The chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Union Township
Stormwater Management Ordinance."
The Board of Supervisors of Union Township finds that:
A. Inadequate management of accelerated runoff of stormwater resulting
from development throughout a watershed increases flood flows and
velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, overtaxes the
carrying capacity of streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the
cost of public facilities to carry and control stormwater, undermines
floodplain management and flood control efforts in downstream communities,
reduces groundwater recharge and threatens public health and safety.
B. A comprehensive program of stormwater management, including reasonable
regulation of development and activities causing accelerated erosion,
is fundamental to the public health, safety and welfare and the protection
of the people of Union Township and all the people of the commonwealth,
their resources and the environment.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by minimizing the damages described in §
225-2A by provisions designed to:
A. Control accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems
at their source by regulating activities which cause such problems.
B. Utilize and preserve the desirable existing natural drainage systems.
C. Encourage recharge of groundwater.
D. Maintain the existing flows and quality of streams and watercourses
in Union Township and the commonwealth.
E. Preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of streams.
F. Provide for proper maintenance of all permanent stormwater management
structures which are constructed in Union Township.
The Township of Union is empowered to regulate these activities
by the authority of the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167),
the "Storm Water Management Act," and the Second Class Township Code.
Permits and approvals issued pursuant to this chapter do not
relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits
or approvals for activities regulated by any other applicable code,
rule, act or ordinance. If more stringent requirements concerning
regulation of stormwater or erosion and sedimentation control are
contained in the other code, rule, act or ordinance, the more stringent
regulation shall apply.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of man's activities and natural processes at a rate greater
than would occur because of the natural processes alone.
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
Activities, facilities, measures or procedures used to manage
stormwater impacts from land development, to protect and maintain
water quality and groundwater recharge and to otherwise meet the purposes
of this chapter, including, but not limited to, infiltration, filter
strips, low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving,
grassed swales, forested buffers, sand filters and detention basins.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CULVERT
A pipe, conduit or similar structure, including appurtenant
works, which carries surface water.
DESIGN FORM
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured
in probability of occurrence (e.g., fifty-year storm) and duration
(e.g., 24 hours), and used in computing stormwater management control
systems.
DETENTION BASIN
A basin designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily
storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate. A detention
basin can be designed to drain completely after a storm event, or
it can be designed to contain a permanent pool of water.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent or such landowner or tenant with the
permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision
of land or a land development.
DIVERSION TERRACE
A channel and a ridge constructed to a predetermined grade
across a slope and designed to collect and divert runoff from slopes
which are subject to erosion.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
EROSION
The removal of said particles by the action of water, wind,
ice or other geological agents.
FOREST MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
All activities connected with growing and harvesting of forest
products, including the site preparation, cultivation and logging
of trees, and the construction and maintenance of roads.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
Any structure or device designed to infiltrate retained water
to the subsurface. These facilities may be above grade or below grade.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
A.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1)
A group of two or more buildings; or
(2)
The division or allocation of land or space 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.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging or filling
of ground or stripping of vegetation or any other activity which causes
land to be exposed to the danger of erosion.
MUNICIPALITY
Union Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
NURSERY
A tract of land on which trees and plants are raised or stored
for transplanting and sale.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of flow of water at a given point and time,
resulting from a specified storm event.
RUNOFF
That part of precipitation which flows over the land.
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.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, retention or detention basin designed to
retain sediment.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
material and into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
SEMIPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface such as stone, rock, concrete or other materials
which permits some vertical transmission of water.
SOIL-COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by the Soil Conservation
Service and found in its publication "Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds,"
Technical Release No. 55, January 1975.
STORMWATER
A system of pipes or other conduits which carry intercepted
surface runoff, street water and other wash waters or drainage, but
excludes domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted by Washington
County as required by the Storm Water Management Act, 32 P.S. § 680.1
et seq.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land
by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions
of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose,
whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for
distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building
or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease
of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres,
not involving any new street or easement or access or any residential
dwelling, shall be exempted.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.