For purposes of this Part 1, the following terms shall be given
the following meanings:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of man's activity and the natural processes of 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 Part 1,
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 person, entity, land owner and/or developer who has filed
an application for approval to engage in any regulated activities
as defined in this Part 1.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS
The Township-approved plans as 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.
AS-BUILT SURVEY
A plan of the stormwater management improvements as constructed
on a lot or right-of-way. Said survey must be prepared by a Pennsylvania
registered land surveyor.
BANKFULL
The channel at the top-of-bank or point where water begins
to overflow onto a floodplain.
BASE FLOW
The portion of stream flow that is sustained by groundwater
discharge.
BIORETENTION
A stormwater retention area which utilizes woody and herbaceous
plants and soils to remove pollutants before infiltration occurs.
BMP (best management practice)
Stormwater structures, facilities and techniques to control,
maintain or improve the quantity and quality of surface runoff and
groundwater recharge.
BUFFER
The area of land immediately adjacent to any wetland, lake,
pond, or stream, measured perpendicular to and horizontally from the
delineated edge of the wetland, lake, pond, or the top-of-bank on
both sides of a stream.
CHANNEL EROSION
The widening, deepening, and headward cutting of small channels
and waterways caused by stormwater runoff or bankfull flows.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CONSUMPTIVE WATER USE
That part of water removed from the immediate water environment
not available for other purposes such as water supply, maintenance
of stream flows, water quality, fisheries and recreation, as opposed
to water that is used nonconsumptively, which is returned to surface
water, where practicable, and groundwater.
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.
DESIGNEE
The agent of the Township of Tobyhanna involved with the
administration, review or enforcement of any provisions of this Part
1. An agent may be of Monroe County Planning Commission, Monroe County
Conservation District if by contract or memorandum of understanding
with the Township of Tobyhanna.
DESIGN PROFESSIONAL (QUALIFIED)
A Pennsylvania registered professional engineer, registered
landscape architect or a registered professional land surveyor trained
and experienced in the design of stormwater management plans.
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 structure designed to manage stormwater runoff
by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate.
DETENTION DISTRICT
Those subareas in which some type of detention is required
to meet the plan requirements and the goals of Act 167.
DEVELOPER
A person or persons, partnership, association, corporation
or other entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof,
that undertakes the activities covered by this Part 1.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed.
DIFFUSED DRAINAGE DISCHARGE
Drainage discharge not confined to a single point location
or channel, such as sheet flow or shallow concentrated flow.
DISTURBED AREAS
Land area where an earth disturbance activity is occurring
or has occurred.
DIVERSION
To collect and divert runoff away from an earth disturbance
area.
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 grantor to a grantee, allowing the use
of private land for stormwater management purposes.
DRAINAGE PERMIT
A permit issued by the municipality 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 §
124-19.
EARTH DISTURBANCE
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 (e.g., a depression in the embankment of
a pond or basin) that is used to safely convey peak discharge greater
than the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
The principal outfall structure may not serve as an emergency spillway.
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 movement of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice, or other natural forces.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A site-specific plan identifying BMPs to minimize accelerated
erosion and sedimentation. For agricultural plowing or tilling activities,
the erosion and sediment control plan is that portion of a conservation
plan identifying BMPs to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
ERSAM (Existing Resource and Site Analysis Map)
A map showing environmentally sensitive areas, including, but not limited to, steep slopes, ponds, lakes, streams, wetlands, hydric soils, floodplains, buffer areas, hydrologic soil groups A and B (areas conducive to infiltration), any existing recharge areas, compliance with the map preparation criteria denoted in §
124-19B and any other plan preparation criteria outlined in the municipal Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance as may be required by the municipality.
EXCEPTIONAL-VALUE WATERS
A surface water that meets one or more of the conditions as defined by the Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter
93, Water Quality Standards, Section 93.4b(b).
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.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FLOOD
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.
FLOODPLAIN
The lands adjoining a river or stream that have been or may
be expected to be inundated by floodwaters in the one-hundred-year-frequency
flood.
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 the bank of the
stream.
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forestland
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 slope, usually of a road, channel or natural ground, specified
in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
GRADE, TO
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.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Those chemicals or substances that are physical hazards or
health hazards as defined and classified in the International Fire
Code and the International Building Code, whether the materials are
in usable or waste condition.
HEC-HMS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering
Center (HEC) - Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS) computer program.
HIGH-QUALITY WATERS
A surface water that meets one or more of the conditions as defined by the Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter
93, Water Quality Standards, Section 93.4b(a), as amended.
HYDROLOGIC REGIME (NATURAL)
In general terms, 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 percolation of water into the
ground such as rooftops, pavement, sidewalks, driveways, gravel drives,
roads and parking, and compacted fill, earth or turf to be used as
such.
IMPOUNDMENT
A retention basin 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 soil, where it is absorbed
by plant roots, evaporated into the atmosphere, or percolates downward
to recharge groundwater.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
A structure designed to direct runoff into the underground
water (e.g., french drains, seepage pits, seepage trench).
INLET
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.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
A.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts,
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1)
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)
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.
C.
Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.
LIMITING ZONE
A soil horizon or condition in the soil profile or underlying
strata which includes one of the following:
A.
A seasonal high water table, whether perched or regional, determined
by direct observation of the water table or indicated by soil mottling.
B.
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.
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 Brodhead/McMichaels 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.
MUNICIPALITY
Township of Tobyhanna, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
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.
NONSTRUCTURAL 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.
NRCS
Natural Resource Conservation Service (previously SCS).
OPEN CHANNEL
A drainage element in which stormwater flows within 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 where water flows from a conduit, stream, or drain.
OUTLET
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater
or artificial drain.
PARENT TRACT
The parcel of land from which a land development or subdivision
originates existing as of the date of municipal adoption of the original
Brodhead or McMichaels Creek Ordinance.
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.
PENN STATE RUNOFF MODEL (CALIBRATED)
The computer-based hydrologic modeling technique adapted
to the Brodhead/McMichaels Watershed for the Act 167 plan. The model
has been "calibrated" to reflect actual recorded flow values by adjoining
key model input parameters.
PIPE
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
An area of land, controlled by a landowner, to be developed
as a single entity for a number of dwelling units, or a combination
of residential and nonresidential uses, the development plan for which
may not correspond in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling or use, density,
or intensity, lot coverage and required open space to the regulations
established in any one district created, from time to time, under
the provisions of the municipality's ordinances.
PMF (probable maximum flood)
The flood that may be expected from the most severe combination
of critical meteorologic and hydrologic conditions that are reasonably
possible in an area. The PMF is derived from the probable maximum
precipitation (PMP) as determined on the basis of data obtained from
the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE
An alternative that is available and capable of being done
after taking into consideration cost, existing technology and logistics
in light of overall project purposes.
PRETREATMENT
Techniques employed in structural and nonstructural stormwater
BMPs to provide storage or filtering to help trap coarse materials
and other pollutants before they enter the system.
RECHARGE AREA
Undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects,
and a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the underground
and groundwater.
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
Any construction, alteration, or improvement exceeding 5,000
square feet of impervious surface on sites where existing land use
is commercial, industrial, institutional, or residential.
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
Actions or proposed actions that have an impact on stormwater
runoff quality and quantity and that are specified in this Part 1.
RELEASE RATE
The percentage of the pre-development peak rate of runoff
for a development site to which the post-development peak rate of
runoff must be controlled to protect downstream areas.
RETENTION BASIN
An impoundment in which stormwater is stored and not released
during the storm event. Stored water may be released at a controlled
rate from the basin at some time after the end of the storm.
RETURN PERIOD
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event
of a given magnitude can be expected to recur.
RISER
A vertical pipe that is typically extended from the bottom
of a detention basin and is used to control the discharge rate from
the pond for a specified design storm.
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
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, retention or detention basin located and
designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported
by water during construction.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by the movement of water or air.
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
The placement, discharge or any other introduction of sediment
into the waters of the commonwealth.
SEEPAGE PIT/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.
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).
SPILLWAY
A conveyance that is used to pass the peak discharge of the
maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
STORAGE INDICATION METHOD
A reservoir routing procedure based on 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 or other conduits 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 FACILITY
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition,
design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff quality and 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 Brodhead/McMichaels Watershed as required by the Act of October
4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167), as amended.
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 Part 1.
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.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
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.
WATERCOURSE
A channel or conveyance of surface water having defined bed
and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent
flow.
WATERSHED
The entire region or area drained by a river or other body
of water, whether natural or artificial.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches,
watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds,
springs, and 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
The point at which a groundwater well bore hole meets the
surface of the ground.
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.
WETLAND
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, and similar areas.