It is hereby determined that:
A.
Land development activities and associated increases
in site impervious cover often alter the hydrologic response of local
watersheds and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, flooding,
stream channel erosion, or sediment transport and deposition.
B.
This stormwater runoff contributes to increased quantities
of water-borne pollutants, including siltation of aquatic habitats
for fish and other desirable species.
C.
Clearing and grading during construction tends to
increase soil erosion and add to the loss of native vegetation necessary
for terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
D.
Improper design and construction of stormwater management
practices (SMPs) can increase the velocity of stormwater runoff, thereby
increasing stream bank erosion and sedimentation.
E.
Impervious surfaces allow less water to percolate
into the soil, thereby decreasing groundwater recharge and stream
base flow.
F.
Substantial economic losses can result from these
adverse impacts on the waters of the Municipality.
G.
Stormwater runoff, soil erosion and non-point-source
pollution can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of
stormwater runoff from land development activities.
H.
The regulation of stormwater runoff discharges from
land development activities in order to control and minimize increases
in stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion, stream channel
erosion, and non-point-source pollution associated with stormwater
runoff is in the public interest and will minimize threats to public
health and safety.
I.
Regulation of land development activities by means
of performance standards governing stormwater management and site
design will produce development compatible with the natural functions
of a particular site or an entire watershed and thereby mitigate the
adverse effects of erosion and sedimentation from development.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing within the Town of Southeast and to address the findings of fact in § 119-1 hereof. This chapter seeks to meet those purposes by achieving the following objectives:
A.
Meet the requirements of Minimum Measures 4 and 5
of the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) general
permit for stormwater discharges from municipal separate stormwater
sewer systems (MS4s), Permit GP-02-02, or as amended or revised.
B.
Require land development activities to conform to
the substantive requirements of the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES)
general permit for construction activities, Permit GP-02-01, or as
amended or revised.
C.
Minimize increases in stormwater runoff from land
development activities in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases
in stream temperature, and stream bank erosion and maintain the integrity
of stream channels.
D.
Minimize increases in pollution caused by stormwater
runoff from land development activities, which would otherwise degrade
local water quality.
E.
Minimize the total annual volume of stormwater runoff
that flows from any specific site during and following development
to the maximum extent practicable.
F.
Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion
and non-point-source pollution, wherever possible, through stormwater
management practices and ensure that these management practices are
properly maintained and eliminate threats to public safety.
