[Ord. 2011-12, 6/20/2011]
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY — Activities associated
with agriculture, such as agricultural cultivation, agricultural operation,
and animal heavy use areas. This includes the work of producing crops,
including tillage, land clearing, plowing, disking, harrowing, planting,
harvesting crops or pasturing and raising of livestock and installation
of conservation measures. Construction of new buildings or impervious
area is not considered an agricultural activity.
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 as the result of changing the land cover,
including the water, vegetation and bare soil.
APPLICANT
A landowner, as herein defined, or agent of the landowner,
who has filed an application for a stormwater management permit or
an application to engage in a regulated activity.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS
Engineering or site drawings 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 documents, or a copy of same, are to be submitted
to the Township for review and approval at the completion of the project.
BANKFULL
The channel at the top-of-bank, or point from where water
begins to overflow onto a floodplain.
BASE FLOW
Portion of stream discharge derived from groundwater; the
sustained discharge that does not result from direct runoff or from
water diversions, reservoir releases, piped discharges, or other human
activities.
BIORETENTION
A stormwater retention area that utilizes woody and herbaceous
plants and soils to remove pollutants before infiltration occurs.
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures or procedures used
to manage stormwater impacts from regulated activities, to meet state
water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge and to
otherwise meet the purposes of this Part. Stormwater BMPs are commonly
grouped into one of two broad categories or measures: structural or
nonstructural. In this Part, "nonstructural BMPs" or measures refer
to operational and/or behavior-related practices that attempt to minimize
the contact of pollutants with stormwater runoff, whereas "structural
BMPs" or measures are those that consist of a physical device or practice
that is installed to capture and treat stormwater runoff. Structural
BMPs include, but are not limited to, a wide variety of practices
and devices, from large-scale retention ponds and constructed wetlands
to small-scale underground treatment systems, infiltration facilities,
filter strips, low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable
paving, grassed swales, riparian or forested buffers, sand filters,
detention basins, and manufactured devices. Structural stormwater
BMPs are permanent appurtenances to the project site.
BMP MANUAL
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. No.
363-0300-002 (December 2006), as amended and updated. Pennsylvania
Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Harrisburg, PA.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-7, 9/19/2022]
BUFFER
The area of land immediately adjacent to any stream, measured
perpendicular to and horizontally from the top-of-bank on both sides
of a stream.
BUILDING
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having walls
and a roof, designed or used for the shelter of any person, animal
or property, and occupying more than 100 square feet of area.
CHANNEL
An open drainage feature through which stormwater flows.
Channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural and man-made
watercourses, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes that convey
continuously or periodically flowing water.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CONVEYANCE
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater
runoff, which shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits,
culverts, storm sewers, etc.
CULVERT
A pipe, conduit or similar structure, including appurtenant
works that carries surface water.
CURVE NUMBER
Value used in the Soil Cover Complex Method. It is a measure
of the percentage of precipitation that is expected to run off from
the watershed and is a function of the soil, vegetative cover, and
tillage method.
DAM
A man-made barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid. A dam may include a refuse bank, fill or structure
for highway, railroad or other purposes that impounds or may impound
water or another fluid or semifluid.
DEDICATION
The deliberate devotion of property by its owner for general
public use.
DESIGNEE
The agent of the Bucks County Conservation District and/or
agent of Doylestown Borough with the administration, review, or enforcement
of any provisions of this Part by contract or memorandum of understanding.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation
from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a
five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design
and evaluation of stormwater management systems.
DETENTION BASIN
An impoundment designed to collect and retard stormwater
runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate. Detention basins are designed to drain completely soon after
a rainfall event and become dry until the next rainfall event.
DEVELOPER
A person, partnership, association, corporation or other
entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes
any regulated activity of this Part.
DEVELOPMENT
Any human-induced change to improved or unimproved real estate,
whether public or private, including, but not limited to, land development,
construction, installation, or expansion of a building or other structure,
land division, street construction, drilling, and site alteration,
such as embankments, dredging, grubbing, grading, paving, parking
or storage facilities, excavation, filling, stockpiling, or clearing.
As used in this Part, development encompasses both new development
and redevelopment.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed.
DISCHARGE
1. (verb) To release water from a project, site, aquifer,
drainage basin or other point of interest; 2. (noun) The rate and
volume of flow of water such as in a stream, generally expressed in
cubic feet per second. See also "peak discharge."
DISCONNECTED IMPERVIOUS AREA (DIA)
An impervious or impermeable surface that is disconnected
from any stormwater drainage or conveyance system and is redirected
or directed to a pervious area, which allows for infiltration, filtration.
DISTURBED AREAS
Unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity
is occurring or has occurred.
DITCH
A man-made waterway constructed for irrigation or stormwater
conveyance purposes.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the
surface of the land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural
plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, mineral extraction,
and the moving, depositing, stockpiling or storing of soil, rock or
earth materials.
EMERGENCY SPILLWAY
A conveyance area that is used to pass peak discharge greater
than the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
ENCROACHMENT
A structure or activity that changes, expands or diminishes
the course, current or cross section of a watercourse, floodway or
body of water.
EROSION
The removal of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice or other geological agents.
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE WATERS (EV)
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pennsylvania
Code Title 25 Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality
Standards, § 93.4b(b) (relating to antidegradation).
EXISTING CONDITION
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed
construction.
EXISTING RECHARGE AREA
Undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects
and a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the groundwater.
EXISTING RESOURCE AND SITE ANALYSIS MAP
A base map which identifies fundamental environmental site
information including floodplains, wetlands, topography, vegetative
site features, natural areas, prime agricultural land and areas supportive
of endangered species.
FLOOD
A temporary inundation of the floodplain outside the floodway.
FLOODPLAIN
A relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial
or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or
watercourse and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation
of surface waters from any source.
FLOODWAY
The designated area of a floodplain required to carry and
discharge floodwaters of a given magnitude.
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and associated activities necessary for the management
of forestland. These include timber inventory and preparation of forest
management plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging
road design and construction, timber harvesting, and reforestation.
FREEBOARD
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high
water and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, or diversion swale.
The space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
HEC-HMS
the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering
Center (HEC) — Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS). this model
was used to model the Neshaminy Creek watershed during the Act 167
Plan development and was the basis for the standards and criteria
of this part
HIGH QUALITY WATERS (HQ)
Surface waters having quality which exceeds levels necessary
to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water by satisfying Pennsylvania Code Title 25 Environmental
Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(a).
HOT SPOT
An area where land use or activity generates highly contaminated runoff, with concentrations of pollutants in excess of those typically found in stormwater. Typical pollutant loadings in stormwater may be found in Chapter
8, Section 6, of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) No. 363-0300-002(2006).
HYDROGRAPH
A graph representing the discharge of water versus time for
a selected point in the drainage system.
HYDROLOGIC REGIME
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. Impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, streets,
sidewalks, pavement, roofs, parking areas, or driveway areas. Any
of these surface areas designed to be gravel or crushed stone shall
be regarded as impervious surfaces. In addition, other areas determined
by the Borough Engineer to be impervious within the meaning of this
definition will also be classified as impervious.
IMPOUNDMENT
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater
runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
INFILTRATION
Movement of surface water into the soil, where it is absorbed
by plant roots, evaporated into the atmosphere, or percolated downward
to recharge groundwater.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
A structure designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g.,
French drains, seepage pits, seepage trench).
INITIAL ABSTRACTION (IA)
The value used to calculate the volume or peak rate of runoff
in the Soil Cover Complex Method. It represents the depth of rain
retained on vegetation plus the depth of rain stored on the soil surface
plus the depth of rain infiltrated prior to the start of runoff.
INLET
The upstream end of any structure through which water may
flow.
INTERMITTENT STREAM
A stream that flows only part of the time. Flow generally
occurs for several weeks or months in response to seasonal precipitation
or groundwater discharge.
KARST
A type of topography or landscape characterized by surface
depressions, sinkholes, rock pinnacles/uneven bedrock surface, underground
drainage, and caves. Karst is formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone
or dolomite.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
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 Article V, Section 503(1.1) of
the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L. 805,
No. 247, as reenacted and amended.
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.
LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID)
Site design approaches and small-scale stormwater management
practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration,
evapotranspiration, and reuse of rainwater. LID can be applied to
new development, urban retrofits, and revitalization projects. LID
utilizes design techniques that infiltrate, filter, evaporate, and
store runoff close to its source. Rather than rely on costly large-scale
conveyance and treatment systems, LID addresses stormwater through
a variety of small, cost-effective landscape features located on-site.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-7, 9/19/2022]
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 as long as the flow is not under
pressure.
MUNICIPAL ENGINEER
A registered professional engineer licensed as such in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the engineer for Doylestown
Borough.
MUNICIPALITY
Doylestown Borough, Bucks 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.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGES
Water flowing in stormwater collection facilities, such as
pipes or swales, which is not the result of a rainfall event or snowmelt.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; the federal
government's system for issuance of permits under the Clean Water
Act, which is delegated to DEP in Pennsylvania.
NRCS
Natural Resource Conservation Service (previously "SCS").
OPEN CHANNEL
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open
surface. "Open channels" include, but shall not be limited to, natural
and manmade drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes
flowing partly full.
OUTFALL
"Point source" as described in 40 CFR § 122.2 at
the point where the municipality's storm sewer system discharges to
surface waters of the commonwealth.
OUTLET
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater
or artificial drain.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of flow of storm runoff at a given point
and time resulting from a specified storm event.
PERENNIAL STREAM
A stream that contains water at all times except during extreme
drought.
PIPE
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
POINT SOURCE
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including,
but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, or conduit from
which stormwater is or may be discharged, as defined in state regulations
at 25 Pa. Code § 92.1.
POST-CONSTRUCTION
Period after construction during which disturbed areas are
stabilized, stormwater controls are in place and functioning, and
all proposed improvements in the approved land development plan are
completed.
PRETREATMENT
Techniques employed in stormwater BMPs to provide storage
or filtering to trap coarse materials and other pollutants before
they enter the system, but not necessarily designed to meet the volume
requirements of this Part.
PERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that allows the infiltration of water into the
ground.
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated activities
in the municipality are planned, conducted or maintained.
QUALIFIED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL
Any person licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or
otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by the Part.
RATIONAL METHOD
A method of computing the peak rate of runoff at any location
in a watershed as a function of the drainage area, runoff coefficient,
and mean rainfall intensity for a duration equal to the time of concentration.
RECHARGE
The replenishment of groundwater through the infiltration
of rainfall, other surface waters, or land application of water or
treated wastewater.
REDEVELOPMENT
Any development that requires demolition or removal of existing
structures or impervious surfaces at a site and replacement with new
impervious surfaces. Maintenance activities, such as milling/removal
of pavement and repaving, are not considered to be redevelopment.
Interior remodeling projects and tenant improvements are also not
considered to be redevelopment. Utility trenches in streets are not
considered.
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
Any earth-disturbance activities or any activities that involve
the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect
stormwater runoff.
RELEASE RATE
The post-development peak rate of runoff for a development
site that must be controlled to protect downstream areas.
RETENTION BASIN
A basin designed to retain stormwater runoff so that a permanent
pool is established.
RETENTION VOLUME/REMOVED RUNOFF
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly
into the surface waters of the commonwealth during or after a storm
event.
RETURN PERIOD
The probability an event will occur in any given year. Typically
displays as a whole number; e.g., twenty-five-year event, and represents
the inverse of the frequency of that event.
RISER
A vertical pipe extending from the bottom of a pond that
is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified
design storm.
ROOF DRAINS
A drainage conduit or pipe that collects water runoff from
a roof and leads it away from the structure.
RUNOFF
The part of precipitation that flows over the land.
SALDO
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
SCS
Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension,
is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by
water.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
material and into which water is directed for infiltration into the
ground.
SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, Borough streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches,
man-made channels or storm drains) primarily used for collecting and
conveying stormwater runoff.
SHALLOW CONCENTRATED FLOW
Stormwater runoff flowing in rills and swales of a shallow
depth prior to entering a defined channel or waterway.
SHEET FLOW
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a broad, shallow
water movement, not concentrated in a channel.
SOIL-COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by SCS, which is
based upon relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter
called a curve number.
STORM SEWER
A system of pipes or other conduits which carries intercepted
surface runoff, street water and other waters or drainage, but excludes
domestic sewage and industrial waste.
STORMWATER
The surface runoff generated by precipitation reaching the
ground surface.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ACT 167 PLAN
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted by Bucks
County for the Neshaminy Creek Watershed as required by the Act of
October 4, 1978, (P.L. No. 864) (Act 167), and known as the "Stormwater
Management Act."
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any structure, natural or man made, that, due to its condition,
design or construction, conveys, stores or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include, but are
not limited to, detention and retention basins, open channels, storm
sewers, pipes and infiltration structures.
STORMWATER SITE PLAN (SWM 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.
STREAM BUFFER
The land area adjacent to each side of a stream, essential
to maintaining water quality. (See "buffer.")
SUBAREA
The smallest unit of watershed breakdown for hydrologic modeling
purposes for which the runoff control criteria have been established
in the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Stormwater Management Act 167 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.
SURFACE WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments,
ditches, watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands,
ponds, springs, and all other bodies or channels of conveyance of
surface water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within
or on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land that 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,
concentrated flow time and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
TOP-OF-BANK
Highest point of elevation in a stream channel cross section
at which a rising water level just begins to flow out of the channel
and over the floodplain.
VEGETATED SWALE
A natural or man-made waterway, usually broad and shallow,
covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to convey surface water.
VERNAL POOL
Seasonal depressional wetlands that are covered by shallow
water for variable periods from winter to spring but may be completely
dry for most of the summer and fall.
WATERCOURSE
Any channel or conveyance of surface water having defined
bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent
flow.
WATERSHED
The region or area drained by a river, watercourse or other
body of water, whether natural or artificial.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, ditches, watercourses,
storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs, and all
other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground
water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or
on the boundaries of the commonwealth.
WETLAND
Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface 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.
[Added by Ord. No. 2022-7, 9/19/2022]