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Township of Union, PA
Berks County
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For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms and words used herein shall be interpreted as follows:
A.ย 
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.
B.ย 
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.
C.ย 
The word "person" includes an individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, trust, company, corporation, unit of government, or any other similar entity.
D.ย 
The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory; the words "may" and "should" are permissive.
E.ย 
The words "used or occupied" include the words "intended, designed, maintained, or arranged to be used, occupied or maintained."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined action of man's activity and the natural processes at a rate greater than would occur because of the natural process alone.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The work of producing crops and raising livestock, including tillage, plowing, disking, harrowing, pasturing and installation of conservation measures. For purposes of regulation by this chapter, construction of new buildings or impervious area is not considered an agricultural activity.
ALTERATION
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.
APPLICANT
A landowner, developer or other person who has filed an application for approval to engage in any regulated activities as defined in ยงย 165-5 of this chapter at a project site in Union Township, Berks County.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS
Those maintained by the contractor as he constructs the project and upon which he documents the actual locations of the building components and changes to the original contract documents. These, or a copy of same, are turned over to the Engineer at the completion of the project.
BANKFULL
The channel at the top-of-bank or point where water begins to overflow onto a floodplain.
BASE FLOW
The portion of stream discharge derived from groundwater; the sustained discharge that does not result from direct runoff or from water diversions, reservoir releases, piped discharges, or other human activities.
BIORETENTION
A stormwater retention area which utilizes woody and herbaceous plants and soils to remove pollutants before infiltration occurs.
BMPs (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES)
Methods, measures or practices to prevent or reduce surface runoff and/or water pollution, including but not limited to structural and nonstructural stormwater management practices and operation and maintenance procedures. See also "nonstructural best management practices (BMPs)."
BUFFER
The area of land immediately adjacent to any stream, measured perpendicular to and horizontally from the top-of-bank on both sides of a stream. (See "top-of-bank.")
CARBONATE GEOLOGY
Limestone or dolomite bedrock.
CHANNEL
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open surface. Open channels include but shall not be limited to natural and man-made drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes flowing partly full.
CHANNEL EROSION
The widening, deepening, and headward cutting of small channels and waterways, caused by stormwater runoff or bankfull flows.
CHAPTER 102
Chapter 102 of the regulations of PADEP, 25 Pa. Code ยงย 102.1 et seq.
CHAPTER 105
Chapter 105 of the regulations of PADEP, 25 Pa. Code ยงย 105.1 et seq.
CHAPTER 106
Chapter 106 of the regulations of PADEP, 25 Pa. Code ยงย 106.1 et seq.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CLEARING AND GRUBBING
The removal of vegetation from the surface of the land to the extent that the ground surface is disturbed.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Berks County Conservation District.
CONVEYANCE
The ability of a pipe, culvert, swale or similar facility to carry the peak flow from the design storm.
CULVERT
A structure, with appurtenant works, which carries water under or through an embankment or fill.
DAM
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.
DEPARTMENT
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DESIGNATED WATERSHED (ACT 167)
A watershed which is listed under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Index of Designated Watersheds (Stormwater Management), pursuant to the Stormwater Management Act, P.L. 864, No. 167, October 4, 1978, and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 31, 1980, and August 9, 1980, as amended on November 19, 1991, April 21, 1992, June 21, 1994, April 16, 1996, April 15, 1997, and December 16, 1997.
DESIGNEE
The agent of the Berks County Planning Commission, the Berks County Conservation District and/or agent of the Union Township Board of Supervisors involved with the administration, review or enforcement of any provisions of this chapter by contract or memorandum of understanding.
DESIGN PROFESSIONAL (QUALIFIED)
Any person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by this chapter.
DESIGN STORM
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.
DETENTION BASIN
An impoundment designed to collect and retard stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate. Detention basins are designed to drain completely shortly after any given rainfall event and are dry until the next rainfall event.
DEVELOPER
A person that seeks to undertake any regulated activities at a project site in Union Township.
DEVELOPMENT
Any human-induced change to improved or unimproved real estate, whether public or private, including but not limited to land development, construction, installation, or expansion of a building or other structure, land division, street construction, drilling, and site alteration such as embankments, dredging, grubbing, grading, paving, parking or storage facilities, excavation, filling, stockpiling, or clearing. As used in this chapter, development encompasses both new development and redevelopment.
DEVELOPMENT SITE OR PROJECT SITE
The specific tract of land where any regulated activities in Union Township are planned, conducted or maintained.
DIFFUSED DRAINAGE DISCHARGE
Drainage discharge not confined to a single point location or channel, such as sheet flow or shallow concentrated flow.
DISCHARGE
A.ย 
(verb) To release water from a project, site, aquifer, drainage basin or other point of interest.
B.ย 
(noun) The rate and volume of flow of water, such as in a stream, generally expressed in cubic feet per second (volume per unit of time). See also "peak discharge."
DISCHARGE POINT
The point of discharge for a stormwater facility.
DISTURBED AREAS
Unstabilized land area where an earth-disturbance activity is occurring or has occurred.
DITCH
An artificial waterway for irrigation or stormwater conveyance.
DOWNSLOPE PROPERTY LINE
That portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels of land being developed, located such that overland or pipe flow from the site would be directed towards it.
DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE FACILITY
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater runoff, and shall include channels, swales, pipes, conduits, culverts, storm sewers, etc.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
DRAINAGE PERMIT
A permit issued by Union Township after the drainage plan has been approved.
DRAINAGE PLAN
The documentation of the stormwater management system, if any, to be used for a given development site, the contents of which are established in ยงย 165-29.
EARTH-DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the surface of land, including but not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance activities, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock or earth materials.
EMERGENCY SPILLWAY
A conveyance area that is used to pass peak discharge greater than the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
ENCROACHMENT
A structure or activity that changes, expands or diminishes the course, current or cross section of a watercourse, floodway or body of water.
EROSION
The process by which the surface of the land, including channels, is worn away by water, wind, or chemical action.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A plan for a project site which identifies BMPs to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
EXCEPTIONAL-VALUE WATERS
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, ยงย 93.4b(b) (relating to antidegradation).
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed alteration. If the initial condition of the site is undeveloped land, the land use shall be considered as "meadow," unless the natural land cover is proven to generate lower curve numbers or Rational "C" value, such as forested lands.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FINAL STABILIZATION
The condition of a disturbed area when it has a minimum of 70% uniform perennial vegetative cover or other permanent nonvegetative cover with a density sufficient to resist accelerated surface erosion and subsurface characteristics sufficient to resist sliding or other movements.
FLOOD
A temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of land areas from the overflow of streams, rivers, and other waters of this commonwealth.
FLOODPLAIN
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 โ€” Floodway Maps as being a special flood hazard area.
FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT ACT
The Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 851, No. 166, as amended, 32 P.S. ยงย 679.101 et seq., and as may be amended in the future.
FLOODWAY
The channel of the watercourse and those portions of the adjoining floodplains which 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-bank.
FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY
The study of landforms associated with river channels and the processes that form them.
FOREBAY
A depression or pool located near the inlet of a storm basin or other stormwater management facility. These devices are designed as initial storage areas to trap and settle out sediment and heavy pollutants before they reach the main basin.
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forest land with no change of land use proposed. These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design and construction, timber harvesting and reforestation.
FREEBOARD
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high water and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, swale, or diversion berm. The space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
GRADE
A.ย 
A slope, usually of a road, channel or natural ground, specified in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
B.ย 
(To) Grade โ€” to finish the surface of a roadbed, top of embankment or bottom of excavation.
GRASSED WATERWAY
A natural or constructed waterway, usually broad and shallow, covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to convey surface water.
GROUNDWATER
Water beneath the earth's surface, often between saturated soil and rock, that supplies wells and springs.
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
Replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies without degrading groundwater quality.
HEC-HMS
The United States Army Corps of Engineers' Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) - Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS). This model was used to model the tributaries to the Schuylkill River in Berks County during the Act 167 Plan development and was the basis for the standards and criteria of this chapter.
HIGH-QUALITY WATERS
Surface waters having quality which exceeds levels necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water by satisfying Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, ยงย 93.4b(a).
HOTSPOTS
Areas where land use or activities generate highly contaminated runoff, with concentrations of pollutants in excess of those typically found in stormwater.
HYDROGRAPH
A graph of discharge versus time for a selected point in the drainage system.
HYDROLOGIC REGIME (NATURAL)
The hydrologic cycle or balance that sustains quality and quantity of stormwater, base flow, storage, and groundwater supplies under natural conditions.
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP
A classification of soils by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, formerly the Soil Conservation Service, into four runoff potential groups. The groups range from A soils, which are very permeable and produce little runoff, to D soils, which are not very permeable and produce much more runoff.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the ground. Impervious surface includes but is not limited to any roof, parking or driveway areas and any new streets and sidewalks. Any surface areas designed to be gravel or crushed stone shall be assumed to be impervious surfaces.
IMPOUNDMENT
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
INFILL
Development that occurs on smaller parcels that remain undeveloped but are within or in very close proximity to urban areas. The development relies on existing infrastructure and does not require an extension of water, sewer or other public utilities.
INFILTRATION
Movement of surface water into the soil, where it is absorbed by plant roots, evaporated into the atmosphere, or percolates downward to recharge groundwater.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURE
A structure designed to direct runoff into the underground water (e.g., french drains, seepage pits, or seepage trenches).
INLET
The upstream end of any structure through which water may flow.
INTERMITTENT STREAM
A stream that flows only part of the time. Flow generally occurs for several weeks or months in response to seasonal precipitation, due to groundwater discharge.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
A.ย 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1)ย 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots, regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
(2)ย 
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups, or other features.
B.ย 
A subdivision of land.
C.ย 
Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
LAND DISTURBANCE
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.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee, if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or another person having a proprietary interest in land.
LIMITING ZONE
A soil horizon or condition in the soil profile or underlying strata which includes one of the following:
A.ย 
A seasonal high-water table, whether perched or regional, determined by direct observation of the water table or indicated by soil mottling.
B.ย 
A rock with open joints, fracture or solution channels, or masses of loose rock fragments, including gravel, with insufficient fine soil to fill the voids between the fragments.
C.ย 
A rock formation, other stratum or soil condition which is so slowly permeable that it effectively limits downward passage of water.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
MAIN STEM (MAIN CHANNEL)
Any stream segment or other runoff conveyance facility used as a reach in the Tributaries to the Schuylkill River in Berks County Hydrologic Model.
MANNING EQUATION (MANNING FORMULA)
A method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. Open channels may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under pressure.
MPC
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of July 1, 1967, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended, 53 P.S. ยงย 10101 et seq., and as may be amended in the future.
MUNICIPAL ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the Engineer for Union Township, planning agency or joint planning commission.
MUNICIPALITY
Union Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
NATURAL CONDITION
Existing conditions.
NATURAL DRAINAGEWAY
An existing channel for water runoff that was formed naturally.
NATURAL HYDROLOGIC REGIME
See "hydrologic regime."
NATURAL RECHARGE AREA
An undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects and a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the underground and groundwater.
NONPOINT-SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution that enters a water body from diffuse origins in the watershed and does not result from discernible, confined, or discrete conveyances.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGES
Water flowing in stormwater collection facilities, such as pipes or swales, which is not the result of a rainfall event or snowmelt.
NONSTRUCTURAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)
Methods of controlling stormwater runoff quantity and quality, such as innovative site planning, impervious area and grading reduction, protection of natural depression areas, temporary ponding on site and other techniques.
NPDES
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the federal government's system for issuance of permits under the Clean Water Act, which is delegated to the DEP in Pennsylvania.
NRCS
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (previously SCS).
OPEN CHANNEL
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open surface. Open channels include but shall not be limited to natural and man-made drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes flowing partly full.
OUTFALL
"Point source," as described in 40 CFR ยงย 122.2, at the point where Union Township's storm sewer system discharges to surface waters of the commonwealth.
OUTLET
Points of water disposal to a stream, river, lake, tidewater or artificial drain.
PADEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, formerly the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, or any agency successor to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PARENT TRACT
The parcel of land from which a land development or subdivision originates, determined from the date of municipal adoption of this chapter.
PARKING LOT STORAGE
Involves the use of parking areas as temporary impoundments with controlled release rates during rainstorms.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm event.
PENNDOT
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or any agency successor thereto.
PENN STATE RUNOFF MODEL
The computer-based hydrologic model developed at Pennsylvania State University.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, association, corporation or other entity.
PIPE
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of Union Township, Berks County.
POI (POINT OF INTEREST)
The outlet and study point of a particular watershed or drainage area; the downstream end of a time-of-concentration flow path.
POINT SOURCE
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, or conduit from which stormwater is or may be discharged, as defined in state regulations at 25 Pa. Code ยงย 92.1.
POST CONSTRUCTION
The period after construction where disturbed areas are stabilized, stormwater controls are in place and functioning and all proposed improvements in the approved land development plan are completed.
PRETREATMENT
Techniques employed in stormwater BMPs to provide storage or filtering to trap coarse materials and other pollutants before they enter the system but not necessarily meet the water quality volume requirements of ยงย 165-14.
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated earth-disturbance activities in Union Township are planned, conducted or maintained.
RATIONAL FORMULA (RATIONAL METHOD)
A rainfall-runoff relation used to estimate peak flow.
RECHARGE
The replenishment of groundwater through the infiltration of rainfall, other surface waters, or land application of water or treated wastewater.
RECONSTRUCTION
Demolition of and subsequent rebuilding of impervious surface.
RECORD DRAWINGS
Original documents revised to suit the as-built conditions and subsequently provided by the Engineer to the client. The Engineer takes the contractor's as-builts, reviews them in detail with his/her own records for completeness, then either turns these over to the client or transfers the information to a set of reproducibles, in both cases for the client's permanent records.
REDEVELOPMENT
The demolition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement exceeding 2,000 square feet of land disturbance performed on sites where existing land use is commercial, industrial, institutional, or multifamily residential. Maintenance activities, such as top-layer grinding and repaving, are not considered to be redevelopment. Interior remodeling projects and tenant improvements are also not considered to be redevelopment. Utility trenches in streets are not considered redevelopment unless more than 50% of the street width is removed and repaved.
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
Any actions or proposed actions that involve the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect stormwater runoff.
REGULATED EARTH-DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
Activity involving earth disturbance, subject to regulation under 25 Pa. Code, Chapters 92 and 102, or the Clean Streams Law.[2]
RELEASE RATE
The percentage of the existing condition peak rate of runoff from a site or subarea to which the proposed condition peak rate of runoff must be reduced to protect downstream areas.
REPAVING
Replacement of the impervious surface that does not involve reconstruction of an existing paved (impervious) surface.
REPLACEMENT PAVING
Reconstruction of and full replacement of an existing paved (impervious) surface.
RETENTION BASIN
A structure in which stormwater is stored and not released during the storm event. Retention basins do not typically have an outlet to other downstream conveyance features, such as channels, storm sewers, or other surface waters. Generally, these features empty via recharge and must infiltrate stored water in no more than four days. These features may have an emergency spillway or other overflow device for large events.
RETURN PERIOD
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 would be expected to recur on the average of once every 25 years.
RIPARIAN BUFFER ZONE (RBZ)
Areas immediately adjacent to Union Township's perennial streams and waterways, as mapped as blue lines on U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000-scale quadrangle maps.
RISER
A vertical pipe extending from the bottom of a pond that is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified design storm.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Earth-disturbance activities within the existing road cross section, such as grading and repairing existing unpaved road surfaces, cutting road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches and other similar activities.
ROOF DRAINS
A drainage conduit or pipe that collects water runoff from a roof and leads it away from the structure.
ROOFTOP DETENTION
Temporary ponding and gradual release of stormwater falling directly onto flat roof surfaces by incorporating controlled-flow roof drains into building designs.
RUNOFF
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
SALDO
The Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Chapter 172 of the Code of the Township of Union.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated or deposited by the movement of water or air.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, or retention or detention basin located and designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported by water during construction.
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
The placement, discharge or any other introduction of sediment into the waters of the commonwealth.
SEEPAGE PIT or SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar coarse material, into which surface water is directed for infiltration into the underground water.
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) primarily used for collecting and conveying stormwater runoff.
SHALLOW CONCENTRATED FLOW
Stormwater runoff flowing in shallow, defined ruts prior to entering a defined channel or waterway.
SHEET FLOW
A flow process associated with broad, shallow water movement on sloping ground surfaces that is not channelized or concentrated.
SOIL-COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by the NRCS that is based on relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter called "Curve Number (CN)."
SOIL GROUP, HYDROLOGIC
A classification of soils by the Soil Conservation Service into four runoff potential groups. The groups range from A soils, which are very permeable and produce little runoff, to D soils, which are not very permeable and produce much more runoff.
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION AREAS (SWPA)
The zone through which contaminants, if present, are likely to migrate and reach a drinking water well or surface water intake.
SPECIAL GEOLOGIC FEATURES
Carbonate bedrock features, including but not limited to closed depressions, existing sinkholes, fracture traces, lineaments, joints, faults, caves and pinnacles, which may exist and must be identified on a site when stormwater management BMPs are being considered.
SPECIAL-PROTECTION SUBWATERSHEDS
Watersheds for which the receiving waters are exceptional-value (EV) or high-quality (HQ) waters.
SPILLWAY
A conveyance that is used to pass the peak discharge of the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
STABILIZATION
The proper placing, grading, constructing, reinforcing, lining, and covering of soil, rock or earth to ensure their resistance to erosion, sliding or other movement.
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
The regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore water quality under Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, and the Clean Streams Law.[3]
STORAGE INDICATION METHOD
A reservoir-routing procedure based on the solution of the continuity equation (inflow minus outflow equals the change in storage), with outflow defined as a function of storage volume and depth.
STORM FREQUENCY
The number of times that a given storm event occurs or is exceeded on the average in a stated period of years. See "return period."
STORM SEWER
A system of pipes and/or open channels that convey intercepted runoff and stormwater from other sources, but excludes domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
STORMWATER
The surface runoff generated by precipitation reaching the ground surface.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Those subareas in which some type of detention is required to meet the plan requirements and the goals of Act 167.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition, design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater runoff quality, rate or quantity. Typical stormwater management facilities include but are not limited to detention and retention basins, open channels, storm sewers, pipes, and infiltration structures.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The plan for managing those land use activities that will influence stormwater runoff quality and quantity and that would impact the Tributaries to the Schuylkill River in Berks County, adopted by Berks County as required by the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864, (Act 167), and known as the "The Tributaries to the Schuylkill River in Berks County Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan."
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN
The plan prepared by the applicant or his representative indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the particular site of interest according to this chapter.
STREAM
A natural watercourse.
STREAM BUFFER
The land area adjacent to each side of a stream, essential to maintaining water quality. (See "buffer.")
STREAM ENCLOSURE
A bridge, culvert or other structure in excess of 100 feet in length, upstream to downstream, which encloses a regulated water of this commonwealth.
SUBAREA (SUBWATERSHED)
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater management criteria have been established in the stormwater management plan.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership, or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
SURFACE WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
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 water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface water runoff.
TIMBER OPERATIONS
See "forest management."
TIME-OF-CONCENTRATION (Tc)
The time for surface runoff to travel from the hydraulically most distant point of the watershed to a point of interest within the watershed. This time is the combined total of overland flow time and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
TOP-OF-BANK
The highest point of elevation in a stream channel cross section at which a rising water level just begins to flow out of the channel and over the floodplain.
VERNAL POND
Seasonal depressional wetlands that are covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring but may be completely dry for most of the summer and fall.
WATERCOURSE
A channel or conveyance of surface water having a defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow.
WATER OBSTRUCTION
A dike, bridge, culvert, wall, wing wall, fill, pier, wharf, embankment, abutment or other structure located in, along or across or projecting into a watercourse, floodway or body of water. In the case of ponds, lakes and reservoirs, a water obstruction is considered to be in or along the body of water if, at normal pool elevation, the water obstruction is either in the water or adjacent to and abutting the water's edge (See 25 Pa. Code, Chapter 105).
WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
As defined under state regulations, protection of designated and existing uses (See 25 Pa. Code, Chapters 93 and 96).
A.ย 
Each stream segment in Pennsylvania has a designated use, such as "cold water fishery" or "potable water supply," which are listed in Chapter 93. These uses must be protected and maintained under state regulations.
B.ย 
"Existing uses" are those attained as of November 1975, regardless of whether they have been designated in Chapter 93. Land development must be designed to protect and maintain existing uses and maintain the level of water quality necessary to protect those uses in all streams and to protect and maintain water quality in special-protection streams.
C.ย 
Water quality involves the chemical, biological and physical characteristics of surface water bodies. After land development, these characteristics can be impacted by addition of pollutants such as sediment and changes in habitat through increased flow volumes and/or rates. Therefore, discharges to surface waters must be designed and managed to protect the stream bank, streambed and structural integrity of the waterway, to prevent these impacts.
WATERSHED
A region or area drained by a river, watercourse or other body of water, whether natural or artificial.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
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.
WELLHEAD
A.ย 
A structure built over a well.
B.ย 
The source of water for a well.
WELLHEAD PROTECTION AREA
The surface and subsurface area surrounding a water supply well, well field, spring or infiltration gallery supplying a public water system, through which contaminants are reasonably likely to move toward and reach the water source.
WET BASIN
A pond for urban runoff management that is designed to detain urban runoff and always contains water.
WETLAND
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater 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, fens, and similar areas.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. ยงย 10101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. ยงย 691.1 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. ยงย 691.1 et seq.