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Township of West Manchester, PA
York County
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As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT 167
Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167), as amended, and known as the "Storm Water Management Act."[1]
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY
Activities associated with agriculture such as, but not limited to, agricultural cultivation, agricultural operations, and animal heavy use areas. This includes the work of producing crops, including tillage, land clearing, plowing, disking, harrowing, planting, harvesting crops or pasturing and raising of livestock and installation of conservation measures. Construction of new buildings or impervious area is not considered an agricultural activity.
APPLICANT
A landowner, developer, or other person who has filed an application to the Township for approval to engage in any regulated activity at a project site in the Township.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures, 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: "structural" or "nonstructural." In this chapter, nonstructural BMPs or measures refer to operational and/or behavior-related practices that attempt to minimize the contact of pollutants with stormwater runoff, whereas structural BMPs or measures are those 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 retention 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.
BMP MANUAL
Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, as amended and updated.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The York County Conservation District, which district is as defined in Section 3(c) of the Conservation District Law [3 P.S. § 851(c)] that has the authority under a delegation agreement executed with DEP to administer and enforce all or a portion of the regulations promulgated under 25 Pa. Code 102.
COUNTY
York County, Pennsylvania.
DAM
An impoundment structure regulated by the Pennsylvania DEP Chapter 105 regulations.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence, e.g., a five-year storm, and duration, e.g., 24 hours, used in the design and evaluation of stormwater management systems. Also see "return period."
DETENTION BASIN
A structure designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily storing and releasing the runoff at a predetermined rate.
DETENTION VOLUME
The volume of runoff that is captured and released into the waters of this commonwealth at a controlled rate.
DEVELOPER
Any person, partnership, association, corporation or other entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes any regulated activity.
DEVELOPMENT SITE (SITE)
See "Project site."
DISCONNECTED IMPERVIOUS AREA (DIA)
An impervious or impermeable surface that is disconnected from any stormwater drainage or conveyance system and is redirected or directed to a pervious area, which allows for infiltration, filtration, and increased time of concentration as specified in Appendix B, Disconnected Impervious Area,[2] of this chapter.
DISTURBED AREA
An unstabilized land area where an earth-disturbance activity is occurring or has occurred.
EARTH-DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the surface of the land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing; grading; excavations; embankments; road maintenance; building construction; and the moving, depositing, stockpiling, or storing of soil, rock, or earth materials.
E & S MANUAL
Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Manual, as amended and updated.
EROSION
The natural process by which the surface of the land is worn away by water, wind, or chemical action.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A site specific plan consisting of both drawings and a narrative that identifies BMPs to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation before, during and after earth-disturbance activity.
EXISTING CONDITION
The dominant land cover during the five-year period immediately preceding a proposed regulated activity.
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FLOODPLAIN
Any land area susceptible to inundation by water from any natural source as delineated by applicable FEMA maps and studies as being a special flood hazard area.
FLOODWAY
The channel of the watercourse and those portions of the adjoining floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge the one-hundred-year 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 one-hundred-year floodway, it is assumed, absent evidence to the contrary, that the floodway extends from the stream to 50 feet from the top of the bank of the stream.
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forest land. These include conducting a timber inventory, preparation of forest management plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation, and reforestation.
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (HSG)
Infiltration rates of soils vary widely and are affected by subsurface permeability as well as surface intake rates. Soils are classified into four HSGs (A, B, C, and D) according to their minimum infiltration rate, which is obtained for bare soil after prolonged wetting. The NRCS defines the four groups and provides a list of most of the soils in the United States and their group classification. The soils in the area of the development site may be identified from a soil survey report that can be obtained from local NRCS offices or conservation district offices. Soils become less pervious as the HSG varies from A to D (NRCS 3, 4).
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (IMPERVIOUS AREA)
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the ground. Impervious surfaces and areas shall include, but not be limited to, roofs, additional indoor living spaces, patios, garages, storage sheds and similar structures, and any new streets and sidewalks. However, any surface or area designed, constructed and maintained to permit infiltration as specified herein shall be considered pervious, not impervious. For the purposes of this chapter, a surface or area shall not be considered impervious if such surface or area does not diminish the capacity for infiltration of stormwater for storms up to, and including, a two-year twenty-four-hour storm event.
INFILTRATION
The entrance of surface water into the soil, usually at the soil-air interface.
IWRP
The York County Integrated Water Resources Plan, which plan includes Act 167 Plan elements and requirements.
KARST
A type of topography or landscape characterized by surface depressions, sinkholes, rock pinnacles/uneven bedrock surface, underground drainage, and caves. Karst landscapes are formed on carbonate rocks, such as limestone or dolomite.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Shall include any of the following activities:
A. 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1) 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
(2) 
The division or allocation of land or space between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of, or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups, or other features.
B. 
A subdivision of land.
C. 
Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[3]
MUNICIPALITY
West Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania.
NPDES
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System.
NRCS
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (previously SCS).
O & M
Operation and maintenance.
O & M PLAN
Operation and maintenance plan.
PCSWMP
Post-construction stormwater management plan.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm event.
PERCOLATION
The downward movement, under the influence of gravity, of water under hydrostatic pressure through interstices of the soil or rock.
PERVIOUS AREA
Any area not defined as impervious.
PROJECT SITE
The specific area of land where any regulated activities in the Township are planned, conducted, or maintained.
QUALIFIED PERSON
Any person licensed by the State of Pennsylvania or otherwise qualified by law to perform the work required by this chapter.
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.
REGULATED EARTH-DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
Activity involving earth disturbance subject to regulation under 25 Pa. Code 92, 25 Pa. Code 102, or the Clean Streams Law.[4]
RETENTION BASIN
An impoundment in which stormwater is stored and not released during a storm event. Stored water may be released from the basin at some time after the end of a storm.
RETENTION VOLUME/REMOVED RUNOFF
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly into the surface waters of this commonwealth during or after a storm event.
RETURN PERIOD
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event of a given magnitude can be expected to occur one time. For example, the twenty-five-year return period rainfall would be expected to occur on average once every 25 years; or stated in another way, the probability of a twenty-five-year storm occurring in any one year is 0.04, i.e., a four-percent chance.
RIPARIAN BUFFER
A best management practice that is an area of permanent vegetation along surface waters. (Such areas serve as natural vegetative filters between upland landscapes and waterways.)
RUNOFF
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land.
SEDIMENT
Soils or other materials transported by surface water as a product of erosion.
SHEET FLOW
Water flow with a relatively thin and uniform depth.
SPILLWAY
A depression in the embankment of a pond or basin which is used to pass peak discharge greater than the maximum design storm controlled by the pond or basin.
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.[5]
STORM FREQUENCY
The number of times that a given storm event occurs on average in a stated period of years.
STORM SEWER
A pipe or conduit, or a system of pipes or conduits, which intercepts and carries surface stormwater runoff, but excludes sewage, industrial wastes and similar discharges.
STORMWATER
Drainage runoff from the surface of the land resulting from precipitation or snow or ice melt.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Is abbreviated as BMPs or SWM BMPs throughout this chapter.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any structure, natural or man-made, 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 and retention basins, open channels; storm sewers, pipes, and infiltration facilities.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
Parts and/or elements of the York County Integrated Water Resources Plan which incorporate the requirements of the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864, (Act 167), as amended, and known as the "Storm Water Management Act."[6]
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN
The plan prepared by the developer or his representative indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the development site in accordance with this chapter. Stormwater Management site plan will be designated as SWM site plan throughout this chapter. For all NPDES permitted sites, the stormwater management site plan shall include, and be consistent with, the erosion and sediment control plan as submitted to the York County Conservation District (YCCD) and/or DEP.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts or parcels or other divisions of land including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
SWM
Stormwater management.
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture.
WATERSHED
Region or area drained by a river, watercourse, or other surface water of this commonwealth.
WATERS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments, ditches, watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs, and all other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
WETLAND
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.
YCCD
York County Conservation District.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: Said appendix is included at the end of this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq.