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Appendix A Definitions
Storm Water Rules and Regulations (SWRR)
Version: October, 2008
Appendix A
Definitions
For the purpose of this resolution, certain rules or word usage apply to the test as follows:
- Words used in the present tense include the future tense; and the singular includes the plural, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
- The terms “shall and should” are always mandatory and not discretionary; the word “may” is permissive.
- The word or term not interpreted or defined by this article shall be used with a meaning of common or standard utilization, so as to give these rules and regulations their most reasonable application.
Best Management Practice (BMP)
Techniques used to lessen the environmental impacts of land use. These techniques may involve structures, vegetation, or alternating construction operations.
Development Area
Any contiguous (abutting) area owned by one person or operated as one development unit and used or being developed for non-farm commercial, industrial, residential or other non-farm purposes upon which earth-disturbing activities are planned or underway.
Drainage Area
The contributing area to a single drainage basin, expressed in acres, square miles, or other unit or area. Also called catchment area, watershed and river basin.
The area served by a drainage system receiving storm and surface water or by a watercourse.
Drainageway
A route or course along which water moves or may move to drain an area.
Earth-Disturbing Activity
Any grading, excavating, filling or other alteration of the earth’s surface where natural or man-made ground cover is destroyed and which may result in increased rate and/or volume or runoff and/or contribute to erosion and sediment pollution.
Flood
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation or normally dry land areas.
Floodplain
The relatively level land to either side of a channel which is inundated during high flows. It is often used to reference the 100-year floodplain.
Infiltration
The process of percolating stormwater into the subsoil.
Person
Any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, agency, unincorporated association, municipal corporation, county or state agency, the federal government, or any combination thereof.
Native Vegetation
Vegetation that is referenced as present prior to European settlement in the region or area. Not to be confused with ornamental plants that are usually obtained from a nursery or greenhouse and used as landscaping décor.
Non-Point Surface 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.
Porous Pavement
Pavements designed to allow infiltration of stormwater run-off.
Primary Drainage System
That part of the storm drainage system, which is used regularly for collecting, transporting and disposing of storm runoff, snow melt, and miscellaneous minor flows. The capacity of the primary drainage design storm which may have a frequency of occurrence of once in two, five or ten years.
The primary system is also termed the “convenience system,” “minor system,” or the “storm sewer system” and may include many features ranging from curbs and gutters to storm sewer pipes and open drainageways.
Post-Development
The state or condition of the earth’s surface after development occurs. Other terms are developed, future and after development.
Pre-Development
That state or condition of the earth’s surface the year prior to development.
Riparian Area
The transition region between flowing water and terrestrial ecosystems, which provides a continuous exchange of nutrients and natural debris between land and water. It generally includes not only the stream channel, but also the floodplain and associated wetlands.
Stormwater
Rainwater, snowmelt or other natural precipitation that collects on the ground in liquid form. Stormwater may also include manmade discharges of clean water.
Stormwater Runoff
Flow on the surface of the ground, resulting from precipitation.
Storm Drainage System
The surface and sub-surface system for the removal of stormwater from the land, including both the natural elements of streams, gullies, ravines, marshes, swales and ponds whether or not an intermittent or continuous natural and man-made elements which include conduits and appurtenant features, culverts, ditches, channels, storage facilities, streets and the storm sewer system.
Stormwater Management Facilities
The drainage system, water quality and discharge and control facilities necessary to meet the runoff criteria of these regulations.
Watercourse
A permanent or intermittent stream or other body of water, either natural or man-made, which gathers and carries surface water.
Water Quality Structure
A conventional (i.e. grass swale), structural (i.e. detention pond), manufactured (i.e. factory made unit), or LID (i.e. bio retention area) practice designed to remove silt and harmful chemicals from stormwater prior to its release into a receiving stream.