A.
The following regulated activities are specifically exempt from the SWM site plan preparation and submission requirements articulated in § 251-13A and Articles IV and V of this chapter:
(1)
An applicant proposing the cumulative installation of 1,000 square feet or less of impervious surface cover may be exempt from the design, plan submittal and processing requirements of Articles IV and V of this chapter if the proposal meets the criteria in this Subsection A(1). No person or activity is exempted from compliance with § 251-40, Articles VII, VIII and IX of this chapter. Exemptions do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other code, law, regulation, or ordinance. Exemption shall not relieve an applicant from implementing such measures as necessary to meet compliance with any NPDES permit requirements. Exemption shall not relieve an applicant from complying with the lot coverage amounts as regulated by Chapter 320, Zoning, as amended.
(a)
Any applicant desiring exemption from design, plan submission, and plan processing requirements shall complete an application for exemption in the form set forth in Appendix A[1] and pay any applicable filing fee.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Appendixes to the Stormwater Management Ordinance are on file in the Borough offices.
(b)
The applicant for exemption under § 251-21A(1) shall provide the Borough with all information necessary for the Borough to determine that:
[1]
There shall be no disturbance of land within floodplains, wetlands, environmentally sensitive areas, riparian forest buffers or slopes greater than 15%.
[2]
No impervious surface coverage shall be installed and no earth disturbance activity shall be conducted within any existing drainage or stormwater easement created by or shown on any recorded plan.
[3]
The applicant shall minimize soil disturbance, take steps to minimize erosion and sedimentation during construction activity and promptly reclaim all disturbed areas within topsoil and vegetation.
[4]
The applicant shall take steps that runoff be directed to pervious areas on the subject property. No runoff shall be directed onto an abutting street or neighboring property.
[5]
The proposed impervious surface shall not adversely impact any existing known problem areas or downstream property owners or the quality of runoff entering any municipal separate storm sewer system.
[6]
The proposed impervious surface shall not create accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
(c)
If the proposed activity does not meet all of the criteria set forth in § 251-21A(1)(b) above, the applicant shall follow the small project processing procedure in § 251-22.
(d)
If the proposed activity is located in a high quality (HQ) or exceptional value (EV) watershed, the applicant shall be responsible for compliance with all federal and state requirements. This exemption does not provide relief from any other applicable state or federal requirements.
(e)
No applicant and no activity shall violate or cause to be violated: the Federal Clean Water Act, Clean Streams Law, or any regulation issued thereunder, an NPDES permit, any recorded stormwater management or operations and maintenance agreement, or any requirement applicable to a municipal separate storm sewer system.
(2)
Agricultural activity, provided the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
(3)
Forest management and timber operations, provided the activities are performed according to the requirements of 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
(4)
Conservation practices being installed as part of the implementation of a conservation plan written by an NRCS certified planner.
(5)
Maintenance of municipal utility line (linear).
B.
The stormwater exemption application (refer to Appendix A-1[2]) shall be completed and copies shall be submitted to the Borough and Borough designee for review. Upon receipt of a written approval from the Borough or its designee, the applicant may proceed with the proposed improvements.
[2]
Editor's Note: The Appendixes to the Stormwater Management Ordinance are on file in the Borough offices.
C.
The Borough may deny or revoke any exemption pursuant to this section at any time for any project that the Borough believes may pose a threat to public health, safety, property or the environment.