[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Cornwall 8-10-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the health, safety,
and general welfare of the citizens of the Town of Cornwall through
the regulation of nonstormwater discharges to the municipal separate
storm sewer system (MS4) to the maximum extent practicable as required
by federal and state law. This chapter establishes methods for controlling
the introduction of pollutants into the MS4 in order to comply with
requirements of the SPDES General Permit for Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer Systems. The objectives of this chapter are:
A.
To meet the requirements of the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater
Discharges from MS4s, Permit No. GP-02-02 or as amended or revised;
B.
To regulate the contribution of pollutants to the MS4 since such
systems are not designed to accept, process or discharge nonstormwater
wastes;
C.
To prohibit illicit connections, activities and discharges to the
MS4;
D.
To establish legal authority to carry out all inspection, surveillance
and monitoring procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this
chapter and impose penalties and remedies for noncompliance; and
E.
To promote public awareness of the hazards involved in the improper
discharge of trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater,
grease, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products,
hazardous waste, sediment and other pollutants into the MS4.
Whenever used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is
stated in a definition applicable to only a portion of this chapter,
the following terms will have meanings set forth below:
A list of all surface waters in the state for which beneficial
uses of the water (drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial
use) are impaired by pollutants, prepared periodically by the Department
as required by Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. 303(d) listed
waters are estuaries, lakes and streams that fall short of state surface
water quality standards and are not expected to improve within the
next two years.
Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, general
good housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and educational
practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices
to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly
to stormwater, receiving waters, or stormwater conveyance systems.
BMPs also include treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices
to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal,
or drainage from raw materials storage.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251
et seq.) and any amendments thereto.
Activities requiring authorization under the SPDES permit
for stormwater discharges from construction activity, GP-02-01, as
amended or revised. These activities include construction projects
resulting in land disturbance of one or more acres. Such activities
include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating,
and demolition.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
New York State licensed professional engineer or licensed
architect.
Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination
thereof, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical,
chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly
contribute to, a present or potential hazard to human health, safety,
property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported,
disposed of or otherwise managed.
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface,
which allows an illegal discharge to enter the MS4, including but
not limited to:
Any conveyances which allow any nonstormwater discharge including
treated or untreated sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to
enter the MS4 and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor
drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain or connection had
been previously allowed, permitted, or approved by an authorized enforcement
agency; and/or
Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial
land use to the MS4 which has not been documented in plans, maps,
or equivalent records and approved by an authorized enforcement agency.
Any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the MS4, except as exempted in § 121A-5 of this chapter.
A facility serving one or more parcels of land or residential,
households, or a private, commercial or institutional facility, that
treats sewage or other liquid wastes for discharge into the groundwaters
of New York State, except where a permit for such a facility is required
under the applicable provisions of Article 17 of the Environmental
Conservation Law.
Activities requiring authorization under the SPDES permit
for discharges from industrial activities except construction, GP-98-03,
as amended or revised.
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains): (1) owned or operated
by the Town of Cornwall; (2) designed or used for collecting or conveying
stormwater; (3) which is not a combined sewer; and (4) which is not
part of a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) as defined at 40 CFR
122.2.
The Town of Cornwall.
Any discharge to the MS4 that is not composed entirely of
stormwater.
Any individual, association, organization, partnership, firm,
corporation or other entity recognized by law and acting as either
the owner or occupant of premises, or as the owner's or occupant's
agent.
Dredged spoil, filter backwash, solid waste, incinerator
residue, treated or untreated sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions,
chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat,
wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand and industrial, municipal,
agricultural waste and ballast discharged into water, which may cause
or might reasonably be expected to cause pollution of the waters of
the state in contravention of the standards.
Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land whether
improved or unimproved including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.
Discharge compliance with water quality standards. The condition
that applies where a municipality has been notified that the discharge
of stormwater authorized under their MS4 permit may have caused or
has the reasonable potential to cause or contribute to the violation
of an applicable water quality standard. Under this condition the
municipality must take all necessary actions to ensure future discharges
do not cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards.
303(d) Listed waters. The condition in the municipality's
MS4 permit that applies where the MS4 discharges to a 303(d) listed
water. Under this condition the stormwater management program must
ensure no increase of the listed pollutant of concern to the 303(d)
listed water.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) strategy. The condition in the
municipality's MS4 permit where a TMDL, including requirements
for control of stormwater discharges, has been approved by EPA for
a water body or watershed into which the MS4 discharges. If the discharge
from the MS4 did not meet the TMDL stormwater allocations prior to
September 10,2003, the municipality was required to modify its stormwater
management program to ensure that reduction of the pollutant of concern
specified in the TMDL is achieved.
The condition in the municipality's MS4 permit that applies
if a TMDL is approved in the future by EPA for any water body or watershed
into which an MS4 discharges. Under this condition the municipality
must review the applicable TMDL to see if it includes requirements
for control of stormwater discharges. If an MS4 is not meeting the
TMDL stormwater allocations, the municipality must, within six months
of the TMDL's approval, modify its stormwater management program
to ensure that reduction of the pollutant of concern specified in
the TMDL is achieved.
A permit issued by the Department that authorizes the discharge
of pollutants to waters of the state.
Rainwater, surface runoff, snowmelt and drainage.
The Building Inspector, engineer, or other person designated
by the Town Board to enforce this chapter. The SMA may also be designated
by the municipality to accept and review stormwater pollution prevention
plans, forward the plans to the applicable municipal board and inspect
stormwater management practices.
The maximum amount of a pollutant to be allowed to be released
into a water body so as not to impair uses of the water, allocated
among the sources of that pollutant.
Water that is not stormwater, is contaminated with pollutants
and is or will be discarded.
This chapter shall apply to all water entering the MS4 generated
on any developed and undeveloped lands unless explicitly exempted
by an authorized enforcement agency.
The SMA shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions
of this chapter. Such powers granted or duties imposed upon the authorized
enforcement official may be delegated in writing by the SMA as may
be authorized by the Town Board.
A.
Prohibition of illegal discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 any materials other than stormwater except as provided in Subsection A(1) through (4) below. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the MS4 is prohibited except as follows:
(1)
The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established
by this chapter, unless the Department or the Town has determined
them to be substantial contributors of pollutants: water line flushing
or other potable water sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering,
existing diverted stream flows, rising groundwater, uncontaminated
groundwater infiltration to storm drains, uncontaminated pumped groundwater,
foundation or footing drains, crawl space or basement sump pumps,
air conditioning condensate, irrigation water, springs, water from
individual residential car washing, natural riparian habitat or wetland
flows, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, residential street
wash water, water from firefighting activities, and any other water
source not containing pollutants. Such exempt discharges shall be
made in accordance with an appropriate plan for reducing pollutants.
(2)
Discharges approved in writing by the SMA to protect life or property
from imminent harm or damage, provided that such approval shall not
be construed to constitute compliance with applicable laws and requirements,
and further provided that such discharges may be permitted for a specified
time period and under such conditions as the SMA may deem appropriate
to protect such life and property while reasonably maintaining the
purpose and intent of this chapter.
(3)
Dye testing in compliance with applicable state and local laws is
an allowable discharge, but requires a verbal notification to the
SMA prior to the time of the test.
(4)
The prohibition shall not apply to any discharge permitted under
an SPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger
and administered under the authority of the Department, provided that
the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the
permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations,
and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge
to the MS4.
B.
Prohibition of illicit connections.
(1)
The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit
connections to the MS4 is prohibited.
(2)
This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit
connections made in the past, regardless of whether the connection
was permissible under law or practices applicable or prevailing at
the time of connection.
(3)
A person is considered to be in violation of this chapter if the
person connects a line conveying sewage to the municipality's
MS4, or allows such a connection to continue.
A.
No person shall operate a failing individual sewage treatment system
in areas tributary to the municipality's MS4. A failing individual
sewage treatment system is one which has one or more of the following
conditions:
(1)
The backup of sewage into a structure.
(2)
Discharges of treated or untreated sewage onto the ground surface.
(3)
A connection or connections to a separate stormwater sewer system.
(4)
Liquid level in the septic tank above the outlet invert.
(5)
Structural failure of any component of the individual sewage treatment
system that could lead to any of the other failure conditions as noted
in this section.
(6)
Contamination of off-site groundwater.
A.
Activities that are subject to the requirements of this section are
those types of activities that:
B.
Such activities include prohibited discharges or connections and failing individual sewage treatment systems as defined in § 121A-6, improper management of animal waste or any other activity that causes or contributes to violations of the municipality's MS4 SPDES permit authorization.
C.
Upon notification to a person that he or she is engaged in activities
that cause or contribute to violations of the municipality's
MS4 SPDES permit authorization, that person shall take all reasonable
actions (as determined or approved by the SMA) to correct such activities
such that he or she no longer causes or contributes to violations
of the municipality's MS4 SPDES permit authorization.
A.
Best management practices. Where the SMA has identified illicit discharges as defined in § 121A-2 or activities contaminating stormwater as defined in § 121A-7, the Town may require implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control those illicit discharges and activities.
(1)
The owner or operator of a commercial or industrial establishment
shall provide, at their own expense, reasonable protection from accidental
discharge of prohibited materials or other wastes into the MS4 through
the use of structural and nonstructural BMPs.
(2)
Any person responsible for a property or premises that is, or may be, the source of an illicit discharge as defined in § 121A-2 or activities contaminating stormwater as defined in § 121A-7 may be required to implement, at said person's expense, additional structural and nonstructural BMPs to reduce or eliminate the source of pollutants to the MS4.
(3)
Compliance with all terms and conditions of a valid SPDES permit
authorizing the discharge of stormwater associated with industrial
activity, to the extent practicable, shall be deemed compliance with
the provisions of this section.
B.
Individual sewage treatment systems: response to special conditions
requiring no increase of pollutants or requiring a reduction of pollutants.
Where individual sewage treatment systems are contributing to the municipality's being subject to the special conditions as defined in § 121A-2 of this chapter, the owner or operator of such individual sewage treatment systems shall be required to:
(1)
Maintain and operate individual sewage treatment systems as follows:
(a)
Inspect the septic tank annually to determine scum and sludge
accumulation. Septic tanks must be pumped out whenever the bottom
of the scum layer is within three inches of the bottom of the outlet
baffle or sanitary tee at the top of the sludge is within 10 inches
of the bottom of the outlet baffle or sanitary tee. Inspection of
the tank for cracks, leaks and blockages shall be done by the septage
hauler at the time of pumping of the tank contents;
(b)
Avoid the use of septic tank additives;
(c)
Avoid the disposal of excessive quantities of detergents, kitchen
wastes, laundry wastes, and household chemicals; and
(d)
Avoid the disposal of cigarette butts, disposable diapers, sanitary
napkins, trash and other such items.
(2)
Repair or replace individual sewage treatment systems as follows:
(a)
In accordance with 10 NYCRR Appendix 75A to the maximum extent
practicable.
(b)
A design professional licensed to practice in New York State
shall prepare design plans for any type of absorption field that involves:
(c)
A written certificate of compliance shall be submitted by the
design professional to the municipality at the completion of construction
of the repair or replacement system.
A.
The SMA may, without prior notice, suspend MS4 discharge access to
a person when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened
discharge which presents or may present imminent and substantial danger
to the environment, to the health or welfare of persons, or to the
MS4. The SMA shall notify the person of such suspension within a reasonable
time thereafter in writing of the reasons for the suspension. If the
violator fails to comply with a suspension order, issued in an emergency,
the SMA may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize
damage to the MS4 or to minimize danger to persons.
B.
Suspension due to the detection of illicit discharge. Any person
discharging to the municipality's MS4 in violation of this chapter
may have their MS4 access terminated if such termination would abate
or reduce an illicit discharge. The SMA will notify a violator in
writing of the proposed termination of its MS4 access and the reasons
therefor. The violator may petition the SMA for a reconsideration
and hearing. Access may be granted by the SMA if he/she finds that
the illicit discharge has ceased and the discharger has taken steps
to prevent its recurrence. Access may be denied if the SMA determines
in writing that the illicit discharge has not ceased or is likely
to recur. A person commits an offense if the person reinstates MS4
access to premises terminated pursuant to this section, without the
prior approval of the SMA.
Any person subject to an industrial or construction activity
SPDES stormwater discharge permit shall comply with all provisions
of such permit. Proof of compliance with said permit may be required
in a form acceptable to the municipality prior to the allowing or
continuance of discharges to the MS4.
A.
Applicability. This section applies to all facilities that the SMA
determines necessary to inspect to enforce any provision of this chapter,
or whenever the authorized enforcement agency has cause to believe
that there exists, or potentially exists, in or upon any premises
any condition which constitutes a violation of this chapter.
B.
Access to facilities.
(1)
The SMA shall be permitted to enter and inspect facilities subject
to regulation under this chapter as often as may be necessary to determine
compliance with this chapter. If a discharger has security measures
in force which require proper identification and clearance before
entry into its premises, the discharger shall make the necessary arrangements
to allow access to the SMA.
(2)
Facility operators shall allow the SMA ready access to all parts
of the premises for the purposes of inspection, sampling, examination
and copying of records as may be required to implement this chapter.
(3)
The municipality shall have the right to set up on any facility
subject to this chapter such devices as are necessary in the opinion
of the SMA to conduct monitoring and/or sampling of the facility's
stormwater discharge.
(4)
The municipality has the right to require the facilities subject
to this chapter to install monitoring equipment as is reasonably necessary
(and subject to approval by the SMA) to determine compliance with
this. The facility's sampling and monitoring equipment shall
be maintained at all times in a safe and proper operating condition
by the discharger at its own expense. All devices used to measure
stormwater flow and quality shall be calibrated to ensure their accuracy.
(5)
Unreasonable delays in allowing the municipality access to a
facility subject to this chapter is a violation of this chapter. A
person who is the operator of a facility subject to this chapter commits
an offense if the person denies the municipality reasonable access
to the facility for the purpose of conducting any activity authorized
or required by this chapter.
(6)
If the SMA has been refused access to any part of the premises
from which stormwater is discharged, and he/she is able to demonstrate
probable cause to believe that there may be a violation of this chapter,
or that there is a need to inspect and/or sample as part of a routine
inspection and sampling program designed to verify compliance with
this chapter or any order issued hereunder, then the SMA may seek
issuance of a search warrant from any court of competent jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding other requirements of law, as soon as any person
responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency
response for a facility or operation has information of any known
or suspected release of materials which are resulting or may result
in illegal discharges or pollutants discharging into the MS4, said
person shall take all necessary steps to ensure the discovery, containment,
and cleanup of such release. In the event of such a release of hazardous
materials, said person shall immediately notify emergency response
agencies of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services. In the
event of a release of nonhazardous materials, said person shall notify
the Town in person or by telephone or facsimile no later than the
next business day. Notifications in person or by telephone shall be
confirmed by written notice addressed and mailed to the Town within
three business days of the telephone notice. If the discharge of prohibited
materials emanates from a commercial or industrial establishment,
the owner or operator of such establishment shall also retain an on-site
written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its
recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years.
A.
Notice of violation. When the Town's SMA finds that a person
has violated a prohibition or failed to meet a requirement of this
chapter or failed to comply with a permit or approval condition related
to the subject matter of this chapter (all deemed a "violation" of
this chapter), he/she may order compliance by written notice of violation
to the responsible person. Such notice may require without limitation:
(1)
The elimination of illicit connections or discharges;
(2)
That violating discharges, practices, or operations shall cease
and desist;
(3)
The abatement or remediation of stormwater pollution or contamination
hazards and the restoration of any affected property and the environment;
(4)
The performance of monitoring, analyses, and reporting;
(5)
Payment of a fine and/or civil monetary penalty; and
(6)
The implementation of source control or treatment BMPs. If abatement
of a violation and/or restoration of affected property or the environment
is required, the notice shall set forth a deadline within which such
remediation or restoration must be completed. Said notice shall further
advise that, should the violator fail to remediate or restore within
the established deadline, the work will be done by a designated governmental
agency or a contractor and the expense thereof shall be charged to
the violator, and, if unpaid, said amount may be assessed and levied
as a lien against the violator's premises and collected, in the
same manner as a real property tax.
B.
Penalties.
(1)
In addition to or as an alternative to any penalty provided
herein or by law, any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty
of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment
for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for conviction of a first
offense; for conviction of a second offense both of which were committed
within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than
$350 nor more than $700 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed
15 days, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense
all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable
by a fine not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment
for a period not to exceed six months, or both. Each day's continued
violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
(2)
Civil penalties.
(a)
In addition to and not in lieu of the above, any person who
violates this chapter shall be liable to the Town for a civil penalty
in an amount not to exceed $350 for a first violation; in an amount
not less than $350 nor more than $700 for a second violation committed
within a period of five years of the first violation; and in an amount
of not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 for a third and each subsequent
violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation.
Each day's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional
violation.
(b)
Civil penalties may be ordered in any action or proceeding by
and any court of competent jurisdiction, including but not limited
to state and federal courts. All penalties shall be paid to the Town.
(c)
The judgment amount of any civil penalty ordered pursuant to
this section, if not paid, may be assessed and levied against the
real property which is the subject of the penalty and collected in
the same manner as a real property tax.
(3)
In addition to and not in lieu of the remedies authorized above,
the SMA or the Town Board may institute any appropriate action or
proceeding to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct or abate any violation
or threatened violation or to enforce any provision of this chapter.
A.
Any person receiving a notice of violation may appeal the determination
of the SMA to the Town Board within 15 days its issuance, which shall
hear the appeal within 30 days after the filing of the appeal, and
within five days of making its decision, file its decision in the
office of the Town Clerk and mail a copy of its decision by certified
mail to the appellant. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the
Town Board may appeal such decision to the Supreme Court pursuant
to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules. Such proceeding
must be commenced within 30 days after the decision is filed in the
Town Clerk's office or shall be time-barred.
B.
The appeal of a notice of violation shall stay an order contained
in the notice of violation issued by the SMA, unless the SMA determines
in writing that a stay of the order, or portion thereof, would cause
undue harm to a person, property, equipment, the environment or the
Town's storm sewer system. In such case, an appeal shall not
stay the SMA's order.
A.
If the violation has not been corrected pursuant to the requirements
set forth in the notice of violation or, in the event of an appeal,
within five business days of the decision of the municipal authority
upholding the decision of the SMA, then the SMA shall have authority
to request the owner's permission for access to the subject private
property to take any and all measures reasonably necessary to abate
the violation and/or restore the property.
B.
If refused access to the subject private property, the SMA may seek
a warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction to be authorized to
enter upon the property to determine whether a violation has occurred.
Upon determination that a violation has occurred, the SMA may seek
a court order to take any and all measures reasonably necessary to
abate the violation and/or restore the property.
C.
The cost of implementing and maintaining such measures shall be the
sole responsibility of the discharger and may be collected in the
same manner as set forth in § 121A-12A(6).
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to violate
any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this
chapter or fail to comply with a permit or approval condition related
to the subject matter of this chapter. If a person has violated or
continues to violate the provisions of this chapter, the SMA may petition
for a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining the person from
activities which would create further violations or compelling the
person to perform abatement or remediation of the violation.
A.
Alternative remedies. Where a person has violated a provision of
this chapter, he/she may be eligible for alternative remedies in lieu
of a civil penalty, upon recommendation of the Town Attorney and concurrence
of the SMA, where:
In addition to the enforcement processes and penalties provided,
any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of
the provisions of this chapter is a threat to public health, safety,
and welfare, and is declared and deemed a nuisance, and may be summarily
abated or restored at the violator's expense, and/or a civil
action to abate, enjoin, or otherwise compel the cessation of such
nuisance may be taken.
The remedies listed in this chapter are not exclusive of any
other remedies available under any applicable federal, state or local
law and it is within the discretion of the authorized enforcement
agency to seek cumulative remedies.
