This chapter shall be known as the "Franklin Township Surface Water
Management Ordinance."
The general intent of this chapter is to manage the increased rate and
velocity of surface water runoff created by alteration of the ground cover
and natural runoff patterns.
This chapter is deemed essential and necessary to protect the public
health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Franklin Township and the surrounding
communities by accomplishing the following purposes:
A.
Maintain the adequacy of natural stream channels and
prevent accelerated bank erosion by controlling the rate and velocity of runoff
discharge to these watercourses so as to avoid increased frequency of the
bankful stage.
B.
Prevent degradation of the stream biota caused by excessive
flushing and sedimentation.
C.
Prevent degradation of stream water quality due to impairment
of the stream's biological function.
D.
Enhance the quality of nonpoint runoff by water retention
measures.
E.
Preserve present adequacy of culverts and bridges by
suppressing artificially induced flood peaks.
F.
Reduce public expenditures for replacement or repair
of public facilities resulting from artificially induced flood peaks.
G.
Prevent damage to life and property from flooding resulting
from excessive rates and velocities of runoff.
H.
Conserve the taxable value of property by enhancing the
environmental character of the streams of the Township.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any person, partnership, corporation or public agency requesting
permission to engage in land disturbance activity, construction or development.
A plan to control surface water runoff which has been approved by
the Township Land Use Board.
A watercourse with a definite bed and banks which confine and conduct
continuously or intermittently flowing water.
An agreement or covenant running with the land which prohibits all
land or vegetation disturbance in favor of a permanent dedication to natural
open space, each agreement to be entered into between the applicant and the
Township.
Any watercourse, trench, ditch, depression or other hollow space
in the ground, natural or artificial, which collects or disperses surface
water from land.
Any area which should not be disturbed by uses incompatible with
the paramount public interest in the prevention of surface water runoff and
attendant environmental damage. Examples of environmentally critical impact
areas include but are not limited to lakes, ponds, floodplains and flood hazard
areas, designated stream corridors, steep slopes, highly erodible soil wetlands,
swamps, marshes, bogs, aquifer recharge and discharge areas and heavily wooded
areas.
Any activity involving the clearing, grading, transporting, filling,
covering with an impermeable surface or roof or other activity which alters
land topography, vegetative cover or its ability to absorb or percolate water
into the groundwater supply.
[Amended 9-10-1982 by Ord. No. 82-6]
As defined by sheet RTSC-NR-Engineer 200, Sheet 1 of two published
by the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service,
February 1970.
The topographical pattern or system of drainage of surface water
runoff from a particular site, including the various drainageways and watercourses
which carry surface water only during periods of heavy rains, storms or floods.
Surface water entering a channel from no definable discharge source.
As shown on map, subject to field investigation.
All water produced by rain, flood, drainage, springs and seeps flowing
over the land or contained within a natural or artificial watercourse.
A plan consistent with the purposes and policies of this chapter
which fully indicates necessary land treatment measures and techniques, including
a schedule for implementation and maintenance.
The dispersion or drainage of surface water by natural or artificial
means or any overland flow of water across the ground surface to the nearest
conduit.
All damage or harm to property values, land, vegetation and water
supplies, including but not limited to flooding, soil erosion, siltation and
other pollution of watercourses and diminished recharge of groundwater supply,
which damage results or is likely to result when the dispersion of surface
water typical of the land in a meadow of good hydrologic condition is increased
in rate, velocity or quantity.
The most intense probable precipitation to occur in a given region
in a twenty-four-hour period, with a frequency of once in 10, 15 or 100 years.
Rivers, streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps,
bogs and all other bodies of water, natural or artificial, public or private,
which are contained within, flow through or border on Franklin Township, Hunterdon
County, New Jersey, or any portion thereof.
An area of surface water runoff related to a point of concentration,
such as the topographically determined confluence with another body of water
or a man-made culvert, etc., as shown on the applicable Watersheds Overlay,
Regional Natural Resource Inventory Report, 1974.
