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Village of Port Jefferson, NY
Suffolk County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Port Jefferson as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 101.
Coastal erosion hazard areas — See Ch. 111.
Environmental quality review — See Ch. 129.
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 145.
Pollution — See Ch. 191.
Sewers — See Ch. 211.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 220.
Trees, grading and land clearing — See Ch. 241.
Zoning — See Ch. 250.
[Adopted 6-25-2007 by L.L. No. 2-2007[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was originally adopted as Ch. 113, Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control, but was renumbered in order to fit the alphabetical sequence of the Code.
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 habitat 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 habitat;
D. 
Improper design and construction of stormwater management practices 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 nonpoint 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 nonpoint 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 article is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing with in this jurisdiction and to address the findings of fact in § 213-1 hereof. This article seeks to meet those purposes by achieving the following objectives:
A. 
Meet the requirements of minimum measures 4 and 5 of the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4s), Permit No. GP-02-02, or as amended or revised;
B. 
Require land development activities to conform to the substantive requirements of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Construction Activities, 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 which flows from any specific site during and following development to the maximum extent practicable; and
F. 
Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution, wherever possible, through stormwater management practices and to ensure that these management practices are properly maintained and eliminate threats to public safety.
In accordance with § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, the Village Board of Trustees of Port Jefferson has the authority to enact local laws and amend local laws and for the purpose of promoting the health, safety or general welfare of the Village of Port Jefferson and for the protection and enhancement of its physical environment. The Village Board of Trustees of Port Jefferson may appoint a municipal officer, employee, or independent contractor to effectuate, administer and enforce this article. This appointment shall be accomplished by resolution of the Village Board of Trustees.
A. 
This article shall be applicable to all land development activities as defined in this article, § 213-6.
B. 
The municipality shall designate a Stormwater Management Officer who shall accept and review all stormwater pollution prevention plans and forward such plans to the applicable municipal board. The Stormwater Management Officer may:
(1) 
Review the plans;
(2) 
Upon approval by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Port Jefferson, engage the services of a registered professional engineer to review the plans, specifications and related documents at a cost not to exceed a fee schedule established by said governing board; or
(3) 
Accept the certification of a licensed professional that the plans conform to the requirements of this article.
C. 
All land development activities subject to review and approval by the Planning Board of the Village of Port Jefferson under subdivision, site plan, and/or conditional permit regulations shall be reviewed subject to the standards contained in this article.
D. 
All land development activities not subject to review as stated in Subsection C shall be required to submit a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) to the Stormwater Management Officer who shall approve the SWPPP if it complies with the requirements of this article.
The following activities may be exempt from review under this article.
A. 
Agricultural activity as defined in this article.
B. 
Silvicultural activity, except that landing areas and log haul roads are subject to this article.
C. 
Routine maintenance activities that disturb less than one acre and are performed to maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity or original purpose of a facility.
D. 
Repairs to any stormwater management practice or facility deemed necessary by the Stormwater Management Officer.
E. 
Any part of a subdivision if a plat for the subdivision has been approved by the Village of Port Jefferson on or before the effective date of this article.
F. 
Land development activities for which a building permit has been approved on or before the effective date of this article.
G. 
Cemetery graves.
H. 
Installation of fence, sign, telephone, and electric poles and other kinds of posts or poles.
I. 
Emergency activity immediately necessary to protect life, property or natural resources.
J. 
Activities of an individual engaging in home gardening by growing flowers, vegetable and other plants primarily for use by that person and his or her family.
K. 
Landscaping and horticultural activities in connection with an existing structure.
The terms used in this article or in documents prepared or reviewed under this article shall have the meaning as set forth in this section:
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
The activity of an active farm, including grazing and watering livestock, irrigating crops, harvesting crops, using land for growing agricultural products, and cutting timber for sale, but shall not include the operation of a dude ranch or similar operation, or the construction of new structures associated with agricultural activities.
APPLICANT
A property owner or agent of a property owner who has filed an application for a land development activity.
BUILDING
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having walls and a roof, designed for the shelter of any person, animal, or property, and occupying more than 100 square feet of area.
CHANNEL
A natural or artificial watercourse with a definite bed and banks that conducts continuously or periodically flowing water.
CLEARING
Any activity that removes the vegetative surface cover.
DEDICATION
The deliberate appropriation of property by its owner for general public use.
DEPARTMENT
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DESIGN MANUAL
The "New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual," most recent version, including applicable updates, that serves as the official guide for stormwater management principles, methods and practices.
DEVELOPER
A person who undertakes land development activities.
EROSION CONTROL MANUAL
The most recent version of the "New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control" manual, commonly known as the "Blue Book."
GRADING
Excavation or fill of material, including the resulting conditions thereof.
IMPERVIOUS COVER
Those surfaces, improvements and structures that cannot effectively infiltrate rainfall, snow melt and water (e.g., building rooftops, pavement, sidewalks, driveways, etc).
INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER PERMIT
A State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued to a commercial industry or group of industries which regulates the pollutant levels associated with industrial stormwater discharges or specifies on-site pollution control strategies.
INFILTRATION
The process of percolating stormwater into the subsoil.
JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND
An area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly known as "hydrophytic vegetation."
LAND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
Construction activity, including clearing, grading, excavating, soil disturbance or placement of fill that results in land disturbance of equal to or greater than one acre, or activities disturbing less than one acre of total land area that is part of a larger common plan of development or sale, even though multiple separate and distinct land development activities may take place at different times on different schedules.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner of land, including those holding the right to purchase or lease the land, or any other person holding proprietary rights in the land.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
A legally recorded document that acts as a property deed restriction, and which provides for long-term maintenance of stormwater management practices.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution from any source other than from any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyances, and shall include but not be limited to pollutants from agricultural, silvicultural, mining, construction, subsurface disposal and urban runoff sources.
PHASING
Clearing a parcel of land in distinct pieces or parts, with the stabilization of each piece completed before the clearing of the next.
POLLUTANT OF CONCERN
Sediment or a water quality measurement that addresses sediment (such as total suspended solids, turbidity or siltation) and any other pollutant that has been identified as a cause of impairment of any water body that will receive a discharge from the land development activity.
PROJECT
Land development activity.
RECHARGE
The replenishment of underground water reserves.
SEDIMENT CONTROL
Measures that prevent eroded sediment from leaving the site.
SENSITIVE AREAS
Cold water fisheries, shellfish beds, swimming beaches, groundwater recharge areas, water supply reservoirs, habitats for threatened, endangered or special concern species.
SPDES GENERAL PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES GP-02-01
A permit under the New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) issued to developers of construction activities to regulate disturbance of one or more acres of land.
SPDES GENERAL PERMIT FOR STORMWATER DISCHARGES FROM MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORMWATER SEWER SYSTEMS GP-02-02
A permit under the New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) issued to municipalities to regulate discharges from municipal separate storm sewers for compliance with EPA-established water quality standards and/or to specify stormwater control standards.
STABILIZATION
The use of practices that prevent exposed soil from eroding.
STOP-WORK ORDER
An order issued which requires that all construction activity on a site be stopped.
STORMWATER
Rainwater, surface runoff, snowmelt and drainage.
STORMWATER HOTSPOT
A land use or activity that generates higher concentrations of hydrocarbons, trace metals or toxicants than are found in typical stormwater runoff, based on monitoring studies.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The use of structural or nonstructural practices that are designed to reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate its adverse impacts on property, natural resources and the environment.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
One or a series of stormwater management practices installed, stabilized and operating for the purpose of controlling stormwater runoff.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OFFICER
An employee or officer designated by the municipality to accept and review stormwater pollution prevention plans, forward the plans to the applicable municipal board and inspect stormwater management practices.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (SMPS)
Measures, either structural or nonstructural, that are determined to be the most effective, practical means of preventing flood damage and preventing or reducing point source or nonpoint source pollution inputs to stormwater runoff and water bodies.
STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (SWPPP)
A plan for controlling stormwater runoff and pollutants from a site during and after construction activities.
STORMWATER RUNOFF
Flow on the surface of the ground resulting from precipitation.
SURFACE WATERS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Lakes, bays, sounds, ponds, impounding reservoirs, springs, wells, rivers, streams, creeks, estuaries, marshes, inlets, canals, the Atlantic Ocean within the territorial seas of the state of New York and all other bodies of surface water, natural or artificial, inland or coastal, fresh or salt, public or private (except those private waters that do not combine or effect a junction with natural surface or underground waters), which are wholly or partially within or bordering the state or within its jurisdiction. Storm sewers and waste treatment systems, including treatment ponds or lagoons which also meet the criteria of this definition, are not waters of the state. This exclusion applies only to man-made bodies of water which neither were originally created in waters of the state (such as a disposal area in wetlands) nor resulted from impoundment of waters of the state.
WATERCOURSE
A permanent or intermittent stream or other body of water, either natural or man-made, which gathers or carries surface water.
WATERWAY
A channel that directs surface runoff to a watercourse or to the public storm drain.
A. 
Stormwater pollution prevention plan requirement. No application for approval of a land development activity shall be reviewed until the appropriate board has received a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) prepared in accordance with the specifications in this article.
B. 
Contents of stormwater pollution prevention plans.
(1) 
All SWPPPs shall provide the following background information and erosion and sediment controls:
(a) 
Background information about the scope of the project, including location, type and size of project;
(b) 
Site map/construction drawing(s) for the project, including a general location map. At a minimum, the site map should show the total site area; all improvements; areas of disturbance; areas that will not be disturbed; existing vegetation; on-site and adjacent off-site surface water(s); wetlands and drainage patterns that could be affected by the construction activity; existing and final slopes; locations of off-site material, waste, borrow or equipment storage areas; and location(s) of the stormwater discharges(s). The site map should be at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 100 feet; (e.g., one inch equals 500 feet is smaller than one inch equals 100 feet);
(c) 
Description of the soil(s) present at the site;
(d) 
Construction phasing plan describing the intended sequence of construction activities, including clearing and grubbing, excavation and grading, utility and infrastructure installation and any other activity at the site that results in soil disturbance. Consistent with the "New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control" (Erosion Control Manual), not more than five acres shall be disturbed at any one time unless pursuant to an approved SWPPP;
(e) 
Description of the pollution prevention measures that will be used to control litter, construction chemicals and construction debris from becoming a pollutant source in stormwater runoff;
(f) 
Description of construction and waste materials expected to be stored on-site with updates as appropriate, and a description of controls to reduce pollutants from these materials, including storage practices to minimize exposure of the materials to stormwater, and spill prevention and response;
(g) 
Temporary and permanent structural and vegetative measures to be used for soil stabilization, runoff control and sediment control for each stage of the project, from initial land clearing and grubbing to project close-out;
(h) 
A site map/construction drawing(s) specifying the location(s), size(s) and length(s) of each erosion and sediment control practice;
(i) 
Dimensions, material specifications and installation details for all erosion and sediment control practices, including the siting and sizing of any temporary sediment basins;
(j) 
Temporary practices that will be converted to permanent control measures;
(k) 
Implementation schedule for staging temporary erosion and sediment control practices, including the timing of initial placement and duration that each practice should remain in place;
(l) 
Maintenance schedule to ensure continuous and effective operation of the erosion and sediment control practice;
(m) 
Name(s) of the receiving water(s);
(n) 
Delineation of SWPPP implementation responsibilities for each part of the site;
(o) 
Description of structural practices designed to divert flows from exposed soils, store flows, or otherwise limit runoff and the discharge of pollutants from exposed areas of the site to the degree attainable; and
(p) 
Any existing data that describes the stormwater runoff at the site.
C. 
Land development activities as defined in § 213-6 of this article and meeting Condition A, B or C below shall also include water quantity and water quality controls (post-construction stormwater runoff controls) as set forth in Subsection D below as applicable:
(1) 
Condition A: Stormwater runoff from land development activities discharging a pollutant of concern to either an impaired water identified on the Department's 303(d) list of impaired waters or a total maximum daily load (TMDL) designated watershed for which pollutants in stormwater have been identified as a source of the impairment.
(2) 
Condition B: Stormwater runoff from land development activities disturbing five or more acres.
(3) 
Condition C: Stormwater runoff from land development activity disturbing between one and five acres of land during the course of the project, exclusive of the construction of single-family residences and construction activities at agricultural properties.
D. 
SWPPP Requirements for Conditions A, B and C:
(1) 
All information in § 213-2A of this article;
(2) 
Description of each post-construction stormwater management practice;
(3) 
Site map/construction drawing(s) showing the specific location(s) and size(s) of each post-construction stormwater management practice;
(4) 
Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for all structural components of the stormwater management system for the applicable design storms;
(5) 
Comparison of post-development stormwater runoff conditions with pre-development conditions;
(6) 
Dimensions, material specifications and installation details for each post-construction stormwater management practice;
(7) 
Maintenance schedule to ensure continuous and effective operation of each post-construction stormwater management practice;
(8) 
Maintenance easements to ensure access to all stormwater management practices at the site for the purpose of inspection and repair. Easements shall be recorded on the plan and shall remain in effect with transfer of title to the property;
(9) 
Inspection and maintenance agreement binding on all subsequent landowners served by the on-site stormwater management measures in accordance with § 213-8 of this article.
E. 
Plan certification. The SWPPP shall be prepared by a landscape architect, certified professional or professional engineer and must be signed by the professional preparing the plan, who shall certify that the design of all stormwater management practices meet the requirements in this article.
F. 
Other environmental permits. The applicant shall assure that all other applicable environmental permits have been or will be acquired for the land development activity prior to approval of the final stormwater design plan.
G. 
Contractor certification.
(1) 
Each contractor and subcontractor identified in the SWPPP who will be involved in soil disturbance and/or stormwater management practice installation shall sign and date a copy of the following certification statement before undertaking any land development activity: "I certify under penalty of law that I understand and agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. I also understand that it is unlawful for any person to cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards."
(2) 
The certification must include the name and title of the person providing the signature, address and telephone number of the contracting firm; the address (or other identifying description) of the site; and the date the certification is made.
(3) 
The certification statement(s) shall become part of the SWPPP for the land development activity.
H. 
A copy of the SWPPP shall be retained at the site of the land development activity during construction from the date of initiation of construction activities to the date of final stabilization.
All land development activities shall be subject to the following performance and design criteria:
A. 
Technical standards. For the purpose of this article, the following documents shall serve as the official guides and specifications for stormwater management. Stormwater management practices that are designed and constructed in accordance with these technical documents shall be presumed to meet the standards imposed by this article:
(1) 
The "New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual" (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, most current version or its successor, hereafter referred to as the "Design Manual")
(2) 
"New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control," (Empire State Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, 2004, most current version or its successor, hereafter referred to as the "Erosion Control Manual").
B. 
Water quality standards. Any land development activity shall not cause an increase in turbidity that will result in substantial visible contrast to natural conditions in surface waters of the state of New York.
A. 
Maintenance during construction.
(1) 
The applicant or developer of the land development activity shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the applicant or developer to achieve compliance with the conditions of this article. Sediment shall be removed from sediment traps or sediment ponds whenever their design capacity has been reduced by 50%.
(2) 
The applicant or developer or their representative shall be on site at all times when construction or grading activity takes place and shall inspect and document the effectiveness of all erosion and sediment control practices. Inspection reports shall be completed every seven days and within 24 hours of any storm event producing 0.5 inch of precipitation or more. The reports shall be delivered to the Stormwater Management Officer and also copied to the site log book.
B. 
Maintenance easement(s). Prior to the issuance of any approval that has a stormwater management facility as one of the requirements, the applicant or developer must execute a maintenance easement agreement that shall be binding on all subsequent landowners served by the stormwater management facility. The easement shall provide for access to the facility at reasonable times for periodic inspection by the Village of Port Jefferson to ensure that the facility is maintained in proper working condition to meet design standards and any other provisions established by this article. The easement shall be recorded by the grantor in the office of the Suffolk County Clerk after approval by the Trustees of Village of Port Jefferson.
C. 
Maintenance after construction. The owner or operator of permanent stormwater management practices installed in accordance with this article shall be operated and maintained to achieve the goals of this article. Proper operation and maintenance also includes as a minimum, the following:
(1) 
A preventive/corrective maintenance program for all critical facilities and systems of treatment and control (or related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the owner or operator to achieve the goals of this article.
(2) 
Written procedures for operation and maintenance and training new maintenance personnel.
(3) 
Discharges from the SMPs shall not exceed design criteria or cause or contribute to water quality standard violations in accordance with § 213-7B.
D. 
Maintenance agreements. The Village of Port Jefferson shall approve a formal maintenance agreement for stormwater management facilities binding on all subsequent landowners and recorded in the office of the County Clerk as a deed restriction on the property prior to final plan approval. The maintenance agreement shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of Schedule B of this article, entitled "Sample Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreement."[1] The Trustees of the Village of Port Jefferson, in lieu of a maintenance agreement, at its sole discretion, may accept dedication of any existing or future stormwater management facility, provided such facility meets all the requirements of this article and includes adequate and perpetual access and sufficient area, by easement or otherwise, for inspection and regular maintenance.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule B is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A. 
Severability. If the provisions of any section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause of this article shall be judged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such order of judgment shall not affect or invalidate the remainder of any section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision or clause of this article.
B. 
Effective date. This article shall be effective upon filing with the office of the Secretary of State.
A. 
Notice of violation. When the Village of Port Jefferson determines that a land development activity is not being carried out in accordance with the requirements of this article, it may issue a written notice of violation to the landowner. The notice of violation shall contain:
(1) 
The name and address of the landowner, developer or applicant;
(2) 
The address when available or a description of the building, structure or land upon which the violation is occurring;
(3) 
A statement specifying the nature of the violation;
(4) 
A description of the remedial measures necessary to bring the land development activity into compliance with this article and a time schedule for the completion of such remedial action;
(5) 
A statement of the penalty or penalties that shall or may be assessed against the person to whom the notice of violation is directed;
(6) 
A statement that the determination of violation may be appealed to the municipality by filing a written notice of appeal within 15 days of service of notice of violation.
B. 
Stop-work orders. The Village of Port Jefferson may issue a stop-work order for violations of this article. Persons receiving a stop-work order shall be required to halt all land development activities, except those activities that address the violations leading to the stop-work order. The stop-work order shall be in effect until the Village of Port Jefferson confirms that the land development activity is in compliance and the violation has been satisfactorily addressed. Failure to address a stop-work order in a timely manner may result in civil, criminal, or monetary penalties in accordance with the enforcement measures authorized in this article.
C. 
Violations. Any land development activity that is commenced or is conducted contrary to this article may be restrained by injunction or otherwise abated in a manner provided by law.
D. 
Any person who violates this article or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalties provided in § 1-2 of the Code of the Village of Port Jefferson.
[Amended 1-5-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015]
E. 
Withholding of certificate of occupancy. If any building or land development activity is installed or conducted in violation of this article, the Stormwater Management Officer may prevent the occupancy of said building or land.
F. 
Restoration of lands. Any violator may be required to restore land to its undisturbed condition. In the event that restoration is not undertaken within a reasonable time after notice, the Village of Port Jefferson may take necessary corrective action, the cost of which shall become a lien upon the property until paid.
The Village of Port Jefferson may require any person undertaking land development activities regulated by this article to pay reasonable costs at prevailing rates for review of SWPPPs, inspections, or SMP maintenance performed by the Village of Port Jefferson or performed by a third party for the Village of Port Jefferson.
[Adopted 6-4-2007 by L.L. No. 3-2007[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was originally adopted as Ch. 114, Illicit Discharges and Connections, but was renumbered in order to fit the alphabetical sequence of the Code.
The Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson finds that a potential and/or actual damage from illicit discharge may be a problem to the residents of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson. In order to minimize the threat of such damages and to achieve purposes and objectives hereinafter set forth, this article is adopted.
The purpose of this article is to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of The Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson through the regulation of nonstormwater discharges to the storm drainage system to the maximum extent practicable as required by federal and state law. This article establishes methods for controlling the introduction of pollutants into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) in order to comply with requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process. The objectives of this article are:
A. 
To regulate the contribution of pollutants to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) by stormwater discharges by any user;
B. 
To prohibit illicit connections and discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system;
C. 
To establish legal authority to carry out all inspection, surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this article.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUTHORIZED ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
Employees or designees of the director of the municipal agency designated to enforce this article.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS)
Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, general good housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and educational practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to stormwater, receiving waters, or stormwater conveyance systems. BMPs also include treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), and any subsequent amendments thereto.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
NPDES stormwater Phase II permits are required for construction projects resulting in land disturbance of one acre or more. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety, property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.
ILLEGAL DISCHARGE
Any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the storm drain system, except as exempted in § 213-20A of this article.
ILLICIT CONNECTIONS
An illicit connection is defined as either of the following:
A. 
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows an illegal discharge to enter the storm drain system, including but not limited to any conveyances which allow any nonstormwater discharge including sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to enter the storm drain system and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain or connection had been previously allowed, permitted, or approved by an authorized enforcement agency; or,
B. 
Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial land use to the storm drain system which has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by an authorized enforcement agency.
INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY
Activities subject to NPDES Industrial Permits as defined in 40 CFR or successor statutes or as amended, § 122.26(b)(14).
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) STORMWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT
A permit issued by EPA [or by a state under authority delegated pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1342(b)] or successor statutes and as amended that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States, whether the permit is applicable on an individual, group, or general area-wide basis.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGE
Any discharge to the storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.
PERSON
Any individual, association, organization, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity recognized by law and acting as either the owner or as the owner's agent.
POLLUTANT
Anything which causes or contributes to pollution. Pollutants may include, but are not limited to paints, varnishes, and solvents; oil and other automotive fluids; nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes; refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, ordnance and accumulations, so that same may cause or contribute to pollution; floatables; pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; hazardous substances and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens; dissolved and particulate metals; animal wastes; wastes and residues that result from constructing a building or structure; and noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
PREMISES
Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land, whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.
STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Publicly owned facilities by which stormwater is collected and/or conveyed, including but not limited to any roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains, pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made or altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures.
STORMWATER
Any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of natural precipitation and resulting from such precipitation.
STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN
A document which describes the best management practices and activities to be implemented by a person or business to identify sources of pollution or contamination at a site and the actions to eliminate or reduce pollutant discharges to stormwater, stormwater conveyance systems, and/or receiving waters to the maximum extent practicable.
WASTEWATER
Any water or other liquid, other than uncontaminated stormwater, discharged from a facility.
This article shall apply to all water entering the storm drain system generated on any developed and undeveloped lands unless explicitly exempted by the Building Department.
The Building Department shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this article. Any powers granted or duties imposed upon the authorized enforcement agency may be delegated in writing by the Director of the authorized enforcement agency to persons or entities acting in the beneficial interest of or in the employ of the agency.
The provisions of this article are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, clause, sentence, or paragraph of this article or the application thereof to any person, establishment, or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of this article.
The standards set forth herein and promulgated pursuant to this article are minimum standards; therefore, this article does not intend nor imply that compliance by any person will ensure that there will be no contamination, pollution, nor unauthorized discharge of pollutants.
A. 
Prohibition of illegal discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the municipal storm drain system or watercourses any materials, including but not limited to pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards, other than stormwater. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the storm drain system is prohibited except as described as follows:
(1) 
The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this article: water line flushing or other potable water sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering, diverted stream flows, rising groundwater, groundwater infiltration to storm drains, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, foundation or footing drains (not including active groundwater dewatering systems), crawl space pumps, air conditioning condensation, springs, noncommercial washing of vehicles, natural riparian habitat or wetland flows, swimming pools (if dechlorinated, typically less than one PPM chlorine), fire-fighting activities, and any other water source not containing pollutants.
(2) 
Discharges specified in writing by the authorized enforcement agency as being necessary to protect public health and safety.
(3) 
Dye testing is an allowable discharge, but requires a verbal notification to the authorized enforcement agency prior to the time of the test.
(4) 
The prohibition shall not apply to any nonstormwater discharge permitted under an NPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the authority of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations, and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge to the storm drain system.
B. 
Prohibition of illicit connections.
(1) 
The construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections to the storm drain system is prohibited.
(2) 
This prohibition expressly includes, without limitation, illicit connections made in the past, regardless of whether the connection was permissible under law or practices applicable or prevailing at the time of connection.
(3) 
A person is considered to be in violation of this article if the person connects a line conveying sewage to the MS4 or allows such a connection to continue.
A. 
Suspension due to illicit discharges in emergency situations. The Building Department may, without prior notice, suspend MS4 discharge access to a person when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge which presents or may present imminent and substantial danger to the environment, or to the health or welfare of persons, or to the MS4 or waters of the United States. If the violator fails to comply with a suspension order issued in an emergency, the authorized enforcement agency may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the MS4 or waters of the United States, or to minimize danger to persons.
B. 
Suspension due to the detection of illicit discharge.
(1) 
Any person discharging to the MS4 in violation of this article may have his or her MS4 access terminated if such termination would abate or reduce an illicit discharge. The authorized enforcement agency will notify a violator of the proposed termination of its MS4 access. The violator may petition the authorized enforcement agency for a reconsideration and hearing.
(2) 
A person commits an offense if the person reinstates MS4 access to premises terminated pursuant to this section without the prior approval of the authorized enforcement agency.
Any person subject to an industrial or construction activity NPDES stormwater discharge permit shall comply with all provisions of such permit. Proof of compliance with said permit may be required in a form acceptable to the Building Department prior to the allowing of discharges to the MS4.
A. 
Applicability. This section applies to all facilities that have stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity, including construction activity.
B. 
Access to facilities.
(1) 
The Building Department shall be permitted to enter and inspect facilities subject to regulation under this article as often as may be necessary to determine compliance with this article. If a discharger has security measures in force which require proper identification and clearance before entry into its premises, the discharger shall make the necessary arrangements to allow access to representatives of the authorized enforcement agency. Facility operators shall allow the Building Department ready access to all parts of the premises for the purposes of inspection, sampling, examination and copying of records that must be kept under the conditions of an NPDES permit to discharge stormwater, and the performance of any additional duties as defined by state and federal law.
(2) 
The Building Department shall have the right to set up on any permitted facility such devices as are necessary in the opinion of the authorized enforcement agency to conduct monitoring and/or sampling of the facility's stormwater discharge.
(3) 
The Building Department has the right to require the discharger to install monitoring equipment as necessary. The facility's sampling and monitoring equipment shall be maintained at all times in a safe and proper operating condition by the discharger at its own expense. All devices used to measure stormwater flow and quality shall be calibrated to ensure their accuracy.
(4) 
Any temporary or permanent obstruction to safe and easy access to the facility to be inspected and/or sampled shall be promptly removed by the operator at the written or oral request of the Building Department and shall not be replaced. The costs of clearing such access shall be borne by the operator.
(5) 
Unreasonable delays in allowing the Building Department access to a permitted facility is a violation of a stormwater discharge permit and of this article. A person who is the operator of a facility with a NPDES permit to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity commits an offense if the person denies the authorized enforcement agency reasonable access to the permitted facility for the purpose of conducting any activity authorized or required by this article.
(6) 
If the Building Department has been refused access to any part of the premises from which stormwater is discharged, and he/she is able to demonstrate probable cause to believe that there may be a violation of this article, or that there is a need to inspect and/or sample as part of a routine inspection and sampling program designed to verify compliance with this article or any order issued hereunder, or to protect the overall public health, safety, and welfare of the community, then the authorized enforcement agency may seek issuance of a search warrant from any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Building Department will adopt requirements identifying best management practices for any activity, operation, or facility which may cause or contribute to pollution or contamination of stormwater, the storm drain system, or waters of the United States. The owner or operator of a commercial or industrial establishment shall provide, at their own expense, reasonable protection from accidental discharge of prohibited materials or other wastes into the municipal storm drain system or watercourses through the use of these structural and nonstructural BMPs. Further, any person responsible for a property or premise, which is, or may be, the source of an illicit discharge, may be required to implement, at said person's expense, additional structural and nonstructural BMPs to prevent the further discharge of pollutants to the municipal separate storm sewer system. Compliance with all terms and conditions of a valid NPDES permit authorizing the discharge of stormwater associated with industrial activity, to the extent practicable, shall be deemed compliance with the provisions of this section. These BMPs shall be part of a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPP) as necessary for compliance with requirements of the NPDES permit.
Every person owning property through which a watercourse passes, or such person's lessee, shall keep and maintain that part of the watercourse within the property free of trash, debris, excessive vegetation, and other obstacles that would pollute, contaminate, or significantly retard the flow of water through the watercourse. In addition, the owner or lessee shall maintain existing privately owned structures within or adjacent to a watercourse, so that such structures will not become a hazard to the use, function, or physical integrity of the watercourse.
Notwithstanding other requirements of law, as soon as any person responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation, has information of any known or suspected release of materials which are resulting or may result in illegal discharges or pollutants discharging into stormwater, the storm drain system, or water of the United States, said person shall take all necessary steps to ensure the discovery, containment, and cleanup of such release. In the event of such a release of hazardous materials, said person shall immediately notify emergency response agencies of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services. In the event of a release of nonhazardous materials, said person shall notify the authorized enforcement agency in person or by phone or facsimile no later than the next business day. Notifications in person or by phone shall be confirmed by written notice addressed and mailed to the Building Department within three business days of the phone notice. If the discharge of prohibited materials emanates from a commercial or industrial establishment, the owner or operator of such establishment shall also retain an on-site written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years.
A. 
Whenever the Building Department finds that a person has violated a prohibition or failed to meet a requirement of this article, the authorized enforcement agency may order compliance by written notice of violation to the responsible person. Such notice may require, without limitation:
(1) 
The performance of monitoring, analyses, and reporting;
(2) 
The elimination of illicit connections or discharges;
(3) 
That violating discharges, practices, or operations shall cease and desist;
(4) 
The abatement or remediation of stormwater pollution or contamination hazards and the restoration of any affected property;
(5) 
Payment of a fine to cover administrative and remediation costs; and
(6) 
The implementation of source control or treatment BMPs.
B. 
If abatement of a violation and/or restoration of affected property is required, the notice shall set forth a deadline within which such remediation or restoration must be completed. Said notice shall further advise that, should the violator fail to remediate or restore within the established deadline, the work will be done by a designated governmental agency or a contractor and the expense thereof shall be charged to the violator.
Any person receiving a notice of violation may appeal the determination of the authorized enforcement agency. The notice of appeal must be received within 10 days from the date of the notice of violation. Hearing on the appeal before the appropriate authority or his/her designee shall take place within 15 days from the date of receipt of the notice of appeal. The decision of the municipal authority or their designee shall be final.
If the violation has not been corrected pursuant to the requirements set forth in the notice of violation or, in the event of an appeal, within 10 days of the decision of the municipal authority upholding the decision of the authorized enforcement agency, then representatives of the authorized enforcement agency shall enter upon the subject private property and are authorized to take any and all measures necessary to abate the violation and/or restore the property. It shall be unlawful for any person, owner, agent or person in possession of any premises to refuse to allow the government agency or designated contractor to enter upon the premises for the purposes set forth above.
Within 10 days after abatement of the violation, the owner of the property will be notified of the cost of abatement, including administrative costs. The property owner may file a written protest objecting to the amount of the assessment within 10 days. If the amount due is not paid within a timely manner as determined by the decision of the municipal authority or by the expiration of the time in which to file an appeal, the charges shall become a special assessment against the property and shall constitute a lien on the property for the amount of the assessment.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this article. If a person has violated or continues to violate the provisions of this article, the authorized enforcement agency may petition for a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining the person from activities which would create further violations or compelling the person to perform abatement or remediation of the violation.
In lieu of enforcement proceedings, penalties, and remedies authorized by this article, the authorized enforcement agency may impose upon a violator alternative compensatory actions, included but not limited to storm drain stenciling, attendance at compliance workshops and creek cleanup.
In addition to the enforcement processes and penalties provided, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this article is a threat to public health, safety, and welfare, and is declared and deemed a nuisance, and may be summarily abated or restored at the violator's expense, and/or a civil action to abate, enjoin, or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be taken.
[Amended 1-5-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015]
A. 
Any person who violates this article or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalties provided in § 1-2 of the Code of the Village of Port Jefferson.
B. 
The authorized enforcement agency may recover all attorney's fees court costs and other expenses associated with enforcement of this article, including sampling and monitoring expenses.
The remedies listed in this article are not exclusive of any other remedies available under any applicable federal, state or local law, and it is within the discretion of the authorized enforcement agency to seek cumulative remedies.
In accordance with § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, the Village Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson has the authority to enact local laws and amend local laws and for the purpose of promoting the health, safety or general welfare of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson and for the protection and enhancement of its physical environment. The Village Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson may include in any such local law provisions for the appointment of any municipal officer, employees, or independent contractor to effectuate, administer and enforce such local law.
This article shall be in full force and effect immediately upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State.