The terms used in this chapter or in documents prepared or reviewed under this chapter shall have the meaning as set forth:
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.
CATCH BASIN (DRAIN INLET)
A structure which allows the entry of surface runoff into a storm sewer by connection to the storm sewer.
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.
DETENTION STRUCTURE
A permanent stormwater management structure whose primary purpose is to temporarily store stormwater runoff. A detention structure may be dry during non-storm events or may have a permanent pool of water.
DEPARTMENT
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
DESIGN MANUAL
The New York State Stormwater 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."
FIRST FLUSH
The delivery of a disproportionately large load of pollutants during the early part of storms due to the rapid runoff of accumulated pollutants. The "first flush" is defined as the runoff generated from the first one-half inch of runoff from the entire site from land which has been made less pervious than the predevelopment conditions though land grading and/or construction/development activities.
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 water 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
Developing a parcel of land in distinct pieces or parts, with the stabilization of each piece completed before the development 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.
RETENTION
A practice designed to store stormwater runoff by collection as a permanent pool of water without release except by means of evaporation, infiltration, or attenuated release when runoff volumes exceed the storage capacity of the pool.
RECHARGE
The replenishment of underground water reserves.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being transported, or has been removed from its site of origin by erosion.
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; Critical Environmental Area designated by the municipality.
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 operated 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.
STRIPPING
Any activity which removes or significantly disturbs trees, brush, grass, or any other kind of vegetation.
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 manmade 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.
SWALE
A natural depression or wide shallow ditch used to route or filter runoff.
WATERCOURSE
A permanent or intermittent stream or other body of water, either natural or man-made, which gathers or carries surface water.
WATERSHED
A region or area contributing stormwater ultimately to a particular watercourse or body of 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 chapter.
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); site map should be at a scale no smaller than one inch = 100 feet;
(c) 
Description of the soil(s) present at the site;
(d) 
Construction phasing plans 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.
(2) 
Land development activities as defined in § 171-6 of this chapter and meeting Condition A, B or C below shall also include water quantity and water quality controls (postconstruction stormwater runoff controls) as set forth in Section B(3) below as applicable:
(a) 
Condition A: Stormwater runoff from land development activity(ies) 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.
(b) 
Condition B: Stormwater runoff from land development activity(ies) disturbing five or more acres.
(c) 
Condition C: Stormwater runoff from land development activity(ies) 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.
(3) 
SWPPP requirements for Conditions A, B and C:
(a) 
All information in § 171-7B(1) of this chapter;
(b) 
Description of each postconstruction stormwater management practice;
(c) 
Site map/construction drawing(s) showing the specific location(s) and size(s) of each postconstruction stormwater management practice;
(d) 
Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for all structural components of the stormwater management system for the applicable design storms;
(e) 
Comparison of post-development stormwater runoff conditions with predevelopment conditions;
(f) 
Dimensions, material specifications and installation details for each postconstruction stormwater management practice;
(g) 
Maintenance schedule to ensure continuous and effective operation of each postconstruction stormwater management practice;
(h) 
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;
(i) 
Inspection and maintenance agreement binding on all subsequent landowners served by the on-site stormwater management measures in accordance with Article II, § 171-9 of this chapter;
(j) 
For Condition A, 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 meets the requirements in this chapter.
C. 
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.
D. 
Contractor certification.
(1) 
Each contractor and subcontractor 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.
E. 
Construction permit paperwork to be available and accessible at the construction site at all times, from the date of initiation of constriction to the date of final stabilization:
[Amended 4-7-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
(1) 
SWPPP, including construction drawings and plans.
(2) 
Notice of intent (NOI) signed by the owner and preparer.
(3) 
Acknowledgment letter from DEC.
(4) 
MS4 SWPPP acceptance form.
(5) 
Site log book, including all inspection reports, certifications and SWPPP updates, modifications or addendums.
(6) 
Current general permit for stormwater discharges from construction activity.
(7) 
For sites that disturb five or more acres, a letter of permission from the DEC or MS4 is required.
F. 
Contractor training.
[Added 4-7-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
(1) 
The owner will identify the contractor(s) responsible for SWPPP implementation.
(2) 
The contractor(s) will identify at least one individual trained in erosion and sediment control (E&SC) by April 30, 2010.
(3) 
Effective May 1, 2010, contractor(s) trained individual must be on site on a daily basis during soil disturbance activities.
(4) 
The trained individual must complete four hours of training in E&SC every three years.
(a) 
Only DEC-endorsed training will be accepted.
(b) 
The trained individual will have proof of training on site.
All land development activities shall be subject to the following performance and design criteria:
A. 
Technical standards. For the purpose of this chapter, 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 law:
(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. 
Equivalence to technical standards. Where stormwater management practices are not in accordance with technical standards, the applicant or developer must demonstrate equivalence to the technical standards set forth in Article II. A licensed professional shall prepare Subsection A and the SWPPP.
C. 
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 and inspection 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 chapter. Sediment shall be removed from sediment traps or sediment ponds whenever their design capacity has been reduced by 50%.
(2) 
For land development activities as defined in § 171-6 of this chapter and meeting Condition A, B or C in § 171-7B(2), the applicant shall have a qualified professional conduct site inspections and document the effectiveness of all erosion and sediment control practices every seven days for sites with five acres or less exposed and twice every seven days, separated by two full days, for sites with more than five acres exposed or in accordance with the current general permit for stormwater discharges from construction activity. Inspection reports shall be maintained in a site logbook.
[Amended 4-7-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
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 Town of Union to ensure that the facility is maintained in proper working condition to meet design standards and any other provisions established by this chapter. The easement shall be recorded, by the grantor, in the office of the County Clerk after approval by the counsel for the Town of Union.
C. 
Maintenance after construction. The owner or operator of permanent stormwater management practices (SMPs) installed in accordance with this chapter shall ensure they are operated and maintained to achieve the goals of this chapter. Proper operation and maintenance also includes, as a minimum, the following:
[Amended 4-7-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
(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 chapter;
(2) 
Written procedures for operation and maintenance training of 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 Article II, § 171-8C.
D. 
Maintenance agreements. The Town of Union 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 chapter entitled Sample Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreement.[1] The Town of Union, 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 chapter and includes adequate and perpetual access and sufficient area, by easement or otherwise, for inspection and regular maintenance.