[1971 Code § 20-1]
This chapter shall be known as the "Township of Lakewood Municipal
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations."
[1971 Code § 20-2]
The purpose of this chapter is to control soil erosion and sediment
damages and related environmental damage by requiring adequate provisions
for surface water retention and drainage and for the protection of
exposed soil surfaces in order to promote the safety, public health,
convenience and general welfare of the community.
[1971 Code § 20-3; New]
For the purpose of this chapter certain rules and word usage apply to the text as stated in Chapter
1, Section
1-3.
[1971 Code § 20-4]
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this chapter, unless otherwise specifically stated:
APPLICANT
Shall mean a person, partnership, corporation or public agency
requesting permission to engage in land disturbance activity.
CRITICAL AREA
Shall mean a sediment-producing highly erodible or severely
eroded area.
EROSION
Shall mean detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments
by water, wind, ice and gravity.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
Shall mean a plan which fully indicates necessary land treatment
measures, including a schedule of the timing for their installation,
which will effectively minimize soil erosion and sedimentation. Such
measures shall be in accordance with standards as adopted by the State
Soil Conservation Committee.
EXCAVATION OR CUT
Shall mean any act by which soil or rock is cut into, dug,
quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced or relocated.
FARM CONSERVATION PLAN
Shall mean a plan which provides for the use of land, within
its capabilities and treatment, within practical limits, according
to chosen use to prevent further deterioration of soil and water resources.
LAND
Shall mean any ground, soil, or earth including marshes,
swamps, drainage-ways, and areas not permanently covered by water
within the Township.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Shall mean any activity involving the clearing, grading,
transporting, filling and any other activity which causes land to
be exposed to the danger of erosion.
MULCHING
Shall mean the application of plant residue or other suitable
materials to the land surface to conserve moisture, hold soil in place,
and aid in establishing plant cover.
PERMIT
Shall mean a certificate issued to perform work under this
chapter.
SEDIMENT
Shall mean solid material, both mineral and organic, that
is in suspension, is being transported, or has been moved from its
site of origin by air, water or gravity as a product of erosion.
SEDIMENT BASIN
Shall mean a barrier or dam built at suitable locations to
retain rock, sand, gravel, silt or other material.
SITE
Shall mean any plot, parcel or parcels of land.
SOIL
Shall mean all unconsolidated mineral or organic material
of any origin.
SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Shall mean a governmental subdivision of this State, which encompasses this Township, organized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
24, Title 4, N.J.R.S.
STANDARDS
Shall mean standards for soil erosion and sediment control
in New Jersey as promulgated by the State Soil Conservation Committee.
STRIPPING
Shall mean any activity which significantly disturbs vegetated
or otherwise stabilized soil surface including clearing and grubbing
operations.
[1971 Code § 20-5.1; Ord. No. 2003-27 § 1]
No land area shall be disturbed by any person within this Township unless the applicant has submitted to the Department Head of the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning or his designee a plan to provide for soil erosion and sediment control for such land area in accordance with the Standards, and such plan has been approved, and a valid land disturbance permit has been issued by the Department Head of the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning or his designee except as exempted by Section
30-7.
[1971 Code § 20-5.2; Ord. No. 2003-27 § 2]
The applicant must submit a separate soil erosion and sediment
control plan for each noncontiguous site. The applicant may consult
with the Ocean County Soil Conservation District in the selection
of appropriate erosion and sediment control measures and the development
of the plan. The plan shall contain:
a. Location and description of existing natural and man-made features
on and surrounding the site including general topography and soil
characteristics and a copy of the Soil Conservation District soil
survey (where available).
b. Location and description of proposed changes to the site.
c. Measures for soil erosion and sediment control which must meet or
exceed the Standards. The Standards shall be on file at the office
of the local Soil Conservation District, the Township Clerk and the
Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning.
d. A schedule of the sequence of installation of planned erosion and
sediment control measures as related to the progress of the project
including anticipated starting and completion dates.
e. All proposed revisions of data required shall be submitted for approval.
[1971 Code § 20-5.3; Ord. No. 2003-27 § 3]
a. Soil erosion and sediment control plans shall be reviewed by the
Soil Specialist or other official designated by resolution of the
Township Committee, and approved when in conformance with the Standards.
b. The Soil Specialist or other designated official may seek the assistance
of the Ocean County Soil Conservation District in the review of such
plans and may deem as approved those plans which have been reviewed
and determined adequate by the District.
c. Review and approval shall be made within a period of 30 days of submission
of a complete application unless, by mutual agreement in writing between
the Township and the applicant, this period is extended for an additional
30 days. Failure of the Township to make a decision within such period
or such extension thereof shall constitute certification.
d. The applicant shall be provided with a written notice of such decision
by the Department Head of the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning
or his designee. A copy of such decision including name of applicant,
site location by street address and block and lot number, and proposed
land use shall be sent to the Ocean County Soil Conservation District.
The Township shall also make available such other information as may
be required by the District.
[1971 Code § 20-6.1]
Control measures shall apply to all aspects of the proposed
land disturbance and shall be in operation during all stages of the
disturbance activity. The following principles shall apply to the
soil erosion and sediment control plan:
a. Stripping of vegetation, grading or other soil disturbance shall
be done in a manner which will minimize soil erosion.
b. Whenever feasible, natural vegetation shall be retained and protected.
c. The extent of the disturbed area and the duration of its exposure
shall be kept within practical limits.
d. Either temporary seeding, mulching or other suitable stabilization
measures shall be used to protect exposed critical areas during construction
or other land disturbance.
e. Drainage provisions shall accommodate increased runoff, resulting
from modified soil and surface conditions, during and after development
or disturbance. Such provisions shall be in addition to all existing
requirements.
f. Water runoff shall be minimized and retained on site whenever possible
to facilitate ground water recharge.
g. Sediment shall be retained on site to the maximum extent feasible.
h. Diversions, sediment basins, and similar required structures shall
be installed prior to any on-site grading or disturbance.
[1971 Code § 20-6.2]
All necessary soil erosion and sediment control measures installed
under this chapter shall be adequately maintained for one year after
completion of the approved plan or until such measures are permanently
stabilized as determined by the Soil Specialist or other designated
official. The Soil Specialist or other designated official shall give
the applicant upon request a certificate indicating the date on which
the measures called for in the approved plans were completed.
[1971 Code § 20-6.3]
The applicant shall file and maintain a bond or bonds in form
approved by the Township Attorney with surety acceptable to the Township
and in such amount as determined by the soil specialist or other designated
official to insure the faithful performance and maintenance of the
work to be undertaken pursuant to this chapter for a period of one
year after completion of the approved plan or until all necessary
soil erosion and sediment control measures installed under this chapter
are permanently stabilized as determined by the Soil Specialist or
other designated official including an appropriate official of the
Ocean County Soil Conservation District.
[1971 Code § 20-6.4]
The applicant shall pay to the Township at the same time the
application is submitted a fee of $100 for the first acre or part
thereof included in the plan and $15 for each additional acre. The
purpose of this fee is to cover the cost of enforcing this chapter.
[1971 Code § 20-6.5]
If any person violates any of the provisions of this chapter,
any standard promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter,
or fails to comply with the provisions of a certified plan, the Township
or the District may institute a civil action in the Superior Court
for injunctive relief to prohibit and prevent such violation or violations
and the Court may proceed in a summary manner. Any person who violates
any of the provisions of this chapter, any standard promulgated pursuant
to this chapter or fails to comply with the provisions of a certified
plan shall be liable to a penalty of not less than $25 nor more than
$3,000 to be collected in a summary proceeding pursuant to the Penalty
Enforcement Law (N.J.S.A. 2A:58.1 et seq.). The Superior Court; the
Superior Court, Special Civil Part; and the Municipal Court shall
have jurisdiction to enforce the Penalty Enforcement Law. If the violation
is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues shall
constitute an additional separate and distinct offense.
[1971 Code § 20-6.7]
No Certificate of Occupancy for a project shall be issued by
the Township unless there has been compliance with the provisions
of a certified plan for permanent measures to control soil erosion
and sedimentation.
[1971 Code § 20-7]
The following activities are specifically exempt from this chapter:
a. Existing Dwellings. Land disturbance associated with existing one
and two family dwellings.
b. Home Gardens. Use of land for gardening primarily for home consumption.
c. Agricultural Use. Agricultural use of lands when operated in accordance
with a farm conservation plan approved by the local Soil Conservation
District or when it is determined by the local Soil Conservation District
that such use will not cause excessive erosion and sedimentation.
[1971 Code § 20-8.1]
The requirements of this chapter shall be enforced by the Soil Specialist or other designated official who shall also inspect or require adequate inspection of the work. If the Soil Specialist or other designated official finds existing conditions not as stated in the applicant's erosion and sediment control plan he may refuse to approve further work and may require necessary erosion and sediment control measures to be promptly installed and may seek other penalties as provided in subsection
30-6.4.
[1971 Code § 20-8.2]
The applicant shall be required to have a certified plan on
site during construction.
[1971 Code § 20-8.3]
No Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued unless there has
been compliance with the provisions of the certified plan for permanent
measures to control soil erosion and sedimentation. A formal report
of such compliance must be filed with the Township agent authorized
to issue Certificates of Occupancy. A copy of this report shall be
sent to the Ocean County Soil Conservation District.
[1971 Code § 20-9]
Appeals from decisions under this chapter may be made to the
Township Committee in writing within 10 days from the date of such
decision. The appellant shall be entitled to a hearing before the
Township Committee within 30 days from the date of appeal.