[Ord. No. 4-2022, 9/19/2022]
1.
For all regulated activities, unless preparation of an SWM site plan is specifically exempted in § 26-229:
2.
SWM site plans approved by the Township shall be on-site throughout the duration of the regulated activity.
3.
The Township may, after consultation with DEP, approve measures for meeting the state water quality requirements other than those in this Part, provided that they meet the minimum requirements of, and do not conflict with, state law, including, but not limited to, the Clean Streams Law.[1]
4.
For all regulated earth-disturbance activities, erosion and sediment control BMPs shall be designed, implemented, operated, and maintained during the regulated earth-disturbance activities (e.g., during construction) to meet the purposes and requirements of this Part and to meet all requirements under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code and the Clean Streams Law. Various BMPs and their design standards are listed in the PADEP Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual, Technical Guidance No. 363- 2134-008 (March 2012), as amended.[2]
5.
Impervious areas:
A.
The measurement of impervious areas shall include all the impervious areas in the total proposed development even if development is to take place in stages.
B.
For development taking place in stages, the entire development plan must be used in determining conformance with this Part.
C.
For projects that add impervious area to a parcel, the total impervious area on the parcel is subject to the requirements of this Part, except that the volume management in § 26-218, the water quality controls in § 26-219 and the rate controls of § 26-220 are not applicable to existing impervious areas that are located beyond the limits of disturbance.
D.
Where the site contains existing impervious surfaces, 20% of the existing impervious area to be disturbed must be considered meadow in good condition.
E.
Permanent water impoundments (e.g., retention ponds) shall be considered impervious across the entire area of the water impoundment at the normal water surface elevation.
6.
Land Cover Assumptions.
A.
When calculating predevelopment runoff from areas within the proposed limits of disturbance, existing pervious areas must be considered meadow in good condition, except wooded areas shall utilize forest/woodland or woods cover coefficients in good condition.
B.
When calculating predevelopment runoff from areas outside the proposed limits of disturbance, all runoff coefficients/curve numbers shall be based upon the existing land use covers in good condition. Runoff coefficients and curve numbers shall be selected from the tables in Appendixes B-1 and B-2.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Said appendixes are included as attachments to this chapter.
C.
The runoff coefficients/curve numbers for post-development drainage areas within the limits of disturbance shall be based on proposed land use cover conditions.
D.
The runoff coefficients/curve numbers for post-development drainage areas outside of the limits of disturbance shall be based on existing land use cover conditions.
7.
Stormwater flows onto adjacent property shall not be created, increased, decreased, relocated, or otherwise altered without written notification to the adjacent property owner(s). Such stormwater flows shall be subject to the requirements of this Part.
8.
All regulated activities shall include such measures as necessary to:
A.
Protect health, safety, and property;
B.
Meet the water quality goals of this Part by implementing measures to:
(1)
Minimize disturbance to floodplains, wetlands, and wooded areas.
(2)
Maintain or extend riparian buffers.
(3)
Avoid erosive flow conditions in natural flow pathways.
(4)
Minimize thermal impacts to waters of the commonwealth.
(5)
Disconnect impervious surfaces by directing runoff to pervious areas, wherever possible.
9.
10.
The design of all stormwater management facilities shall incorporate sound engineering principles and practices.
11.
Stormwater management facilities located within or discharging to a PennDOT right-of-way shall be subject to PennDOT approval. Stormwater BMPs shall maintain a ten-foot isolation distance from the PennDOT right-of-way.
12.
The 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105 rules and regulations apply to the construction, modification, operation or maintenance of both existing and proposed water obstructions and encroachments throughout the watershed, including work in wetlands. Inquiries on permit requirements or other concerns shall be addressed to the DEP, Bureau of Waterways Engineering in Harrisburg. Mailing Address: PA Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waterways Engineering, PO Box 8460, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8460. Site Address: 400 Market Street, 3rd Floor Rachel Carson State Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17101. When there is a question whether wetlands may be involved, it is the responsibility of the developer or his agent to show that the land in question cannot be classified as wetlands; otherwise approval to work in wetlands must be obtained from DEP. A wetlands report, prepared by a qualified professional, shall be submitted whenever wetlands are located near or within the project area.
13.
All stormwater runoff flowing over the development site shall be considered in the design of the stormwater management facilities.
14.
When it can be shown that, due to topographic conditions, natural drainageways on the site cannot adequately provide for drainage, open channels may be constructed conforming substantially to the line and grade of such natural drainageways. Work within natural drainageways shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105.
15.
The design of all stormwater facilities over karst areas shall include an evaluation of measures to minimize adverse effects, such as sinkholes and groundwater contamination. The location of stormwater management facilities and discharges shall avoid sinkhole-prone areas, closed depressions, fractured limestone traces and limestone rock outcrops.
16.
Where a development site is traversed by watercourses other than permanent streams, drainage easements shall be provided conforming to the line of such watercourses. The terms of the easement shall prohibit excavation, the placing of fill or structures, and any alterations that may adversely affect the flow of stormwater within any portion of the easement.
17.
Stormwater BMPs and conveyance facilities that are not located within a street right-of-way shall be centered within an easement not less than 20 feet in width. Easements shall follow property lines where possible and shall be described with metes and bounds descriptions tied to survey control points.