Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
APPLICANT
Any person or entity that applies to the Township for a permit
under this article.
BMPs
Best management practices as described in the MPCA Protecting
Water Quality in Urban Areas Manual.
BUFFER STRIP
An area of dense vegetated ground cover abutting or surrounding
a wetland, water body or watercourse that filters sediment and retains
nutrients from stormwater runoff.
DISCHARGE
The runoff or drainage of stormwater, including snowmelt,
from a project site. The discharge point is the location of a flow
outlet or where flows cross a property line.
EXPOSED SOIL AREAS
All areas where the vegetation (trees, shrubs, brush, etc.)
has been removed or has not been established. This includes topsoil
stockpile areas, fill/borrow areas and disposal areas.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A constructed hard surface that either prevents or retards
the entry of water and causes water to run off the surface in greater
amounts than would have run off prior to the construction of the surface.
Examples include: rooftops, sidewalks, patios, driveways, parking
lots, storage areas, concrete, asphalt, gravel roads; and includes
areas where the native soils have been densely compacted.
INFILTRATION
The percolation of water into the ground to provide water
quality treatment, groundwater recharge and reduce the amount of stormwater
runoff.
LAND DISTURBANCE
All activities that remove or bury vegetative covers, expose soil areas and/or result in a change in surface topography, including construction activity, excavation, fill, grading, stockpiling soil, the construction of any structure, and/or any other activity that may cause or contribute to erosion or the movement of sediment. (Agricultural activities are not a land disturbance under this article. See §
120-2 for other exempt activities.)
LANDLOCKED BASIN
A basin that is one acre or more in size and does not have
a natural or publicly maintained outlet at or below the calculated
flood elevation.
NUISANCE CONDITION
Any condition resulting in or likely to result in any damages,
degraded water quality, increased erosion, unstable conditions, flooding,
lack of easement, lack of capacity, disrepair and all threats to public
health, safety and welfare.
ORDINARY HIGH WATER (OHW)
The boundary of water basins, watercourses, public waters
and public water wetlands and:
(1)
The ordinary high-water level is an elevation delineating the
highest water level that has been maintained for a sufficient period
of time to leave evidence upon the landscape, commonly the point where
the natural vegetation changes from predominantly aquatic to predominantly
terrestrial;
(2)
For watercourses, the ordinary high-water level is the elevation
of the top of the bank of the channel; and
(3)
For reservoirs and flowages, the ordinary high-water level is
the operating elevation of the normal summer pool.
RUNOFF COEFFICIENTS (RCNs)
An assigned number used in hydrologic models to represent
the amount of precipitation that is not infiltrated into the surface
upon which it falls. The higher the RCN the greater the runoff amount.
STRUCTURE
Anything manufactured, constructed or erected which is normally
attached to or positioned on land, including portable structures,
earthen structures, roads, parking lots, and storage areas.
SWCD
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District.
USDA/NRCS AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
All agricultural activities for the production of agricultural,
horticultural, or silvicultural crops and livestock production, including
the installation or maintenance of drainage tile lines and fencing
for livestock or other agricultural purposes, regardless of whether
the landowner or land operator is enrolled in the Federal Farm Program.