Article 2
Definitions

§11A-201 Interpretation.

For the purpose of this Chapter, the following rules of construction apply:

A.    Words used in the present tense include the future tense; the singular number includes the plural; and the plural includes the singular; words of masculine gender include feminine gender; and words of feminine gender include masculine gender.

B.    The word “includes” or “including” shall not limit the term to the specific example but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances of like kind and character.

C.    The word “person” includes an individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, trust company, corporation, or any other similar entity.

D.    The words “shall” and “must” are mandatory; the words “may” and “should” are permissive.

E.    The word “used” or “occupied” includes the words “intended, designed, maintained or arranged to be used, occupied or maintained.”

F.    The words “watershed,” “sub-watershed” and “drainage area” are synonymous and refer to the contributing area of interest.

G.    References to codes, ordinances, resolutions, plans, maps, standards, regulations, statutes, documents, lists, governmental bodies, commissions or agencies or officials are to codes, ordinances, resolutions, plans, maps, standards, regulations, statutes, documents, lists, governmental bodies, commissions or agencies or officials of the Borough or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as in effect or office from time to time, including amendments thereto or revisions or successors thereof, unless the text indicates another reference is intended. It is the intent of the Borough that this Chapter be interpreted in accordance with §1937 of the Statutory Construction Act, 1 Pa. C.S. §1937.

(Ord. 2022-3, 9/12/2022, §1)

§11A-202 Definitions.

For the purpose of this Chapter, certain terms and words used herein shall be interpreted as follows:

100-year flood–the flood, also known as the base flood, which has a 1 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year; the flood which has been selected to serve as the basis upon which the floodplain management provisions of this and other ordinances have been prepared.

Accelerated erosion–the removal of the surface of the land through the combined action of man’s activities and the natural process at a rate greater than would occur because of the natural process alone.

Agricultural activities–activities associated with agriculture such as cultivation of soil, farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, forestry, viticulture, and animal and poultry husbandry and the necessary accessory uses for packing, treating, or storing the produce and equipment. Construction of new buildings or impervious area is not considered an agricultural activity.

Alteration–as applied to land, a change in topography resulting from the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another; the changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to be more or less impervious; land disturbance.

Applicant–a landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for approval to engage in any regulated activities at a project site within Cornwall Borough, including his heirs, successors, and assigns.

Best management practices (BMPs)–activities, facilities, measures, planning, or procedures used to manage stormwater impacts from regulated activities, to meet State water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge and to otherwise meet the purposes of this Chapter. Stormwater BMPs are commonly grouped into one of two broad categories or measures: “nonstructural” or “structural.” “Nonstructural” BMPs are measures referred to as operational and/or behavior-related practices that attempt to minimize the contact of pollutants with stormwater runoff whereas “structural” BMPs are measures that consist of a physical device or practice that is installed to capture and treat stormwater runoff. “Structural” BMPs include, but are not limited to, a wide variety of practices and devices, from large-scale wet ponds and constructed wetlands to small-scale underground treatment systems, infiltration facilities, filter strips, low impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable paving, grassed swales, riparian or forested buffers, sand filters, detention basins, and manufactured devices. “Structural” stormwater BMPs are permanent appurtenances to the project site.

Baffles–guides, grids, grating, earthen berms, or similar devices placed in a pond to deflect or regulate flow and create a longer flow path.

Bioretention–a water quality practice that utilizes landscaping and soils to treat stormwater runoff by collecting it in shallow depressions before filtering through a fabricated planting soil media.

BMP Manual–the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual as published by the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Watershed Management, document number: 363-0300-002, effective date: December 30, 2006.

Borough–Cornwall Borough, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

Borough Council (Council)–Cornwall Borough Council.

Borough Engineer–a registered engineer designated by the Borough to perform duties as required by this Chapter on behalf of Cornwall Borough.

Bridge–for the purpose of this Chapter a bridge is defined as a stormwater conveyance structure requiring an effective span or diameter exceeding 6 feet.

Carbonate geology–limestone or dolomite bedrock, also marble (within graphitic felsic gneiss fm).

Chapter 102–Chapter 102 of the regulation of DEP, 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control.

Chapter 105–Chapter 105 of the regulation of DEP, 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105, Dam Safety and Waterway Management.

Check dam–an earthen, stone or log structure, used in grass swales to reduce water velocities, promote sediment deposition, and enhance infiltration.

Clean Streams Law–Act of June 22, 1937, P.L. 187, as amended, 35 P.S. §691.101 et seq.

Commonwealth–the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Conservation district–the Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD). The Lebanon County Conservation District has the authority under a delegation agreement executed with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to administer all or a portion of the erosion and sediment control program and construction activities within the political boundaries of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, including Cornwall Borough.

Construction–includes the building, reconstruction, extension, expansion, alteration, substantial improvement, or erection or relocation of a building or structure, including manufactured homes, and gas or liquid storage tanks. For floodplain purposes, “new construction” includes structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain management regulation adoption by the Borough.

Conveyance–the ability of a pipe, culvert, swale, or other similar facility to carry the peak flow from the design storm.

Conveyance facility–a stormwater management facility designed to convey stormwater runoff and shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits, culverts, storm sewers, etc.

County–Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

Culvert–a structure with appurtenant works that carries a stream and/or stormwater runoff under or through an embankment or fill.

Dam–an artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works, constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another fluid or semi-fluid, or a refuse bank, fill or structure for highway, railroad or other purposes which does or may impound water or another fluid or semi-fluid.

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP or PADEP)–the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or any successor agency thereto.

Department of Transportation (PennDOT)–the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or any successor agency thereto.

Design storm–the magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a 25-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design and evaluation of stormwater management systems. Also see “Return period.”

Detention basin–an impoundment structure designed to manage stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate.

Detention pond–a vegetated pond designed to collect water runoff for a given storm event and release it at a predetermined rate; also known as a “dry pond.”

Developer–a person, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes any regulated activity of this Chapter.

Development–any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, filling, grading, paving, excavating, earth disturbance activity, mining, dredging, or drilling operations, the placement of manufactured homes, streets and other paving, utilities, and the subdivision of land.

Disturbed area–an unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity is occurring or has occurred.

Downslope property line–that portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels of land being developed located such that overland or piped flow from the site would be directed toward it.

Drainage easement–a right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the use of private land for stormwater management, drainage, or conveyance purposes.

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, land development, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock, or earth materials.

Energy dissipater–a device used to slow the velocity of stormwater particularly at points of concentrated discharge such as pipe outlets.

Erosion–the natural process by which the surface of the land is worn away by water, wind or chemical action.

Erosion and sediment pollution control plan–a site specific plan consisting of both drawings and narrative that identifies BMPs that minimize accelerated erosion and sediment pollution before, during and after earth disturbance activities.

Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual–Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Technical Guidance No. 363-2134-008, March 2012.

Excavation–any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, or any other similar material is dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated, or bulldozed. It shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.

Exceptional value waters–surface waters of high quality, which satisfies 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 – Water Quality Standards, §93.4b(b).

Existing conditions–all existing pervious land cover shall be considered as “meadow” unless the natural land cover is documented to generate lower curve numbers or rational “C” coefficients, such as forested lands.

Extended detention–a stormwater design feature that provides for the gradual release of a volume of water in order to increase settling of pollutants and protect downstream channels from frequent storm events.

FEMA–Federal Emergency Management Agency or any agency successor thereto.

Fill–any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location above the natural surface of the ground or on top of the stripped surface and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom; the difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation on the final grade; the material used to make fill.

Filter strip–a strip of permanent vegetation above ponds, diversions, and other structures to retard the flow of runoff, causing deposition of transported material, thereby reducing sedimentation.

Floodplain–a relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river, or watercourse; and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters from any natural source; and/or any land delineated as a special flood hazard area (SFHA) on applicable FEMA maps and studies.

Floodway–the channel of watercourse and those portions of the adjoining floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge the 100-year frequency flood. Unless otherwise specified, the boundary of the floodway is as indicated on maps and flood insurance studies provided by FEMA. In an area where no FEMA maps or studies have defined the boundary of the 100-year frequency floodway, it is assumed, absent evidence to the contrary, that the floodway extends from the top of the bank to 50 feet away from the stream.

Forest management/timber operations–planning and activities necessary for the management of forest land. These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation and reforestation.

Freeboard–a vertical distance between the elevation of the design high water and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, or diversion ridge. The space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.

Grade–the slope expressed in a percent that indicates the rate of change of elevation in linear feet per 100 linear feet.

Grading–the act of moving earth. Changing of the earth surface by excavation or fill.

Grassed waterway–a natural or constructed waterway, usually broad and shallow, covered with erosion-resistant grasses, often used to conduct surface water from cropland.

Green infrastructure–systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or reuse stormwater in the site where it is generated.

Groundwater recharge–replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies.

High quality waters–surface waters having quality, which exceeds levels necessary to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water by satisfying 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93 – Water Quality Standards, §93.4b(a).

Hydrograph–a graph showing the rate of flow (discharge) versus time past a specific point in a river or other channel or conduit carrying flow, or to a point of interest. The rate of flow is typically expressed in cubic meters or cubic feet per second (cms or cfs).

Hydrologic soil group (HSG)–a classification of soils by the Natural Resources Conservation Service into 1 of 4 HSG classifications (A, B, C, and D) according to their minimum infiltration rate, which is obtained for bare soil after prolonged wetting. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines the 4 groups and provides a list of most of the soils in the United States and their group classification. The soils in the area of interest may be identified from a soil survey report generated by the use of the NRCS Web Soil Survey at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov. Soils become less pervious as the HSG varies from A to D.

Impervious surface (impervious area)–any surface that prevents percolation of water into the ground. All structures, buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks and any other areas concrete, asphalt, stone, or gravel shall be considered impervious surface. In addition, all other areas as determined by the Borough Engineer to be impervious within the meaning of this definition shall also be considered impervious surface.

Impoundment–a retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater runoff and release it at a controlled rate.

Improvements–any structure or paving placed upon land, including the provision of underground or above-ground utilities, as well as any physical change to the surface of the land, including but not necessarily limited to grading, paving, the placement of stormwater management facilities, sidewalks, street signs, traffic control devices, and monuments. This definition shall expressly exclude the tilling of soil.

Infiltration facilities–structural BMPs designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g., dry well/seepage pit, rain garden, infiltration trench, infiltration basin, pervious pavement with infiltration bed, vegetated swale, etc.).

Inlet–a surface connection to a closed drain. A structure at the diversion of a conduit. The upstream end of any structure through which water may flow.

Karst–a type of topography or landscape characterized by surface depressions, sinkholes, rock pinnacles/uneven bedrock surface, steep-sided hills, underground drainage, and caves. Karst is formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone, dolomites, marble and sometimes gypsum.

Land development–as defined in Chapter 13, Subdivision and Land Development.

Landowner–the legal or beneficial owner or owners of land including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.

Level spreader–a level structural device providing a smooth, stable surface such as concrete or similar nondegradable material which effectively distributes stormwater uniformly over the ground surface as sheet flow to prevent concentrated, erosive flows and promote infiltration.

Licensed professional–professional engineers, landscape architects, geologists, and land surveyors licensed to practice within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Limits of disturbance–an outline shown on the erosion and sediment pollution control and stormwater management site plan indicating the boundary of the total area to be disturbed during a proposed earth disturbance activity.

Low impact development (LID)–site design approaches and small-scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration, evapotranspiration, and reuse of rainwater. LID can be applied to new development, urban retrofits, and revitalization projects. LID utilizes design techniques that infiltrate, filter, evaporate, and store runoff close to its source. Rather than rely on costly large-scale conveyance and treatment systems, LID addresses stormwater through a variety of small, cost-effective landscape features located on site.

Manning’s equation (Manning’s formula)–a method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. “Open channels” may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under pressure.

Municipality–Cornwall Borough, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) – The national system for the issuance of permits under §402 of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 USC 1342) including a state or interstate program which has been approved in whole or in part by the Environmental Protection Agency, including the regulations codified in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 92a (NPDES permitting, monitoring and compliance) and Chapter 102.

Natural drainage flow–the pattern of surface and stormwater drainage from a particular site before construction or installation of improvements or prior to any regrading.

NOAA Atlas 14–Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States, Atlas 14, Volume 2, US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Design Study Center, Silver Spring, Maryland (2004). NOAA’s Atlas 14 can be accessed at Internet address: http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/.

Non-point source pollution–pollution that enters a water body from diffuse origins in the watershed and does not result from discernible, confined, or discrete conveyances.

NPDES permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities–a permit required for the discharge or potential discharge of stormwater into waters of the Commonwealth from construction activities, including clearing and grubbing, grading and excavation activities involving 1 acre or more of earth disturbance activity or an earth disturbance activity on any portion, part, or during any stage of a larger common plan of development that involves 1 acre or more of earth disturbance activity over the life of the project.

NRCS–Natural Resources Conservation Service. Previously Soil Conservation Service (SCS).

Open channel–a drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open surface. Open channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural and manmade drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes flowing partly full.

Outlet–points of water disposal from a stormwater conveyance system, stream, river, lake, tidewater, or artificial drain.

Parent tract–all contiguous land held in single and separate ownership, regardless whether (A) such land is divided into 1 or more lots, parcels, purports or tracts; (B) such land was acquired by the landowner at different times or by different deeds, devise, partition or otherwise; or (C) such land is bisected by public or private streets or right-of-way, which was held by the landowner or his predecessor in title on December 17, 2012.

Parking lot storage–involves the use of impervious or semi-impervious parking areas as temporary impounds with controlled release rates during rainstorms.

Peak discharge–the maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm event.

Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (“MPC”)–the Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended by the Act of December 21, 1988, P.L. 1329, No. 170, amended, 53 P.S. §10101 et seq.

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.

Pervious area–any area not defined as impervious.

Pipe–a culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.

Point source–a discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including, but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated aquatic animal production facility, concentrated animal feeding operation, landfill leachate collection system, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged, as defined in State regulations at 25 Pa. Code §92a.2.

Pollutant–any contaminant or other alteration of the physical, chemical, biological or radiological integrity of surface water which causes or has the potential to cause pollution as defined in the Clean Streams Law.

Pollution–contamination of any surface waters that will create or is likely to create a nuisance or render such waters harmful, detrimental or injurious to public health, safety or welfare, or to domestic, municipal, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate beneficial uses, or to livestock, wild animals, birds, fish or other aquatic life, including but not limited to such contamination by alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of such waters or change in temperature, taste, color or odor thereof, or the discharge of any liquid, gaseous, radioactive, solid or other substances into such waters.

Project site–the specific area of land where any regulated activities are planned, conducted, or maintained and within the jurisdiction of this Chapter.

Qualified professional–any person licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of State or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by this Chapter.

Rational formula–a rainfall-runoff relation used to estimate peak flow.

Recharge volume–the portion of the water quality volume used to maintain groundwater recharge rates at development sites.

Regulated activities–any earth disturbance activities or any activities that involve the alteration or development of land in a manner that may affect stormwater runoff and activities that may contribute nonstormwater runoff discharges to a regulated small MS4. “Regulated activities” include, but are not limited to, the following listed items:

A.    Earth disturbance activities.

B.    Land development.

C.    Subdivision.

D.    Construction of new or additional impervious or semi-impervious surfaces.

E.    Construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings.

F.    Diversion or piping of any natural or manmade stream channel.

G.    Installation of new or modification of existing stormwater management facilities or appurtenances thereto.

H.    Installation of new or modification of existing stormwater BMPs.

I.    Changes in soil absorption caused by compaction during development or timber harvesting.

J.    Redirection or concentration of runoff to adjoining properties, as it relates to properties regulated under this Chapter.

K.    Modification in contours, including filling and/or draining of low areas, as it relates to properties regulated under this Chapter.

Regulated earth disturbance activity–activity involving earth disturbance subject to regulation under 25 Pa. Code Chapters 92a and 102, or the Clean Streams Law.

Release rate–the percentage, or event criteria of the predevelopment peak rate of runoff from a site or subwatershed area to which the post-development peak rate of runoff must be reduced to protect downstream areas.

Removed runoff–the volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly into the surface waters of the Commonwealth during or after a storm event.

Retention basin–a pond containing a permanent pool of water designed and/or constructed to store water runoff for a given storm event and release it at a predetermined rate.

Return period–the average interval, in years, within which a storm event of a given magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the probability of a 25-year storm occurring in any one given year is 0.04 (i.e., a 4 percent chance).

Riparian buffer–a permanent vegetated area bordering surface waters, that serves as a protective filter to help protect streams and wetlands from impacts of adjacent land uses.

Riser–a vertical structure extending from the bottom of a pond that is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified design storm.

Rooftop detention–temporary ponding and gradual release of stormwater falling directly onto flat roof surfaces by incorporating controlled-flow roof drains into building designs.

Runoff–any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.

Runoff capture volume–the volume of runoff that is captured (retained) and not released into surface waters of the Commonwealth during or after a storm event.

Sediment–soils or other erodible materials transported by stormwater as a product of erosion.

Sediment basin–an impoundment being used to remove sediment from stormwater runoff.

Sediment pollution–the placement, discharge, or any other introduction of sediment into the waters of the Commonwealth occurring from the failure to design, construct, implement, or maintain control measures and control facilities in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.

Sedimentation–the process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated or deposited by the movement of air or water.

Seepage pit/seepage trench–an area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar course material, into which water is directed for infiltration into the ground.

Separate storm sewer system–a conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with drainage systems, Borough streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, or storm drains) primarily used for collecting and conveying stormwater runoff.

Shallow concentrated flow–runoff pattern following sheet flow, prior to open channel flow.

Sheet flow–runoff flow that occurs overland in places where there are no defined channels, the flood water spreads out over a large area at a uniform depth. This also referred to as overland flow.

Site improvements–physical additions or changes to the land that may be necessary to provide usable and desirable lots, including, but not limited to, utilities, streets, curbing, sidewalks, streetlights, and stormwater facilities.

Slope–deviation of any surface from horizontal. For engineering purposes, slopes are usually expressed in a percentage based upon vertical difference in feet per 100 feet of horizontal distance.

Soil cover complex method–a method of runoff computation developed by the NRCS that is based on relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter called “curve number” (“CN”).

Spillway (emergency)–a depression in the embankment of a pond or basin, or other overflow structure, that is used to pass peak discharges greater than the maximum design storm controlled by the pond or basin.

Stabilization–the proper placing, grading, constructing, reinforcing, lining, and covering of soil, rock or earth to ensure its resistance to erosion, sliding or other movement.

State water quality requirements–the regulatory requirements to protect, maintain, reclaim, and restore water quality under Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code and the Clean Streams Law – including, but not limited to:

A.    Each stream segment in Pennsylvania has a “designated use,” such as “cold water fishery” or “potable water supply,” which is listed in Chapter 93. These uses must be protected and maintained, under State regulations.

B.    “Existing uses” are those attained as of November 1975, regardless of whether they have been designated in Chapter 93. 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.

C.    Water quality involves the chemical, biological, and physical characteristics of surface water bodies. After 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 stream bank, stream bed, and structural integrity of the waterway, to prevent these impacts.

D.    Protection and maintenance of water quality in special protection streams pursuant to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 93.

Storage indication method–a reservoir routing procedure based on solution of the continuity equation (inflow minus outflow equals the change in storage) with outflow defined as a function of storage volume and depth.

Storm frequency–the number of times that a given storm “event” occurs or is exceeded on the average in a stated period of years.

Storm sewer–a system of pipes and/or open channels that convey intercepted runoff and stormwater from other sources but excludes domestic sewage and industrial wastes.

Stormwater–drainage runoff from the surface of the land resulting from precipitation or snow or ice melt.

Stormwater detention–any storm drainage technique that retards or detains runoff, such as detention or retention basins, parking lot storage, rooftop detention, porous pavement, dry wells, or any combination thereof.

Stormwater detention basin–a vegetated pond designed to drain completely after storing runoff only for a given storm event and release it at a predetermined rate; also known as a “dry pond.”

Stormwater management–a program of controls and measures designed to regulate the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff from a development while promoting the protection and conservation of groundwater and groundwater recharge.

Stormwater Management Act–the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864, No. 167, as amended, 32 P.S. §680.1 et seq.

Stormwater management district–a watershed or subwatershed area for which separate stormwater management regulations or criteria have been established.

Stormwater management facilities (SWM BMPs)–a system designed to handle stormwater runoff, and where required, delay the peak discharge long enough to minimize the potential for downstream flooding. Any structure, natural or manmade, that, due to its condition, design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include but are not limited to detention basins, wet ponds, open channels, storm sewers, pipes and infiltration facilities.

Stormwater management plan–a plan for managing stormwater runoff on a watershed-wide basis, as required by the Stormwater Management Act.

Stormwater management (SWM) site plan–the plan prepared by a qualified professional indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the project site according to this Chapter.

Stream–a watercourse. A channel or conveyance of surface water having defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow.

Subwatershed area–the smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater management criteria has been established.

Subdivision–as defined in Chapter 13, Subdivision and Land Development.

Surface waters–perennial and intermittent streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, wetlands, springs, natural seeps, and estuaries, excluding water in facilities approved for wastewater treatment such as wastewater treatment impoundments, cooling water ponds and constructed wetlands used as part of a wastewater treatment process.

Swale–a low-lying stretch of land that gathers or carries surface water runoff. A watercourse without defined bed and bank.

Time of concentration (Tc)–the time for surface water runoff to travel from the hydraulically most distant point of the watershed to a point of interest within the watershed. This time is the combined total of overland flow time and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.

Topography–a general term that includes the characteristics of the ground surface such as hills, plains, mountains, degree of relief, steepness of slope and physiographic features. The configuration of a surface area showing relative elevations.

Topsoil–acceptable friable loam that is free of subsoil, clay lumps, brush, roots, weeds, other objectionable vegetation, stones, other foreign material larger than 2 inches in any dimension, litter, and/or other material unsuitable or harmful to plant growth.

USDA–the United States Department of Agriculture or any agency successor thereto.

Vegetative cover–such cover shall consist of trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, or similar natural cover.

Watercourse–a channel or conveyance of surface water, having defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow.

Water pollution–the addition of pollutants to waters of the Commonwealth in concentrations or quantities sufficient to result in measurable degradation of water quality.

Water quality volume–the total volume of water runoff that is required to be collected and treated for water quality control by direction to BMP facilities.

Water table–the upper surface of groundwater, or that level below which the soil is seasonally saturated with water.

Waters of the Commonwealth–rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches, watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs and other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or on the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Watershed–region or area drained by a river, watercourse, or other surface water, whether natural or artificial. Also synonymous with “sub-watershed” and “drainage area” referring to local drainage area of interest for site specific calculations.

Wetland–those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

(Ord. 2022-3, 9/12/2022, §1)