[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Queensbury 2-23-2009 by L.L. No. 2-2009. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for
the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the Town
of Queensbury through the regulation of nonstormwater discharges to
the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) to the maximum extent
practicable as required by federal and state law. This chapter 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 chapter
are to:
A.
Meet the requirements of the SPDES General Permit
for Stormwater Discharges from MS4s, Permit No. GP-02-02, as amended
or revised;
B.
Regulate the contribution of pollutants to the MS4
since such systems are not designed to accept, process or discharge
nonstormwater wastes;
C.
Prohibit illicit connections, activities and discharges
to the MS4;
D.
Establish legal authority to carry out all inspection,
surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary to ensure compliance
with this chapter; and
E.
Promote public awareness of the hazards involved in
the improper discharge of trash, yard waste, local lawn chemicals,
pet waste, wastewater, grease, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products,
paint products, hazardous waste, sediment and other pollutants into
the MS4.
Whenever used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is stated in a definition applicable to only a portion of this chapter; and/or the definition of the same term under Chapter 179 of the Town Code when applied under this Chapter 146 would be more restrictive of nonstormwater discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), in which case the definition from Chapter 179 shall apply here:
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.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251
et seq.), and any subsequent amendments thereto.
Activities requiring authorization under the SPDES Permit
for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity, GP-02-01, as
amended or revised. These activities include construction projects
resulting in land disturbance of one or more acres. Such activities
include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating,
and demolition.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
New York State licensed professional engineer or licensed
architect.
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.
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface,
which allows an illegal discharge to enter the MS4, including but
not limited to:
Any conveyances which 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
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.
Any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the MS4, except as exempted in § 146-6 of this chapter.
A facility 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.
Activities requiring the SPDES Permit for Discharges from
Industrial Activities Except Construction, GP-98-03, as amended or
revised.
Municipal separate storm sewer system.
The Town of Queensbury, sometimes also referred to as the
"Town."
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains):
Any discharge to the MS4 that is not composed entirely of
stormwater.
Any individual, association, organization, partnership, firm,
corporation or other entity recognized by law and acting as either
the owner or as the owner's agent.
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 and industrial, municipal,
agricultural waste and ballast discharged into water which may cause
or might reasonably be expected to cause pollution of the waters of
the state in contravention of the standards.
Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land, whether
improved or unimproved, including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.
Discharge compliance with water quality standards.
The condition that applies where a municipality has been notified
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.
303(d) listed waters. 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.
Total maximum daily load (TMDL) strategy. The
condition in the municipality's MS4 permit where a TMDL including
requirements for control of stormwater discharges has been approved
by 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.
The condition in the municipality's MS4 permit
that applies if a TMDL is approved in the future by 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.
A permit issued by the Department that authorizes the discharge
of pollutants to waters of the state.
Rainwater, surface runoff, snowmelt and drainage.
Town employee(s) or other public official(s) designated by the Town Board to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The SMO(s) may also be designated by the Town Board to administer and enforce Chapter 147, or the Town Board may designate one or more other SMOs for that purpose.
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 Department
as required by Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. 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.
The maximum amount of a pollutant to be allowed to be released
into a water body so as not to impair uses of the water, allocated
among the sources of that pollutant.
Water that is not stormwater, is contaminated with pollutants
and is or will be discarded.
This chapter shall apply to all water entering
the MS4 generated on any developed and undeveloped lands, unless explicitly
exempted by an authorized enforcement agency.
The Stormwater Management Officer(s) [SMO(s)]
shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Such powers granted or duties imposed upon the authorized enforcement
official may be delegated in writing by the SMO as may be authorized
by the municipality.
The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared
to be severable. If any provision, clause, sentence, or paragraph
of this chapter 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 chapter.
A.
Prohibition of illegal discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 any materials other than stormwater except as provided in § 146-6A(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 chapter, unless the Department or
the municipality has determined them to be substantial contributors
of pollutants: waterline flushing or other potable water sources,
landscape irrigation or lawn watering, existing diverted stream flows,
rising groundwater, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration to storm
drains, uncontaminated 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 swimming pool discharges,
residential street wash water, water from fire-fighting activities,
and any other water source not containing pollutants. Such exempt
discharges shall be made in accordance with an appropriate plan for
reducing pollutants.
(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 chapter.
(3)
Dye testing in compliance with applicable state and
local laws is an allowable discharge, but requires a verbal notification
to the SMO prior to the time of the test.
(4)
The prohibition shall not apply to any discharge permitted
under a SPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the
discharger and administered under the authority of the Department,
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.
B.
Prohibition of illicit connections.
(1)
The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence
of 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.
(3)
A person is considered to be in violation of this
chapter if the person connects a line conveying sewage to the municipality's
MS4, or allows such a connection to continue.
No person shall operate a failing individual
sewage treatment system in areas tributary to the municipality's MS4.
A failing individual sewage treatment system is one which 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.
A.
Activities that are subject to the requirements of
this section are those types of activities that
B.
Such activities include failing individual sewage treatment systems as defined in § 146-2, 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 § 146-2 or activities contaminating stormwater as defined in § 146-8, 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.
(2)
Any person responsible for a property or premises which is or may be the source of an illicit discharge as defined in § 146-2, or an activity contaminating stormwater as defined in § 146-8, 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.
(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 compliance
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 § 146-2 of this chapter, 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, laundry wastes, and household chemicals.
(d)
Avoid 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, to
the maximum extent practicable.
(b)
A design professional licensed to practice in
New York State shall prepare design plans for any type of absorption
field that involves:
(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.
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 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 of 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.
B.
Suspension due to the detection of illicit discharge.
Any person discharging to the municipality's MS4 in violation of this
chapter may have his or her MS4 access terminated if such termination
would abate or reduce an illicit discharge. The SMO will notify a
violator in writing of the proposed termination of its MS4 access
and the reasons therefor. The violator 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 discharger 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 an offense if the person reinstates
MS4 access to premises 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 may be required
in a form acceptable to the municipality prior to the allowing of
discharges to the MS4.
A.
Applicability. This section applies to all facilities
that the SMO must inspect to enforce any provision of this chapter,
or whenever the authorized enforcement agency has cause to believe
that there exists, or potentially exists, in or upon any premises
any condition which constitutes a violation of this chapter.
B.
Access to facilities.
(1)
The SMO shall be permitted to enter and inspect facilities
subject to regulation under this chapter as often as may be necessary
to determine compliance with this chapter. If a discharger has security
measures in force which require proper identification and clearance
before entry into its premises, the discharger shall make the necessary
arrangements to allow access to the SMO.
(2)
Facility operators shall allow the SMO ready access
to all parts of the premises for the purposes of inspection, sampling,
examination and copying of records as may be required to implement
this chapter.
(3)
The municipality shall have the right to set up on
any facility subject to this chapter such devices as are necessary
in the opinion of the SMO to conduct monitoring and/or sampling of
the facility's stormwater discharge.
(4)
The municipality has the right to require the facilities
subject to this chapter to install monitoring equipment as is reasonably
necessary to determine compliance with this chapter. The facility's
sampling and monitoring equipment shall be maintained at all times
in a safe and proper operating condition by the discharger at its
own expense. All devices used to measure stormwater flow and quality
shall be calibrated to ensure their accuracy.
(5)
Unreasonable delays in allowing the municipality access
to a facility subject to this chapter is a violation of this chapter.
A person who is the operator of a facility subject to this chapter
commits an offense if the person denies the municipality reasonable
access to the facility for the purpose of conducting any activity
authorized or required by this chapter.
(6)
If the SMO has been refused access to any part of
the premises from which stormwater is discharged, and he/she is able
to demonstrate probable cause to believe that there may be a violation
of this chapter, 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 chapter 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 facility or operation, or responsible
for emergency response for a facility or operation, has information
of any known or suspected release of materials which 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 of the occurrence via emergency
dispatch services. In the event of a release of nonhazardous materials,
said person shall notify the municipality 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. When the municipality's SMO finds
that a person has violated a prohibition or failed to meet a requirement
of this chapter, he/she may order compliance by written notice of
violation to the responsible person. Such notice may require without
limitation:
(1)
The elimination of illicit connections or discharges;
(2)
That violating discharges, practices, or operations
shall cease and desist;
(3)
The abatement or remediation of stormwater pollution
or contamination hazards and the restoration of any affected property;
(4)
The performance of monitoring, analyses, and reporting;
(5)
Payment of a fine; and
(6)
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.
B.
Penalties. In addition to or as an alternative to
any penalty provided herein or by law, any person who violates the
provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation punishable
by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed
six months, 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 $350 nor more than
$700 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, 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 $700 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period
not to exceed six months, or both. However, for the purposes of conferring
jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers generally, violations
of this chapter shall be deemed misdemeanors and for such purpose
only all provisions of law relating to misdemeanors shall apply to
such violations. Each week's continued violation shall constitute
a separate additional violation.
Any person receiving a notice of violation may
appeal the determination of the SMO to the Town Board 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
shall file its decision in the office of the Municipal Clerk and mail
a copy of its decision by certified mail to the discharger.
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
shall request the owner's permission for access to the subject private
property to take any and all measures reasonably necessary to abate
the violation and/or restore the property.
B.
If refused access to the subject private property,
the SMO may seek a warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction to
be authorized to enter upon the property to determine whether a violation
has occurred. Upon determination that a violation has occurred, the
SMO may seek a court order 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 discharger.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate
any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this
chapter. If a person has violated or continues to violate the provisions
of this chapter, the SMO may petition for a preliminary or permanent
injunction restraining the person from activities which 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 chapter,
he/she may be eligible for alternative remedies in lieu of a civil
penalty, upon recommendation of the Municipal Attorney and concurrence
of the Municipal Code Enforcement Officer, where:
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 chapter 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 chapter 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.
