[Ord. 1018, 6/6/2016]
1.
For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms and words used herein
shall be interpreted as presented below.
A.
Words used in the present tense include the future tense; the singular
number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular;
words of masculine gender include feminine gender; and words of feminine
gender include masculine gender.
B.
The word "includes" or "including" shall not limit the term to the
specific example but is intended to extend its meaning to all other
instances of like kind and character.
C.
The word "person" includes an individual, firm, association, organization,
partnership, trust, company, corporation, or any other similar entity.
D.
The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory; the words "may" and "should"
are permissive.
E.
The words "used or occupied" include the words "intended, designed,
maintained, or arranged to be used, occupied or maintained."
2.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
ALTERATION
APPLICANT
BASIN FLOOD TEST
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
BUFFER AREA
CAPTURE DEPTH
CAPTURE VOLUME
CARBONATE
CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (CEC)
CHANNEL
CLOSED OR UNDRAINED DEPRESSION
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
CREDITS
DAM
DEP
DESIGN STORM
DESIGNEE
DETENTION BASIN
DEVELOPER
DEVELOPMENT SITE
DOLOMITE
DOWNSLOPE PROPERTY LINE
DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE FACILITY
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
DRAINAGEWAY
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
EROSION
EROSION AND SEDIMENT POLLUTION CONTROL PLAN
EXFILTRATION
EXISTING CONDITIONS
FLOOD
FLOODPLAIN
FLOODWAY
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
FREEBOARD
GRASSED WATERWAY
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (HSG)
IDF
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (AREA)
IMPOUNDMENT
INFILTRATION RATE
INLET
INTERCEPTOR
KARST
LAND DEVELOPMENT
A.
B.
C.
LAND USE
LAND/EARTH DISTURBANCE
LIMESTONE
LINEAMENTS
MAIN STEM (MAIN CHANNEL)
MINIMALLY DISTURBED AREA
MINIMUM ALLOWABLE DISCHARGE
NATURAL AREA CONSERVATION
OUTFALL
OUTLET
PADEP
PADOT
PEAK DISCHARGE
PERCOLATION RATE
PIPE
POINT DISCHARGE
PROJECT SITE
QUALIFIED PERSON or QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL
RECHARGE VOLUME
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
REGULATED EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
RETENTION BASIN
RETURN PERIOD
RUNOFF
SAFE PASSAGE
SCOUR
SEDIMENT BASIN
SENSITIVE (WATER QUALITY) AREA
SHEET FLOW
SIGNIFICANT DRAINAGEWAY
SILVICULTURE ACTIVITIES
SINKHOLE
SPILLWAY
STABILIZATION
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
STORM SEWER
STORMWATER
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN
STRATA
STRATIGRAPHIC UNIT
STRUCTURAL FILL
SUBAREA
SWALE
TOPOGRAPHY
TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
UNDETAINED AREA
WATER QUALITY DEPTH
WATER QUALITY SENSITIVE (WQS) DEVELOPMENT
WATER QUALITY VOLUME
WATER TABLE
WATERS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH
WATERSHED
WETLAND
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Activities associated with agriculture such as agricultural
cultivation, agricultural operation, and animal heavy use areas. This
includes the work of producing crops including tillage, land clearing,
plowing, disking, harrowing, planting, harvesting crops or pasturing
and raising of livestock and installation of conservation measures.
Construction of new agricultural-related buildings up to 20,000 square
feet in size on land zoned agricultural that have properly sized and
installed roof sumps in accordance with this chapter are considered
agricultural activities. All other building or impervious area is
not considered agricultural activities.
As applied to land, a change in topography as a result of
the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another;
also the changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to
be more or less impervious; land disturbance.
A subdivider, landowner or developer (including his heirs,
successors, or assigns) who has filed an application for approval
to engage in any regulated activity as defined in this chapter.
A test method for evaluating stormwater facility infiltration
rates. A basin flood test involves flooding the stormwater facility
to a minimum depth of one foot or the capture depth if less than one
foot, and measuring the observed change in ponded depth with time.
Sufficient data must be collected during the test to demonstrate that
the basin, when flooded to the capture depth, will drain in accordance
with basin empty time requirements.
Activities, facilities, designs, measures, or procedures
used to manage stormwater impacts from regulated 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 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. Stormwater structures, facilities and techniques
to maintain or improve the water quality of surface runoff.
Area that is protected from development in order to prevent
degradation of the water body or water quality.
Depth of water ponded in a surface or subsurface basin that
is: 1) below the lowest controlling outflow orifice; and 2) is either
allowed to evaporate, infiltrate, or be discharged through a spillway
at a negligible rate (typically through basin underdrains). Outflow
devices intended to drain the capture depth are not considered controlling
outflow orifices for the purpose of this definition.
The volume of runoff captured from a given area in a surface
or subsurface basin that is: 1) below the lowest controlling outflow
orifice; and 2) is either allowed to evaporate, infiltrate, or be
discharged from a spillway at a negligible rate (typically through
basin underdrains). Outflow devices intended to drain the capture
depth are not considered controlling outflow orifices for the purpose
of this definition.
A sediment formed by the organic or inorganic precipitation
of mineral compounds characterized by the fundamental chemical ion
CO3, the principal element in limestone and
dolomite strata.
A measure of the soil's ability to hold exchangeable
positively charged ions. It is a characteristic related to a soils
ability to treat pollutants in infiltrating water. Cation Exchange
Capacity is expressed as meq/100 g which is numerically equivalent
to centimoles of charge per kilogram of exchanger (cmol(+)/kg).
A perceptible natural or artificial waterway, which periodically
or continuously contains moving water having a definite bed and banks,
which confine the water.
In a Karst geologic area a distinct bowl-shaped depression
in the land surface; size and amplitude are variable; drainage is
internal. It differs from a sinkhole in that the ground surface is
unbroken and usually occurs in greater density per unit area.
The Centre County Conservation District (CCCD).
A deduction from the required amount. In this chapter, implies
reduction of required water quality volumes due to using a recommended
practice.
An artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid, or a refuse bank, fill or structure for highway,
railroad or other purposes which does or may impound water or another
fluid or semifluid.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation
from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a
five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design
and evaluation of stormwater management systems.
The agent of the Township involved with the administration,
review or enforcement of any provisions of this chapter by contract
or memorandum of understanding.
An impoundment structure designed to manage stormwater runoff
by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate.
A person, partnership, association, corporation, or other
entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes
any regulated activity of this chapter.
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed.
That portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels
of land being developed located such that overland or pipe flow from
the site would be directed towards it.
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater
runoff and shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits,
culverts, storm sewers, and similar structures.
A right granted by a landowner allowing the use of private
land for stormwater management purposes.
The natural or man-made path of surface water from a given
area.
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, including the placement of fill material on existing
ground.
The movement of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice, or other natural forces.
A plan that is designed to minimize accelerated erosion and
sedimentation.
The process by which water or moisture moves from a subsurface
trench, bed, or other feature into the subsoil. Exfiltration is best
measured by a soil's percolation rate.
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed
construction.
A general but temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of streams,
rivers, and other waters of this commonwealth.
A relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial
or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river,
or watercourse; and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation
of surface waters from any source including areas mapped on the Department
of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Insurance Administration
Flood Hazard Boundary Maps.
The channel of the watercourse and those portions of the
adjoining floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge
the one-hundred-year frequency flood. Unless otherwise specified,
the boundary of the floodway is as indicated on maps and flood insurance
studies provided by FEMA. In an area where no FEMA maps or studies
have defined the boundary of the one-hundred-year frequency floodway,
it is assumed, absent evidence to the contrary, that the floodway
extends from the stream to 50 feet from the top of the bank of the
stream.
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forestland.
These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management
plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design
and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation and reforestation.
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high-water
and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, or diversion ridge. The
space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
A natural or constructed waterway, usually broad and shallow,
covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to convey surface water.
Replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies.
Infiltration rates of soils vary widely and are affected
by subsurface permeability as well as surface intake rates. Soils
are classified into four HSGs (A, B, C and D) according to their minimum
infiltration rate, which is obtained for bare soil after prolonged
wetting. The NRCS defines the four groups and provides a list of most
of the soils in the United States and their group classification.
The soils in the area of the development site may be identified from
a soil survey report that can be obtained from local NRCS offices
or conservation district offices. Soils become less pervious as the
HSG varies from A to D (NRCS3,4).
Intensity duration frequency curve.
A surface that prevents the percolation of water into the
ground. Impervious surfaces (or areas) shall include, but not be limited
to: roofs; additional indoor living spaces, patios, garages, storage
sheds and similar structures; and any new streets or sidewalks. Decks,
parking areas, and driveway areas are not counted as impervious areas
if they do not prevent infiltration.
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater
runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
The infiltration rate of a soil is related to the soil's
final infiltration capacity and represents the rate at which water
enters the soil/air interface at the top of the soil profile. Infiltration
rates are measured in units of length/time.
A surface connection to a closed drain. A structure at the
diversion end of a conduit. The upstream end of any structure through
which water may flow.
A channel, berm, or dike constructed across a slope for the
purpose of intercepting stormwater, reducing the velocity of flow,
and diverting it to outlets where it may be disposed.
A type of topography that is formed over limestone, dolomite,
or gypsum by bedrock solution, and that is characterized by closed
depressions or sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage (from AGI,
Glossary of Geology, 1972).
Inclusive of any or all of the following meanings:
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts,
or parcels of land for any purpose involving: a) a group of two or
more buildings; or b) 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;
Any subdivision of land;
Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
The primary application employed in an area.
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging, or filling
of ground or stripping of vegetation or any other activity that causes
an alteration to the natural condition of the land.
A rock that, by accumulation of organic remains, consists
mainly of calcium carbonate.
Straight or gently curved, lengthy features frequently expressed
topographically as depressions or lines on the earth's surface.
They can be more easily observed at a height of 100 meters or more
and are usually found by researching aerial photographs or satellite
photography. They are usually located in areas of faulting or in dense
jointing along some rock stratigraphy.
Any stream segment or other runoff conveyance facility used
as a reach in the Spring Creek hydrologic model.
Site areas where previous or proposed activities have a negligible
impact on the natural soil structure. These areas include protected
areas or areas that are restored in accordance with procedures for
minimizing total disturbed areas and minimizing soil compaction as
defined in the current version of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best
Management Practices Manual.
In relation to this Stormwater Management Ordinance, the
minimum rate that can be discharged for any drainage area for design
storm events up to and including the ten-year event regardless of
the modeled predevelopment runoff estimate.
Protection of a natural area during development for its water
quality or recharge enhancing abilities.
Point where water flows from a conduit, stream, or drain.
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater
or artificial drain.
Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection.
Pennsylvania State Department of Transportation.
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm
event.
The rate at which water moves through a soil profile. Percolation
rates are measured in units of time/length.
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
The discharge from a pipe or channel that concentrates runoff
at a single area.
The specific area of land where any regulated activities
in the Township are planned, conducted, or maintained.
Any person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State
or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by this
chapter.
The volume of water that is required to be recharged from
developed sites.
Actions or proposed actions that have an impact on stormwater runoff as specified in § 26-104 of this chapter.
Activity involving earth disturbance subject to regulation
under 25 Pa. Code 92a, 25 Pa. Code 102, or the Clean Streams Law.[2]
An impoundment in which stormwater is stored and not released
during the storm event. Stored water may be released from the basin
at some time after the end of the storm.
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event
of a given magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the twenty-five-year
return period rainfall has a four-percent probability of occurring
in any given year.
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
The routing of peak runoff events, usually the one-hundred-year
design event, safely through a structure without failure of that structure.
Generally refers to the change in a channel configuration
provoked by sediment imbalance, due to natural or man-made causes,
between the supply and transport capacity of the channel.
A barrier, dam, retention or detention basin located and
designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported
by water.
An area protected because development within that area could
potentially cause contamination of groundwater reservoirs. These sensitive
land areas are defined in Appendix B, Exhibit 1.[3]
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a thin, even
layer, not concentrated in a channel.
Any drainageway, as defined in this chapter, that exhibits
recharge benefits as would be credited within this chapter.
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forestland.
These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management
plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design
and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation and reforestation.
A localized, gradual or rapid sinking of the land surface
to a variable depth, occurring in areas of carbonate bedrock; generally
characterized by a roughly circular outline, a distinct breaking of
the ground surface and downward movement of soil into bedrock voids.
A depression in the embankment of a pond or basin which is
used to pass peak discharge greater than the maximum design storm
controlled by the pond.
The proper placing, grading and/or covering of soil, rock
or earth to ensure their resistance to erosion, sliding or other movement.
The regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim,
and restore water quality under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code
and the Clean Streams Law.[4]
A system of pipes and/or open channels that convey intercepted
runoff and stormwater from other sources, but excludes domestic sewage
and industrial wastes.
Drainage runoff from the surface of the land resulting from
precipitation or snow or ice melt.
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition,
design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include, but are
not limited to, stormwater basins, open channels, storm sewers, pipes,
and infiltration structures.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff in the Spring Creek
Watershed adopted by the Centre County Commissioners as required by
the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864, (Act 167), and known as the
"Spring Creek Watershed Action 167 Stormwater Management Plan."
The plan prepared by the developer or his representative indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the development site in accordance with this chapter. Stormwater management site plan may be designated as SWM site plan throughout this chapter. The contents of the SWM site plan are established in § 26-403.
Tabular or sheet-like mass, distinct layers of homogenous
or gradational sedimentary material (consolidated rock or unconsolidated
earth) of any thickness, visually separable from other layers above
and below by a discrete change in the character of the material deposited
or by a sharp physical break deposition or both.
A stratum or body of strata recognized as a unit in the classification
of the rocks of the earth's crust with respect to any specific
rock character, property, attribute or for any purpose such as description,
mapping, and correlation.
Any soil mass that is compacted in lifts to some tested criteria
(standard or modified proctor) such as those under foundations or
adjacent to retaining walls. Areas that for several years after construction
respond to precipitation events similar to impervious areas.
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater
management criteria have been established in the stormwater management
plan.
A natural low-lying stretch of land or minor man-made conveyance
channel, which gathers or carries surface water runoff.
The general configuration of a land surface or any part of
the earth's surface, including its relief and position of its
natural and man-made features. The natural or physical surface features
of a region, considered collectively as to its form.
The Township of Ferguson, Centre County, Pennsylvania.
A professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and duly appointed by the subject Township as its representative.
In the event that a stormwater utility is formed, all references to
the Township Engineer shall be considered to also imply the Stormwater
Utility Engineer.
An area of a site that cannot be routed to a stormwater management
facility because of its location. Generally small areas around access
drives or below stormwater management facilities.
Depth of precipitation required to be used in computing the
water quality volume based on the percentage of imperviousness of
a site.
Land development projects that have a high potential to cause catastrophic loss to local water quality and could potentially threaten groundwater reservoirs. See § 26-302 for additional definition.
Volume of runoff required to be controlled from a site in
a water quality BMP.
Upper surface of a layer of saturated material in the soil.
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, ditches, watercourses,
storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs, and all
other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground
water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or
on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
The entire region or area drained by a river or other body
of water, whether natural or artificial, a drainage basin or sub-basin.
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or
groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and
that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including
swamps, marshes, bogs, ferns, and similar areas.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10503(1.1).
[2]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
