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 human activities and the natural processes, at a rate greater
than would occur because of the natural process alone.
APPLICANT
A landowner, developer or other person who has filed an application
for approval to engage in any regulated earth disturbance activity
at a project site in the Township.
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures or procedures used
to manage stormwater impacts from regulated earth disturbance activities,
to meet state water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge
and to otherwise meet the purposes of this chapter. Stormwater BMPs
are commonly grouped into one of two broad categories or measures:
"structural" or "nonstructural." In this chapter, "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 detention
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 to the project site.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DEVELOPER
As defined in §
175-8, and a person that seeks to undertake any regulated earth disturbance activities at a project site in the Township.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
The specific tract of land where any earth disturbance activities
in the Township are planned, conducted or maintained.
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; road maintenance; building construction;
and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock
or earth materials.
EROSION
The process by which the surface of the land, including channels,
is worn away by water, wind, chemical action or natural elements.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the
ground. "Impervious surface" includes, but is not limited to, any
roof, parking or driveway areas, and any new streets and sidewalks.
Any surface areas designed to initially be gravel or crushed stone
shall be assumed to be impervious surfaces. Any surface areas comprising
paver patios or decks, including those which extend over otherwise
pervious surfaces, shall be assumed to be impervious surfaces.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the federal
government's system for issuance of permits under the Clean Water
Act, which is delegated to the DEP in Pennsylvania.
OUTFALL
"Point source," as described in 40 CFR 122.2, at the point
where the Township's storm sewer system discharges to surface
waters of the commonwealth.
PERSON
An individual, natural person, partnership, public or private
association or corporation or a governmental unit, public utility
or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as
the subject of rights and duties.
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.
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated earth disturbance
activities in the Township are planned, conducted or maintained.
REDEVELOPMENT
Earth disturbance activities on land which has previously
been disturbed or developed.
REGULATED ACTIVITY
Any activity that may affect stormwater runoff and any activities
that may contribute nonstormwater discharged to a regulated small
municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Earth disturbance activities within the existing road cross
section, such as grading and repairing existing unpaved road surfaces,
cutting road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches and other
similar activities.
SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels or storm drains) primarily used for collecting
and conveying stormwater runoff.
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
The regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim,
and restore water quality under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code
and the Clean Streams Law, including:
(1)
Each stream segment in Pennsylvania has a "designated use,"
such as "cold water fishery" or "potable water supply," which are
listed in Chapter 93. These uses must be protected and maintained
under state regulations.
(2)
"Existing uses" are those attained as of November 1975, regardless
of whether they have been designated in Chapter 93. Regulated earth
disturbance activities must be designed to protect and maintain existing
uses and maintain the level of water quality necessary to protect
those uses in all streams and to protect and maintain water quality
in special-protection streams.
(3)
Water quality involves the chemical, biological and physical
characteristics of surface water bodies. After regulated earth disturbance
activities are complete, these characteristics can be impacted by
addition of pollutants such as sediment and changes in habitat through
increased flow volumes and/or rates as a result of changes in land
surface area from those activities. Therefore, permanent discharges
to surface waters must be managed to protect the stream bank, stream
bed and structural integrity of the waterway, to prevent these impacts.
STORMWATER
Drainage runoff from the surface of the land resulting from
precipitation or snow or ice melt.
TOWNSHIP
East Norriton Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
WATERCOURSE
A channel or conveyance of surface water, such as a stream
or creek, having a defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial,
with perennial or intermittent flow.
WATERSHED
A region or area drained by a river, watercourse or other
body of water, whether natural or artificial.
WATERS OF THIS 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.