Source: https://www.ecode360.com/8328981
Timestamp: 2019-03-18 13:34:43
Document Index: 670593140

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', '§ 194']

Town of North Salem, NY Stormwater: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
§ 194-2 Purpose and intent.
§ 194-5 Responsibility for administration.
§ 194-6 Illicit discharges and connections, prohibited; exceptions.
§ 194-7 Activities contaminating stormwater prohibited.
§ 194-8 Enforcement, notification and remedy of illicit discharges, connections and contamination.
§ 194-9 Prevention, control and reduction of stormwater pollutants by use of best management practices.
§ 194-10 Suspension of access to MS4.
§ 194-11 Industrial or construction activity discharges.
§ 194-12 Applicability; access to facilities; monitoring of discharges.
§ 194-14 Appeal of notice of violation.
§ 194-15 Corrective measures after appeal.
§ 194-16 Injunctive relief.
§ 194-17 Alternative remedies.
§ 194-18 Violations deemed a public nuisance.
§ 194-19 Remedies not exclusive.
Chapter 194 Stormwater: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of North Salem 3-27-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007; amended in its entirety 12-26-2007 by L.L. No. 9-2007. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Illicit Discharge Law" of the Town of North Salem.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the Town of North Salem through the regulation of nonstormwater discharges to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) to the maximum extent practicable as required by federal and state law. This chapter establishes methods for controlling the introduction of pollutants into the MS4 in order to comply with requirements of the SPDES General Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The objectives of this chapter are:
Activities requiring a SPDES Permit for Discharges From Industrial Activities Except Construction, GP-98-03, as amended or revised.
The Town of North Salem or the Town.
Which is not part of a publicly owned treatment works (POTW), for treatment of sewage, as defined at 40 CFR 122.2.
The conditions that may affect the municipality's MS4 permit as follows:
Discharge compliance with water quality standards: The condition that applies where a municipality has been notified that the discharge of stormwater authorized under their MS4 permit may have caused or has the reasonable potential to cause or contribute to the violation of an applicable water quality standard. Under this condition, the Town must take all necessary actions to ensure future discharges do not cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards.
Total maximum daily load (TMDL) strategy: the condition in the Town's MS4 permit where a TMDL including requirements for control of stormwater discharges has been approved by EPA for a water body or watershed into which the MS4 discharges. If the discharge from the MS4 did not meet the TMDL stormwater allocations prior to September 10, 2003, the municipality was required to modify its stormwater management program to ensure that reduction of the pollutant of concern specified in the TMDL is achieved.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OPERATOR (SMSO)
The Town Highway Superintendent or other public official(s) designated by the Town to enforce this chapter. The SMSO may also be designated by the Town to inspect stormwater management practices, systems and related improvements.
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 undergroundwaters), 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 man-made 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.
A list of all surface waters in the state for which beneficial uses of the water (drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial use) are impaired by pollutants, prepared periodically by the NYSDEC as required by Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. 303(d) listed waters are estuaries, lakes and streams that fall short of state surface water quality standards and are not expected to improve within the next two years.
See "surface waters of the State of New York."
The Stormwater Management System Operator(s) [SMSO(s)] shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter. Such powers granted or duties imposed upon the authorized enforcement official may be delegated in writing by the SMSO as may be authorized by the Town.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 any materials other than stormwater except as provided in § 194-6A(1), below. The commencement, conduct or continuance of any illegal discharge to the MS4 is prohibited except as set forth below:
The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this chapter, unless the NYSDEC or the Town has determined them to be substantial contributors of pollutants: water line flushing or other potable water sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering, existing diverted stream flows, rising groundwater, uncontaminated groundwater infiltration to storm drains, uncontaminated pumped groundwater, foundation or footing drains, roof drains, crawl space or basement sump pumps, air-conditioning condensate, irrigation water, springs, water from individual residential car washing, natural riparian habitat or wetland flows, dechlorinated swimming pool discharges, residential street wash water, water from fire-fighting activities, and any other water source not containing pollutants. Such exempt discharges shall be made in accordance with an appropriate plan for reducing pollutants.
Discharges approved in writing by the SMSO to protect life or property from imminent harm or damage, provided that such approval shall not be construed to constitute compliance with other applicable laws and requirements, and further provided that such discharges may be permitted for a specified time period and under such conditions as the SMSO may deem appropriate to protect such life and property while reasonably maintaining the purpose and intent of this chapter.
Dye testing in compliance with applicable state and local laws is an allowable discharge, but requires a verbal notification to the SMSO prior to the time of the test.
The prohibition shall not apply to any discharge permitted under a SPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the authority of the NYSDEC, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with all requirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws and regulations, and provided that written approval has been granted for any discharge to the MS4.
No person shall allow or create an illicit connection to or cause an illicit connection to the MS4.
Cause or contribute to the Town being subject to the special conditions as defined in § 194-3, Definitions, of this chapter.
When the Town's SMSO finds that a person has violated a prohibition or failed to meet a requirement of this chapter, he/she may order compliance by written notice of violation to the responsible person(s). Such notice may require, without limitation:
Upon notification to a person that he or she is engaged in activities that cause or contribute to violations of the Town's MS4 SPDES permit authorization, that person shall take all reasonable actions to properly respond to such notification and to correct such activities such that he or she no longer causes or contributes to violations of the Town's MS4 SPDES permit authorization in accordance with the procedures herein.
The SMSO shall provide notification by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and shall file a copy of the notice with Town Clerk within five days of identification of an illicit discharge, connection or an activity contaminating stormwater.
A written response shall be provided from the person notified within five days of receipt of the notice of violation providing a brief description of the intended remedy to the violation.
A detailed response and related plans showing the proposed remedy to the violation shall be prepared by the violator or his authorized representative, with the assistance of a competent professional, and shall be submitted to the SMSO within 21 days of the receipt of the notice along with any required forms and payment of required fees as follows:
The proposed remedy shall address the purposes and intent of this chapter, appropriate BMPs, and all pertinent requirements and standards contained in this chapter.
A copy of any other applications for land disturbance or development activities on the site, including stormwater permits, and any other applicable federal, state and local permits, shall be provided.
A review of the response and plans shall be conducted by the SMSO, or an authorized representative of the SMSO, and as deemed necessary, the Town's Consulting Engineer and other officials or representatives of the Town.
An on-site evaluation of proposed remedy shall be conducted by the SMSO, or an authorized representative of the SMSO, and as deemed necessary, the Town's Consulting Engineer and other reviewers.
The detailed response and plans shall be revised and resubmitted for additional review, including any necessary reports or studies. The submitted materials shall be revised as requested by the SMSO or his authorized representative, the Town's Consulting Engineer and other reviewers until all concerns have been addressed.
The SMSO may require the violator to post a bond to cover the cost of completion of the authorized remedy. The bond shall be an amount recommended by the Town's Consulting Engineer to be sufficient to insure the completion of the authorized remedy and shall specify completion of the remedy within a period of time fixed by the Town Board and not exceeding one year. The bond shall be a surety, cash or savings account bond or letter of credit with security acceptable to and approved by the Town Board as to form, sufficiency and manner of execution and upon recommendation of the Town Attorney. The bond may be extended for one year upon recommendation of the SMSO and the Town's Consulting Engineer and approval by the Town Board.
Inspection of the site shall be conducted by the SMSO, his authorized representative, or the Town's Consulting Engineer during and after site remediation.
In addition to or as an alternative to any penalty provided herein or by law, any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both for conviction of a first offense; for conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $350 nor more than $700 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense, all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $700 nor more than $1000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both. However, for the purposes of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers generally, violations of this chapter shall be deemed misdemeanors and for such purpose only all provisions of law relating to misdemeanors shall apply to such violations. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
Where the SMSO has identified illicit discharges or illicit connections or activities contaminating stormwater, as defined in § 194-3 and as set forth in §§ 194-6 and 194-7 above, the Town may require implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to control those illicit discharges, connections and activities. Similarly, in response to a notice of violation, BMPs shall be employed, as necessary.
Any person responsible for a property or premises, which is, or may be, the source of an illicit discharge or connection, or an activity contaminating stormwater, may be required to implement, at said person's expense, additional structural and nonstructural BMPs to reduce or eliminate the source of pollutant(s) to the MS4.
The SMSO may, without prior notice, suspend MS4 discharge access to a person when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge which presents or may present imminent and substantial danger to the environment, to the health or welfare of persons, or to the MS4. The SMSO shall notify the person of such suspension within a reasonable time thereafter in writing of the reasons for the suspension. If the violator fails to comply with a suspension order issued in an emergency, the SMSO may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the MS4 or to minimize danger to persons. Any costs related to the emergency actions taken by the SMSO shall be the responsibility of the violator.
Suspension due to the detection of illicit discharge. Any person discharging to the Town's MS4 in violation of this chapter may have his or her MS4 access terminated if such termination would abate or reduce an illicit discharge. The SMSO will notify a violator in writing of the proposed termination of its MS4 access and the reasons therefor. The violator may petition the SMSO for a reconsideration and hearing. Access may be granted by the SMSO if he/she finds that the illicit discharge has ceased and the discharger has taken steps to prevent its recurrence. Access may be denied if the SMSO determines in writing that the illicit discharge has not ceased or is likely to recur. A person commits an offense if the person reinstates MS4 access to premises terminated pursuant to this section without the prior approval of the SMSO.
This section applies to all facilities that the SMSO must inspect to enforce any provision of this chapter, or whenever the authorized enforcement agency has cause to believe that there exists, or potentially exists, in or upon any premises any condition which constitutes a violation of this chapter.
The SMSO shall be permitted to enter and inspect facilities subject to regulation under this chapter as often as may be necessary to determine compliance with this chapter. If a discharger has security measures in force which require proper identification and clearance before entry into its premises, the discharger shall make the necessary arrangements to allow access to the SMSO.
Facility operators shall allow the SMSO ready access to all parts of the premises for the purposes of inspection, sampling, examination and copying of records as may be required to implement this chapter.
The Town shall have the right to set up on any facility subject to this chapter such devices as are necessary in the opinion of the SMSO to conduct monitoring and/or sampling of the facility's stormwater discharge.
Any unreasonable delay in allowing the Town access to a facility subject to this chapter is a violation of this chapter. A person who is the operator of a facility subject to this chapter commits an offense if the person denies the Town reasonable access to the facility for the purpose of conducting any activity authorized or required by this chapter.
If the SMSO has been refused access to any part of the premises from which a discharge is occurring, and the SMSO is able to demonstrate probable cause to believe that there may be a violation of this chapter, or that there is a need to inspect and/or sample as part of a routine inspection and sampling program designed to verify compliance with this chapter or any order issued hereunder, then the SMSO may seek issuance of a search warrant from any court of competent jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding other requirements of law, as soon as any person responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation has information of any known or suspected release of materials which are resulting or may result in illegal discharges or pollutants discharging into the MS4, said person shall take all necessary steps to ensure the discovery, containment, and cleanup of such release. In the event of such a release of hazardous materials, said person shall immediately notify emergency response agencies of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services (NYSDEC Spill Hotline: 1-800-457-7362). In the event of a release of nonhazardous materials, said person shall notify the Town in person or by telephone or facsimile no later than the next business day. Notifications in person or by telephone shall be confirmed by written notice addressed and mailed to the Town within three business days of the telephone notice. If the discharge of prohibited materials emanates from a commercial or industrial establishment, the owner or operator of such establishment shall also retain an on-site written record of the discharge and the actions taken to prevent its recurrence. Such records shall be retained for at least three years.
Any person receiving a notice of violation may appeal the determination of the SMSO to the Town Board within 15 days of its issuance, which shall hear the appeal within 30 days after the filing of the appeal, and within five days of making its decision, file its decision in the office of the municipal clerk and mail a copy of its decision by certified mail to the discharger.
If the violation has not been corrected pursuant to the requirements set forth in the notice of violation, or, in the event of an appeal, within five business days of the decision of the municipal authority upholding the decision of the SMSO, then the SMSO shall request the owner's permission for access to the subject private property to take any and all measures reasonably necessary to abate the violation and/or restore the property. Any costs incurred by the Town to abate the violation and/or restore the affected property or properties shall be the sole responsibility of the discharger.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. If a person has violated or continues to violate the provisions of this chapter, the SMSO may petition for a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining the person from activities which would create further violations or compelling the person to perform abatement or remediation of the violation.
Where a person has violated a provision of this chapter, he/she may be eligible for alternative remedies in lieu of a civil penalty, upon recommendation of the Town Attorney and concurrence of the SMSO, where: