[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Lower Salford 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-06.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance repealed former Ch. 80, Explosives and Blasting, adopted 11-1-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-10.
A. 
Required. No person shall perform blasting within the Township without first obtaining a permit to do so from the Zoning Officer, unless such work is performed in response to an emergency, under the direction of the Fire Marshal or Code Enforcement Officer.
B. 
Applications. A contractor shall apply for a blasting permit to the Zoning Officer by tendering payment of the application fee required and by complying with the following:
(1) 
The contractor shall make application on the form provided by the Township.
(2) 
The contractor shall submit detailed plans of the blasting locations.
(3) 
A list of surrounding property owners within 800 feet of the site where blasting is proposed shall be submitted.
C. 
Permit issuance.
(1) 
The contractor shall submit a letter certifying that all applicable property owners were notified and inspections completed.
(2) 
The contractor shall obtain a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and submit the permit to the Township.
(3) 
If all is found to be in order, the Zoning Officer will issue the permit within five working days.
D. 
Fee. Fees for blasting permits are as specified in Resolution No. 2021- 02, Schedule of Fees, as amended or replaced.
A. 
The contractor shall provide notice on company letterhead to all property owners within 500 feet of the blasting at least two weeks prior to the commencement of blasting. The notification shall include an offer to inspect, free of charge to the property owner, all structures on the property for structural integrity and the condition of existing wells, including sampling of well water, before blasting commences. The name, address and telephone number of the contractor shall be listed on the notification. The notice must also include the dates blasting will occur and an explanation of how the blast will be preceded by the sounding of a horn, or other method of warning in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. All property owners requesting inspections in writing at least three working days prior to any blasting work shall have their property inspected within a reasonable time prior to the commencement of the blasting. The contractor shall then inspect and document the condition of all structures and existing physical features. The inspection must include an assessment of the condition of any existing wells. As part of this assessment, a sealed sample of well water must be obtained before blasting commences. The sealed sample will be held for a minimum of 30 days after blasting ceases, and it will be used to compare to post-blast water quality should a concern arise as a result of the blasting. Copies of all inspection reports must be submitted to the property owner and Township 48 hours in advance of the blasting.
B. 
The contractor shall provide notice to all property owners between 500 and 800 feet of the blasting at least two weeks prior to commencement of blasting, which notice includes the dates blasting will occur.
C. 
On each day of a blasting event, the contractor shall inform the Township of the time(s) that the blasting is to occur.
If a contractor is required to perform blasting work to respond to an emergency, at the direction of the Zoning Officer, he or she is not required to obtain a permit or to give notice to property owners as required by §§ 80-1 and 80-2. All other provisions of this chapter shall be followed.
A. 
The contractor shall observe all Township ordinances and state and federal laws and regulations relating to blasting and to the transportation, storage, handling and use of explosives.
B. 
Contractors shall give sufficient warning to all persons in the vicinity of the work by sounding a horn, or implementing a method of warning in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Contractors shall employ persons to stop or direct traffic as required.