The Village Board of the Village of Richfield finds that construction
site erosion and uncontrolled stormwater runoff from land-disturbing
construction activities have significant adverse impacts upon local
water resources and the health, safety and general welfare of the
community, and diminish the public enjoyment and use of natural resources.
Specifically, soil erosion and stormwater runoff can:
A. Carry a significant amount of sediment, nutrients, bacteria/other
pathogens, organic matter, toxins and other pollutants to local lakes,
streams and wetlands;
B. Diminish the capacity of water resources such as lakes and streams
to support fish, aquatic life, recreational and water supply uses
by increasing pollutant loadings of sediment, suspended solids, nutrients,
heavy metals, bacteria, pathogens and other urban pollutants;
C. Degrade physical stream habitat by increasing stream bank erosion,
increasing stream bed scour, diminishing groundwater recharge, diminishing
stream base flows and increasing stream temperatures;
D. Threaten public health, safety, property, and general welfare by
increasing runoff volumes and peak flood flows causing bank and channel
erosion, and increasing downstream flooding and property damage, overburdening
storm sewers, drainageways and other storm drainage systems;
E. Undermine floodplain management efforts by increasing the incidence
and levels of flooding.
F. Reduce groundwater recharge, which may diminish stream base flows
and/or lower water levels in local lakes, ponds and wetlands;
G. Diminish groundwater quality by reducing the quality of groundwater
by increasing pollutant loading; and
H. Generate airborne particulate concentrations that are health threatening
or may cause other off-site damage to property or the environment.
The purpose of this article is to establish regulatory requirements
for land development and land-disturbing construction activities that
will diminish the threats to public health, safety, welfare, and the
natural resources of the Village of Richfield. Specific purposes are
to:
A. Further the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions;
B. Prevent and control the adverse effects of stormwater runoff; prevent
and control soil erosion; prevent and control water pollution; protect
spawning grounds, fish and aquatic life; preserve ground cover and
scenic beauty; and promote sound economic growth;
C. Control exceedance of the safe capacity of existing drainage facilities
and receiving water bodies; prevent undue channel erosion; and control
increases in the scouring and transportation of particulate matter;
and
D. Minimize the amount of pollutants discharged from the separate storm
sewer to protect the waters of the state.
This article is intended to regulate construction site erosion
and stormwater management under the authority granted in § 61.354,
Wis. Stats., and by the current construction site erosion control
and post-construction stormwater management regulatory requirements
of Subchapter III of both NR 151 and NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code. This
article is not intended to limit activity or land divisions permitted
under the applicable zoning and land division ordinances.
The Village of Richfield recognizes that the preferred method
of permanently managing stormwater runoff from land development activities
is through the preparation and implementation of regional stormwater
management plans by watershed areas which are designed to meet the
requirements of this article. Accordingly, provisions have been incorporated
into this article to allow for the implementation of this type of
plan in lieu of complying with certain on-site stormwater management
requirements.
The administering authority is authorized to administer and
enforce compliance with this article and shall have the following
powers and duties:
A. Inform applicants as to the requirements of this article and assist
them in filling out forms and other related administrative procedures.
B. Review applications, issue permits, and make all determinations stated
in this article.
C. Conduct on-site inspections and investigate complaints in a timely
manner to ensure compliance with this article.
D. Maintain records of all permits issued, inspections and determinations
made, work approved, enforcement action and other official action.
E. Carry out duties relating to ensuring the long-term maintenance of
stormwater management facilities, such as site inspections and making
recommendations for needed repairs or maintenance, in accordance with
approved working agreements.
Upon petition, the Board of Adjustment may authorize variances
from the provisions of this article which are not contrary to the
public interest or the purpose of this article and where, owing to
special conditions beyond the control of the applicant, a literal
enforcement of this article will result in unnecessary hardship.
The terms used in this article shall have the following meanings:
ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY
An employee of the Village of Richfield or a person or firm
hired by the Village that is designated by the governing body to administer
this article.
AFFECTED
As used in §
167-19D(3), means that a regulated activity has significantly:
A.
Caused negative impacts on water quality or the use or maintenance
of one's property or business; or
B.
Endangered one's health, safety or general welfare.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY AREA
The part of the farm where there is planting, growing, cultivating
and harvesting of crops for human or livestock consumption and pasturing
or outside yarding of livestock, including sod farms and silviculture.
Practices in this area may include waterways, drainage ditches, diversions,
terraces, farm lanes, excavation, filling and similar practices. The
agricultural activity area does not include the agricultural production
area.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AREA
The part of the farm where there is concentrated production
activity or impervious surfaces. Agricultural production areas include
buildings, driveways, parking areas, livestock feedlots, feed storage
structures, manure storage structures, and other impervious surfaces.
The agricultural production area does not include the agricultural
activity area.
AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL
A typical calendar year of precipitation as determined by
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for users of models
such as WinSLAMM, P8, or equivalent methodology. The average annual
rainfall is chosen from a department publication for the location
closest to the municipality.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP)
Structural or nonstructural measures, practices, techniques
or devices employed to avoid or minimize soil, sediment or pollutants
carried in runoff, or to reduce runoff volumes or peak flows.
BMP
An abbreviation for best management practice.
COMMON PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
All lands included within the boundary of a certified survey
map or subdivision plat created for the purpose of development or
sale of property where integrated, multiple, separate and distinct
land-developing activity may take place at different times by future
owners.
CONNECTED IMPERVIOUS
An impervious surface that is directly connected to a separate
storm sewer or water of the state via an impervious flowpath, or a
minimally pervious flow path.
CONSTRUCTION SITE
An area where one or more land-disturbing activities occur,
including areas that may be part of a larger common plan of development.
CONVEYANCE SYSTEM
A device or practice such as a swale, pipe, or ditch that
is designed specifically to pass the stormwater from one place to
another. A conveyance system does not include a practice designed
for post-construction stormwater management, i.e., infiltration basin,
infiltration trench, infiltration swale, bioretention basin, rain
garden, or wet detention basin.
DESIGN STORM
A hypothetical discrete rainstorm characterized by a specific
duration, temporal distribution, rainfall intensity, return frequency
and total depth of rainfall.
DEVELOPMENT
Residential, commercial, industrial or institutional land
uses and associated roads. Also includes mining activities and agricultural
feed lots.
DEWATERING
The removal of trapped water from a construction site to
allow land development or utility installation activities to occur.
EFFECTIVE INFILTRATION AREA
The area of the infiltration system that is used to infiltrate
runoff and does not include the area used for site access, berms or
pretreatment.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
Any area that, due to the natural resources present or the
lack of filtering capacity, is significantly more susceptible to the
negative impacts of sedimentation and other pollutants associated
with erosion and urban runoff. Examples include direct hydrologic
connections to lakes, streams, wetlands or other water resources,
very coarse or shallow soils to groundwater or bedrock, or areas inhabited
by endangered resources and environmental corridors.
EROSION
The process by which the land's surface is worn away by the
action of water, wind, ice or gravity.
EROSION AND RUNOFF CONTROL PERMIT
A written authorization made by the administering authority
to the applicant to conduct land-disturbing or land-development activities
in accordance with the requirements of this article. An erosion and
runoff control permit regulates both construction site erosion and
post-construction stormwater runoff from a site.
FILTERING LAYER
Soil that has at least a three-foot-deep layer with at least
20% that passes through a #200 sieve (fines); or at least a five-foot-deep
layer with at least 10% that passes through a #200 sieve (fines);
or another medium exists with an equivalent level of protection, as
determined by the administering authority.
FINAL SITE STABILIZATION (or STABILIZATION)
All land-disturbing construction activities at the construction
site have been completed and a uniform perennial vegetative cover
has been established with a density of at least 70% of the cover for
the unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures or
that employ equivalent permanent stabilization measures or otherwise
determined acceptable by the administering authority where the risk
of further soil erosion is minimal. (See also definition of "stabilized.")
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREAS
Lands identified in a document published by the Southeastern
Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission as groundwater recharge areas;
or where, prior to any land-disturbing construction activity, precipitation
or runoff could only leave the area by infiltrating the ground, thereby
recharging the groundwater.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface,
which allows an illegal nonstormwater discharge to enter the storm
drain system, including but not limited to sewage, process wastewater
and wash water, any connections to the storm drain system from indoor
drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain or connection had
been allowed, permitted, or approved by a government agency prior
to the adoption of this article.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (or IMPERVIOUSNESS)
An area that releases as runoff all or a large portion of the precipitation that falls on it, except for frozen soil. Rooftops, sidewalks, driveways, gravel or paved parking lots and streets are examples of surfaces that typically are impervious. For purposes of this article, all existing and proposed driveways, parking lots, streets and roofs shall be considered impervious at the time of application. If these surfaces are specifically designed, built and maintained to encourage infiltration or storage of runoff, and the administering authority determines they meet the general requirements of §
167-10, they shall subsequently be designated by the administering authority as a pervious surface.
IMPRACTICABLE
Complying with a specific requirement would cause undue economic
hardship and special conditions exist which are beyond the control
of the applicant and would prevent compliance.
IN-FILL DEVELOPMENT
Land development that occurs where there was no previous
land development and is surrounded by other existing land development.
INFILTRATION
The entry and movement of precipitation or runoff into or
through soil.
INFILTRATION SYSTEM(S)
A device or practice such as a basin, trench, rain garden,
pervious pavement, or swale designed specifically to encourage infiltration,
but does not include natural infiltration in pervious surfaces such
as lawns, redirecting of rooftop downspouts onto lawns or minimal
infiltration from practices, such as swales or roadway side channels
designed for conveyance and pollutant removal only.
KARST FEATURES
An area or surficial geologic feature subject to bedrock
dissolution so that it is likely to provide a conduit to groundwater,
and may include caves, enlarged fractures, mine features, exposed
bedrock surfaces, sinkholes, springs, seeps or swallets.
LAND-DISTURBING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY (or DISTURBANCE)
Any man-made alteration of the land surface resulting in
a change in the topography or existing vegetation or nonvegetation
soil cover, that may result in runoff and lead to an increase in soil
erosion and movement of sediment into waters of the state. Land-disturbing
construction activity includes clearing and grubbing, demolition,
excavation, pit trench dewatering, filling and grading activity.
MANNING'S FORMULA
An empirical formula for open channel flow, or flow driven
by gravity developed by Robert Manning. The formula in English units
is V = (1.49/n)*[R2/3 * S1/2) where V = Velocity (ft/s), n = Manning's roughness coefficient,
R = hydraulic radius in feet (R = A/P, A = cross sectional area of
flow (ft2), P = wetted perimeter of flow
(ft)], S = bed slope (ft/ft).
MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE (MEP)
A level of implementing best management practices in order
to achieve a performance standard specified in this article which
takes into account the best available technology, cost effectiveness
and other competing issues such as human safety and welfare, endangered
and threatened resources, historic properties and geographic features.
MEP allows flexibility in the way to meet the performance standards
and may vary based on the performance standard and site conditions.
MEP
An abbreviation for maximum extent practicable.
NO APPRECIABLE OFF-SITE IMPACT
The impact of any land-disturbing construction activity on
off-site property or natural resources would be negligible due to
site conditions, such as internal drainage or a very large vegetation
buffer area surrounding a small building project.
NRCS
An abbreviation for the United States Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
OFF-SITE BMP
Best management practice(s) that are located outside of the
boundaries of the site covered by a permit application. Off-site BMPs
are usually installed as part of a regional stormwater management
plan approved by a local government.
P8
A pollutant loading model approved by the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources for predicting the generation and transport of
stormwater runoff pollutants and runoff volume in urban watersheds,
and evaluation of the efficiency of the design in reducing total suspended
solids. (Program for Predicting Polluting Particle Passage through
Pits, Puddles and Ponds)
PEAK FLOW
The highest flow rate of runoff, measured in cubic feet per
second, that would normally result from a given design storm.
PERMANENT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Any best management practice that is designed to remain in
place after the development is complete. They are designed to stabilize
the site or to permanently manage stormwater runoff.
PERVIOUS SURFACE
An area that releases as runoff a small portion of the precipitation
that falls on it. Lawns, gardens, parks, forests and similar vegetated
areas are examples of surfaces that typically are pervious.
POLLUTANT
As set forth in § 283.01(13), Wis. Stats., any
dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage,
refuse, oil, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological
materials, radioactive substance, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment,
rock, sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal and agricultural
waste discharged into water.
POLLUTION
As set forth in § 283.01(14), Wis. Stats., any
man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological
or radiological integrity of water.
POST-CONSTRUCTION SITE
A construction site following the completion of land-disturbing
construction activity and final site stabilization.
PREDEVELOPMENT CONDITION
The conditions of the land surface, including vegetation
cover and natural drainage patterns, prior to the proposed land-disturbing
construction activity. For purposes of this article, all predevelopment
conditions shall assume good land management and good hydrologic condition,
as stated in TR-55.
RECARGA
A computer model developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison
(Atchison and Severson 2004) that is used as a design tool for evaluating
the performance of bioretention facilities, rain garden facilities,
and infiltration basins.
REDEVELOPMENT
Areas where development is replacing older development of
similar impervious conditions.
REGIONAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
A published document that establishes a planned course of
action for managing stormwater runoff from an entire drainage area
or watershed, including future land-disturbing construction activities
within the watershed. A regional stormwater management plan will recommend
the use of best management practices for individual development sites
and for selected points within the watershed to meet the goals and
objectives of the plan.
REGULATORY AGENCY
A public agency that the administering authority recognizes
as having the legal authority to review and approve erosion control
and stormwater management plans and enforce their implementation,
with requirements at least as restrictive as this article.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Any person or entity holding fee title to the property or
acting as the owner's representative, including any person, firm,
corporation or other entity performing services, contracted, subcontracted
or obligated by other agreement to design, implement, inspect, verify
or maintain the BMPs and other approved elements of erosion control
and stormwater plans and permits under this article.
ROADWAY (OR ROAD)
Any private or public access drive that serves more than
two residences or businesses.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
That portion of a post-construction site where predevelopment
impervious surfaces are being maintained to preserve the original
line and grade, hydraulic capacity, drainage pattern, configuration,
or purpose of the facility. Remodeling of buildings and resurfacing
of parking lots, streets, driveways, and sidewalks are examples of
routine maintenance, provided the lower half of the impervious surface's
granular base is not disturbed. The disturbance shall be classified
as redevelopment if the lower half of the granular base associated
with the predevelopment impervious surface is disturbed or if the
soil located beneath the impervious surface is exposed.
RUNOFF
Stormwater or precipitation, including rain, snow, ice melt,
or similar water that moves on the land surface via sheet or channelized
flow. Also referred to as "stormwater runoff."
SEDIMENT
Settleable solid material that is transported by runoff,
suspended within runoff, or deposited by runoff away from its original
source.
SHORELAND, WETLAND AND FLOODPLAIN ZONES
Those areas defined in Chapter
70 of the Municipal Code, Shoreland, wetland and floodplain zoning. The shoreland zone generally includes all lands within 300 feet of a navigable stream or 1,000 feet from a lake shore. The wetland and floodplain zoning districts may extend beyond the shoreland zone.
SITE
The entire area included in the legal description of which
the land-disturbing construction activity will occur.
SLAMM
A pollutant loading model approved by the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources for predicting the generation and transport of
stormwater runoff pollutants and runoff volume in urban watersheds,
and evaluation of the efficiency of the design in reducing total suspended
solids. (Source Loading and Management Model)
SOIL DETACHMENT
The first step in the soil erosion process, or the dislodging
of the soil particle from raindrop impact, water flow or wind. After
detachment, the soil particle can be suspended and carried in runoff
or wind to another site. Soil detachment is reduced by providing a
vegetation or synthetic cover over the soil surface or through the
application of soil treatment measures designed for this purpose.
STABILIZED
All land-disturbing activities are completed and a uniform,
perennial vegetative cover has been established on at least 70% of
the soil surface or other surfacing material is in place and the risk
of further soil erosion is minimal, as determined by the administering
authority.
STOP-WORK ORDER
An order issued by the administering authority which requires
that all construction activity on the site be stopped, except best
management repair/installation as required by the administering authority.
STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
A publicly owned facility by which stormwater is collected
and/or conveyed, including but not limited to any roadways with drainage
systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains,
pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made
or altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Any measures taken to permanently reduce or minimize the
negative impacts of stormwater runoff quantity and quality from urban
areas after land-disturbing construction activities or land development
activity.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any structural best management practice, such as a retention
pond, infiltration basin or other physical structure, that is designed
to collect and permanently manage the quantity and/or quality of stormwater
runoff.
SUBSOIL
The "B" horizon in any natural soil profile. Natural soil
profiles are described in detail in the Soil Survey of Washington
County.
TECHNICAL STANDARD
A document that specifies design, predicted performance and
operation and maintenance specifications for a material, device or
method.
TEMPORARY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Any best management practice that is intended to reduce soil
erosion and/or sediment in runoff during the construction phase only,
and is intended to be removed after the site is stabilized.
TMDL
An abbreviation for total maximum daily load.
TOP OF CHANNEL
An edge or point on the landscape landward from the ordinary
high-water mark of a surface water of the state where the slope of
the land begins to be less than 12% continually for at least 50 feet.
If the slope of the land is 12% or less continually for the initial
50 feet landward from the ordinary high-water mark, the top of the
channel is the ordinary high-water mark.
TOPSOIL
The "A" horizon found in any natural soil profile not formed
from organic material. Natural soil profiles are described in detail
in the Soil Survey of Washington County.
TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS LOAD
The total weight of material, including sediment and other solids, that is assumed to be carried in the runoff water and discharged from the site based on runoff models for urban lands. For best management practice design purposes, a particle size of five microns is usually selected as a target to achieve total suspended solids removal rate of 80%, as required in §
167-10A(3)(a).
WATERSHED
The total area of land where runoff drains to a specific
point on the landscape. It is also referred to as the "drainage area."
WORKING DAY
Any day except Saturday and Sunday and holidays observed by the Village of Richfield. When used in §
167-9, relating to specific erosion control requirements, this term shall not include any days that site stabilization activities could not reasonably be carried out due to inclement weather conditions.
If any section, clause, provision or portion of this article
is judged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction,
the remainder of the chapter shall remain in force and not be affected
by such judgment.