) 
Description of structural practices designed to divert flows from exposed soils, store flows, or otherwise limit runoff and the discharge of pollutants from exposed areas of the site to the degree attainable; and
(16) 
Any existing data that describes the stormwater runoff at the site.
C. 
Land development activities as defined in § 249A-25 of this article and meeting Condition A, B or C below shall also include water quantity and water quality controls (postconstruction stormwater runoff controls) as set forth in Subsection D below as applicable:
(1) 
Condition A: stormwater runoff from land development activities discharging a pollutant of concern to either an impaired water identified on the NYSDEC 303(d) list of impaired waters or a total maximum daily load (TMDL) designated watershed for which pollutants in stormwater have been identified as a source of the impairment.
(2) 
Condition B: stormwater runoff from land development activities disturbing five or more acres.
(3) 
Condition C: stormwater runoff from land development activity disturbing between 10,000 square feet and five acres of land during the course of the project, excluding agricultural activities on agricultural properties.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by L.L. No. 6-2013]
D. 
SWPPP requirements for Conditions A, B and C:
(1) 
All information in § 249A-26B of this article.
(2) 
Description of each postconstruction stormwater management practice.
(3) 
Site map/construction drawing(s) showing the specific location(s) and size(s) of each postconstruction stormwater management practice.
(4) 
Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for all structural components of the stormwater management system for the applicable design storms.
(5) 
Comparison of postdevelopment stormwater runoff conditions with predevelopment conditions.
(6) 
Dimensions, material specifications and installation details for each postconstruction stormwater management practice.
(7) 
Maintenance schedule to ensure continuous and effective operation of each postconstruction stormwater management practice.
(8) 
Maintenance easements to ensure access to all stormwater management practices at the site for the purpose of inspection and repair. Easements shall be recorded on the plan and shall remain in effect with transfer of title to the property.
(9) 
Inspection and maintenance agreement binding on all subsequent landowners served by the on-site stormwater management measures in accordance with § 249A-28 of this article.
(10) 
For Condition A, the SWPPP shall be prepared by a landscape architect, a certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC) or professional engineer and must be signed by the professional preparing the plan, who shall certify that the design of all stormwater management practices meet the requirements in this article.
E. 
Other permits. The applicant shall assure that all other applicable permits have been or will be acquired for the land development activity prior to approval of the final stormwater design plan.
F. 
Contractor certification.
(1) 
Each contractor and subcontractor identified in the SWPPP who will be involved in soil disturbance and/or stormwater management practice installation shall sign and date a copy of the following certification statement before undertaking any land development activity: "I certify under penalty of law that I understand and agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. I also understand that it is unlawful for any person to cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards."
(2) 
The certification must include the name and title of the person providing the signature; address and telephone number of the contracting firm; the address (or other identifying description) of the site; and the date the certification is made.
(3) 
The certification statement(s) shall become part of the SWPPP for the land development activity.
G. 
Inspection reports. A copy of the SWPPP and all inspection reports shall be retained at the site of the land development activity during construction from the date of initiation of construction activities to the date of final stabilization.
All land development activities shall be subject to the following performance and design criteria:
A. 
Technical standards. For the purpose of this article, the following documents shall serve as the official guides and specifications for stormwater management. Stormwater management practices that are designed and constructed in accordance with these technical documents shall be presumed to meet the standards imposed by this article:
[Amended 2-5-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019]
(1) 
The New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, most current version or its successor, hereafter referred to as the "Design Manual") with amendments:
(a) 
Manual Section 4.5 — Overbank Flood Control Criteria (Qp) shall be revised to state "Overbank Control requires storage to reduce the post-development ten-year, twenty-four-hour peak discharge rate (Qp) to 10% less than predevelopment rates."
(b) 
Manual Section 4.6 — Extreme Flood Control Criteria (Qr) shall be revised to state "100-Year Control requires storage to reduce the post-development 100-year, twenty-four-hour peak discharge rate (Qr) to 10% less than predevelopment rates."
(2) 
New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (Empire State Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, 2004, most current version or its successor, hereafter referred to as the "Erosion Control Manual").
B. 
Equivalence to technical standards. Where stormwater management practices are not in accordance with technical standards, the applicant or developer must demonstrate equivalence to the technical standards set forth in Subsection A and the SWPPP shall be prepared by a licensed professional.
C. 
Water quality standards. No land development activity shall cause an increase in turbidity that will result in substantial visible contrast to natural conditions in surface waters of the State of New York (6 NYCRR Part 703.2).
A. 
Maintenance and inspection during construction.
(1) 
The applicant or developer of the land development activity or his or its representative shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the applicant or developer to achieve compliance with the conditions of this article. Sediment shall be removed from sediment traps or sediment ponds whenever their design capacity has been reduced by 50%.
(2) 
For land development activities as defined in § 249A-25 of this article and meeting Condition A, B or C in § 249A-26D, the applicant shall have a qualified professional conduct site inspections and document the effectiveness of all erosion and sediment control practices every seven days or more often as required by the SMO and within 24 hours of any storm event producing 0.5 inch of precipitation or more. Inspection reports shall be maintained in a site logbook.
(3) 
The applicant or developer or his or its representative shall be on site at all times when construction or grading activity takes place and shall inspect and document the effectiveness of all erosion and sediment control practices.
B. 
Maintenance easement(s). Prior to the issuance of any approval that has a stormwater management facility as one of the requirements, the applicant or developer must execute a maintenance easement that shall be binding on all subsequent landowners served by the stormwater management facility. The easement shall provide for access to the facility for periodic inspection by the Town to ensure that the facility is maintained in proper working condition to meet design standards and any other provisions established by this article. The grantor shall record the easement in the office of the County Clerk after approval by the Town Attorney. This easement shall not impose any obligation on the Town to maintain or repair the stormwater management facility.
C. 
Maintenance after construction. The owner or operator of permanent stormwater management practices installed in accordance with this article shall ensure they are operated and maintained to achieve the goals of this article. Proper operation and maintenance also includes, at a minimum, the following:
(1) 
A preventive/corrective maintenance program for all facilities and systems of treatment and control (or related appurtenances), which are installed or used by the owner or operator to achieve the goals of this article.
(2) 
Written procedures for operation and maintenance and training of maintenance personnel.
(3) 
Discharges from the SMPs shall comply with design criteria and shall not cause or contribute to water quality standard violations in accordance with § 249A-27C.
D. 
Maintenance agreements. The Town shall approve a formal maintenance agreement for stormwater management facilities binding on all subsequent landowners and recorded in the office of the County Clerk as a deed restriction on the property prior to final plan approval. The maintenance agreement shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of Schedule B or Schedule C of this article, entitled "Sample Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreement".[1] The Town, in lieu of a maintenance agreement, at the sole discretion of the Stormwater Management Officer, subject to the approval of the Town Attorney, may accept dedication of any existing or future stormwater management facility, provided such facility meets all the requirements of this article and includes adequate and perpetual access and sufficient area, by easement or otherwise, for inspection and regular maintenance.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by L.L. No. 6-2013]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule B and Schedule C are included at the end of this chapter.
A. 
Construction inspections.
(1) 
Erosion and sediment control inspection.
(a) 
The Town Stormwater Management Officer may require such inspections as necessary to determine compliance with this article and may either approve that portion of the work completed or notify the applicant wherein the work fails to comply with the requirements of this article and the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) as approved. To obtain inspections, the applicant shall notify the Town Stormwater Management Officer at least 48 hours before any of the following:
[1] 
Start and/or resumption of construction.
[2] 
Installation of sediment and erosion control measures.
[3] 
Completion of site clearing.
[4] 
Completion of rough grading.
[5] 
Completion of final grading.
[6] 
Close of the construction season.
[7] 
Completion of final landscaping.
[8] 
Successful establishment of landscaping in public areas.
(b) 
If any violations are found, the applicant and developer shall be notified in writing of the nature of the violation and the required corrective actions. No further work shall be conducted, except for site stabilization, until any violations are corrected and all work previously completed has received approval by the Stormwater Management Officer.
(2) 
Stormwater management practice inspections. The Town Stormwater Management Officer is responsible for conducting inspections of stormwater management practices (SMPs). All applicants are required to submit "as built" plans for any stormwater management practices located on-site after final construction is completed. The plan must show the final design specifications for all stormwater management facilities and must be certified by a professional engineer.
(3) 
Inspection of stormwater facilities after project completion. Inspection programs shall be established on any reasonable basis, including but not limited to: routine inspections; random inspections; inspections based upon complaints or other notice of possible violations; inspection of drainage basins or areas identified as higher than typical sources of sediment or other contaminants or pollutants; inspections of businesses or industries of a type associated with higher than usual discharges of contaminants or pollutants or with discharges of a type which are more likely than the typical discharge to cause violations of state or federal water or sediment quality standards or the SPDES stormwater permit; and joint inspections with other agencies inspecting under environmental or safety laws. Inspections may include, but are not limited to: reviewing maintenance and repair records; sampling discharges, surface water, groundwater, and material or water in drainage control facilities; and evaluating the condition of drainage control facilities and other stormwater management practices.
(4) 
Submission of reports. The Town Stormwater Management Officer may require monitoring and reporting from entities subject to this article as are necessary to determine compliance with this article.
(5) 
Right of entry for inspection. When any new stormwater management facility is installed on private property or when any new connection is made between private property and the public stormwater system, the landowner shall grant to the Town the right to enter the property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purpose of inspection as specified in § 249A-29:A(3).
B. 
Performance guarantee.
(1) 
Construction completion guarantee. In order to ensure the full and faithful completion of all land development activities related to compliance with all conditions set forth by the Town in its approval of the stormwater pollution prevention plan, the Town may require the applicant or developer to provide, prior to construction, a performance bond, cash escrow, or irrevocable letter of credit from an appropriate financial or surety institution which guarantees satisfactory completion of the project and names the Town as the beneficiary. The security shall be in an amount to be determined by the Town based on submission of final design plans, with reference to actual construction and landscaping costs. The performance guarantee shall remain in force until the surety is released from liability by the Town, provided that such period shall not be less than one year from the date of final acceptance or such other certification that the facility(ies) has (have) been constructed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and that a one-year inspection has been conducted and the facilities have been found to be acceptable to the Town. Per-annum interest on cash escrow deposits shall be reinvested in the account until the surety is released from liability.
(2) 
Maintenance guarantee.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by L.L. No. 6-2013]
(a) 
Where stormwater management and erosion and sediment control facilities are to be operated and maintained by the developer or by a corporation that owns or manages a residential (i.e., homeowners’ associations, condominium or townhouse developments), commercial or industrial facility (including, but not limited to, commercial condominiums), the developer, prior to construction, may be required to provide the Town with a bank check or cash deposit as security to ensure proper operation and maintenance of all stormwater management and erosion control facilities both during and after construction, and until the facilities are removed from operation. If the developer or landowner fails to properly operate and maintain stormwater management and erosion and sediment control facilities, the Town may draw upon these funds to cover the costs of proper operation and maintenance, including engineering and inspection costs.
(b) 
Where stormwater management and erosion and sediment control facilities are to be operated and maintained by an individual owner of a single residential property, said owner shall execute a maintenance agreement with the Town to insure the long-term inspection and maintenance of those facilities.
(3) 
Recordkeeping. The Town may require entities subject to this article to maintain records demonstrating compliance with this article.
A. 
Notice of violation. When the Town determines that a land development activity is not being carried out in accordance with the requirements of this article, it may issue a written notice of violation to the landowner. The notice of violation shall contain:
(1) 
The name and address of the landowner, developer or applicant;
(2) 
The address, when available, or a description of the building, structure or land upon which the violation is occurring;
(3) 
A statement specifying the nature of the violation;
(4) 
A description of the remedial measures necessary to bring the land development activity into compliance with this article and a time schedule for the completion of such remedial action;
(5) 
A statement of the penalty or penalties that shall or may be assessed against the person to whom the notice of violation is directed;
(6) 
A statement that the determination of violation may be appealed to the municipality by filing a written notice of appeal within 15 days of service of the notice of violation.
B. 
Stop-work orders. The Stormwater Management Officer (SMO) or his designee may issue a stop-work order for violations of this article. Persons receiving a stop-work order shall be required to halt all land development activities, except those activities that address the violations leading to the stop-work order. The stop-work order shall be in effect until the SMO confirms that the land development activity is in compliance and the violation has been satisfactorily addressed. Failure to address a stop-work order in a timely manner may result in civil or criminal penalties or judicial injunctions in accordance with the enforcement measures authorized in this article.
C. 
Violations. Any land development activity that is commenced or is conducted contrary to this article may be restrained by injunction or otherwise abated in a manner provided by law.
D. 
Penalties.
(1) 
In addition to or as an alternative to any penalty provided herein or by law, any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 for conviction of a first offense; for conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,500 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense, all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $2,500 nor more than $5,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both. However, for the purposes of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers generally, violations, of this article shall be deemed offenses. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional offense.
(2) 
In addition to any other penalties provided for herein, any person who violates any provision of this article shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $3,000 for each such violation. No such penalty shall be imposed until the Board of Trustees/Town Council has held a public hearing, upon due notice, and has made a determination that such violation has occurred and has made findings of fact relating to said determination. The alleged violator shall have a right to specification of the charges and to be represented by counsel at such hearing. Each day said violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate, distinct and additional offense. Any civil penalty or order issued by the Town Board shall be reviewable pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules within 30 days after filing of such penalty or order in the office of the Town Clerk and mailing a copy thereof to the violator.
E. 
Certificate of occupancy. No certificate of occupancy (C/O) shall be issued for any building or structure in connection with any land development activity that is subject to this article unless the SMO has certified that the work has been installed or conducted in compliance with this article.
F. 
Restoration of lands. Any violator may be required to restore land to its undisturbed condition. In the event that restoration is not undertaken within the time stated in the notice, the Town may take necessary corrective action, the cost of which shall become a lien in the nature of a tax lien upon the property until paid. In addition, any fees, penalties or other costs imposed by the Town against the violator in order to obtain compliance with this article shall be assessed against the property in the nature of a tax lien until paid. No such lien shall take effect until the Town Board has held a public hearing upon 10 days' notice to the violator, advising him/her that a lien will be imposed upon the affected property and the amount thereof. The violator shall have an opportunity to appear and give evidence at the public hearing and to be represented by counsel. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Town Board may appeal such decision to the New York State Supreme Court in an Article 78 proceeding pursuant to the Civil Practice Law and Rules within thirty days after such decision has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk and a copy mailed by regular mail to the violator.
G. 
Enforcement. Enforcement of the provisions of this article is vested in the Town Stormwater Management Officer, his designees, inspectors of the Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, and code enforcement personnel of the Town.
[Amended 12-13-2018 by L.L. No. 9-2018]
The Town may require any person undertaking land development activities regulated by this article to pay reasonable costs at prevailing rates for review of SWPPPs, inspections, or SMP maintenance performed by the Town or performed by a third party for the Town. The municipality shall determine the amount to be paid by said person into an escrow account to be held by the Town. The costs incurred by the Town shall be reimbursed from the escrow account. The person undertaking the land development activity shall replenish the escrow account on an as-needed basis.
The SMO may, without prior notice, suspend MS4 discharge access to a person when such suspension is necessary to stop an action which presents or may present imminent and substantial danger to the environment, to the health or welfare of persons, or to the MS4. The SMO shall notify the person of such suspension within a reasonable time thereafter, in writing, including the reasons for the suspension. If the violator fails to comply with a suspension order issued in an emergency, the SMO may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the MS4 or to minimize danger to persons.
If the provisions of any article, section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause of this article shall be judged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such order of judgment shall not affect or invalidate the remainder of any article, section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause of this article.