The Town Board finds that uncontrolled stormwater runoff from
land-disturbing construction activity has a significant detrimental
impact upon water resources and the health, safety, and general welfare
of the Town. Specifically, uncontrolled runoff can:
A. Degrade physical stream habitat by increasing stream bank erosion,
increasing streambed scour, diminishing groundwater recharge, diminishing
stream base flows, and increasing stream temperature.
B. Diminish the capacity of lakes and streams to support fish, aquatic
life, and recreational and water supply uses by increasing pollutant
loading of sediment, suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, bacteria,
pathogens and other urban pollutants.
C. Alter wetland communities by changing wetland hydrology and by increasing
pollutant loads.
D. Reduce the quality of groundwater by increasing pollutant loads.
E. Threaten public health, safety, property, and general welfare by
overtaxing storm sewers, drainageways and other minor drainage facilities.
F. Threaten public health, safety, property and general welfare by increasing
major flood peaks and volumes.
G. Undermine floodplain management efforts by increasing the incidence
and levels of flooding.
H. Diminish the public enjoyment of natural resources.
The purpose of this chapter is to set forth stormwater requirements
and criteria that will prevent and control water pollution and diminish
the threats to public health, safety, welfare, and aquatic life due
to runoff of stormwater from land-disturbing construction activity.
Specific purposes are to:
A. Further
the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions.
B. Prevent
and control the adverse effects of stormwater; prevent and control
soil erosion; prevent and control water pollution; protect spawning
grounds, fish and aquatic life; control building sites, placement
of structures and land uses; preserve ground cover and scenic beauty;
and promote sound economic growth.
C. Control exceedance of the safe capacity of existing drainage facilities
and receiving water bodies; prevent undue channel erosion; control
increases in the scouring and transportation of particulate matter;
and prevent conditions that endanger downstream property.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY
The governmental employee designated by the Town to administer this chapter. The Zoning Administrator has been designated to have the authority to administer this chapter pursuant to §
36-1C.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE or BMP
Structural or non-structural measures, practices, techniques
or devices employed to avoid or minimize sediment or pollutants carried
in stormwater runoff to waters of the state.
BUSINESS DAY
A day that offices of the Town are routinely and customarily
open for business.
CEASE-AND-DESIST ORDER
A Town order to halt land-developing activity that is being
conducted without the required permit.
COMMON PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT OR SALE
All lands included within the boundary of a certified survey
or subdivision plat created for the purpose of development or sale
of property or a single lot where multiple separate and distinct land-developing
activities may take place at different times and on different schedules.
CONSTRUCTION SITE
An area upon which one or more land-disturbing construction
activities occur, including areas that are part of a larger common
plan of development or sale where multiple separate and distinct land-disturbing
construction activities may be taking place at different times on
different schedules but under one plan.
DIVISION OF LAND
The creation from one parcel of two or more parcels or building
sites of 1.5 or less acres each in areas where such creation occurs
at one time or through the successive divisions within a five-year
period.
EROSION
The process by which the land's surface is worn away
by the action of wind, water, ice or gravity.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A comprehensive plan developed to address pollution caused
by erosion and sedimentation of soil particles or rock fragments during
construction.
EXTRATERRITORIAL
The unincorporated area within three miles of the corporate
limits of a first-, second- or third-class city or within 1.5 miles
of a fourth-class city or village.
FINAL STABILIZATION
When all land-disturbing construction activities at the construction
site have been completed and a uniform perennial vegetative cover
has been established with a density of at least 70% of the cover for
the unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures or
that employ equivalent permanent stabilization measures.
LAND-DISTURBING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Any man-made alteration of the land surface resulting in
a change in the topography or existing vegetative or nonvegetative
soil cover, that may result in runoff and lead to an increase in soil
erosion and movement of sediment into the water of the state. Land-disturbing
construction activity includes clearing and grubbing, demolition,
excavating, pit trench dewatering, filling, and grading activities.
MEP or MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE
A level of implementing best management practices in order
to achieve a performance standard specified in this chapter which
takes into account the best available technology, cost effectiveness
and other competing issues such as human safety and welfare, endangered
and threatened resources, historic properties and geographic features.
MEP allows flexibility in the way to meet the performance standards
and may vary based on the performance standard and site conditions.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
A narrative or measurable number specifying the minimum acceptable
outcome for a facility or practice.
PERMIT
A written authorization made by the Town to the applicant
to conduct land-disturbing construction activity or to discharge post-construction
runoff to waters of the state.
POLLUTANT
The meaning given in § 283.01(13), Wis. Stats.
POLLUTION
The meaning given in § 281.01(14), Wis. Stats.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Any person or entity holding fee title to the property or
other person or entity contracted or obligated by agreement to implement
and maintain post-construction stormwater best management practices.
RUNOFF
Stormwater or precipitation including rain, snow- or icemelt
or similar water that moves on the land surface via sheet or channelized
flow.
SEDIMENT
Settleable solid material that is transported by runoff,
suspended within runoff or deposited by runoff away from its original
location.
SILVICULTURE
Activities including tree nursery operations, tree harvesting
operations, reforestation, tree thinning, prescribed burning, and
pest and fire control. Clearing and grubbing of an area of a construction
site is not silviculture activity.
SITE
The entire portion included in the legal description of the
land on which the land-disturbing construction activity is proposed
to take place.
STOP-WORK ORDER
An order issued by the Town that requires that all construction
activity on the site be stopped immediately.
TECHNICAL STANDARD
A document that specifies design predicted performance and
operation and maintenance specifications for a material, device or
method.
WATERS OF THE STATE
Any channel, ditch, stream, lake, or other body of water
determined to be under State of Wisconsin authority as defined in
§ 281.01(18), Wis. Stats.
Maximum extent practicable applies when a person who is subject
to a performance standard of this chapter demonstrates to the Town's
satisfaction that a performance standard is not achievable and that
a lower level of performance is appropriate. In making the assertion
that a performance standard is not achievable and that a level of
performance different from the performance standard is the maximum
extent practicable, the responsible party shall take into account
the best available technology, cost effectiveness, geographic features,
and other competing interest such as protection of public safety and
welfare, protection of endangered and threatened resources, and preservation
of historic properties.
The fees referred to in other sections of this chapter shall
be established by the Zoning Administrator and may from time to time
be modified by resolution. A schedule of the fees established by the
Zoning Administrator shall be available for review in the Town Hall.
If land-disturbing construction activities are being carried
out without a permit required by this chapter, the Zoning Administrator
may enter the land pursuant to the provisions of §§ 66.0119(1),
(2), and (3), Wis. Stats.
If any section, clause, provision or portion of this chapter
is judged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction,
the remainder of the chapter shall remain in force and not be affected
by such judgment.