[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Benton as Title 10, Ch. 8, of the Benton Code of Ordinances. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 130.
Floodplain regulations — See Ch. 187.
Floodplain zoning — See Ch. 356.
Land division — See Ch. 371.
Shoreland-wetland zoning — See Ch. 385.
Zoning — See Ch. 390.
This chapter is adopted under the authority granted by §§ 61.34(1), 61.35, 61.354, 62.23 and 236.45, Wis. Stats.
The Village of Benton finds that land uses have significantly contributed to the process of soil erosion, runoff, and sediment deposit in waters located within or near the Village of Benton. It is, therefore, declared to be the purpose of this chapter to control, and where possible, prevent soil erosion and minimize water runoff increases and, thereby, to preserve the natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, protect the quality of public waters and wetlands, prevent property damage, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base, and protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of the Village of Benton. This chapter is in accordance and consistent with Chapter 390, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of Benton.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of the citizens of the Village of Benton, and to conserve the soil, water, and related resources through the control of erosion, sedimentation and water runoff. This chapter is applicable to all building and land disturbing sites.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with any existing easements, covenants, deed restrictions, agreements, rules, regulations, ordinances, or permits previously adopted or issued pursuant to law. However, wherever this chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other power granted by the Wisconsin Statutes. Where any terms or requirements of this chapter may be inconsistent or conflicting, the more restrictive requirement or interpretation shall control.
This chapter shall become effective 45 days after date of publication (July 16, 1992). After that date, all land-disturbing activities shall be in compliance with all provisions of this chapter.
The following terms, wherever they appear in this chapter, are defined as follows:
AGRICULTURAL LAND USE
Alterations or disturbances of land for the commercial production of food and fiber, including, but not limited to, general farming, livestock and poultry enterprises, grazing, nurseries, horticulture, viticulture, truck farming, sod production, cranberry production and wild crop harvesting, and including land used for on-site structures necessary for carrying out such activities. Commercial forestry activities are not included within agricultural land uses for purposes of this chapter.
BASIN
The total area drained by the Coon Branch Creek or the total area drained by any of its tributaries, exclusive of any other drainage area.
COMMERCIAL
For the retail or wholesale sale of goods or services.
CONTROL PLAN
A written description of the control measures (including the number, locations, sizes and other pertinent information) designed to meet the requirements of the chapter.
CORPORATE LIMITS
The boundary and extent of area under the jurisdiction of a municipal corporation. The corporate limits are extended or reduced by annexation and detachment, respectively.
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil, sediment or rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which organic matter, earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed, and including the conditions resulting therefrom.
EXISTING GRADE
The vertical location of the existing ground surface prior to excavation or filling.
FILL
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is deposited, placed, replaced, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved by man or woman to a new location and including the conditions resulting therefrom.
FORESTRY
The planting, management or harvesting of timber.
GRADING
Altering the elevation of the land surface by stripping, excavating, filling, stockpiling of soil materials or any combination thereof, and including the land from which the material was taken or upon which it was placed.
GOVERNING BODY
The Village Board of the Village of Benton.
LAND-DEVELOPING ACTIVITY
The construction or installation of any buildings, roads, parking lots, paved storage areas, utility lines or similar facilities.
LAND-DISTURBING ACTIVITIES
Any man-made change to the land surface which may result in soil erosion, sedimentation or increase in water runoff, including, but not limited to, tilling, removal of vegetative cover, stockpiling of soil, grading, excavating, livestock grazing and filling of land.
LANDOWNER
Any person holding title to or having an ownership interest in land.
LAND TREATMENT MEASURES
Structural or vegetative practices (including fencing) used to control erosion, sediment and water runoff.
LAND USER
Any person who uses land collectively or individually as owner, operator, lessor or renter, or who occupies land by providing work or service that requires alteration of the land, or any person who has made other arrangements with a landowner which gives them the responsibility for use of the land.
MAJOR LAND-DISTURBING ACTIVITIES
Those activities where the land disturbance covers one or more acres, where a subdivision (as defined by Ch. 236, Wis. Stats.) is created, or where the Village, or its agent, determines that special circumstances due to topography, proximity to watercourses or relation to sensitive environmental areas make the disturbance a major one.
MINOR LAND-DISTURBING ACTIVITIES
Those activities where the land disturbance covers less than one acre and the activities do not otherwise fall within the definition of major land-disturbing activities.
PARCEL
All contiguous lands under the ownership or control of a land occupier or land user.
PEAK FLOW
The maximum rate of flow of water at a given point in a channel, watercourse, or conduit resulting from a predetermined storm or flood.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, agency, unincorporated association, municipal corporation, county, or state agency within Wisconsin, the federal government, or any combination thereof.
PUBLIC LANDS
All lands owned or controlled by any unit of government.
RUNOFF
Includes, but is not limited to, ice or water flowing over the ground surface.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, mineral or organic, that is in suspension, is being transported to or has been moved from a site by air, water, gravity or ice and has come to rest or has been deposited on the earth's surface at another location.
SEDIMENTATION
The transportation and deposition of sediment that may ultimately degrade water quality by the presence of suspended solid particles, derived from soils by erosion or discharged into surface waters from other sources; or the deposition of waterborne sediments in stream channels, lakes, reservoirs, or on floodplains, usually resulting from a decrease in the velocity of the water flow.
SITE
The entire area included in the legal description of the land on which the land-disturbing or land-development activity is proposed in the permit application.
SOIL LOSS
Soil removed from a given site by land-disturbing activities or by the forces of erosion and redeposited at another site.
STABILIZED
All disturbed ground, soil or dirt storage piles that have been contained on site by filter barriers, fences, straw bales or other control measures.
STORM FREQUENCY
The average period of time during which a storm of a given duration and intensity can be expected to be equaled or exceeded.
STORM SEWER
A closed conduit for conducting collected stormwater.
STORMWATER RUNOFF
The waters derived from rains falling within a tributary drainage basin, flowing over the ground surface or collected in a water drainage system.
STRUCTURAL MEASURES
Land treatments intended to prevent erosion, sediment or runoff that include, but are not limited to: gully control structures, grass waterways, riprap, detention basins or ponds, sediment basins or ponds, flood retention dams, diversions, and lining channels with rock, concrete or other materials. Contour strip-cropping is not considered a structural measure under this chapter.
SUBBASIN
A subdivision of a basin, all of which drains to a single identifiable location.
VILLAGE
The Village of Benton.
VILLAGE AGENT
The person or a representative hired, appointed or retained by the Village Board to routinely provide public works services, building inspection or engineering services for the Village.
WATER DRAINAGE FACILITY
Any element in a water drainage system which is made or improved by man or woman.
WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM
All facilities used for conducting runoff to, through or from a drainage area to the point of final outlet, including, but not limited to, any of the following: conduits and appurtenant features, canals, channels, ditches, streams, culverts, reservoirs, detention basins or ponds, storm sewers, streets, and pumping stations.
WORKING DAY
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, excluding, however, any such day officially observed by the Village as a legal holiday.
A. 
Within the Village. Unless specifically excluded herein, this chapter applies to all land-disturbing and land-developing activities occurring within the corporate limits of the Village.
B. 
Within the extraterritorial area. This chapter shall apply outside the Village limits within the extraterritorial plat review area provided by Ch. 236, Wis. Stats., but only to those land-disturbing activities relating to, arising from, or connected with a subdivision as defined in § 236.02(12), Wis. Stats.
C. 
Exclusions. The following activities are generally excluded from coverage under this chapter:
(1) 
State-funded or conducted activities that are subject to the State Site Erosion Control and Stormwater Runoff Plan;
(2) 
Agricultural land uses as defined in this chapter, and quarries, except where the Village agent determines that erosion or runoff from such agricultural or quarry uses is likely to occur which will threaten watercourses or other environmentally sensitive areas unless control measures are taken;
(3) 
Small land-disturbing activities such as gardens, minor landscaping modifications, and minor repair of sidewalks, paths or driveways, except where the Village, or its agent, determines that erosion or runoff is likely to occur which will threaten watercourses or other environmentally sensitive areas unless control measures are taken.
D. 
Construction sites regulated under the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code ("UDC"); once a UDC building permit has been pulled, the Village of Benton shall regulate these sites according to § SPS 321.125, Wis. Adm. Code. Prior to receiving the UDC permit, such sites shall be regulated by this chapter.
Unless otherwise specified herein, all control measures required to comply with this chapter shall meet the design criteria, standards and specification for the control measures based on accepted design criteria, standards and specifications periodically established by the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or otherwise identified as acceptable by the Village agent. Where design criteria, standards or specifications conflict, the most restrictive provisions shall apply. In certain cases, the design criteria, standards, specifications and control measures may be modified by the Village Board as provided in § 350-14.
All control measures necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter shall be maintained by the landowner and/or land user, and/or permittee in a manner consistent with this chapter to ensure adequate performance and to prevent nuisance conditions during the period of land disturbance and land development or for such longer period of time as specified in the permit. If the Village accepts a public dedication of a control measure, then the Village will physically maintain the measure unless otherwise agreed in writing. The method of payment of any or all of the maintenance costs may be determined by the Village Board, as appropriate.
The erosion and runoff controls specified below apply to the following sites of land-development or land-disturbing activities:
A. 
Those sites requiring certified survey map approval or subdivision or land division plat approval under Chapter 371, Land Division, of the Code of the Village of Benton;
B. 
Those sites involving the construction of buildings or other improvements on lots of approved certified surveys, land division plats or subdivision plats;
C. 
Those sites involving grading, the removal of protective ground cover or vegetation, excavation, land-filling or other land-disturbing activity affecting a land surface area in excess of 4,000 square feet or involving a slope of greater than 12%, except for agricultural activities;
D. 
Those sites involving excavation or filling, or combination of excavation and filling, involving 400 cubic yards or more of dirt, sand or other excavation or fill material;
E. 
Those sites involving any street, highway, road, or bridge construction, enlargement, relocation or reconstruction;
F. 
Those sites involving the inspecting, laying, repairing, replacing or enlarging of an underground pipe, cable or other facility for a distance of 300 feet or more;
G. 
Those sites involving the changing, enlargement, dredging or other alteration to any watercourse;
H. 
Those other situations where the Village or its agent determines that erosion or runoff is likely to occur unless control measures are taken.
A. 
Minimum standards. At a minimum, the erosion and runoff control standards listed below must be met on all sites described in § 350-11, Applicability. Additional or more stringent control standards may be required in those situations where the Village, or its agent, determines that special circumstances due to topography, proximity to watercourses or environmentally sensitive areas justify additional or more stringent controls. The permittee is responsible for obtaining compliance with the required standards. In cases where no permit has been issued, the landowner is responsible for obtaining compliance with the required standards.
B. 
Site dewatering. Water pumped from the site shall be treated by temporary sedimentation basins or other equivalent control measures. Such sedimentation basins shall have a depth of at least three feet, be surrounded by a four-foot high snow fence or equivalent barrier, and have sufficient surface area to provide a surface settling rate of not more than 1,500 gallons per square foot per day at the highest dewatering pumping rate. Water may not be discharged in a manner that causes erosion of the site, a neighboring site, or the bed or banks of the receiving water.
C. 
Waste and material disposal. All waste and unused building materials (including garbage, debris, cleaning wastes, wastewater, toxic materials, or hazardous materials) shall be disposed of in accordance with the Code of the Village of Benton, and not allowed to be carried by runoff into a receiving channel or storm sewer system.
D. 
Tracking. Each site shall have a graveled entrance pad of sufficient width and length to prevent sediment from being tracked into public or private roadways. Sediment reaching a public or private road shall be immediately removed by street cleaning (not hydraulic flushing).
E. 
Channelized runoff. Channelized runoff from adjacent areas passing through the site shall be diverted around disturbed areas, if practical, as determined by the Village agent.
F. 
Sequenced activities. All activities on the site shall be conducted in such a sequence as to minimize the area of bare soil exposed at any one time and the amount of soil leaving the site.
G. 
Stabilize disturbed ground. All disturbed ground and soil or dirt storage piles shall be contained on the site by filter barriers or other suitable means. The containment measures shall be installed at a time established by the reviewing authority. The containment measures shall remain in place until the site is stabilized, as may be determined by the Village agent.
H. 
Rooftop drainage. All drainage from the rooftops of new construction shall be directed to pervious surfaces, unless proven to be unfeasible, in order to maximize infiltration.
I. 
Filter fences, straw bales on slopes. Filter fences, straw bales, or equivalent control measures shall be placed continuously along all sideslope and downslope sides of the slope where deemed appropriate by the reviewing authority. If a channel or area of concentrated runoff passes through the site, filter barriers shall be placed continuously along the channel edges to reduce sediment reaching the channel.
A. 
Additional compliance. In addition to the minimum control standards set forth in § 350-12 above, all sites involving land divisions, subdivisions or certified survey maps (where the land divisions, subdivisions or certified survey maps involve either five or more acres or create five or more lots or building sites), or all sites where five or more acres are disturbed at a time, shall meet the added control requirements listed below. The permittee and/or landowner and/or land user is responsible for obtaining compliance with the control requirements.
B. 
Drain inlet protection. Affected storm drain inlets shall be protected with a straw bale, filter fabric, or equivalent barrier meeting accepted design criteria, standards and specifications, as determined by the Village agent.
C. 
Sedimentation control measures. Where required by the Village agent, sedimentation basins or equivalent sediment control measures shall be constructed and maintained for the duration of the land-disturbing activity, or longer, if so provided in the permit. Sedimentation basins shall be constructed in accordance with accepted design standards, as approved by the Village agent. The total sedimentation basin surface area shall provide a surface settling rate of not more than 1,500 gallons per square foot per day for a five-year, twenty-four-hour storm from the entire drainage area which will discharge to the basin during development conditions. The calculation of the water runoff rate shall be determined by methods as periodically set forth in the current edition of United States Natural Resources Conservation Service Technical Release No. 55. Sedimentation basin depth shall be at least three feet and all sedimentation basins shall be surrounded by a four-foot high snow fence or equivalent barrier. The basin discharge rate shall also be sufficiently low, as determined by the Village agent, so as to not cause erosion along the discharge channel or the receiving water. The permittee shall periodically remove sediment from the basin so as to maintain a depth of at least three feet at all times. This control requirement also applies to any site, regardless of size, if a channel originates in the disturbed area.
D. 
Water runoff measures (on site and off site).
(1) 
All water runoff control measures shall require approval of the Village agent. Control measures may include, but are not limited to, infiltration basins, detention ponds, and swales. No water runoff control measure will be allowed that would result in a temporary pond with a depth greater than two feet, unless such a pond is fenced or caged and is located and/or landscaped so as not to detract from the attractiveness or value of any surrounding property.
(2) 
The Village may require or accept public dedication or water runoff control measures. When such dedication is required, or accepted, the dedicated land may also be suitable for parkland or recreational use. Once dedicated and accepted, the Village shall maintain the runoff control measures as necessary to adhere to this chapter and any other applicable laws or contracts. The potential costs of maintaining proposed runoff control measures will be among the criteria considered in both accepting or rejecting an entire erosion and runoff control plan, and in determining whether or not to require or accept dedication to the Village of any or all runoff control measures. In the event that the Village does not require dedication of any water runoff control measures, the continued maintenance and recovery of the costs for maintenance of such measures shall be assured through such means as deed restrictions, easements, assessments or a contract with the Village.
E. 
On-site measures.
(1) 
In addition to the general provisions stated above, the following standards apply to on-site water runoff control measures. On-site water runoff control measures shall be designed to prevent reduction in the value of any surrounding property. Factors that will be considered in preventing devaluation of surrounding property include, but are not limited to, location, landscaping, and safety. The peak rate of runoff leaving the site during or after disturbance of the land shall not exceed that of the pre- or undisturbed condition under the following four minimum standards:
(a) 
Based on a one-hundred-year, twenty-four-hour design storm in order to prevent increases in floodplain elevations;
(b) 
Based on a ten-year, twenty-four-hour design storm to prevent exceeding the capacity of storm sewers;
(c) 
Based on a two-year, twenty-four-hour design storm to help control streambank erosion;
(d) 
Location and design of runoff control measures shall take into consideration soil types, slopes, and existing groundwater conditions in the area, in order to avoid property damage due to increased elevations of groundwater or due to soil saturation.
(2) 
As a general rule, all on-site water runoff control measures shall be constructed prior to, or simultaneously with, the land-disturbing activities from which the water runoff is to be controlled. However, if the use of off-site control measures is under consideration, but the design and/or location of the possible off-site measures have not yet been determined by the Village, then the Village may allow the permittee to proceed with the land-disturbing activities prior to the construction of off-site runoff control measures, provided that the permittee preserves an area or areas on site deemed suitable by the Village agent for the construction of on-site water runoff control measures if that becomes necessary. The specifics of this preservation shall be set forth in the permit or approved plan.
F. 
Off-site measures. When the Village Board determines, based on a drainage study conducted and prepared by a qualified professional engineer, that off-site water runoff control measures best serve the interests of the public and the environment, then the Board may allow or require off-site water runoff control as a condition of approval of a land-disturbance permit. When off-site water runoff control is permitted or required as specified in the above subsection, prior to final approval by the Board, the permit applicant shall obtain written permission from any and all property owners who would experience increases in the amount of water runoff entering their land from a two-, ten-, or one-hundred-year, twenty-four-hour design storm or whose property is threatened by virtue of additional soil saturation. The Village Board will act on behalf of any and all affected public lands, public drainageways, storm sewers or other public waterways, will grant written permission for off-site runoff control only in those cases where the standards set forth in Subsections C and E above have been met. All off-site runoff control measures shall be constructed prior to, or simultaneously with, the land-disturbing activities from which the water runoff is to be controlled.
A. 
Where basin (or subbasin) study applies. The control standards set forth in §§ 350-12 and 350-13 above are intended to apply in typical situations and in those areas where no detailed basin or (subbasin) drainage study or erosion control and runoff plan has been approved by the Village Plan Commission and Board. When a site is included within an area for which a Village-approved study or plan exists, then the Village Board, at its discretion, may require that control standards set forth in the approved study or plan shall apply, in whole or in part, in lieu of the standards set forth in this section, whether more restrictive or less restrictive, provided that the study or plan sets forth detailed erosion control and runoff standards which, in the opinion of the Village agent, will afford protection equal or superior to those otherwise required by this chapter. All other provisions of this chapter shall continue to apply.
B. 
Where special circumstances exists. The control standards set forth above are intended to apply on a typical development site in the Benton area. When land-disturbing or land-development activity is proposed for a site with extraordinary features, then the Village may, at its discretion, require additional and/or more restrictive control standards and measures before any control plan is approved or permit is issued. Extraordinary sites include, but are not limited to, sites where land-disturbing or development activities are proposed to occur on slopes of more than 20%, in designated floodplain, wetland, or conservancy areas or in environmental corridor areas identified in the Village Master Plan.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, it shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to create, permit, establish, maintain or allow to be maintained any condition or activity that causes excessive runoff or erosion to adjacent land, public streets or water bodies. Penalties and remedies may be sought for such activities as provided in §§ 350-20, 350-21 and 350-22. Erosion and runoff is excessive when, in the opinion of the Village, or its agent, an unsafe condition results in the streets, sedimentation occurs in lakes and streams, environmentally sensitive lands are threatened, runoff endangers downstream property, or the public health, safety or general welfare of the citizens of the Village of Benton is otherwise threatened or harmed.
A. 
Activity by person other than the Village. No landowner or land user, other than the Village of Benton, may commence a land-disturbance or land-development activity subject to this chapter without receiving prior Village approval of a control plan and a permit as provided in §§ 350-17 to 350-19. At least one landowner or land user desiring to undertake a land-disturbing or land-developing activity subject to this chapter shall apply for a permit and submit a control plan along with such other information as may be requested by the Village Clerk-Treasurer, Village Board or Plan Commission, and pay an application fee to the Village Clerk-Treasurer. By applying for a permit, the applicant is authorizing the Village agent to enter the site to obtain information required for the review of the control plan and to inspect for compliance with the control plan.
B. 
Activity by Village of Benton. Before the Village of Benton, or its authorized agents or employees, commences any land-disturbance or land-development activity subject to this chapter, there shall be an approved control plan in place. No permit or fees are required for Village activity.
C. 
Emergency situations. Notwithstanding the above, a private landowner (with prior notification of the Village) or the Village may commence land-disturbing activity without an approved control plan where immediate action is necessary in order to respond to an existing or threatened emergency situation. When such emergency activity is undertaken, care will be taken to comply with the erosion and runoff control standards set forth in this chapter to the fullest extent practicable under the circumstances.
A. 
Major land-disturbing activities: content of the control plan. Major land-disturbing activities include those where the land disturbance involves one or more acres, or where a subdivision (as defined in Ch. 236, Wis. Stats.) is created, or where the Village agent determines that special circumstances due to topography, proximity to watercourses or relation to environmentally sensitive lands make the disturbance a major one. The control plan for a major land-disturbing activity shall include at least the following information:
(1) 
Existing site map. A map of existing site conditions on a scale of at least one inch equals 100 feet showing the site and immediately adjacent areas:
(a) 
Site boundaries and adjacent lands which accurately identify site location;
(b) 
Lakes, streams, wetlands, channels, ditches and other watercourses on and immediately adjacent to the site;
(c) 
One-hundred-year floodplains, flood fringes and floodways;
(d) 
Location or the predominant soil types;
(e) 
Vegetative cover;
(f) 
Location and dimensions of stormwater drainage systems and natural drainage patterns which may affect the site, continuing at least to the nearest perennial stream (small-scale map may be used if necessary);
(g) 
Locations and dimensions of utilities, structures, roads, highways and paving;
(h) 
Site topography at a contour interval not to exceed five feet.
(2) 
Plan of final site conditions. A plan of final site conditions on the same scale as the existing map showing the planned site changes.
(3) 
Site construction plan. A site plan including:
(a) 
Locations and dimensions of all proposed land-disturbing activities;
(b) 
Locations and dimensions of all site management control measures necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter;
(c) 
Schedule of anticipated starting and completion date of each land-disturbing or land-developing activity, including the installation of site control measures needed to meet the requirements of this chapter;
(d) 
Provisions for maintenance of the site control measures during and after land-disturbing activities.
(4) 
Additional information. Such other information as the Village agent deems necessary, including, but not limited to, supporting calculations for sizing site control measures.
(NOTE: Natural Resources Conservation Service guidelines to be following in this chapter are contained in Natural Resources Conservation Service Technical Release No. 55 and in United States Department of Agriculture publication, "Minimizing Erosion in Urbanizing Areas," Appendix A.)
B. 
Minor land-disturbing activities: content of control plan statement. Minor land-disturbing activities are all those activities other than those deemed to be major land-disturbing activities. For minor land-disturbing activities an erosion control plan (with simple map) shall be submitted to briefly describe the site and erosion controls (including the site development schedule) that will be used to meet the requirements of this chapter.
C. 
UDC compliance. Structures under the jurisdiction of the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) shall comply with any erosion control requirements therein.
A. 
Major land-disturbing activities. Control plans for major land-disturbing activities must be reviewed and approved by the Village agent before a permit can be granted. Within 30 days of receipt of a completed control plan, the Village agent shall determine if the requirements of this chapter are met and shall approve, reject or conditionally approve the control plan. If the plan is rejected or conditionally approved, the applicant shall be informed, in writing, of the reasons for rejection or conditions of approval.
B. 
Minor land-disturbing activities. Control plan statements for minor land-disturbing activities shall be reviewed by the Village agent for compliance with this chapter in accordance with the Erosion Control Checklist on file in the Village office and incorporated herein as Appendix A established by the Village agent and approved by the Village Board.[1] This compliance checklist is for use by the Village agent and applicant/permittee in connection with minor land-disturbing activities. The Village agent shall approve, reject or conditionally approve the plan within the same number of working days as required for issuance of a building permit, but in no event more than three working days after receipt of the completed control plan statement. If the control plan statement is rejected or conditionally approved, the applicant shall be informed, in writing, of the reasons for rejection or conditions of approval.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A, Erosion Control Checklist, is on file in the Village offices.
C. 
Major fees. Before any permit will be issued for a major land-disturbing activity, the applicant must pay the actual fees or expenses incurred by the Village in connection with review of the control plan and the fees or expenses estimated to be incurred for on-site inspection during the project. All fees shall be set by the Village by resolution. Where plat or certified survey map review fees are paid pursuant to Chapter 371, Land Division, of the Code of the Village of Benton for the same project covered by the proposed land-disturbing activity permit, then the application fee will be waived. Where the application fee is waived, the applicant must still pay engineering and inspection fees and expenses, however, such fees and expenses shall not be duplicative of any engineering or inspection fees paid in connection with plat or certified survey map approval.
D. 
Minor fees. The application fee for a minor land-disturbing activity permit shall be set by the Village by resolution. Where a building permit fee is paid in connection with the same activity, then no additional fee need be paid in order to obtain the necessary land-disturbing activity permit.
A. 
Duration. All land-disturbing activity permits, whether major or minor, shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. All work must be completed prior to expiration of the permit. If land-disturbing activity, minor or major, is to continue beyond the expiration of the permit, then reapplication and review pursuant to this chapter is required.
B. 
Major activity permit requirements. All major land-disturbing activity permits shall require the permittee to do at least the following:
(1) 
The applicant shall provide, prior to issuance of the permit, an irrevocable letter of credit, certificate of deposit or certified check to the Village in an amount equal to 125% of the estimated cost of all required control measures as determined by the Village agent. The security deposited shall guarantee that all required control measures will be taken or installed according to the approved plan. The security shall remain in full force until released by the Village Board, and only after an inspection by the Village agent assures that all required control measures have been completed. The Village shall have the right to draw upon the security for purposes of obtaining compliance with the approved control plan as it deems necessary. If the erosion and runoff control requirements of this chapter are included as part of the plat or certified survey map conditions of approval, then security for performance of the control requirements may be included as part of the overall security required for installation of improvements under Chapter 371, Land Division.
(2) 
Contact the Village Clerk-Treasurer upon completion of any control measures and at least two working days prior to commencing any land-disturbing activity.
(3) 
Obtain written permission from the Village agent prior to modifying the control plan. The Village agent is authorized to permit only those modifications that comply with the terms of this chapter.
(4) 
Install all control measures as identified in the approved control plan.
(5) 
Maintain all control measures as identified in the control plan.
(6) 
Repair any damage adjoining surfaces and drainageways resulting from any land-developing or land-disturbing activities on the permitted site.
(7) 
Inspect the control measures after each rain of 0.5 inch or more and at least once each week, and make needed repairs immediately.
(8) 
Allow the Village agent to enter the site for the purpose of inspecting for compliance with the control plan or for performing any work necessary to bring the site into compliance with the control plan.
(9) 
Keep a copy of the approved control plan on the site with the contractor or owner.
C. 
Minor activity permit requirements. All minor land-disturbing activity permits shall require the permittee to:
(1) 
Obtain permission, in writing, from the Village agent prior to modifying the control plan. The Village agent is authorized to permit only those modifications that comply with the terms of this chapter.
(2) 
Install all control measures as identified in the approved control plan.
(3) 
Maintain all control measures as identified in the control plan.
(4) 
Repair any damage to adjoining surfaces and drainageways resulting from any land-developing or land-disturbing activities on the permitted site.
(5) 
Inspect the control measures after each rain of 0.5 inch or more and at least once each week and make needed repairs immediately.
(6) 
Allow the Village agent to enter the site for the purpose of inspecting for compliance with the control plan or for performing any work necessary to bring the site into compliance with the control plan.
In the case of minor land-disturbing activities, the Village agent shall inspect sites in order to ensure compliance with the control plan and permit. The Village agent shall inspect all major land-disturbing activities in order to ensure compliance with the control plan and permit. If land-disturbing or land-development activities are being carried out without a valid permit, the Village agent may enter the land pursuant to the special inspection warrant provisions of § 66.0119, Wis. Stats.
No land-development or land-disturbing activities within the scope of this chapter may occur without full compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this chapter is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions below.
This chapter shall be enforced consistent with the policies and purposes underlying its adoption. The following enforcement actions, or any combination thereof, may be taken in case of a violation of this chapter:
A. 
Stop-work order.
(1) 
A stop-work order may be issued by the Village agent if:
(a) 
Any land-disturbing or land-developing activity regulated under this chapter is being undertaken without a permit;
(b) 
The control plan is not being implemented in a good faith manner; or
(c) 
The conditions of the permit are not being met.
(2) 
Stop-work orders may be retracted when compliance with this chapter is obtained. The Village agent has the authority to retract a stop-work order for major land-disturbing activities; the Village agent, and his or her designees, may retract stop-work orders on minor land-disturbing activities.
B. 
Revocation of permit. Where a stop-work order has been issued in order to obtain compliance with a control plan, the Village may revoke the permit if the permittee does not cease the illegal activity or obtain compliance with the control plan or permit conditions within 24 hours from issuance of the stop-work order. Permits for major land-disturbing activities may be revoked by the Village agent; permits for minor land-disturbing activities may be revoked by the Village agent.
C. 
Village to perform work.
(1) 
Twenty-four hours after posting a stop-work order, the Village may issue a notice of intent to the permittee or landowner or land user of the Village's intent to perform work necessary to comply with this chapter. Upon receipt of permission of the landowner or pursuant to court order, the Village agent and/or other designated Village officials or agents, may go on the land and commence the work.
(2) 
When a violation of this chapter or of the conditions of a permit cause sediment to deposit on any Village street or public property, the Village agent and/or other designated Village officials or agents may proceed to remove and/or clean such sediment.
(3) 
The cost of the work performed by the Village pursuant to Subsection C(1) or (2) above, plus interest, shall be billed to the permittee or the landowner on whose property the work under Subsection C(1) was performed, or from whose activities or property the sediment originated for work under Subsection C(2), or may be recovered out of any security posted for such purpose. In the event a permittee or landowner otherwise fails to pay the amount due, the Village Clerk-Treasurer shall enter the amount due on the tax rolls and collect as a special assessment against the property pursuant to § 66.0703, Wis. Stats.
D. 
Injunction and other judicial remedies. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter may also be obtained by the Village Board authorizing the Village Attorney to commence appropriate action to enjoin violations, compel compliance, or pursue other appropriate judicial relief.
E. 
Private remedies preserved. These enforcement provisions are not intended in any way to restrict or limit the rights of private parties to pursue whatever private legal remedies they may have available as a result of any erosion, sediment or water runoff.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to forfeitures as follows: for major land-disturbing activities, not less than $200 nor more than $2,000, plus the actual cost of prosecution for each offense; for minor land-disturbing activities, not less than $50 nor more than $500, plus the actual cost of prosecution for each offense. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Citations for any violation of any provision of this chapter may additionally be issued by the Village agent, and such citations shall be in conformance with the provisions of § 29-3, Forms of citations, of the Code of the Village of Benton. Without limitation by enumeration, a violation of this chapter is occurring if any of the following conditions exists:
A. 
Any land-disturbing or land-developing activity regulated under this chapter is being undertaken without a permit;
B. 
The control plan is not being implemented in a good faith manner;
C. 
The conditions of the permit are not being met; or
D. 
Any condition or activity that causes excessive runoff or erosion to adjacent land, public streets, or water bodies is occurring or being allowed to occur in violation of § 350-15.
A. 
By applicant or permittee. Any aggrieved applicant, permittee or land user may appeal any order, decision, determination or inaction of the Village in administering or enforcing this chapter, or may apply for a variance from the requirements of this chapter. A fee set by the Village by resolution must accompany any appeal or variance request involving a minor land-disturbing activity. A fee set by the Village by resolution must accompany any appeal or variance request involving a major land-disturbing activity. Appeal or variance requests must be submitted in writing, state the grounds for the appeal or variance request, and be filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
B. 
Appeal by citizens. An appeal of any order, decision, determination or inaction of the Village in administering or enforcing this chapter may be commenced upon the filing of a petition signed by 12 adult residents of the Village and payment of a fee as established by the Village Board from time to time. The appeal must be filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer and must state written grounds for the appeal. A copy of any citizen appeal shall be delivered or mailed to the applicant or permittee by the Village Clerk-Treasurer within five working days of its filing, if any, with the Village. The filing of a citizen appeal, by itself, does not prohibit the commencement or continuation of any work or activity.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
C. 
Appeal deadline. Appeals by applicants, permittees or citizens must be filed within 45 days of the order, decision, determination or inaction being appealed.
D. 
Multiple appeals prohibited. Once an appeal has been filed on a matter, no other appeal on the same order, decision, determination or inaction will be allowed. The Board of Appeals shall consolidate appeals wherever possible to avoid a multiplicity of appeal proceedings and to hasten the final resolution of a matter. The Board of Appeals may allow additional parties to join a pending appeal where appropriate and where such addition will not delay the proceedings.
A. 
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hear and decide all variance requests and appeals in accordance with the provisions of § 62.23(7)(e), Wis. Stats., and this chapter. Where provisions may conflict, the more stringent shall apply. The Board of Appeals shall grant only such variances from the terms of this chapter as will not be contrary to the public interest, where owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter is impracticable or otherwise unreasonable or demonstrated to be unnecessary. Such variances may be granted only when the Village agent has been presented with satisfactory proof, and the Zoning Board of Appeals so concurs, that the variance will achieve compliance results comparable to those set forth in this chapter.
B. 
Appeals or variance requests shall be heard and decided within 30 days of receipt of the written request and payment of the appeal fee, unless an extension is agreed upon by the appellant and the Board of Appeals.
Pursuant to § 68.16, Wis. Stats., the Village Board elects that the procedures for administrative review of decisions set forth in this chapter shall apply in lieu of the procedures of the Wisconsin Municipal Administrative Procedure Act.
The filing of an appeal or variance request does not preclude the Village from commencing or continuing any of the enforcement actions set forth in § 350-22 or a forfeiture proceeding under § 350-23 unless the Village Board specifically agrees to stay such enforcement.