A. 
Regulated activities. It shall be unlawful to create any disturbance on any steep slope, or within 50 feet thereof, without a steep slope permit being issued by the Code Enforcement Officer.
B. 
Exceptions:
(1) 
Any work where the owner can provide written documentation that the property does not meet the definition of a steep slope as described herein and such justification is approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(2) 
Normal ground maintenance which does not require disturbance of existing terrain, including, but not limited to, mowing, trimming of vegetation, removal of dead and diseased vegetation, and planting or installing landscaping materials.
(3) 
Agriculture, as defined herein.
(4) 
Construction, maintenance or repair of publicly owned infrastructure by authorized personnel of a local, state or federal government.
(5) 
Installation, maintenance and repair of septic system(s) approved and inspected by Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative (KWIC).
(6) 
Installation, maintenance and repair of private water system(s) approved and inspected by the authority having jurisdiction.
(7) 
Emergency actions and measures necessary to protect human life and preserve property, such as clearing rock slides, creating a fire break to fight fire, or other situations in which there is an imminent threat to public health, safety and welfare.
(8) 
Rebuilding or replacing structures that are destroyed by an act of God. Expansion or extension which increases nonconformity with the Code of the Town of Milo is not permitted. Structures damaged by an act of God shall be reconstructed or replaced within one year from the date of such act unless approved otherwise by the Code Enforcement Officer. To be considered for such exception, written documentation shall be submitted by the owner and eligibility shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(9) 
Any development proposal where the area of disturbance of any steep slope is less than 1,500 square feet. To be considered for such exception, written documentation shall be submitted by the owner and eligibility shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.
(10) 
Maintenance and repair of existing structures.
(11) 
Any property that is already subject to one or more established and approved plans of land stewardship, such as, but not limited to:
(a) 
Federal, state, or local historic landmark designation.
(b) 
Farmland conservation easement pursuant to the New York State Agricultural and Markets Law, Article 25-AAA.
(c) 
New York State DEC-approved forestry plan pursuant to § 480 and § 480-a of the Real Property Tax Law, or pursuant to a Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP).
(d) 
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services-approved Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program plan (WHIP). [NOTE: The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for conservation-minded landowners who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat on agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land, and Indian land.]
(e) 
USDA Agricultural Management Assistance Conservation Plan (AMA). [NOTE: The USDA Agricultural Management Assistance Conservation Plan (AMA) was reauthorized through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) to construct or improve watershed management structures or irrigation structures; plant trees to form windbreaks or to improve water quality; and, mitigate financial risk through production or marketing diversification or the implementation of resource conservation practices including soil erosion control, integrated pest management, or the transition to organic farming.]
(f) 
USDA Conservation Security Plan (CSP). [NOTE: The USDA Conservation Security Plan (CSP) is to assist producers of agricultural operations in promoting, as is applicable with respect to land to be enrolled in the program, conservation and improvement in the quality of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and any other conservation purposes, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.]
(g) 
USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). [NOTE: The USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. The program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). CRP is administered by the Farm Service Agency, with NRCS providing technical land eligibility determinations, conservation planning and practice implementation. The Conservation Reserve Program reduces soil erosion, protects the nation's ability to produce food and fiber, reduces sedimentation in streams and lakes, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat, and enhances forest and wetland resources. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filter strips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices.]
(h) 
USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). [NOTE: The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and safeguard ground and surface water. The program is a partnership among producers; tribal, state, and federal governments; and, in some cases, private groups. CREP is an offshoot of the country's largest private-lands environmental improvement program: the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Like CRP, CREP is administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). By combining CRP resources with state, tribal, and private programs, CREP provides farmers and ranchers with a sound financial package for conserving and enhancing the natural resources of farms. CREP addresses high-priority conservation issues of both local and national significance, such as impacts to water supplies, loss of critical habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife species, soil erosion, and reduced habitat for fish populations such as salmon. CREP is a community-based, results-oriented effort centered around local participation and leadership.]
(i) 
USDA Debt for Nature Program (DFN). [NOTE: The USDA Debt for Nature Program (DFN), also known as the Debt Cancellation Conservation Contract Program, is a unique program for eligible landowners that protect important natural resources and other sensitive areas while providing a debt management tool. DFN is available to persons with Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans secured by real estate. The conservation contract is a voluntary legal agreement that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on portions of the landowner's property. Contracts may be established on marginal cropland and other environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, recreation, and wildlife purposes.]
(j) 
USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). [NOTE: The USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection.]
(k) 
Cooperative Agricultural Environmental Management Plan (AEM) implemented through Cornell Cooperative Extension, Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. [NOTE: The Cooperative Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) is a voluntary; incentive-based program that helps farmers operate environmentally sound and economically viable businesses. The AEM program coordinates agricultural and environmental conservation agencies and programs, as well as private sector consultants, to provide one-stop shopping for services. The AEM program benefits both farmers and the environment by helping to manage nutrient use, protect drinking water, conserve soil, improve neighbor and community relations, and comply with environmental regulations.]
(12) 
Mining activities permitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under the Mined Land Reclamation Law (MLRL) of the State of New York and the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) of the State of New York, Article 23, Title 27.