As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOODA flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every 100 years (i.e., that has a one-percent chance of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year).
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD BOUNDARYThe outer boundary of an area of land that is likely to be flooded once every 100 years (i.e., that has a one-percent chance of being flooded each year). A study by the Federal Insurance Administration, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the United States Geological Survey, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, or a licensed surveyor or professional engineer, registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is necessary to define this boundary.
FIVE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOODA flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every 500 years (i.e., that has a 0.20% chance of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year).
FIVE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD BOUNDARYThe outer boundary of an area of land that is likely to be flooded once every 500 years (i.e., which has a 0.20% chance of being flooded each year), as determined by the Flood Insurance Study, as may from time to time be promulgated by the Federal Emergency Management Association.
ACCELERATED EROSIONThe removal of the surface of the land through the combined action of man's activity and the natural processes at a rate greater than would occur because of the natural process alone.
ACCESS EASEMENTA right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing entry for the purpose of inspecting, maintaining and repairing SWM facilities.
ACT 167 PLANA plan prepared under the authority of the Storm Water Management Act.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITYActivities associated with agriculture such as agricultural cultivation, agricultural operation, and animal heavy use areas. This includes the work of producing crops and raising livestock including tillage, land clearing, plowing, disking, harrowing, planting, harvesting crops, or pasturing and raising of livestock and installation of conservation practices. Construction of new buildings or impervious areas is not considered an agricultural activity. This definition also includes noncommercial greenhouses and mushroom houses.
ALTERATIONAs applied to land, a change in topography as a result of the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another; the changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to be more or less impervious; earth disturbance activity. As applied to buildings or structures, any change in the supporting members of a building or structure such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders, joists or rafters, or enclosing walls; any renovation to a building which would change its use.
ANIMAL HEAVY USE AREASA barnyard, feedlot, loafing area, exercise lot, or other similar area on an agricultural operation where, due to the concentration of animals, it is not possible to establish and maintain vegetative cover of a density capable of minimizing accelerated erosion and sedimentation by usual planting methods. The term does not include entrances, pathways and walkways between areas where animals are housed or kept in concentration.
APPLICANTA landowner and/or developer, as hereinafter defined, including his heirs, successors and assigns, who has filed an application to the Borough for approval to engage in any regulated activity at a development site located within the Borough.
BASE FLOODThe flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (one-hundred-year flood).
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)Activities, facilities, control measures, planning or procedures used to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation and manage stormwater to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore the quality of waters and the existing and designated uses of waters within this commonwealth before, during and after earth disturbance activities. See also "nonstructural BMP" and "structural BMP."
BMP MANUALThe Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual of December 2006.
BOROUGHQuarryville Borough, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
BUILDINGAny structure with a roof intended for shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property. For the purpose of Chapter
210, Floodplain Management, this term shall also include gas or liquid storage tanks.
C. ATTACHEDA building which has two or more party walls in common.
CARBONATE GEOLOGYLimestone or dolomite bedrock or other carbonate-based rock. Carbonate geology is often associated with karst topography.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETIONDocumentation verifying that all permanent SWM facilities have been constructed according to the plans and specifications and approved revisions thereto.
CHANNELA natural or artificial watercourse with a definite bed and banks which confine and conduct continuously or periodically flowing water.
CHANNEL FLOWThat water which is flowing within the limits of a defined channel.
CHAPTER 10225 Pa. Code Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control.
CHAPTER 10525 Pa. Code, Chapter 105, Dam Safety and Waterway Management.
CHAPTER 10625 Pa. Code, Chapter 106, Floodplain Management.
CISTERNA reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CLEAN WATER ACTThe 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, P.L. 92-500 of 1972, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTThe Lancaster County Conservation District or any agency successor thereto, which shall administer and enforce Chapter 102.
CONSERVATION PLANA plan written by an NRCS certified planner that identifies conservation practices and includes site specific BMPs for agricultural plowing or tilling activities and animal heavy use areas.
CONSERVATION PRACTICESPractices installed on agricultural lands to improve farmland, soil and/or water quality which have been identified in a current conservation plan.
CONVEYANCEA. (n) Any structure that carries a flow.
(v) The ability of a pipe, culvert, swale or similar facility to carry the peak flow from the design storm.
CULVERTA structure with appurtenant works which can convey a stream under or through an embankment or fill.
DCNRThe Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or any agency successor thereto.
DESIGN STORMThe 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 SWM systems.
DETENTION BASINAn impoundment structure designed to manage stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a controlled rate.
DEVELOPERA person who undertakes any regulated activity of this chapter.
DEVELOPMENT SITE (SITE)The specific area of land where regulated activities in the Borough are planned, conducted or maintained.
DISAPPEARING STREAMA stream in an area underlain by carbonate geology that flows underground for a portion of its length.
DISTURBED AREAA land area where an earth disturbance activity is occurring or has occurred.
DRAINAGE EASEMENTRights to occupy and use another person's real property for the installation and operation of stormwater management facilities, or for the maintenance of natural drainageways to preserve and maintain a channel for the flow of stormwater therein, or to safeguard health, safety, property, and facilities.
E&S MANUALThe DEP Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Manual, No. 363-2134-008.
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITYA 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; operation of animal heavy use areas; timber-harvesting activities; road maintenance activities; oil and gas activities; well drilling; mineral extraction; building construction; and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock, or earth materials.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREASlopes greater than 15%, shallow bedrock (located within six feet of ground surface), wetlands, natural heritage areas and other areas designated as conservation or preservation in Greenscapes, the Green Infrastructure Element of the County Comprehensive Plan, where encroachment by land development or land disturbance results in degradation of the natural resource.
EROSIONThe natural process by which the surface of the land is worn away by water, wind, or chemical action. See also "accelerated erosion," as defined above.
EXISTING CONDITIONSThe dominant land cover during the five-year period immediately preceding a proposed regulated activity.
FEMAThe Federal Emergency Management Agency or any agency successor thereto.
FLOODA general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overland flow of watercourses, or from the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface water from any source.
FLOOD ELEVATIONThe projected heights, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD), reached by floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplain areas.
FLOOD FRINGEThat portion of the floodplain outside of the floodway.
FLOODWAYSee definition of "floodway" in Chapter
210, Floodplain Management.
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forest land. These include conducting a timber inventory and preparation of forest management plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation and reforestation.
FREQUENCYThe probability or chance that a given storm event/flood will be equaled or exceeded in a given year.
GRADEA. (n) A slope, usually of a road, channel or natural ground specified in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
(v) To finish the surface of a roadbed, top of embankment or bottom of excavation.
GROUNDWATER RECHARGEThe process by which water from above the ground surface is added to the saturated zone of an aquifer, either directly or indirectly.
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (HSG)Refers to soils grouped according to their runoff-producing characteristics by NRCS. There are four runoff potential groups, ranging from A to D.
A. (Low runoff potential) Soils having high infiltration rates even when thoroughly wetted and consisting chiefly of deep, well to excessively drained sands or gravels. These soils have a high rate of water transmission (greater than 0.30 inch/hour).
Soils having moderate infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted and consisting chiefly of moderately deep to deep, moderately well to well-drained soils with moderately fine to moderately coarse textures. These soils have a moderate rate of water transmission (from 0.15 inch/hour to 0.30 inch/hour).
Soils having slow infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted and consisting chiefly of soils with a layer that impedes downward movement of water, or soils with moderately fine to fine texture. These soils have a slow rate of water transmission (from 0.05 inch/hour to 0.15 inch/hour).
(High runoff potential) Soils having very slow infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted and consisting chiefly of clay soils with a high swelling potential, soils with a permanent high water table, soils with a clay pan or clay layer at or near the surface, and shallow soils over nearly impervious material. These soils have a very slow rate of water transmission (from zero to 0.05 inch/hour).
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (IMPERVIOUS AREA)Surfaces which prevent the infiltration of water into the ground. All surfaces, including but not limited to structures, buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, streets, sidewalks, decks, and any areas of concrete, asphalt, packed stone, and compacted soil shall be considered impervious surface if they prevent infiltration.
IMPOUNDMENTA retention or detention facility designed to retain stormwater runoff and infiltrate it into the ground (in the case of a retention basin) or release it at a controlled rate (in the case of a detention basin).
INFILTRATION STRUCTURESA structure designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g., french drains, seepage pits, seepage trench, rain gardens, vegetated swales, pervious paving, infiltration basins, etc.).
INLETA surface connection to a closed drain. The upstream end of any structure through which water may flow.
INTERMITTENTA natural, transient body or conveyance of water that exists for a relatively long time, but for weeks or months of the year is below the local water table and obtains its flow from both surface runoff and groundwater discharges.
INVASIVE VEGETATION (INVASIVES)Plants which grow quickly and aggressively, spreading, and displacing other plants. Invasives typically are introduced into a region far from their native habitat. See "Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania" by DCNR.
KARSTA type of topography or landscape characterized by features including but not limited to surface depressions, sinkholes, rock pinnacles/uneven bedrock surface, underground drainage, and caves. Karst is formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone or dolomite.
LAND DEVELOPMENTAny activity meeting the definition of land development in Chapter
355, Subdivision and Land Development.
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
LIMITING ZONEA rock formation, other stratum, or soil condition which is so slowly permeable that it effectively limits downward passage of effluent. Seasonal high water tables, whether perched or regional, also constitute a limiting zone.
LINEAMENTA linear feature in a landscape which is an expression of an underlying geological structure such as a fault.
MANNING'S EQUATIONAn equation 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. Manning's Equation assumes steady, gradually varied flow.
MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE (MEP)Applies when the applicant demonstrates to the Borough's satisfaction that the performance standard is not achievable. The applicant shall take into account the best available technology, cost-effectiveness, geographic features, and other competing interests such as protection of human safety and welfare, protection of endangered and threatened resources, and preservation of historic properties in making the assertion that the performance standard cannot be met and that a different means of control is appropriate.
MPCThe Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWERA conveyance of system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains), which is all of the following:
A. Owned or operated by a state, city, town, Borough, township, county, district, association or other public body (created under state law) having jurisdiction over disposal of sewage, industrial wastes, stormwater or other wastes;
Designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater;
Not a combined sewer; and
Not part of a publicly owned treatment works as defined at 40 CFR 122.2.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)All separate storm sewers that are defined as "large" or "medium" or "small" municipal separate storm sewer systems pursuant to 40 CFR 122.26(b)(18), or designated as regulated under 40 CFR 122.26(a)(1)(v).
NATIONAL POLLUTION DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)A permit issued under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 92a (relating to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting, monitoring and compliance) for the discharge or potential discharge of pollutants from a point source to surface waters.
NATIVE VEGETATIONPlant species that have evolved or are indigenous to a specific geographical area. These plants are adapted to local soil and weather conditions as well as pests and diseases.
NATURAL GROUND COVERGround cover which mimics the infiltration characteristics of predominant hydrologic soil group found at the site.
NONSTRUCTURAL BMPsPlanning and design approaches, operational and/or behavior-related practices which minimize stormwater runoff generation resulting from an alteration of the land surface or limit contact of pollutants with stormwater runoff.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTIONAny source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of "point source" in Section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act.
NRCSNatural Resources Conservation Service (previously "Soil Conservation Service" or "SCS").
OPEN CHANNELA 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. Open channels may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under pressure.
OUTFALLPoint where water flows from a conduit, stream, pipe, or drain.
PEAK DISCHARGEThe maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm event.
PENNDOTThe Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or any agency successor thereto.
PERVIOUS AREAAny material/surface that allows water to pass through at a rate equal to or greater than natural ground cover.
PIPEA culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
PLANSThe SWM and erosion and sediment control plans and narratives.
PROCESS WASTEWATERWater that comes in contact with any raw material, product, by-product, or waste during any production or industrial process.
QUALIFIED PERSONAny person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by this chapter.
RATE CONTROLSWM controls used to manage the peak flows for the purposes of channel protection and flood mitigation.
REDEVELOPMENTAny physical improvement to a previously developed lot that involves earthmoving, removal, or addition of impervious surfaces.
REGIONAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANA plan to manage stormwater runoff from an area larger than a single development site. A Regional Stormwater Management Plan could include two adjacent parcels, an entire watershed, or some defined area in between. Regional Stormwater Management Plans can be prepared for new development, or as a retrofit to manage runoff from already developed areas.
REGULATED ACTIVITIESActivities, including earth disturbance activities, that involve the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect stormwater runoff. Regulated activities shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Land development, subject to the requirements of Chapter
355, Subdivision and Land Development;
Removal of ground cover, grading, filling or excavation;
Construction of new or additional impervious or semi-impervious surfaces (driveways, parking lots, etc.), and associated improvements;
Construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings;
Installation or alteration of stormwater management facilities and appurtenances thereto;
Diversion or piping of any watercourse; and
Any other regulated activities where the Borough determines that said activities may affect any existing watercourse's stormwater management facilities, or stormwater drainage patterns.
RELEASE RATEFor a specific design storm or list of design storms, the percentage of peak flow rate for existing conditions which may not be exceeded for the proposed conditions.
RELEASE RATE MAPA graphical representation of the release rates for a specific area.
RETENTION BASINA stormwater management facility that includes a permanent pool for water quality treatment and additional capacity above the permanent pool for temporary runoff storage.
RIPARIANPertaining to a stream, river or other watercourse. Also, plant communities occurring in association with any spring, lake, river, stream or creek through which waters flow at least periodically.
RIPARIAN BUFFERA BMP that is an area of permanent vegetation along a watercourse.
RIPARIAN CORRIDORA narrow strip of land, centered on a stream or river that includes the floodplain as well as related riparian habitats adjacent to the floodplain.
RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFERA type of riparian buffer that consists of permanent vegetation that is predominantly native trees, shrubs and forbs along a watercourse that is maintained in a natural state or sustainably managed to protect and enhance water quality, stabilize stream channels and banks, and separate land use activities from surface waters.
ROOFTOP DETENTIONTemporary ponding and gradual release of stormwater falling directly onto roof surfaces by incorporating controlled-flow roof drains into building designs.
RUNOFFAny part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
SCSUnited States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service (now known as "NRCS").
SEDIMENTSoils or other materials transported by stormwater as a product of erosion.
SEDIMENT BASINA barrier, dam, retention or detention basin located and designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported by water.
SEDIMENT POLLUTIONThe placement, discharge or any other introduction of sediment into the waters of the commonwealth occurring from the failure to design, construct, implement or maintain control measures and control facilities in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
SEDIMENTATIONThe action or process of forming or depositing sediment in waters of this commonwealth.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCHAn area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar coarse material, into which surface water is directed for infiltration into the ground.
SHEET FLOWRunoff which flows over the ground surface as a thin, even layer, not concentrated in a channel.
SMALL PROJECTRegulated activities that, measured on a cumulative basis, create new impervious areas of more than 250 square feet and less than 2,000 square feet or involve earth disturbance activity of an area less than 5,000 square feet and do not involve the alteration of SWM facilities or watercourses.
SMALL STORM EVENTA storm having a frequency of recurrence of once every two years or smaller.
SOIL-COVER-COMPLEX METHODA method of runoff computation developed by the SCS (now NRCS) that is based on relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter called "curve number" (CN). For more information, see "Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds," Second Edition, Technical Release No. 55, SCS, June 1986 (or most current edition).
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTSThe regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore water quality under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code, the Clean Streams Law and the Clean Water Act.
STORAGEA volume above or below ground that is available to hold stormwater.
STORM EVENTA storm of a specific duration, intensity, and frequency.
STORM SEWERA system of pipes and/or open channels designed to convey stormwater.
STORMWATERDrainage runoff from the surface of the land resulting from precipitation or snow or ice melt.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY (SWM FACILITY)Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition, design, or construction, conveys, stores, infiltrates/evaporates/transpires, cleans or otherwise affects stormwater runoff. Typical SWM facilities include, but are not limited to, detention and retention basins, open channels, watercourses, road gutters, swales, storm sewers, pipes, BMPs, and infiltration structures.
STRUCTURAL BMPsPhysical devices and practices that capture and treat stormwater runoff; structural stormwater BMPs are permanent appurtenances to the development site.
STRUCTUREAny man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
SUBDIVISIONAny activity meeting the definition of "subdivision" in the MPC.
SWALEA low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface water runoff.
SWMStormwater management.
TIME OF CONCENTRATION (TC)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 and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
TOP OF STREAM BANKFirst substantial break in slope between the edge of the bed of the stream and the surrounding terrain. The top of stream bank can either be a natural or constructed (that is, road or railroad grade) feature, lying generally parallel to the watercourse.
TREATMENT TRAINThe sequencing of structural BMPs to achieve optimal flow management and pollutant removal from urban stormwater.
USDAUnited States Department of Agriculture or an agency successor thereto.
VOLUME CONTROLSWM controls, or BMPs, used to remove a predetermined amount of runoff or the increase in volume between the pre- and post-development design storm.
WATERCOURSEA channel or conveyance of surface water having defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow. Watercourses may include, but are not limited to permanent and intermittent streams, rivers, brooks, runs, creeks, channels, swales, ponds and lakes, whether natural or artificial.
WATERS OF THIS COMMONWEALTHAny 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 and underground water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or on the boundaries of Pennsylvania.
WATERSHEDThe entire region or area drained by a watercourse.
WETLANDThose 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.
WOODLANDLand predominantly covered with trees and shrubs. Without limiting the foregoing, woodlands include all land areas of 10,000 square feet or greater, supporting at least 100 trees per acre, so that either: at least 50 trees are two inches or greater in diameter at breast height (DBH); or 50 trees are at least 12 feet in height.