A.Â
For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms and words used herein
shall be interpreted as follows:
(1)Â
Words used in the present tense include the future tense; the singular
number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular;
words of masculine gender include feminine gender; and words of feminine
gender include masculine gender.
(2)Â
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.
(3)Â
The word "person" includes an individual, firm, association, organization,
partnership, trust, company, corporation, or any other similar entity.
(4)Â
The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory; the words "may" and "should"
are permissive.
(5)Â
The words "used" or "occupied" include the words "intended," "designed,"
"maintained," or "arranged to be used," "occupied" or "maintained."
B.Â
ACCELERATED EROSION
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
ALTERATION
APPLICANT
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS (AS-BUILT PLAN)
BANKFULL
BASE FLOW
BIORENTENTION
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
BMP MANUAL
CHANNEL
CHANNEL EROSION
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
COUNTY
CULVERT
CURVE NUMBER (CN)
DAM
DEPARTMENT
DESIGN PROFESSIONAL (QUALIFIED)
DESIGN STORM
DESIGNEE
DETENTION BASIN
DETENTION VOLUME
DETENTION/RETENTION BASIN WATERSHED
DEVELOPER
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
DEVELOPMENT SITE
DIFFUSED DRAINAGE DISCHARGE
DISCHARGE
DISCONNECTED IMPERVIOUS AREA (DIA)
DISTURBED AREAS
DOWNSLOPE PROPERTY LINE
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
EMERGENCY SPILLWAY
ENCROACHMENT
ENGINEER
EROSION
EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL PLAN
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE WATERS
EXISTING CONDITIONS
EXISTING RECHARGE AREA
EXISTING RESOURCES AND SITE ANALYSIS MAP
FLOOD
FLOODPLAIN
FLOODWAY
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
FREEBOARD
GRADE
GROUNDWATER
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
HEC-HMS
HIGH QUALITY WATERS
HOT SPOT
HYDRIC SOILS
HYDROLOGIC REGIME (NATURAL)
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (IMPERVIOUS AREA)
IMPOUNDMENT
INFILTRATION
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
INLET
INVERT
LAND DEVELOPMENT
(1)Â
(a)Â
(b)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
(a)Â
(b)Â
(c)Â
LAND/EARTH DISTURBANCE
LIMITING ZONE
(1)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) PRACTICES
MANNING EQUATION (MANNING FORMULA)
MS4 or MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
(1)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
(4)Â
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGES
NPDES
NRCS
OPEN CHANNEL
OUTFALL
OUTLET
PADEP
PARENT TRACT
PEAK DISCHARGE
PIPE
PLANNING COMMISSION
PMF (PROBABLE MAXIMUM FLOOD)
POINT SOURCE
POST-DEVELOPMENT
PRETREATMENT
RATIONAL METHOD
RECHARGE AREA
RECHARGE VOLUME
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
REGULATED EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
RELEASE RATE
RETENTION BASIN
RETENTION VOLUME/REMOVED RUNOFF
RETURN PERIOD
RIPARIAN CORRIDOR
RISER
ROAD MAINTENANCE
ROOF DRAINS
RUNOFF
SEDIMENT BASIN
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
SEDIMENTATION
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
SHALLOW CONCENTRATED FLOW
SHEET FLOW
SOIL GROUP, HYDROLOGIC
SOIL-COVER COMPLEX METHOD
SPECIAL PROTECTION WATERSHEDS
SPILLWAY
STORAGE INDICATION METHOD
STORM FREQUENCY
STORM SEWER
STORMWATER
STORMWATER CONVEYANCE FACILITY (RUNOFF CONVEYANCE FACILITY)
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (SWM)
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PERMIT
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN (SMSP)
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN, SIMPLIFIED (SSMSP)
STREAM
(1)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
(4)Â
(5)Â
STREAM BUFFER
STREAM ENCLOSURE
STREAMBANK EROSION
SUBAREA (SUBWATERSHED)
SUBDIVISION
SWALE
TIMBER OPERATIONS
TIME OF CONCENTRATION (TC)
TOP OF BANK
TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
TRIBUTARY AREA
VERNAL POOL
VOLUMETRIC RUNOFF COEFFICIENT
WATER QUALITY VOLUME
WATERCOURSE
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES or WATERS OF THE U.S.
(1)Â
(2)Â
(3)Â
(a)Â
(b)Â
(c)Â
(4)Â
(5)Â
(6)Â
(7)Â
WET BASIN
WETLAND
WETLAND DELINEATION
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of man's activity and the natural processes of a rate
greater than would occur because of the natural process alone.
Activities associated with agriculture such as agricultural
cultivation, agricultural operation, 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 livestock and installation of conservation measures. Construction
of new buildings or impervious area is not considered an agricultural
activity.
As applied to land, a change in topography as a result of
the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another;
also the changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to
be more or less impervious; land disturbance.
A landowner or developer who has filed an application for approval to engage in any regulated activities as defined in § 129-5 of this chapter.
Drawings that are maintained during construction of the project
and which document the actual locations of the site improvements.
As-built plans must be prepared by a professional land surveyor, landscape
architect, or professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
The channel at the top of bank or point where water begins
to overflow onto a floodplain.
The portion of stream flow that is sustained by groundwater
discharge.
A stormwater retention area which utilizes woody and herbaceous
plants and soils to remove pollutants before infiltration occurs.
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.
Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual,
December 2006, as amended.
An open drainage feature through which stormwater flows.
Channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural and man-made
watercourses, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes that convey
continuously or periodically flowing water.
The widening, deepening, and headward cutting of channels
and waterways due to erosion caused by moderate to large floods.
Montgomery County Conservation District.
Montgomery County.
A pipe, conduit, or similar structure, including appurtenant
works, which conveys surface water under or through an embankment
or fill.
Value used in the Soil Cover Complex Method. It is a measure
of the percentage of precipitation which is expected to run off from
the watershed and is a function of the soil, vegetative cover, and
tillage method.
An artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid, or a refuse bank, fill or structure for highway,
railroad, or other purposes which does or may impound water or another
fluid or semifluid.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
A Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer, registered
landscape architect, or a registered professional land surveyor trained
to develop stormwater management site plans or simplified stormwater
management site plans.
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation
from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., fifty-year
storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design and evaluation
of stormwater management systems.
The agent of Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County,
Montgomery County Conservation District and/or governing body involved
with the administration, review, or enforcement of any provisions
of this chapter by contract or memorandum of understanding.
An impoundment structure designed to manage stormwater runoff
by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate. Detention basins are designed to drain completely soon after
a rainfall event.
The volume of runoff that is captured and released into the
waters of the commonwealth at a controlled rate.
All land area whose surface runoff is captured by a detention
and/or retention basin.
A person, partnership, association, corporation, or other
entity, or any responsible person therein or agent thereof, that undertakes
any regulated activity of this chapter.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate
including, but not limited to, the construction or placement of buildings
or other structures, mobile homes, streets and other paving, utilities,
mining, dredging, filling, grading, excavation, or drilling operations,
and the subdivision of land.
The provisions for development including a planned residential
development, a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use,
location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of
use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities,
common open space and public facilities. The phrase "development plan"
when used in this chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials
referred to in this definition.
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed.
Drainage discharge not confined to a single point location
or channel, such as sheet flow or shallow concentrated flow.
An impervious 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.
Unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity
is occurring or has occurred.
That portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels
of land being developed located such that all overland or pipe flow
from the site would be directed toward it.
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the
surface of land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural
plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance
activities, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling
or storing of soil, rock or earth materials.
A conveyance area that is used to pass peak discharge greater
than the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
A structure or activity that changes, expands or diminishes
the course, current or cross section of a watercourse, floodway or
body of water.
A licensed professional civil engineer registered by the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The movement of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice, or other natural forces.
A plan which is designed to minimize accelerated erosion
and sedimentation.
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(b) (relating to antidegredation).
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed
construction. Farm field, disturbed earth, or undeveloped cover conditions
of a site or portions of a site used for modeling purposes shall be
considered meadow unless the natural groundcover generates lower curve
numbers or Rational "C" value, such as forested land. Existing man-made
impervious surfaces shall be considered as meadow when developing
cover complex calculations.
Undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects
and a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the groundwater.
A base map which identifies fundamental environmental site
information including floodplains, wetlands, topography, vegetative
site features, natural areas, prime agricultural land and areas supportive
of endangered species.
A general but temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of streams,
rivers, and other waters of this commonwealth.
Those areas of Lower Providence Township which are subject
to the one-hundred-year flood, as identified in the Flood Insurance
Study (FIS) dated December 19, 1996, and the accompanying maps prepared
for the Township by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
or most recent revision thereof; and also those areas along streams,
ponds, or lakes not identified within the Flood Insurance Study which
are inundated by the one-hundred-year reoccurrence internal flood.
The channel of the watercourse and those portions of the
adjoining floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge
the one-hundred-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 one-hundred-year frequency 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.
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.
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.
Water beneath the earth's surface that supplies wells
and springs, and is often between saturated soil and rock.
Replenishment of natural underground water supplies.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering
Center (HEC) hydrologic modeling system (HMS).
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 Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(a).
An area where land use or activity generates highly contaminated runoff, with concentrations of pollutants in excess of those typically found in stormwater. Typical pollutant loadings in stormwater may be found in Chapter 8, Section 6 of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) No. 363-0300-002 (2006).
A soil that is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough
during the growing season to develop anaerobic condition in the upper
part.
The hydrologic cycle or balance that sustains quality and
quantity of stormwater, baseflow, storage, and groundwater supplies
under the natural conditions.
A classification of soils by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, formerly the Soil Conservation Service, into four runoff
potential groups. The groups range from A soils, which are very permeable
and produce little runoff, to D soils, which are not very permeable
and produce much more runoff.
A surface that prevents the infiltration of water into the
ground. Impervious surface area shall include, but not be limited
to, buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, and sidewalks. Any
areas containing concrete, asphalt, compacted stone, compacted soils,
or other equivalent surfaces shall be considered impervious. Decks
that do not prevent infiltration shall not be considered as impervious
surface. In addition, other areas determined by the Township Engineer
to be impervious within the meaning of this definition shall be classified
as impervious surface. Any area initially designated to be gravel
or crushed stone shall be assumed to be impervious. Pervious paving,
when designed above a stormwater storage/infiltration system, may
be considered as pervious surface as approved by the Township Engineer.
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater
runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
Movement of surface water into the soil, where it is absorbed
by plant roots, evaporated into the atmosphere or percolated downward
to recharge groundwater.
A structure designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g.,
french drains, seepage pits, seepage trench, biofiltration swale).
A surface connection to a closed drain. A structure at the
diversion end of a conduit. The upstream end of any structure through
which water may flow.
The inside bottom of a culvert or other conduit.
Any of the following activities:
The improvement of one or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings,
whether purposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential
building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or
tenure; or
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially
or cumulatively, 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.
A subdivision of land.
"Land development" does not include development which involves:
The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling
or single-family semi-detached dwelling into not more than three residential
units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
The addition of a residential accessory building, including
farm building, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal
building; or
The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the
confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park.
For the purposes of this subsection, an "amusement park" is defined
as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement
structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired
acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded
area have been approved by the proper authorities.
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging, or filling
of ground or stripping of vegetation or any other activity that causes
an alteration to the natural condition of the land.
A soil horizon or condition in the soil profile or underlying
strata which includes one of the following:
A seasonal high water table, whether perched or regional, determined
by direct observation of the water table or indicated by soil mottling.
A rock with open joints, fracture or solution channels, or masses
of loose rock fragments, including gravel, with insufficient fine
soil to fill the voids between the fragments.
A rock formation, other stratum or soil condition which is so
slowly permeable that it effectively limits downward passage of effluent.
Practices that will minimize proposed conditions runoff rates
and volumes, which will minimize the need for artificial conveyance
and storage facilities.
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.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 122.26(b)(8), "municipal separate storm
sewer system" is a conveyance or system of conveyances (including
roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs,
gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains):
Owned or operated by a state, city, town, Township, county,
parish, district, association, or other public body (created to or
pursuant to state law) including special districts under state law
such as a sewer district, flood control district or drainage district,
or similar entity, or an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal
organization, or a designated and approved management agency under
Section 208 of the Clean Water Act that discharges into waters of
the United States.[1]
Designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater;
Which is not a combined sewer; and
Which is not part of a publicly owned treatment works as defined
at 40 CFR 122.2.
Pollution that enters a watery body from diffuse origins
in the watershed and does not result from discernible, confined, or
discrete conveyances.
Water flowing in stormwater collection facilities, such as
pipes or swales, which is not the result of a rainfall event or snowmelt.
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, the federal
government's system for issuance of permits under the Clean Water
Act,[2] which is delegated to PADEP in Pennsylvania.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (previously SCS).
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open
surface. Open channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural
and man-made drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes
flowing partly full.
"Point source" as described in 40 CFR 122.2 at the point
where Lower Providence Township's storm sewer system discharges
to surface waters of the commonwealth.
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater
or artificial drain.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The parcel of land from which a land development or subdivision
originates as of the date of adoption of this chapter.
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm
event.
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
The Planning Commission of Lower Providence Township.
The flood that may be expected from the most severe combination
of critical meteorological and hydrologic conditions that are reasonably
possible in any area. The PMF is derived from the probable maximum
precipitation (PMP) as determined on the basis of data obtained from
the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including,
but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, or conduit from
which stormwater is or may be discharged, as defined in state regulations
at 25 Pa. Code § 92.1.
Period after construction during which disturbed areas are
stabilized, stormwater controls are in place and functioning, and
all improvements in the approved stormwater management plan are completed.
Techniques employed in stormwater BMPs to provide storage
or filtering to help trap coarse materials and other pollutants before
they enter the system.
A rainfall-runoff relation used to estimate peak flow.
Undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects,
a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the underground and
groundwater.
A calculated volume of stormwater runoff from impervious
areas which is required to be infiltrated at a site and may be achieved
through use of structural or nonstructural BMPs.
Any activity to which this chapter is applicable pursuant to § 129-4.
The percentage of predevelopment peak rate of runoff from
a site or subarea to which the post-development peak rate of runoff
must be reduced to protect downstream areas.
A basin designed to retain stormwater runoff so that a permanent
pool is established.
The volume of runoff that is captured and not released directly
into the surface waters of the commonwealth during or after a storm
event.
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event
of a given magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the twenty-five-year
return period rainfall would be expected to recur on the average once
every 25 years.
A vegetated ecosystem along a waterbody that serves to buffer
the waterbody from the effects of runoff by providing water quality
filtering, bank stability, recharge, rate attenuation and volume reduction,
and shading of the waterbody by vegetation. Riparian corridors also
provide habitat and may include streambanks, wetlands, floodplains,
and transitional areas.
A vertical pipe extending from the bottom of a pond that
is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified
design storm.
Earth disturbance activities within the existing road cross
section, such as grading and repairing existing unpaved road surfaces,
cutting road banks, cleaning or clearing drainage ditches and other
similar activities.
A drainage conduit or pipe that collects water runoff from
a roof and leads it away from a structure.
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
A barrier, dam, or retention or detention basin located and
designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported
by water.
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.
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by the movement of water.
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar coarse material, into which surface water is directed for infiltration into the underground water (Refer to PA BMP Manual, December 2006, Chapter 6, Section 4).
A system of pipes, open channels, streets, and other conveyances
intended to carry stormwater runoff.
Stormwater runoff flowing in shallow, defined ruts prior
to entering a defined channel or waterway.
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a thin, even
layer, not concentrated in a channel.
A classification of soils by the NRCS into four runoff potential
groups. The groups range from A soils, which are very permeable and
produce little runoff, to D soils, which are not very permeable and
produce much more runoff.
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 a curve number (CN).
Watersheds of streams that have been designated in Pennsylvania Code Title 25 Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards as being exceptional value (EV) or high quality (HQ) waters.
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.
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.
The number of times that a given storm event occurs or is
exceeded on the average in a stated period of years. Refer to "return
period."
A system of pipes and/or open channels that convey intercepted
runoff and stormwater from other sources, but excludes domestic sewage
and industrial wastes.
The surface runoff generated by precipitation reaching the
ground surface.
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater
runoff, which shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits,
culverts, storm sewers, etc.
The control of surface runoff generated by precipitation
reaching the ground surface.
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 structures.
A permit issued by the Township after the stormwater management
site plan (SMSP) or the simplified stormwater management site plan
(SSMSP) has been approved. Said permit is issued prior to or with
the final Township approval.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff within the Township
adopted as required by the Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167).[4]
The stormwater management site plan prepared by the applicant
indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the particular
site of interest according to this chapter.
The simplified stormwater management site plan prepared by
the applicant indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at
the particular site of interest according to this chapter.
Rivers, creeks, springs, and other perennial or intermittent
watercourses containing water at least on a seasonal basis during
an average water year. The term "stream" shall include all intermittent
streams and all perennial streams.
SPRINGS or SEEPS. The point where groundwater discharges to
become surface water.
STREAM, EPHEMERAL. A reach of stream that flows only during
and for short periods following precipitation, and flows in low areas
that may or may not be a well-defined channel. Ephemeral stream beds
are located above the water table year-round. Groundwater is not a
source of water for the stream. Some commonly used names for ephemeral
streams include: stormwater channel, drain, swale, gully, dry stream
channel, hollow, or saddle.
STREAM, HEADWATER. The beginning reach of a stream, which collects
water from springs and seeps and provides a hydrologic connection
to a perennial stream. These channels may be ill defined and may move
from year to year depending upon groundwater input, snowmelt, and
runoff, but are typified by hydric soils and hydric vegetation.
STREAM, INTERMITTENT. A reach of stream that flows only during
wet periods of the year and flows in a continuous well-defined channel.
During dry periods, when the water table is depressed by seasonal
aridity or drought, intermittent streams may go down to a trickle
of water and appear dry, when in fact there is water flowing within
the stream bottom, or "substrate."
STREAM, PERENNIAL or WATERCOURSE, PERENNIAL. A body of water
in a channel that flows throughout a majority of the year in a defined
channel and is capable, in the absence of pollution, drought, or manmade
stream disturbances, of supporting a benthic macroinvertebrate community
that is composed of two or more recognizable taxonomic groups of organisms,
large enough to be seen by the unaided eye and can be retained by
a U.S. Standard No. 30 sieve (28 meshs per inch, 0.595 mm openings)
and live at least part of their life cycles within or upon available
substrates in a body of water or water transport system. A perennial
stream can have Q7-10 flow of zero. For the purposes of this chapter,
a perennial stream includes lakes and ponds.
The land area adjacent to each side of a stream, essential
to maintaining water quality.
A bridge, culvert, or other structure, as defined by 25 Pa. Code Chapter 105, which encloses a regulated water of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The widening, deepening or headward cutting of channels and
waterways caused by stormwater runoff or bankfull flows.
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater
management criteria have been established in the stormwater management
plan.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of
land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, 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.
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
Refer to "forest management."
The time for surface 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.
Highest point of elevation in a stream channel cross section
at which a rising water level just begins to flow out of the channel
and over the floodplain.
Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania and appointed by Lower Providence Township pursuant
to the Pennsylvania Second-Class Township Code.[5]
The portion of a watershed that contributes runoff to a particular
point in that watershed.
Seasonal depressional wetlands that are covered by shallow
water for variable periods from winter to spring, but may be completely
dry for most of the summer and fall.
A variable indicative of stormwater runoff volume and dependent
on the impervious coverage for a site.
A calculated volume of stormwater runoff from impervious
areas which is required to be captured and treated at a site and may
be achieved through use of structural or nonstructural BMPs.
An intermittent or perennial stream of water, river, brook,
creek, or swale identified on USGS or SCS mapping; and/or delineated
waters of the commonwealth.
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, 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.
All waters which are currently used, were used in the past,
or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including
all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide;
All interstate waters, including interstate wetlands;
All other waters such as intrastate lakes, rivers, streams (including
intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie
potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds, the use, degradation,
or destruction of which would affect or could affect interstate or
foreign commerce including any such waters:
Which are or could be used by interstate or foreign travelers
for recreational or other purposes;
From which fish or shellfish are or could be taken and sold
in interstate or foreign commerce; or
Which are used or could be used for industrial purposes by industries
in interstate commerce;
All impoundments of waters otherwise defined as waters of the
United States under this definition;
The territorial sea; and
Pond for runoff management that is designed to detain runoff
and always contains water.
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or
ground water 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, ferns, and similar areas.
The process by which wetland limits are determined. Wetlands
must be delineated by a qualified specialist according to the 1989
Federal Manuals (as amended) for the Delineation of Jurisdictional
Wetlands (whichever is greater) or according to any subsequent federal
or state regulation. "Qualified specialist" shall include those persons
being certified professional soil scientists as registered with Registry
of Certified Professionals in Agronomy Crops and Soils (ARCPACS);
or as contained on consultant's list of Pennsylvania Association
of Professional Soil Scientists (PAPSS); or as registered with National
Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS), or as certified by
state and/or federal certification programs; or by a qualified biologist/ecologist.
