A.
For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms and words used herein shall be interpreted as presented below. Additional definitions are provided in the Act 167 Plan definitions chapter.
(1)
Words used in the present tense include the future tense; the singular number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular; words of masculine gender include feminine gender; and words of feminine gender include masculine gender.
(2)
The word "includes" or "including" shall not limit the term to the specific example but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances of like, kind, and character.
(3)
The word "person" includes an individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, trust, company, corporation, or any other similar entity.
(4)
The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory; the words "may" and "should" are permissive.
(5)
The words "used or occupied" include the words "intended, designed, maintained, or arranged to be used, occupied or maintained."
B. AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES ALTERATION APPLICANT BMP (best management practice) BUFFER AREA CAPTURE DEPTH CARBONATE CHANNEL CLOSED OR UNDRAINED DEPRESSION CONSERVATION DISTRICT CREDITS DAM DEP DESIGNEE DESIGN STORM DETENTION BASIN DETENTION VOLUME DEP DEVELOPER DEVELOPMENT SITE DISTURBED AREA DOLOMITE DOWNSLOPE PROPERTY LINE DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE FACILITY DRAINAGE EASEMENT DRAINAGEWAY EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY EROSION EROSION AND SEDIMENT POLLUTION CONTROL PLAN EXFILTRATION EXISTING CONDITIONS EXISTING IMPERVIOUS CONDITIONS FEMA FLOOD FLOODPLAIN FLOODWAY FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS FREEBOARD GRASSED WATERWAY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (HSG) IMPERVIOUS SURFACE or AREA IMPOUNDMENT INFILTRATION RATE INLET INTERCEPTOR KARST LAND DEVELOPMENT LAND/EARTH DISTURBANCE LAND USE LIMESTONE LINEAMENTS LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) MAIN STEM (MAIN CHANNEL) MINIMUM ALLOWABLE DISCHARGE MUNICIPALITY NATURAL CONSERVATION AREAS NRCS OUTFALL OUTLET PADEP PADOT PEAK DISCHARGE PERCOLATION RATE PERVIOUS AREA PIPE PLANNING COMMISSION POINT DISCHARGE PROJECT SITE QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL RECHARGE VOLUME REGULATED ACTIVITIES REGULATED EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY RETENTION BASIN RETENTION VOLUME/REMOVED RUNOFF RETURN PERIOD RIPARIAN BUFFER RUNOFF SAFE PASSAGE SCOUR SEDIMENT SEDIMENT BASIN SENSITIVE (WATER QUALITY) AREA SHEET FLOW SINKHOLE SPILLWAY STABILIZATION STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS STORM SEWER STORMWATER STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN STRATA STRATIGRAPHIC UNIT STRUCTURAL FILL SUBAREA SUBDIVISION SWALE SWM TOPOGRAPHY TOWNSHIP TOWNSHIP ENGINEER UNDETAINED AREA USDA WATER QUALITY DEPTH WATER-QUALITY-SENSITIVE (WQS) DEVELOPMENT WATER QUALITY VOLUME WATERSHED WATERS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH WATER TABLE WETLAND
Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Activities associated with agriculture such as agricultural cultivation, agricultural operation, and animal heavy use areas. This includes the work of producing crops, including tillage, land clearing, plowing, disking, harrowing, planting, harvesting crops or pasturing and raising of livestock and installation of conservation measures. Construction of new buildings or impervious area is not considered an agricultural activity.
As applied to land, a change in topography as a result of the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another; also the changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to be more or less impervious; land disturbance.
A landowner or developer who has filed an application for approval to engage in any regulated activities as defined in § 175-5 of this chapter.
Activities, facilities, designs, measures, or procedures used to manage stormwater impacts from regulated activities, to meet state water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge, and to otherwise meet the purposes of this chapter. Stormwater BMPs are commonly grouped into one of two broad categories or measures: "structural" or "nonstructural." In this chapter, nonstructural BMPs or measures refer to operational and/or behavior-related practices that attempt to minimize the contact of pollutants with stormwater runoff; whereas, structural BMPs or measures are those that consist of a physical device or practice that is installed to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Structural BMPs include, but are not limited to, a wide variety of practices and devices, from large-scale retention ponds and constructed wetlands to small-scale underground treatment systems, infiltration facilities, filter strips, low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed swales, riparian or forested buffers, sand filters, detention basins, and manufactured devices. Structural stormwater BMPs are permanent appurtenances to the project site, stormwater structures, facilities, and techniques to maintain or improve the water quality of surface runoff.
Area that is protected from development in order to prevent degradation of the water body or water quality.
Depth of runoff captured from a given area and either allowed to evaporate, infiltrate, or be discharged through a spillway at a negligible rate.
A sediment formed by the organic or inorganic precipitation of mineral compounds characterized by the fundamental chemical ion CO3, the principal element in limestone and dolomite strata.
A perceptible natural or artificial waterway that periodically or continuously contains moving water having a definite bed and banks that confine the water.
In a karst geologic area, a distinct bowl-shaped depression in the land surface; size and amplitude are variable; drainage is internal. It differs from a sinkhole in that the ground surface is unbroken and usually occurs in greater density per unit area.
The Centre County Conservation District.
A deduction from the required amount; in this chapter, implies reduction of required water quality volumes due to using a recommended practice.
An artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works, constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another fluid or semifluid, or a refuse bank, fill, or structure for highway, railroad or other purposes, which does or may impound water or another fluid or semifluid.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The agent of a Planning Commission and/or agent of the governing body involved with the administration, review, or enforcement of any provisions of this chapter by contract or memorandum of understanding.
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design and evaluation of stormwater management systems. Also see "return period."
[Amended 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
An impoundment structure designed to manage stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate.
The volume of runoff that is captured and released into the waters of the Commonwealth at a controlled rate.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
A person, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes any regulated activity of this chapter.
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity is proposed. See "project site."
[Amended 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
An unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity is occurring or has occurred.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
That portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels of land being developed located such that all overland or pipe flow from the site would be directed towards it.
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater runoff and shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits, culverts, storm sewers, etc.
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
The natural or man-made path of surface water from a given area.
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the surface of the land, including but not limited to clearing and grubbing; grading; excavations; embankments; road maintenance; building construction; and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock, or earth materials.
The movement of soil particles by the action of water, wind, ice, or other natural forces.
A plan that is designed to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
The process by which water or moisture moves from a subsurface trench, bed, or other feature into the subsoil. Exfiltration is best measured by a soil's percolation rate.
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed construction.
The documented impervious condition as managed by the related stormwater controls required at the time the impervious area was established. For the purposes of determining the existing impervious condition, any impervious added since 2006 without documented stormwater management shall be considered pervious modeled as meadow in good condition. The existing impervious condition may be established utilizing the 2006 Centre County aerials, previously recorded land development plans, or as-built stormwater management plans to establish the documented existing condition.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
A general but temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of streams, rivers, and other waters of this commonwealth.
Any land area susceptible to inundation by water from any natural source or delineated by applicable Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Insurance Administration flood hazard boundary, mapped as being a special flood hazard area.
The channel of the watercourse and those portions of the adjoining floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge the one-hundred-year-frequency flood. Unless otherwise specified, the boundary of the floodway is as indicated on maps and flood insurance studies provided by FEMA. In an area where no FEMA maps or studies have defined the boundary of the one-hundred-year-frequency floodway, it is assumed, absent evidence to the contrary, that the floodway extends from the stream to 50 feet from the top of the bank of the stream.
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forestland. These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation, and reforestation.
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high water and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, or diversion ridge. The space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
A natural or constructed waterway, usually broad and shallow, covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to conduct surface water from cropland.
Systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or reuse stormwater on the site where it is generated.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
Replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies.
Infiltration rates of soils vary widely and are affected by subsurface permeability as well as surface intake rates. Soils are classified into four HSGs (A, B, C, and D) according to their minimum infiltration rate, which is obtained for bare soil after prolonged wetting. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) defines the four groups and provides a list of most of the soils in the United States and their group classification. The soils in the area of the development site may be identified from a soil survey report that can be obtained from local NRCS offices or conservation district offices. Soils become less pervious as the HSG varies from A to D (NRCS3,4).[1]
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the ground. Impervious surfaces (or areas) shall include but not be limited to roofs; additional indoor living spaces; patios; garages; storage sheds and similar structures; and any new streets or sidewalks. Decks, parking areas, and driveway areas are not counted as impervious areas if they do not prevent infiltration.
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
The infiltration rate of a soil is related to the soil's final infiltration capacity and represents the rate at which water enters the soil/air interface at the top of the soil profile. Infiltration rates are measured in units of length/time.
A surface connection to a closed drain. A structure at the diversion end of a conduit. The upstream end of any structure through which water may flow.
A channel, berm, or dike constructed across a slope for the purpose of intercepting stormwater, reducing the velocity of flow, and diverting it to outlets where it may be disposed.
A type of topography that is formed over limestone, dolomite, or gypsum by bedrock solution and that is characterized by closed depressions or sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage (from AGI Glossary of Geology, 1972).
Inclusive of any or all of the following meanings:
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging, or filling of ground or stripping of vegetation or any other activity that causes an alteration to the natural condition of the land.
The primary application employed in an area.
A rock that, by accumulation of organic remains, consists mainly of calcium carbonate.
Straight or gently curved, lengthy features frequently expressed topographically as depressions or lines on the earth's surface. They can be more easily observed at a height of 100 meters or more and are usually found by researching aerial photographs or satellite photography. They are usually located in areas of faulting or in dense jointing along some rock stratigraphy.
Site design approaches and small-scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration, evapotranspiration, and reuse of rainwater. LID can be applied to new development, urban retrofits, and revitalization projects. LID utilizes design techniques that infiltrate, filter, evaporate, and store runoff close to its source. Rather than rely on costly large-scale conveyance and treatment systems, LID addresses stormwater through a variety of small, cost-effective landscape features located on-site.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
Any stream segment or other runoff conveyance facility used as a reach in the Spring Creek hydrologic model.
In relation to this Stormwater Management Ordinance, the minimum rate that can be discharged for any drainage area for design storm events up to and including the ten-year event regardless of the modeled predevelopment runoff estimate.
College Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
A natural area protected during development for its water quality or recharge enhancing abilities.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ( previously SCS).
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
The point where water flows from a conduit, stream, or drain.
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater, or artificial drain.
Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection.
Pennsylvania State Department of Transportation.
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm event.
The rate at which water moves through a soil profile. Percolation rates are measured in units of time/length.
Any area not defined as impervious.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
The Planning Commission of the Township.
The discharge from a pipe or channel that concentrates runoff at a single area.
The specific area of land where any regulated activities in the Township are planned, conducted, or maintained.
An individual registered in and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania qualified to perform stormwater analysis and design.
The volume of water that is required to be recharged from developed sites.
Actions or proposed actions that have an impact on stormwater runoff and that are specified in § 175-5 of this chapter.
Activity involving earth disturbance subject to regulation under 25 Pa. Code 92a, 25 Pa. Code 102, or the Clean Streams Law.[3]
An impoundment in which stormwater is stored and not released during the storm event. Stored water may be released from the basin at some time after the end of the storm.
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly into the surface waters of this Commonwealth during or after a storm event.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event of a given magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the twenty-five-year return period rainfall has a four-percent probability of occurring in any given year.
A permanent area of trees and shrubs located adjacent to streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
The routing of peak runoff events, usually the one-hundred-year design event, safely through a structure without failure of that structure.
Generally refers to the change in a channel configuration provoked by sediment imbalance, due to natural or man-made causes, between the supply and transport capacity of the channel.
Soils or other materials transported by surface water as a product of erosion.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
A barrier, dam or retention or detention basin located and designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported by water.
An area protected because development within that area could potentially cause contamination of groundwater reservoirs. These sensitive land areas are defined in Appendix B.[4]
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a thin, even layer, not concentrated in a channel.
A localized, gradual or rapid sinking of the land surface to a variable depth, occurring in areas of carbonate bedrock; generally characterized by a roughly circular outline, a distant breaking of the ground surface and downward movement of soil into bedrock voids.
A depression, in the embankment of a pond or basin, that is used to pass peak discharge greater than the maximum design storm controlled by the pond.
The proper placing, grading, and/or covering of soil, rock, or earth to ensure its resistance to erosion, sliding, or other movement.
The regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore water quality under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code and the Clean Streams Law.[5]
A system of pipes and/or open channels that conveys intercepted runoff and stormwater from other sources, but excludes domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
Drainage runoff from the surface of the land resulting from precipitation or snow or ice melt.
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition, design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include, but are not limited to, detention and retention basins, open channels, storm sewers, pipes, and infiltration structures.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff in the Spring Creek Watershed adopted by the Centre County Commissioners, as required by the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167), and known as the "Spring Creek Watershed Action 167 stormwater management plan."
The plan prepared by the developer or his representative indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the development site in accordance with this chapter. "Stormwater management site plan" will be designated as "SWM site plan" throughout this chapter. The contents of the SWM site plan are established in Article IV.
Tabular or sheet-like mass, distinct layers of homogenous or gradational sedimentary material (consolidated rock or unconsolidated earth) of any thickness, visually separable from other layers above and below by a discrete change in the character of the material deposited or by a sharp physical break deposition or both.
A stratum or body of strata recognized as a unit in the classification of the rocks of the earth's crust with respect to any specific rock character, property or attribute or for any purpose such as description, mapping, and correlation.
For the purposes of this chapter, shall imply any soil mass that is compacted in lifts to some tested criteria (standard or modified proctor), such as those under foundations or adjacent to retaining walls; areas that for several years after construction respond to precipitation events similar to impervious areas.
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater management criteria have been established in the stormwater management plan.
As defined in The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
A natural low-lying stretch of land or minor man-made conveyance channel, which gathers or carries surface water runoff.
Stormwater management.
The general configuration of a land surface or any part of the earth's surface, including its relief and position of its natural and man-made features; the natural or physical surface features of a region, considered collectively as to its form.
College Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.
A professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and duly appointed by the subject Township as its representative. In the event that a stormwater utility is formed, all references to the Township Engineer shall be considered to also imply the Stormwater Utility Engineer.
An area of a site that cannot be routed to a stormwater management facility because of its location; generally small areas around access drives or below stormwater management facilities.
United States Department of Agriculture.
[Added 9-5-2024 by Ord. No. O-24-02]
Depth of precipitation required to be used in computing the water quality volume based on the percentage of imperviousness of a site.
Land development projects that have a high potential to cause catastrophic loss to local water quality and could potentially threaten ground water reservoirs. See § 175-16 for additional definition.
Volume of runoff required to be controlled from a site in a water quality BMP.
The entire region or area drained by a river or other body of water, whether natural or artificial, a drainage basin, or sub-basin.
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, ditches, watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs, and all other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
Upper surface of a layer of saturated material in the soil.
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including swamps, marshes, bogs, ferns, and similar areas.
[1]
Editor's Note: References 3 and 4 are to the following:
3. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). National Engineering Handbook. Part 630: Hydrology, 1969-2001. Originally published as the National Engineering Handbook, Section 4: Hydrology. Available online at: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/hydro/hydro-techref- neh-630.html.
4. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 1986. Technical Release 55: Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds, 2nd Edition. Washington, D.C.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10503.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1.
[4]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1.