Definitions.
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 processes 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 municipality.
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 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.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DEVELOPER
A person that seeks to undertake any regulated earth disturbance
activities at a project site in the municipality.
DEVELOPMENT
See "earth disturbance activity." The term includes redevelopment.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
The specific tract of land where any earth disturbance activities
in the municipality 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, or chemical action.
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
Any area or surface which prevents the infiltration of water
into the ground. Impervious surfaces include but are not limited to
any structure, roof, walkways, swimming pools, parking or driveway
areas, areas covered by gravel, concrete, non-porous asphalt and/or
similar material, and any other similar areas determined by the Township
Engineer/Building Inspector to be impervious.
[Added 4-5-2021 by Ord.
No. 353]
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the
ground. Impervious surfaces include, but are 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.
MUNICIPALITY
Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
The term "Township" shall also be considered synonymous with the word
"municipality."
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 municipality's storm sewer system discharges to surface
waters of the commonwealth.
PERSON
An individual, 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 municipality 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 discharges to a regulated small
MS4.
REGULATED EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
Earth disturbance activity of one acre or more with a point-source
discharge to surface waters or the municipality's storm sewer system,
or five acres or more regardless of the planned runoff. This includes
earth disturbance on any portion of, part of, or during any stage
of a larger common plan of development. This only includes road maintenance
activities involving 25 acres or more of earth disturbance.
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
As defined under state regulations — protection of
designated and existing uses (see 25 Pa. Code, Chapters 93 and 96)
— 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 because 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
The surface runoff generated by precipitation reaching the
ground surface.
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.
TOWNSHIP
Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
The term "municipality" shall also be synonymous with the word "Township."
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.