[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague 5-9-1978 by Ord. No. 78-9.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 4:24-39 et seq. This chapter was renumbered from Ch. 57 to Ch. 57A 1-22-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01.
This chapter shall be known as the "Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance of the Township of Montague."
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.
Rules applying to text. For the purpose of this chapter, certain rules of word usage apply to the text as follows:
A. 
Words used in the present tense include the future tense; and the singular includes the plural, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
B. 
The term "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary; the word "may" is permissive.
C. 
The word or term not interpreted or defined by this section and § 57A-4 shall be used with a meaning of common or standard utilization.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter, unless otherwise specifically stated:
APPLICANT
A person, partnership, corporation or public agency requesting permission to engage in land disturbance activity or seeking site plan or subdivision approval from the Planning Board.
CRITICAL AREA
A sediment-producing highly erodible or severely eroded area.
EROSION
Detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice and gravity.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
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
Any act by which soil or rock is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced or relocated.
FARM CONSERVATION PLAN
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
Any ground, soil or earth, including marshes, swamps, drainageways and areas not permanently covered by water within the municipality.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any activity involving the clearing, grading, transporting, filling and any other activity which causes land to be exposed to the danger of erosion.
MULCHING
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
A certificate issued to perform work under this chapter.
SEDIMENT
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
A barrier or dam built at a suitable location to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt or other material.
SITE
Any plot, parcel or parcels of land.
SOIL
All unconsolidated mineral and organic material of any origin.
STANDARDS
Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey as promulgated by the State Soil Conservation Committee.
STATE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
An agency of the state established in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 24 of Title 4 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes.
STRIPPING
Any activity which significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including clearing and grubbing operations.
SUSSEX COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT
A governmental subdivision of this state, which encompasses this municipality, organized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 24 of Title 4 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes.
A. 
No land area shall be disturbed by any person, partnership, corporation or public agency until such time as a plan for soil erosion and sediment control in accordance with the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey, adopted by the State Soil Conservation Committee, has been approved and a valid land disturbance permit or construction permit has been issued by the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
B. 
No subdivision, site plan or land development plan shall be approved unless it includes a soil erosion and sediment control plan in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
On all site plans, preliminary subdivision plots or other applications requiring Planning Board approval and involving land disturbance, there shall be submitted to the Planning Board a soil erosion and sediment control plan. The Planning Board shall seek assistance from the Township Engineer or the Sussex County Soil Conservation District in the review of such plans. The soil erosion and sediment control plan shall be filed with and become a part of the preliminary subdivision, site plan or other application and shall be subject to the same procedure for approval, denial or appeal as the application of which it is a part.
[Amended 4-26-96 by Ord. No. 96-3]
B. 
Determination of requirement.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4; 4-23-96 by Ord. No. 96-3]
(1) 
Prior to the issuance of a construction permit for any construction not requiring Planning Board approval and prior to the issuance of a land disturbance permit for any other activity, the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer shall determine whether or not a soil erosion and sediment control plan is required in accordance with the definition of "project" as defined in Chapter 251.[1] The applicant shall furnish such information as is required by the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer to make this determination.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 4:24-39 et seq.
(2) 
If the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer determines that a soil erosion and sediment control plan is required, such plan shall be submitted to and approved by the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer prior to the issuance of a construction permit or land disturbance permit. The Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer shall seek assistance from the Township Engineer or the Sussex County Soil Conservation District in the review of such plans.
(3) 
The Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer shall grant approval or denial of the plan within a period of 30 days of submission of a complete application, unless this period is extended by mutual agreement, in writing, between the municipality and the applicant for an additional 30 days. Failure of the municipality to make a decision within such period or such extension thereof shall constitute certification.
(4) 
The applicant shall be provided with written notice of such decision by the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer or other authorized municipal agent. A copy of such decision, including the name of the applicant, site location by street address and block and lot number and proposed land use, shall be sent to the Sussex County Soil Conservation District. The municipality shall also make available such other information as shall be required by the district.
C. 
The applicant shall submit a separate soil erosion and sediment control plan for each noncontiguous site. Such plan shall contain:
(1) 
A map of the site, at an appropriate scale not less than one inch equals 100 feet, showing existing contour lines at two-foot intervals. A map showing general topography may be substituted at the discretion of the Planning Board or Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer, as the case may be.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
(2) 
The location and description of proposed changes to the site.
(3) 
The location and description of existing natural and man-made features on and surrounding the site, including soil characteristics. Applications encompassing an area greater than three acres shall include a copy of the appropriate part of the USDA Soil Survey.
(4) 
Measures for soil erosion and sediment control, both temporary and permanent, which meet or exceed the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control adopted by the State Soil Conservation Committee. The Standards shall be on file at the offices of the Sussex County Soil Conservation District and the Township Clerk.
(5) 
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 for control measures and for each step in the land disturbance and development sequence.
(6) 
All proposed revisions shall be submitted for approval.
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 to a practical minimum.
D. 
Either temporary seeding, mulching or other suitable stabilization measure 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.
F. 
Water runoff shall be minimized and retained on site whenever possible to facilitate groundwater 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.
I. 
Permanent vegetative protection and erosion control measures shall be established as soon as practically possible.
A. 
Prior to the issuance of a permit, the applicant shall file with the Township Clerk a performance guaranty in form and amount as specified by the Township Committee. The guaranty shall be discharged after completion and approval of all work specified in the plan and may be discharged in part, based on partial completion and approval, at the discretion of the Township Committee.
B. 
All necessary soil erosion and sediment control measures installed under this chapter shall be adequately maintained for one year after final approval of such measures or until such measures are permanently stabilized as determined by the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
C. 
The Township Committee may require a maintenance guaranty for a period not to exceed one year after final approval of the soil erosion and sediment control measures, in an amount not to exceed 15% of the cost of the improvement or permanent installation.
A. 
The requirements of this chapter shall be enforced by the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer, who shall inspect or require adequate inspection of the work. The Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer may seek assistance from the Township Engineer or the Sussex County Soil Conservation District in carrying out any provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
B. 
The Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer shall be notified by the applicant at least 24 hours prior to the start of any project.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
C. 
The Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer may require necessary measures to be promptly installed and may require modifications to the plan when, in his judgment, such are necessary to properly control erosion and sediment.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
D. 
In the event of failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter, the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer may revoke construction permits, refuse to issue further building permits and issue stop-work orders.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
E. 
No certificate of occupancy for any construction permit or land disturbance permit shall be granted unless all needed soil erosion and sediment control measures have been completed or substantially provided for in accordance with this chapter.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6]
F. 
The applicant shall bear the final responsibility for the installation and construction of all required soil erosion and sediment control measures. .
G. 
Inspections shall be provided for during construction, and the applicant shall be required to have the certified plan on the site during construction.
H. 
A certificate of occupancy shall be withheld 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 municipal agent authorized to issue certificates of occupancy. A copy of this report shall be sent to the Sussex County Soil Conservation District.
[Amended 1-9-90 by Ord. No. 89-20]
Upon applying for a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the applicant shall pay a fee to cover the cost of the initial review of the proposed land disturbance in the amount of $100, unless the application is part of an application for a major subdivision, or for site plan approval. If the application is part of an application for a major subdivision or site plan approval, no additional fee shall be charged unless the Township Engineer shall certify that a review of the land disturbance plan was sufficiently involved so that the fees paid in connection with the other applications are insufficient. In such case, the applicant shall be charged that additional fee charged by the Engineer of the township, but in no event in excess of $100.
A. 
Inspection shall be provided for during construction and the applicant shall be required to have the certified plans on site during construction.
B. 
Upon issuance of a permit, the applicant shall pay a fee not in excess of $100 to cover field checks by the Engineer.
[Amended 1-9-90 by Ord. No. 89-20]
The following activities are specifically exempt from this chapter:
A. 
Land disturbance of 5,000 square feet or less.
B. 
The construction of a single-family dwelling unit unless such unit is part of a proposed subdivision, site plan, conditional use, zoning variance, planned development or construction permit application involving two or more such single-family dwelling units.
C. 
Use of land for gardening primarily for home consumption.
D. 
Agricultural use of lands when operated in accordance with a farm conversation plan approved by the Sussex County Conservation District or when it is determined by the District that such use will not cause excessive erosion and sedimentation.
[Amended 6-8-82 by Ord. No. 82-6; 4-24-90 by Ord. No. 90-4]
Any person aggrieved by any decision or action of the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Officer or Planning Board under this chapter may appeal to the Township Committee. Such appeal shall be made in writing and filed with the Township Clerk within 10 days from the date of such decision or action. The appellant shall be entitled to a hearing before the Township Committee within 30 days from the date of appeal.
If any person violates any of the provisions of this chapter, any standard promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this act or fails to comply with the provisions of a certified plan, the municipality or the district may institute a civil action in the Superior Court for injunctive relief to prohibit and prevent such violation or violations, and said court may proceed in a summary manner. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, any standard promulgated pursuant to this act 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, County Court, County District Court and Municipal Court shall have jurisdiction to enforce said 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.
This chapter shall take effect following municipal adoption and publication according to law and upon subsequent and final approval by the State Soil Conservation Committee.