A.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for
the purpose of this chapter, have the meaning indicated below.
B.
Words used in the singular include the plural, and words in plural
include the singular. The word "building" shall be construed as if
followed by the words "or a part thereof." The words "may" and "should"
are permissive; the words "shall," "must" and "will" are mandatory.
C.
Words used in the present tense include the future tense; words of
masculine gender include feminine gender; and words of feminine gender
include masculine gender.
D.
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.
E.
The word "person" includes an individual, firm, association, organization,
partnership, trust, company, corporation, unit of government, or any
other similar entity.
F.
The words "used" or "occupied" include the words "intended, designed,
maintained, or arranged to be used, occupied or maintained."
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 buildings or impervious area is not considered
an agricultural activity.
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 as the result of changing the land cover,
including the water, vegetation and bare soil.
A landowner, as herein defined, or agent of the landowner,
who has filed an application for a stormwater management permit or
an application to engage in a regulated activity.
Engineering or site drawings maintained by the contractor
as he constructs the project and upon which he documents the actual
locations of the building components and changes to the original contract
documents. These documents, or a copy of same, are to be submitted
to the Borough for review and approval at the completion of the project.
The channel at the top-of-bank, or point from where water
begins to overflow onto a floodplain.
The portion of stream discharge derived from groundwater;
the sustained discharge that does not result from direct runoff or
from water diversions, reservoir releases, piped discharges, or other
human activities.
A stormwater retention area that utilizes woody and herbaceous
plants and soils to remove pollutants before infiltration occurs.
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.
The area of land immediately adjacent to any stream, measured
perpendicular to and horizontally from the top-of-bank on both sides
of a stream.
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having walls
and a roof, designed or used for the shelter of any person, animal
or property, and occupying more than 100 square feet of area.
An open drainage feature through which stormwater flows.
Channels include but shall not be limited to natural and man-made
watercourses, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes that convey
continuously or periodically flowing water.
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
The Bucks County Conservation District.
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater
runoff, which shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits,
culverts, storm sewers, etc.
A pipe, conduit or similar structure, including appurtenant
works, that carries surface water.
A value used in the Soil-Cover-Complex Method. It is a measure
of the percentage of precipitation that is expected to run off from
the watershed and is a function of the soil, vegetative cover, and
tillage method.
A man-made barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid. A dam may include a refuse bank, fill or structure
for highway, railroad or other purposes that impounds or may impound
water or another fluid or semifluid.
The deliberate devotion of property by its owner for general
public use.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The agent of the Bucks County Conservation District and/or
agent of the Borough of Chalfont charged with the administration,
review, or enforcement of any provisions of this chapter by contract
or memorandum of understanding.
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.
An impoundment designed to collect and retard stormwater
runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate. Detention basins are designed to drain completely soon after
a rainfall event and become dry until the next rainfall event.
A person, partnership, association, corporation or other
entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes
any regulated activity of this chapter.
Any human-induced change to improved or unimproved real estate,
whether public or private, including but not limited to land development,
construction, installation, or expansion of a building or other structure,
land division, street construction, drilling, and site alteration
such as embankments, dredging, grubbing, grading, paving, parking
or storage facilities, excavation, filling, stockpiling, or clearing.
As used in this chapter, "development" encompasses both new development
and redevelopment.
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed.
The point of discharge for a stormwater facility.
An impervious or impermeable surface that is disconnected
from any stormwater drainage or conveyance system and is redirected
or directed to a pervious area, which allows for infiltration, filtration,
and increased time of concentration as specified in Appendix IX, Disconnected
Impervious Area.[1]
Unstabilized land area where an earth-disturbance activity
is occurring or has occurred.
A man-made waterway constructed for irrigation or stormwater
conveyance purposes.
A right, granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the
surface of the land, including but not limited to clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural
plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, mineral extraction,
and the moving, depositing, stockpiling or storing of soil, rock or
earth materials.
A conveyance area that is used to pass peak discharge greater
than the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
A structure or activity that changes, expands or diminishes
the course, current or cross section of a watercourse, floodway or
body of water.
The removal of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice or other geological agents.
A plan for a project site, which identifies BMPs to minimize
erosion and sedimentation.
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pennsylvania
Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality
Standards, § 93.4b(b) (relating to antidegradation).
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed
construction.
Undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects
and a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the groundwater.
A base map which identifies fundamental environmental site
information, including floodplains, wetlands, topography, vegetative
site features, natural areas, prime agricultural land and areas supportive
of endangered species.
A temporary inundation of the floodplain outside the floodway.
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.
The designated area of a floodplain required to carry and
discharge floodwaters of a given magnitude.
Planning and associated 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, and reforestation.
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high
water and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin or diversion swale.
The space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
Elected municipal officials of the Borough of Chalfont.
A slope, usually of a road, channel or natural ground, specified
in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
Replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering
Center (HEC) - Hydrologic Modeling System (HMS). This model was used
to model the Neshaminy Creek watershed during the Act 167[2] Plan development and was the basis for the standards and
criteria of this chapter.
Surface waters having quality which exceeds levels necessary
to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water by satisfying Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental
Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(a).
An area where land use or activity generates highly contaminated runoff, with concentrations of pollutants in excess of those typically found in stormwater. Typical pollutant loadings in stormwater may be found in Chapter 8, Section 6, of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) No. 363-0300-002 (2006).
A graph representing the discharge of water versus time for
a selected point in the drainage system.
The hydrologic cycle or balance that sustains quality and
quantity of stormwater, base flow, storage and groundwater supplies
under natural conditions.
A classification of soils by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, formerly the Soil Conservation Service, into four runoff
potential groups. The groups range from A soils, which are very permeable
and produce little runoff, to D soils, which are not very permeable
and produce much more runoff.
A surface that prevents the percolation of water into the
ground, excluding the water surface of swimming pools. Impervious
surfaces include but are not limited to streets, sidewalks, pavement,
roofs, parking areas, or driveway areas. Any of these surface areas
designed to be gravel or crushed stone shall be regarded as impervious
surfaces. In addition, other areas determined by the Borough Engineer
to be impervious within the meaning of this definition will also be
classified as impervious.
[Amended 5-9-2022 by Ord. No. 466]
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater
runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
Movement of surface water into the soil, where it is absorbed
by plant roots, evaporated into the atmosphere, or percolated downward
to recharge groundwater.
A structure designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g.,
french drains, seepage pits, seepage trenches).
The value used to calculate the volume or peak rate of runoff
in the Soil-Cover-Complex Method. It represents the depth of rain
retained on vegetation plus the depth of rain stored on the soil surface
plus the depth of rain infiltrated prior to the start of runoff.
The upstream end of any structure through which water may
flow.
A stream that flows only part of the time. Flow generally
occurs for several weeks or months in response to seasonal precipitation
or groundwater discharge.
A type of topography or landscape characterized by surface
depressions, sinkholes, rock pinnacles/uneven bedrock surface, underground
drainage, and caves. Karst is formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone
or dolomite.
Any of the following activities:
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings,
whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential
building on a lot or lots, regardless of the number of occupants or
tenure; or
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially
or cumulatively, 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.
A subdivision of land.
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by
a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed
or built upon as a unit.
Practices that will minimize proposed conditions' runoff
rates and volumes, which will minimize needs for artificial conveyance
and storage facilities.
A method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet
per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels
based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. Open
channels may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under
pressure.
A registered professional engineer licensed as such in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the engineer for the
Borough of Chalfont.
The Borough of Chalfont, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Pollution that enters a water body from diffuse origins in
the watershed and does not result from discernible, confined, or discrete
conveyances.
Water flowing in stormwater collection facilities, such as
pipes or swales, which is not the result of a rainfall event or snowmelt.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; the
federal government's system for issuance of permits under the Clean
Water Act,[4] which is delegated to DEP in Pennsylvania.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (previously "SCS").
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open
surface. Open channels include but shall not be limited to natural
and man-made drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes
flowing partly full.
"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.
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater
or artificial drain.
See "DEP."
The maximum rate of flow of storm runoff at a given point
and time resulting from a specified storm event.
A stream that contains water at all times except during extreme
drought.
A surface that allows the infiltration of water into the
ground.
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
The Planning Commission of the Borough of Chalfont.
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.a2.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The period after construction during which disturbed areas
are stabilized, stormwater controls are in place and functioning,
and all proposed improvements in the approved land development plan
are completed.
See "existing conditions."
Techniques employed in stormwater BMPs to provide storage
or filtering to trap coarse materials and other pollutants before
they enter the system but not necessarily designed to meet the volume
requirements of this chapter.
The specific area of land where any regulated activities
in the municipality are planned, conducted or maintained.
Any person licensed by the State of Pennsylvania or otherwise
qualified by law to perform the work required by this chapter.
A method of computing the peak rate of runoff at any location
in a watershed as a function of the drainage area, runoff coefficient,
and mean rainfall intensity for a duration equal to the time of concentration.
The replenishment of groundwater through the infiltration
of rainfall, other surface waters, or land application of water or
treated wastewater.
Any development that requires demolition or removal of existing
structures or impervious surfaces at a site and replacement with new
impervious surfaces. Maintenance activities, such as milling/removal
of pavement and repaving, are not considered to be redevelopment.
Interior remodeling projects and tenant improvements are also not
considered to be redevelopment. Utility trenches in streets are not
considered redevelopment.
Any earth-disturbance activities or any activities that involve
the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect
stormwater runoff.
The post-development peak rate of runoff for a development
site that must be controlled to protect downstream areas.
A basin designed to retain stormwater runoff so that a permanent
pool is established.
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly
into the surface waters of the commonwealth during or after a storm
event.
The probability that an event will occur in any given year;
typically displays as a whole number, e.g., twenty-five-year event,
and represents the inverse of the frequency of that event.
A vertical pipe extending from the bottom of a pond that
is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified
design storm.
A drainage conduit or pipe that collects water runoff from
a roof and leads it away from the structure.
The part of precipitation that flows over the land.
The Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.[5]
Formerly the Soil Conservation Service, now the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture.
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension,
is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by
water.
A barrier, dam, or retention or detention basin to retain
sediment.
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
material and into which water is directed for infiltration into the
ground.
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, Borough streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches,
man-made channels or storm drains) primarily used for collecting and
conveying stormwater runoff.
Stormwater runoff flowing in rills and swales of a shallow
depth prior to entering a defined channel or waterway.
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a broad, shallow
water movement, not concentrated in a channel.
A method of runoff computation, developed by NRCS, which
is based upon relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter
called a "curve number."
As defined under state regulations, protection of designated
and existing uses. (See 25 Pa. Code Chapters 93 and 96.)
A system of pipes or other conduits which carries intercepted
surface runoff, street water and other waters or drainage but excludes
domestic sewage and industrial waste.
The surface runoff generated by precipitation reaching the
ground surface.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted by Bucks
County for the Neshaminy Creek watershed as required by the Act of
October 4, 1978, (P.L. No. 864) (Act 167), and known as the "Storm
Water Management Act."
Abbreviated as "BMPs" or "SWM BMPs" throughout this chapter.
(See "BMPs.")
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 detention and retention basins, open channels, storm sewers,
pipes and infiltration structures.
A permit issued by the municipality after the SWM site plan
has been approved.
The plan prepared by the applicant or his representative
indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the particular
site of interest according to this chapter.
A watercourse.
The land area adjacent to each side of a stream, essential
to maintaining water quality. (See "buffer.")
The smallest unit of watershed breakdown for hydrologic modeling
purposes for which the runoff control criteria have been established
in the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Stormwater Management Act 167 Plan.
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.
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.
A low-lying stretch of land that gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
The time for surface runoff to travel from the hydraulically
most-distant point of the watershed to a point of interest within
the watershed. This time is the combined total of overland flow time,
concentrate flow time and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
The highest point of elevation in a stream channel cross
section at which a rising water level just begins to flow out of the
channel and over the floodplain.
A natural or man-made waterway, usually broad and shallow,
covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to convey surface water.
Seasonal depressional wetlands that are covered by shallow
water for variable periods from winter to spring but may be completely
dry for most of the summer and fall.
Any channel or conveyance of surface water having a defined
bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent
flow.
The region or area drained by a river, watercourse or other
body of water, whether natural or artificial.
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 the commonwealth.
