As used in this article, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of human activities and the natural processes, at a rate greater
than would occur because of the natural process alone.
APPLICANT
A landowner, developer or other person who has filed an application
for approval to engage in any regulated earth disturbance activity
at a project site in the Township.
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures or procedures used
to manage stormwater impacts from regulated earth disturbance activities,
to meet state water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge
and to otherwise meet the purposes of this article. BMPs include but
are not limited to infiltration, filter strips, low-impact design,
bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed swales, forested
buffers, sand filters and detention basins.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DEVELOPER
A person that seeks to undertake any regulated earth disturbance
activities at a project site in the Township.
DEVELOPMENT
See "Earth disturbance activity." The term includes redevelopment.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
The specific tract of land where any earth disturbance activities
in the Township are planned, conducted or maintained.
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the
surface of the land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, road maintenance, utility excavations,
building construction and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or
storing of soil, rock or earth materials.
EROSION
The process by which the surface of the land, including channels,
is worn away by water, wind, or chemical action.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the
ground. Impervious surface includes, but is not limited to, any roof,
parking or driveway areas, and any new streets and sidewalks. Any
surface areas designed initially to be gravel or crushed stone shall
be assumed to be impervious surfaces.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the federal
government's system for issuance of permits under the Clean Water
Act, which is delegated to DEP in Pennsylvania.
OUTFALL
Point source as described in 40 CFR § 122.2, and
the point where the Township's storm sewer system discharges to surface
waters of the commonwealth.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, public or private association
or corporation, or a governmental unit, public utility or any other
legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject
of rights and duties.
POINT SOURCE
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including,
but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, or conduit from
which stormwater is or may be discharged, as defined in state regulations
at 25 Pa. Code § 92.1.
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated earth disturbance
activities in the Township are planned, conducted or maintained.
REDEVELOPMENT
Earth disturbance activities on land which has previously
been disturbed or developed.
REGULATED EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
Any earth disturbance activity one acre or more with a point
source discharge to surface waters or the Township's storm sewer system,
or five acres or more regardless of the planned runoff. This includes
earth disturbance on any portion of, part, or during any stage of,
a larger common plan of development. This only includes road maintenance
activities involving 25 acres or more of earth disturbance.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
Earth disturbance activities within the existing road cross
section, such as grading and repairing existing unpaved road surfaces,
cutting road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches and other
similar activities.
SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, Township streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels or storm drains) primarily used for collecting
and conveying stormwater runoff.
STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
As defined under state regulations (protection of designated
and existing uses, 25 Pa. Code Chapters 93 and 96) including:
(1)
Each stream segment in Pennsylvania has a designated
use, such as cold water fishery or potable water supply, which is
listed in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93. These uses must be protected and
maintained under state regulations.
(2)
"Existing uses" are those attained as of November
1975, regardless whether they have been designated in 25 Pa. Code
Chapter 93. Regulated earth disturbance activities must be designed
to protect and maintain existing uses and maintain the level of water
quality necessary to protect those uses in all streams and to protect
and maintain water quality in special protection streams.
(3)
Water quality involves the chemical, biological
and physical characteristics of surface water bodies. After regulated
earth disturbance activities are complete, these characteristics can
be impacted by addition of pollutants such as sediment, and changes
in habitat through increased flow volumes and/or rates as a result
of changes in land surface area from those activities. Therefore,
permanent discharges to surface waters must be managed to protect
the streambank, streambed and structural integrity of the waterway
to prevent these impacts.
STORMWATER
The surface runoff generated by precipitation reaching the
ground surface.
SURFACE WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments,
ditches, watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands,
ponds, springs, and all other bodies or channels of conveyance of
surface water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within
or on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
TOWNSHIP
Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
WATERCOURSE
A channel or conveyance of surface water, such as a stream
or creek, having defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial,
with perennial or intermittent flow.
WATERSHED
Region or area drained by a river, watercourse or other body
of water, whether natural or artificial.