Ordinance No. 883: Amendment to Chapter 22, SALDO, Stormwater Management Matters
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Ordinance No. 883: Stormwater Management Amendments
The Borough of Hollidaysburg has enacted Ordinance No. 883 to amend Chapter 22 of its Code of Ordinances (Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance). The primary goal is to update regulations regarding stormwater management.
Key Dates and Actions
- Enactment Date: July 12, 2018.
- Effective Date: The ordinance becomes effective on the earliest date provided by law.
New Definitions Added (Section 202(2))
The ordinance adds specific definitions to clarify what activities are regulated under the new stormwater rules:
- Agricultural Activity: Includes cultivation, plowing, planting, and livestock raising. It explicitly excludes the construction of new buildings or impervious areas.
- Earth Disturbance Activity: Covers construction and human activities that alter the land surface, such as clearing, grading, excavations, and moving soil or rock.
- Forest Management/Timber Operations: Includes planning, timber inventory, logging road construction, and reforestation.
- Hydrologic Soil Group (HSG): Classifies soils into four groups (A, B, C, D) based on infiltration rates.
- Karst: Topography characterized by sinkholes and underground drainage, formed on carbonate rocks like limestone.
- Project Site: The specific area where regulated activities are planned or conducted.
- Qualified Professional: A person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State or otherwise qualified by law.
- Regulated Activity: Any earth disturbance or land alteration that may affect stormwater runoff.
- Regulated Earth Disturbance Activity: Activities subject to state regulation under the Clean Streams Law.
Replaced Definitions
The following existing terms are replaced with updated definitions:
- Best Management Practice (BMP): Measures used to manage stormwater impacts. These are categorized as:
- Nonstructural: Operational practices to minimize pollutant contact (e.g., behavior-related practices).
- Structural: Physical devices installed to capture and treat runoff (e.g., retention ponds, wetlands, infiltration facilities, permeable paving).
- Municipality: Specifically refers to the Borough of Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania.
- State Water Quality Requirements: Regulatory requirements under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code and the Clean Streams Law.
- Stormwater: Drainage runoff from precipitation or snow/ice melt.
Statement of Findings and Purpose (Section 509(1))
The ordinance outlines why these regulations are necessary:
- Findings: Inadequate maintenance of stormwater facilities leads to erosion, sedimentation, and pollution. Reasonable regulation is essential for public health and safety. Stormwater is a vital resource for groundwater recharge and stream flow. Federal and state laws (NPDES) require the municipality to manage stormwater discharges.
- Purposes: The regulations aim to:
- Ensure safe management of stormwater runoff.
- Preserve natural drainage systems and flood-carrying capacity.
- Encourage natural infiltration to preserve groundwater.
- Provide for adequate operation and maintenance of stormwater facilities.
- Achieve compliance with NPDES permit conditions.
- Meet legal water quality requirements.
- Reduce erosion and scour of stream banks.
Signatories
- Joseph A. Pompa: President, Borough Council
- Patricia J. Duron: Secretary
- Joseph R. Dodson: Mayor