A. 
The intent of this chapter is to:
(1) 
Promote the general health, welfare, and safety of the community.
(2) 
Encourage the utilization of appropriate construction practices in order to prevent or minimize flood damage in the future.
(3) 
Minimize danger to public health by protecting water supply and natural drainage.
(4) 
Reduce financial burdens imposed on the community, its governmental units, and its residents, by preventing excessive development in areas subject to flooding.
(5) 
Comply with federal and state floodplain management requirements.
B. 
Specific intent.
(1) 
It is the intent of these provisions to provide reasonable controls governing the restoration, conservation, disturbance, and management of existing riparian corridors by establishing riparian corridor conservation buffer areas under the authority of Article I, Section 27, of the Pennsylvania Constitution, Act 247, the Municipalities Planning Code, as amended,[1] and other commonwealth and federal statutes, and in conformance with the goals of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Amity Township/Exeter Township/St. Lawrence Borough. In addition, the specific purposes and intent of this chapter are to:
(a) 
Improve surface water quality by reducing the amount of nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other harmful substances that reach watercourses, wetlands, and subsurface and surface water bodies by using scientifically proven processes, including filtration, deposition, absorption, adsorption, plant uptake, and denitrification, and by improving infiltration, encouraging sheet flow, and stabilizing concentrated flows.
(b) 
Improve and maintain the safety, reliability, and adequacy of the water supply for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and recreational uses along with sustaining diverse populations of aquatic flora and fauna.
(c) 
Preserve and protect areas that intercept surface water runoff, wastewater, subsurface flow, and/or deep groundwater flows from upland sources and function to remove or buffer the effects of associated nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, or other pollutants prior to entry into surface waters, as well as provide wildlife habitat, moderate water temperatures in surface waters, attenuate flood flow, and provide opportunities for passive recreation.
(d) 
Regulate the land use, siting, and engineering of all development to be consistent with the intent and objectives of this chapter and accepted conservation practices and to work within the carrying capacity of existing natural resources.
(e) 
Assist in the implementation of pertinent state laws concerning erosion and sediment control practices, specifically Erosion Control, of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Act 394, P.L. 1987, Chapter 102 of the Administrative Code (as amended October 10, 1980, Act 157), Title 25 and any subsequent amendments thereto, as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Berks County Conservation District.
(f) 
Conserve the natural features important to land or water resources (e.g., headwater areas, groundwater recharge zones, floodway, floodplain, springs, streams, wetlands, woodlands, prime wildlife habitats) and other features providing recreational value or containing natural amenities that exist on developed and undeveloped land.
(g) 
Work with floodplain, steep slope, and other regulations that regulate environmentally sensitive areas to minimize hazards to life, property, and riparian features.
(h) 
Recognize that natural features contribute to the welfare and quality of life of Exeter Township residents.
(i) 
Conserve natural, scenic, and recreation areas within and adjacent to riparian areas for the community's benefit.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within Exeter Township unless a permit has been obtained from the floodplain administrator.
B. 
A permit shall not be required for minor repairs to existing buildings or structures.
This chapter supersedes any other conflicting provisions which may be in effect in identified floodplain areas. However, any other ordinance provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more-restrictive. If there is any conflict between any of the provisions of this chapter, the more-restrictive shall apply.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such a decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this chapter, which shall remain in full force and effect; and for this purpose, the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.
A. 
The degree of flood protection sought by the provisions of this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on accepted engineering methods of study. Larger floods may occur or flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside any identified floodplain areas, or that land uses permitted within such areas, will be free from flooding or flood damages.
B. 
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of Exeter Township or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.