The Board of Supervisors does hereby amend the Coolbaugh Township Stormwater and Earth Disturbance Ordinance to become effective on June 22, 2014. The amended ordinance is hereby designated to be and shall be known as the "Coolbaugh Township Stormwater Management and Earth Disturbance Ordinance," hereinafter referred to as the "Stormwater Management Ordinance."
The Board of Supervisors of Coolbaugh Township finds that:
A. 
Inadequate management of accelerated runoff of stormwater resulting from development throughout a watershed increases flood flows and velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, overtaxes the carrying capacity of streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the cost of public facilities to carry and control stormwater, undermines floodplain management and flood control efforts in downstream communities, reduces groundwater discharge and threatens public health and safety.
B. 
A comprehensive program of stormwater management, nonpoint source pollution and wetland conservation, including reasonable regulation of development activities causing accelerated erosion and sediment pollution, is fundamental to the public health, safety and welfare and the protection of the people of the Township and all the people of the commonwealth, their resources and the environment.
C. 
Inadequate management of accelerated runoff from development throughout a watershed poses a threat to surface and groundwater quality.
D. 
Through project design, impacts from stormwater runoff can be minimized to maintain the natural hydrologic regime, and sustain high-quality groundwater recharge, stream base flow and aquatic ecosystems. The most effective and environmentally advantageous way to manage stormwater runoff is through nonstructural project design, minimizing impervious surfaces and sprawl, avoiding sensitive areas such as buffers, steep slopes and floodplains, and designing to topography and soils to maintain the natural hydrologic regime.
E. 
To effectively monitor the maintenance of base flow within a watershed, a tracking of consumptive use, including stormwater discharges and groundwater withdrawals is critical to complying with anti-degradation regulations, the Stormwater Management Act's goals and policies and regulatory requirements to maintain stream base flows and overall health.
F. 
There are portions of four watersheds within Coolbaugh Township: the Brodhead Creek watershed (as part of the Brodhead and McMichaels Creek watershed), the Tobyhanna Creek watershed, the Wallenpaupack Creek watershed, and the Lehigh River watershed. The watersheds and subwatersheds within the watersheds require various management practices.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare within Coolbaugh Township by maintaining the natural hydrologic regime and minimizing the impacts described in § 344-2 above by way of provisions designed to:
A. 
Control accelerated runoff and erosion and sediment pollution control problems at their sources by regulating activities which cause such problems.
B. 
Promote alternative project designs and layouts that minimize impacts to surface and groundwater.
C. 
Utilize and preserve the existing natural drainage systems.
D. 
Encourage recharge of groundwater where appropriate and prevent degradation of groundwater quality.
E. 
Address the quality and quantity of stormwater discharges from the development site.
F. 
Maintain existing base flow and quality of streams and watercourses in the Township and the commonwealth.
G. 
Preserve and restore the flood-carrying capacity of streams.
H. 
Promote nonstructural BMPs.
I. 
Minimize increases in stormwater runoff volume.
J. 
Minimize impervious surfaces.
K. 
Provide for proper maintenance of all permanent stormwater management facilities that are located in Coolbaugh Township.
L. 
Provide performance standards and design criteria for watershed-wide stormwater management and planning.
The Township is empowered to regulate land use activities that affect runoff, surface and groundwater quality and quantity by the authority of the Act of October 4, 1978, P. L. 864 (Act 167), 32 P. S. 680.1 et seq. as amended, commonly known as "The Storm Water Management Act" (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"); and the Act of 1968, P. L. 805 (Act 247), 53 P. S. § 10101 et seq., as amended, commonly known as the "Municipalities Planning Code."
Approvals issued pursuant to this chapter do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other applicable code, rule, act, or ordinance.