Borough of Wenonah, NJ Chapter 42 Privately Owned Salt Storage

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Wenonah 11-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-12.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Ch. 42, Planning Board, adopted 12-30-1955, as amended, was repealed 12-29-1983. Said repealing legislation also provided that it be replaced by the terms and conditions of an ordinance relating to municipal zoning and planning and regulating land use and development in the Borough of Wenonah. (See Ch. 72, Zoning.)

§ 42-1 Purpose.

A. The purpose of this chapter is to prevent stored salt and other solid de-icing materials from being exposed to stormwater.

B. This chapter establishes requirements for the storage of salt and other solid de-icing materials on properties not owned or operated by the municipality (privately owned), including residences, in the Borough of Wenonah to protect the environment, public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.

§ 42-2 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this chapter clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When consistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

DE-ICING MATERIALS

Any granular or solid material such as melting salt or any other granular solid that assists in the melting of snow.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE

A surface that has been covered with a layer of material so that it is highly resistant to infiltration by water.

PERMANENT STRUCTURE

A permanent building or permanent structure that is anchored to a permanent foundation with an impermeable floor, and that is completely roofed and walled (new structures require a door or other means of sealing the access way from wind-driven rainfall).

A. A fabric frame structure is a permanent structure if it meets the following specifications:

(1) Concrete blocks, jersey barriers or other similar material shall be placed around the interior of the structure to protect the side walls during loading and unloading of de-icing materials;

(2) The design shall prevent stormwater run-on and run through, and the fabric cannot leak;

(3) The structure shall be erected on an impermeable slab;

(4) The structure cannot be open sided; and

(5) The structure shall have a roll-up door or other means of sealing the access way from wind-driven rainfall.

PERSON

Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.

RESIDENT

A person who resides on a residential property where de-icing material is stored.

STORM DRAIN INLET

The point of entry into the storm sewer system.

§ 42-3 De-icing material storage requirements.

A. Temporary outdoor storage of de-icing materials in accordance with the requirements below is allowed between October 15th and April 15th:

(1) Loose materials shall be placed on a flat, impervious surface in a manner that prevents stormwater run-through;

(2) Loose materials shall be placed at least 50 feet from surface water bodies, storm drain inlets, ditches and/or other stormwater conveyance channels;

(3) Loose materials shall be maintained in a cone-shaped storage pile. If loading or unloading activities alter the cone-shape during daily activities, tracked materials shall be swept back into the storage pile, and the storage pile shall be reshaped into a cone after use;

(4) Loose materials shall be covered as follows:

(a) The cover shall be waterproof, impermeable, and flexible;

(b) The cover shall extend to the base of the pile(s);

(c) The cover shall be free from holes or tears;

(d) The cover shall be secured and weighed down around the perimeter to prevent removal by wind; and

(e) Weight shall be placed on the cover(s) in such a way that minimizes the potential of exposure as materials shift and runoff flows down to the base of the pile.

[1] Sandbags lashed together with rope or cable and placed uniformly over the flexible cover, or poly-cord nets provide a suitable method. Items that can potentially hold water (e.g., old tires) shall not be used;

(5) Containers must be sealed when not in use; and

(6) The site shall be free of all de-icing materials between April 16th and October 14th.

B. De-icing materials should be stored in a permanent structure if a suitable storage structure is available. For storage of loose de-icing materials in a permanent structure, such storage may be permanent, and thus not restricted to October 15 through April 15.

C. All such temporary and/or permanent structures must also comply with all other local ordinances, including building and zoning regulations.

D. The property owner, or owner of the de-icing materials, if different, shall designate a person(s) responsible for operations at the site where these materials are stored outdoors, and who shall document that weekly inspections are conducted to ensure that the conditions of this chapter are met. Inspection records shall be kept on site and made available to the municipality upon request.

(1) Residents who operate businesses from their homes that utilize de-icing materials are required to perform weekly inspections.

§ 42-4 Exemptions.

A. Residents may store de-icing materials outside in a solid-walled, closed container that prevents precipitation from entering and exiting the container, and which prevents the de-icing materials from leaking or spilling out. Under these circumstances, weekly inspections are not necessary, but repair or replacement of damaged or inadequate containers shall occur within two weeks.

B. If containerized (in bags or buckets) de-icing materials are stored within a permanent structure, they are not subject to the storage and inspection requirements in § 42-3 above. Piles of de-icing materials are not exempt, even if stored in a permanent structure.

C. This chapter does not apply to facilities where the stormwater discharges from de-icing material storage activities are regulated under another NJPDES permit.

§ 42-5 Enforcement.

This chapter shall be enforced by the Mantua Township Police Department and/or other municipal officials of the Borough of Wenonah during the course of ordinary enforcement duties.

§ 42-6 Violations and penalties.

Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall have 72 hours to complete corrective action. Repeat violations and/or failure to complete corrective action shall result in fines as follows:

A. Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine in an amount not less than $25, nor more than $50; upon a second violation, a fine in an amount not less than $50, nor more than $100; and upon a third or subsequent violation, a fine in an amount not less than $100, nor more than $250; and/or a period of community service not to exceed 10 days. Whenever such person shall have been officially notified or by service of a summons in a prosecution, or in any other official manner, that said person is committing a violation, each day's continuance of such violation after such notification shall constitute a separate offense, punishable by a like fine or penalty.

§ 42-7 Severability.

Each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase of this chapter is declared to be an independent section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase, and finding or holding of any such portion of this chapter to be unconstitutional, void, or ineffective for any cause or reason shall not affect any other portion of this chapter.

§ 42-8 When effective.

This chapter shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and any publication as may be required by law.