Definitions. A complete list of definitions that apply in the interpretation and implementation of this chapter shall be included as part of the Stormwater Management Regulations promulgated as permitted under §
281-3D of this chapter. A partial list of common terms with specific meanings in the context of this chapter is included below:
APPLICANT Any person, individual, partnership, association, firm, company, corporation, trust, authority, agency, department, or political subdivision of the commonwealth or the federal government, to the extent permitted by law, requesting a stormwater management permit.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP) Schedules of activities, practices (and prohibitions of practices), structures, vegetation, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants from a site. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.
CLEARING Any activity that removes the vegetative surface cover.
COMMON PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT OR SALE An area where multiple separate and distinct construction activities may be taking place at different times on different schedules under one plan.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY Disturbance of the ground by removal of vegetative surface cover or topsoil, grading, excavation, clearing or filling.
DISTURBANCE Any action that alters the existing vegetation and/or underlying soil of a site, such as clearing, grading, site preparation (e.g., excavating, cutting, and filling), soil compaction, and movement and stockpiling of topsoils.
GRADING Changing the level or shape of the ground surface.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE Any surface that prevents or significantly impedes the infiltration of water into the underlying soil. This can include but is not limited to: roads, driveways, parking areas and other areas created using nonporous material; buildings, rooftops, structures, artificial turf, and compacted gravel or soil.
INDIRECT STORMWATER DISCHARGE The discharge of treated or untreated stormwater to the waters of the U.S. or Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including rivers, streams, brooks, or wetlands without a connection to or discharge to the municipal separate stormwater sewer system (MS4) before flows reach the water resource.
LAND DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY Any activity that causes a change in the position or location of soil, sand, rock, gravel, or similar earth material; results in an increased amount of runoff or pollutants; measurably changes the ability of a ground surface to absorb waters; involves clearing, grading, or excavating, including grubbing; or results in an alteration of drainage characteristics.
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) A development strategy that seeks to mimic (or in the case of redevelopment, restore or recreate) a site's predevelopment hydrology through protection of on-site natural features and environmentally sensitive site design that limits impervious areas, reserves open space, and uses decentralized small-scale facilities to capture and manage rainfall (or snowmelt) close to where it falls. These small-scale facilities serve to slow, absorb, and treat flow and include bioretention areas, vegetated swales, porous pavements, cisterns, and green roofs.
MASSACHUSETTS STORMWATER HANDBOOK AND STORMWATER STANDARDS The guidance issued by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and as amended, that coordinates the requirements prescribed by state regulations promulgated under the authority of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL c. 131, § 40, and the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, MGL c. 21, §§ 23 through 56. The Handbook and Standards address stormwater impacts through implementation of performance standards to promote increased stormwater recharge, the treatment of runoff from polluting land uses, low-impact development (LID) techniques, pollution prevention, the removal of illicit discharges to stormwater management systems, and improved operation and maintenance of stormwater best management practices.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) The system of conveyances designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater, including any road with a drain system, street, gutter, curb, inlet, piped storm drain, pumping facility, retention or detention basin, man-made or altered drainage channel, reservoir, and other drainage structure that together comprise the storm drainage system owned or operated by the City of Northampton.
NEW DEVELOPMENT Any construction activities or land alteration on a site that has not previously been developed to include buildings or impervious cover.
PERSON Any individual, group of individuals, association, partnership, corporation, company, business, organization, trust, estate, administrative agency, public or quasi-public corporation or body, the commonwealth or political subdivision thereof, or any legal entity, its representatives, agents or assigns.
REDEVELOPMENT Any development, rehabilitation, expansion, demolition or phased project that disturbs the ground surface that is not considered new development.
STORMWATER AUTHORITY The Director of the City of Northampton Department of Public Works (DPW), or authorized agent(s), acting pursuant to this chapter to administer, implement, and enforce this chapter and to adopt regulations pursuant to it.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE (SMCC) A document issued by the Stormwater Authority after all construction activities have been completed, which states that all conditions of an issued permit have been met and that a project has been completed in compliance with the conditions set forth in the permit.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PERMIT A permit issued by the Stormwater Authority after review of an application, plans, calculations, and other supporting documents, which is designed to protect the environment from the adverse effects of uncontrolled and untreated stormwater runoff.