Source: https://www.ecode360.com/7248013
Timestamp: 2020-02-25 16:21:17
Document Index: 125948411

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 303', 'art 3', '§ 131', '§ 1251', '§ 151', '§ 131', '§ 402', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 151', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 1251', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131', '§ 131']

Village of Wappingers Falls, NY Stormwater Management
Ch 131 Art I Erosion and Sediment Control
§ 131-1 Legislative findings.
§ 131-2 Legislative intent.
§ 131-5 Exemptions.
§ 131-6 Stormwater pollution prevention plans.
§ 131-7 Performance and design criteria.
§ 131-8 Maintenance, inspection and repair of stormwater facilities.
§ 131-9 Construction inspection, administration and maintenance.
§ 131-10 Performance guarantee; maintenance guarantee; responsibility of landowner.
§ 131-11 Enforcement.
Ch 131 Art II Illicit Discharges and Connections to Storm Sewer System
§ 131-13 Purpose and objectives.
§ 131-14 Applicability.
§ 131-15 Administration and enforcement.
§ 131-16 Illicit discharges prohibited; exceptions.
§ 131-17 Illicit connections prohibited.
§ 131-18 Stormwater contamination prohibited.
§ 131-19 Use of best management practices required.
§ 131-20 Suspension of access to MS4.
§ 131-21 Industrial or construction activity discharges.
§ 131-22 Access to property; inspection; monitoring of discharges.
§ 131-23 Notification of spills.
§ 131-24 Notice of violation.
§ 131-25 Corrective measures.
§ 131-26 Injunctive relief.
§ 131-28 Violations deemed a public nuisance.
§ 131-29 Remedies not exclusive.
Chapter 131 Stormwater Management
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls 11-14-2007 by L.L. No. 10-2007.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
Building construction and fire prevention — See Ch. 64.
Excavations — See Ch. 74.
Sewers — See Ch. 122.
Editor's Note: This local law was originally specified to be added as Chapter 97 but was renumbered to maintain the organization of the Code.
Water is of paramount importance to the Village and its residents and this is evidenced by the very name of the Village of Wappingers Falls. The depth of Wappingers Lake has been greatly reduced by silt created by land development activities flowing into the lake.
Because of silt, and other materials, Wappingers Lake has been placed on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation List of Impaired Waters pursuant to § 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act and is listed in Part 3a, Waterbody Segments Requiring Verification of Impairment.
Clearing, grading, excavating, soil disturbance or placement of fill during construction tends to increase soil erosion and add to the loss of native vegetation necessary for terrestrial and aquatic habitat.
Improper design, maintenance and construction of stormwater management practices can increase the velocity of stormwater runoff, thereby increasing streambank erosion and sedimentation.
The Village Board of Trustees finds that the Municipal Stormwater Management provisions adopted herein are consistent with the guidelines set forth in Greenway Connections. In its deliberations on any discretionary actions under this chapter, the Stormwater Management Officer and other approving agencies of the Village of Wappingers Falls shall consider the statement of policies, principles and guidelines in Greenway Connections as they deem appropriate and relevant in its deliberations on such discretionary actions.
The purpose of this article is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing within this jurisdiction and to address the legislative findings in § 131-1 hereof. This article seeks to meet those purposes by achieving the following objectives:
Adopt minimum control measures 4 and 5 for a Stormwater Management Program as set forth in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems Permit No. GP-02-02, effective January 8, 2003 as amended, revised or superseded.
Further implement the Village of Wappingers Falls Stormwater Management Program as required under New York State MS4 SPDES No. _____.
Require land development activities to conform to the substantive requirements of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Construction Activities GP-02-01, as amended or revised.
Comply with the applicable federal regulations for small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.).
Minimize increases in the rate of stormwater runoff from land development activities in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature, and streambank erosion and maintain the integrity of stream channels.
Minimize increases in pollution caused by stormwater runoff from land development activities which would otherwise degrade the quality of the water in Wappingers Lake, Wappingers Creek and other local water bodies.
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 New York State DEC 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.
Any individual or individuals, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization or other legal entity of any kind, including municipal corporations, governmental agencies or subdivisions thereof, filing an application for a land development activity subject to the provisions of this chapter.
The term "building" as defined in § 151-3 of the Village Code now or as hereafter amended.
Activities requiring authorization under the SPDES Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Construction Activity, GP-02-01, as amended or revised. These activities include construction projects resulting from land disturbances of one or more acres. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing, grubbing, grading, excavating and demolition.
The deliberate conveyance of property by its owner for general public use.
The New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual, most recent version including applicable updates that serves as the official guide for stormwater management principles, methods and practices or any superseding publication issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
A New York State licensed professional engineer or architect.
The most recent version of the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control manual, commonly known as the "Blue Book," or any superseding publication issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the MS4, except as exempted in § 131-16B of this chapter.
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows an illicit discharge to enter the MS4, including but not limited to:
Any conveyances which allow any nonstormwater discharge, including but not limited to treated or untreated sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to enter the MS4 and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain or connection had been previously allowed, permitted or approved by an authorized enforcement agency; or
Any construction or demolition activity including clearing, grubbing, 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 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.
Owned or operated by the Village of Wappingers Falls;
NPDES PERMIT (NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT)
A permit issued by the EPA pursuant to § 402 of the Clean Water Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land, whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent sidewalks and parking areas.
SPDES PERMIT (STATE POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM DISCHARGE PERMIT)
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 or any successor permit under the Federal Clean Water Act and the Environmental Conservation Law.
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 or any successor permit under the Federal Clean Water Act and the Environmental Conservation Law.
Discharge compliance with water quality standards: the condition that applies where the Village has been notified by the NYSDEC or the EPA 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 Village must take all necessary actions to ensure future discharges do not cause or contribute to a violation of water quality standards.
303(d) listed waters: the condition in the Village's MS4 permit that applies where the MS4 discharges to a 303(d) listed water. Under this condition, the stormwater management program must ensure no increase of the listed pollutant of concern to the 303(d) listed water.
Total maximum daily load (TMDL) strategy: the condition in the Village's MS4 permit where a TMDL including requirements for control of stormwater discharges has been approved by the 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 Village was required to modify its stormwater management program to ensure that reduction of the pollutant of concern specified in the TMDL is achieved.
The condition in the Village's MS4 permit that applies if a TMDL is approved in the future by the EPA for any water body or watershed into which an MS4 discharges: Under this condition, the Village must review the applicable TMDL to see if it includes requirements for control of stormwater discharges. If an MS4 is not meeting the TMDL stormwater allocations, the Village must, within six months of the TMDL's approval, modify its stormwater management program to ensure that reduction of the pollutant of concern specified in the TMDL is achieved.
An order issued by the duly authorized municipal authority which requires that all land development activity and other construction activity on a site be stopped.
The Village of Wappingers Falls Director of Code Enforcement. As provided for in this chapter, the Director of Code Enforcement may delegate his or her powers and duties to Code Enforcement Officers of the Village and may retain professional consultants to assist in the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
The Village of Wappingers Falls, New York.
All land development activities, as such are defined in § 131-3Y of this article, including but not limited to land development activities subject to review and approval by the Village Board of Trustees, Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village or the Code Enforcement Officer under subdivision, site plan, special permit, floodplain development permit, excavation permit, zoning permit and/or other land use permit regulations, shall be reviewed subject to the standards contained in this chapter.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in a land development activity, other than an exempt activity as defined in § 131-5, without a stormwater pollution prevention plan approved by the Stormwater Management Officer or other approving authority as specified in Subsection C below.
The Stormwater Management Officer shall accept, review and be the approving authority for all stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), except as follows:
The Village Board shall be the approving authority for any application involving property that is also the subject of a pending special permit or other land use application before the Village Board in accordance with the provisions of the Village Code.
The Planning Board shall be the approving authority for any application involving property that is also the subject of a pending site plan, subdivision, special permit or other land use application before the Planning Board in accordance with the provisions of the Village Code.
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall be the approving authority for any application involving property that is also the subject of a pending variance, special permit, and other land use application before the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with the provisions of the Village Code.
The Stormwater Management Officer, or the approving authority listed in Subsection C above, may engage the services of a licensed professional engineer to review the plans, specifications and other documents related to the SWPPP. The applicant shall be responsible for payment of the fees of the engineer engaged by the Stormwater Management Officer in accordance with the provisions of § 151-26B of the Village Code.
Any part of a subdivision if a plat for the subdivision has been approved by the Village of Wappingers Falls on or before the effective date of this chapter.
Land development activities for which a building permit has been approved and is still in effect on or before the effective date of this chapter.
Installation of a fence, sign, telephone, and electric poles and other kinds of posts or poles.
Landscaping and horticultural activities in connection with an existing noncommercial structure.
No application for approval of a land development activity shall be reviewed until the appropriate approving authority has received a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) prepared in accordance with the specifications in this chapter.
Site map/construction drawing(s) for the project, including a general location map. At a minimum, the site map shall 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). The site map shall be at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 50 feet.
Description of the pollution prevention measures that will be used to control construction materials, chemicals and debris from becoming a pollutant source in stormwater runoff.
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.
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 closeout.
Name(s) of the receiving water(s) and NYSDEC classification(s), if applicable.
An acknowledgement by the landowner granting to the Village and other agencies having jurisdiction the right to enter the property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purpose of inspection.
Land development activities that cause stormwater runoff of the type listed in this subsection shall provide, as applicable, postconstruction stormwater runoff controls:
Stormwater runoff from land development activities discharging a pollutant of concern to an impaired water identified on the Department's 303(d) list of impaired waters;
Stormwater runoff from land development activities discharging a pollutant of concern to total maximum daily load (TMDL) designated watershed for which pollutants in stormwater have been identified as a source of the impairment;
Stormwater runoff from land development activity 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.
Postconstruction stormwater runoff controls. SWPPPs for land development activities listed in Subsection C shall provide following water quantity and/or water quality controls:
All information required by Subsection B.
Maintenance easement(s), where required, 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; and
Inspection and maintenance agreement recorded and binding on all subsequent landowners served by the on-site stormwater management measures in accordance with § 131-8F of this chapter.
The SWPPP shall be prepared by a landscape architect, certified professional in erosion and sediment control, professional engineer, or other professional(s) deemed acceptable by the NYSDEC 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.
Each contractor and subcontractor identified in the SWPPP and/or any successor or substitute contractor or 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." Copies of these statements shall be delivered to the duly authorized municipal authority.
Proof that each contractor who will be involved in a land development activity has obtained training and/or certification in proper erosion and sedimentation control practices shall become part of the SWPPP for the land development activity.
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 chapter. Copies of the two manuals are on file in the office of the Stormwater Management Officer.
The Design Manual as defined in § 131-3L.
The Erosion Control Manual as defined in § 131-3O.
Where stormwater management practices are not in accordance with technical standards, the owner, applicant or developer must demonstrate equivalence to the technical standards set forth in this section, and the SWPPP shall be prepared by a certified professional in erosion and sediment control, professional engineer or other professional(s) deemed acceptable by the NYSDEC.
The owner, 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%, and placed in an acceptable location and properly stabilized.
The owner, applicant, developer or their representative shall be on site at all times when construction or grading activity takes place and shall maintain the effectiveness of all erosion and sediment control practices unless all construction, demolition or grading activity has ceased and the site has been stabilized to the satisfaction of the Stormwater Management Officer.
Inspection shall be conducted and inspection reports shall be completed by a certified professional in erosion and sediment control, professional engineer or other professional(s) deemed acceptable by the NYSDEC every seven days and within 24 hours of the conclusion of any storm event producing 0.5 inch of precipitation or more. The reports shall be maintained in a site logbook.
Prior to the issuance of any approval that has a stormwater management facility as one of the requirements, other than one serving an individual single-family residence, the applicant or developer must execute an easement that shall be binding on all subsequent landowners served by the stormwater management facility. The easement shall be in a form acceptable to the counsel to the Village and shall provide for access to the facility at reasonable times for periodic inspection by the Village, or its designee, 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 Village.
The owner or operator of permanent stormwater management facilities or practices installed in accordance with this chapter shall operate and maintain the stormwater management practices to achieve the goals of this chapter. Proper operation and maintenance also includes, as a minimum, the following:
Discharges from the SMPs shall not exceed design criteria or cause or contribute to water quality standard violations in accordance with § 131-7C.
Prior to the issuance of any final plan approval, the applicant or developer must execute a formal maintenance agreement for stormwater management facilities, other than those serving an individual single-family residence, binding on all subsequent landowners. The maintenance agreement shall be in a form acceptable to Village Counsel and shall be recorded in the office of the County Clerk as a deed restriction on the property. The Village of Wappingers Falls, 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.
In addition to the inspections required by § 131-8C, the Stormwater Management Officer may require such other inspections as necessary to determine compliance with this law and may either approve that portion of the work completed or notify the applicant wherein the work fails to comply with the requirements of this law and the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) as approved. To obtain inspections, the applicant shall notify Village enforcement officials at least 48 hours before any of the following as required by the Stormwater Management Officer:
All applicants are required to submit as-built plans for any stormwater management facilities and practices located on site after final construction is completed. The plan must show the final design specifications for all stormwater management facilities and must be certified by a New York State licensed land surveyor and a professional engineer.
Inspection programs may be established on any reasonable basis, including but not limited to: routine inspections; random inspections; inspections based upon complaints or other notice of possible violations; inspection of drainage basins or areas identified as higher-than-typical sources of sediment or other contaminants or pollutants; inspections of businesses or industries of a type associated with higher-than-usual discharges of contaminants or pollutants or with discharges of a type which are more likely than the typical discharge to cause violations of state or federal water or sediment quality standards or the SPDES stormwater permit; and joint inspections with other agencies inspecting under environmental or safety laws. Inspections may include, but are not limited to: reviewing maintenance and repair records; sampling discharges, surface water, groundwater, and material or water in drainage control facilities; and evaluating the condition of drainage control facilities and other stormwater management practices.
The Stormwater Management Officer may require monitoring and reporting from entities subject to this law as are necessary to determine compliance with this chapter.
When any new stormwater management facility is installed on private property or when any new connection is made between private property and the public storm water system, the landowner shall grant to the Village and other agencies having jurisdiction the right to enter the property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purpose of inspection.
Entities subject to this chapter shall maintain records demonstrating compliance with this chapter.
In order to ensure the full and faithful completion of all land development activities related to compliance with all conditions set forth by the Village in its approval of the stormwater pollution prevention plan, the Village may require the applicant or developer to provide, prior to construction, a performance bond, cash escrow, or irrevocable letter of credit from an appropriate financial or surety institution which guarantees satisfactory completion of the project and names the Village as the beneficiary. The security shall be in an amount to be determined by the Village based on submission of final design plans, with reference to actual construction and landscaping costs. The performance guarantee shall remain in force until the surety is released from liability by the Village, provided that such period shall not be less than one year from the date of final acceptance or such other certification that the facility(ies) have been constructed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and that a one-year inspection has been conducted and the facilities have been found to be acceptable to the Village. Per annum interest on cash escrow deposits shall be reinvested in the account until the surety is released from liability.
Where stormwater management and erosion and sediment control facilities are to be operated and maintained by the developer or by a corporation that owns or manages a commercial or industrial facility, the developer, prior to construction, may be required to provide the Village with an irrevocable letter of credit from an approved financial institution or surety to ensure proper operation and maintenance of all stormwater management and erosion control facilities both during and after construction based upon the advice of the Village Engineer. If the developer or landowner fails to properly operate and maintain stormwater management and erosion and sediment control facilities, the Village may draw upon the account to cover the costs of proper operation and maintenance, including engineering and inspection costs.
It shall be the primary responsibility of the landowner and the successor landowners to perform all necessary inspections, maintenance, reporting, adjustments, repair, replacement and reconstruction of the stormwater management facilities. If, at any time, the Stormwater Management Officer determines that necessary inspections, reports, maintenance, repairs, adjustments, replacement or reconstruction have not been properly performed, the Village may undertake to perform any such work or work that it finds, in its sole judgment, is necessary to preserve the stormwater management functions of stormwater management practices (SMPs), at the cost and expense of the landowner and the successor landowners. Copies of all bills, statements and invoices substantiating such costs, including costs of consultants, shall be included with written notice of same. Each lot shall individually and separately bear its equal share of such costs and in the event that its share is not paid within 30 days of issuance of statements for this work, the amount of such share shall constitute a lien against such lot which shall be levied and collected in the same manner as Village real estate taxes or in such manner otherwise provided by law. The landowner and the successor lot landowner shall be personally liable for payments of their respective shares of all such costs, including costs of collection and reasonable attorney's fees.
When the Village determines that a land development activity is not being carried out in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, the SMO or a Code Enforcement Officer may issue a written notice of violation to the landowner. The notice of violation shall contain:
A statement that the determination of violation may be appealed to the Village by filing a written notice of appeal within 15 days of service of notice of violation.
The SMO, a Code Enforcement Officer or the Town Engineer may issue a stop-work order for violations of this chapter. Persons receiving a stop-work order shall be required to halt all land development activities and other construction activities on the site, except those activities, approved by the Village, that address the violations leading to the stop-work order. The stop-work order shall be in effect until the Village confirms that the land development activity is in compliance and the violation has been satisfactorily addressed. Failure to address a stop-work order in a timely manner may result in civil, criminal, or monetary penalties in accordance with the enforcement measures authorized in this chapter.
A stop-work order may be issued by the Village Engineer or a Code Enforcement Officer.
A stop-work order may be appealed by filing a written notice of appeal with the Village Board of Trustees not later than 30 days after service of the stop-work order upon the applicant. A hearing shall be scheduled by the Village Board of Trustees within 20 days of receipt of request for a hearing. After the close of the hearing, the Village Board of Trustees may confirm, modify or cancel the stop-work order.
Any land development activity that is commenced or is conducted contrary to this chapter may be restrained by injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise abated in any manner provided by this chapter.
In addition to any penalty provided herein or by law, any person in violation of this chapter may be required to restore land to its undisturbed condition and/or mitigate on-site and off-site damage from stormwater runoff, sediment or pollutants resulting from the violator's activities. In the event that restoration is not undertaken within a reasonable time after notice, the Village may take necessary corrective action, the cost of which shall become a lien upon the property until paid.
If any building or land development activity is installed or conducted in violation of this chapter, no certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance shall be issued for said building(s).
§ 131-12 Penalties for offenses. [1]
A violation of any provision of this article is considered an offense and for a first offense a person is subject to a civil penalty of a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $1,000.
A conviction of a second offense of the provisions of this article, both of which were committed within a period of five years, is considered a violation subject to a fine of $250 to $500 and/or a civil penalty of $750 to $1,500.
A conviction of a third offense of the provisions of this article, all of which were committed within a period of five years, is considered a violation with a penalty of a period of imprisonment of not to exceed 15 days, a fine, a civil penalty or any combination of the three.
A fine under this subsection shall be a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $2,000.
A civil penalty under this subsection shall be a minimum of $1,500 to $5,000;
Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional offense.
The purpose of this article is to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the Village of Wappingers Falls 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 article 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.
Comply with the applicable Federal regulations for small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.);
To prohibit illicit discharges and illicit connections to the MS4;
To promote public awareness of the adverse environmental impacts and hazards involved in the improper discharge of trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater, grease, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products, hazardous waste, sediment and other pollutants into the MS4.
The Stormwater Management Officer shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this article. The SMO may delegate.
The Dutchess County Department of Health presently is and shall continue to be the enforcement authority for the design, repair, replacement and operation of individual sewage treatment systems within the MS4.
Prohibition of illicit discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged or continue to discharge into the MS4 any materials other than stormwater, except those discharges exempted by Subsection B below.
Exempt discharges.
Any discharge permitted under a NPDES permit, SPDES permit, waiver, or waste discharge order issued to the discharger and administered under the authority of the EPA or 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.
The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this article, unless the NYSDEC or the Village Board of Trustees by resolution has determined them to be substantial contributors of pollutants:
Existing diverted stream flows;
Uncontaminated groundwater infiltration to storm drains;
Foundation or footing drains;
Crawl space or basement sump pumps;
Residential street wash water;
Water from fire-fighting activities; and
Any other water source not containing pollutants.
Discharges approved in writing by the SMO or his designee 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 SMO may deem appropriate to protect such life and property while reasonably maintaining the purpose and intent of this article.
Dye testing in compliance with applicable state and local laws is an allowable discharge, but requires notification to the SMO prior to the time of the test.
Activities that cause or contribute to a violation of the Village's MS4 SPDES permit; or
Activities that cause or contribute to the Village being subject to the special conditions as defined in § 131-3 of this chapter.
Where the SMO has identified illicit discharges as defined in § 131-3 or activities contaminating stormwater as defined in § 131-18, the Village may require implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to control those illicit discharges and activities.
Any person responsible for a property or premises, which is, or may be, the source of an illegal discharge as defined in § 131-3 or an activity contaminating stormwater as defined in § 131-18, 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.
Every person owning property through which a watercourse passes, or such person's lessee, shall keep and maintain that part of the watercourse within the property free of trash, debris and other obstacles that would pollute, contaminate or significantly retard the flow of water through the watercourse. In addition, the owner or lessee shall maintain existing privately owned structures within or adjacent to a watercourse, so that such structures will not become a hazard to the use, function or physical integrity of the watercourse.
Suspension without prior notice. The SMO 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 SMO 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 the suspension order issued pursuant to this paragraph, the SMO may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the MS4 or to minimize danger to persons.
Suspension after notice of illicit discharge. Any person discharging to the Village's MS4 in violation of this article may have his or her MS4 access terminated if such termination would abate or reduce an illicit discharge. The SMO will notify a violator in writing of the proposed termination of its MS4 access and the reasons therefor. The violator may petition the SMO for a reconsideration and hearing. Access may be granted by the SMO 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 SMO 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 SMO.
Notwithstanding other requirements of this article, 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 illicit 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 a release of hazardous materials into the MS4, any person responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation, shall immediately notify emergency response agencies of the occurrence via emergency dispatch services.
In the event of a release of nonhazardous materials into the MS4, any person responsible for a facility or operation, or responsible for emergency response for a facility or operation, shall notify the Stormwater Management Officer 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 Stormwater Management Officer within three business days of the telephone notice.
The provisions of this section shall be in addition to any other notifications required by state and federal law.
Notice of violation. When the Village's SMO finds that a person has violated a provision of this article or failed to meet a requirement of this article, he or she may order compliance by written notice of violation to the responsible person. Such notice may require, without limitation:
The elimination of illicit connections or illicit discharges;
The amount of the potential fine; and
If abatement of a violation and/or restoration of affected property is required, the notice shall set forth a deadline within which such remediation or restoration must be completed. Said notice shall further advise that, should the violator fail to remediate or restore within the established deadline, the work will be done by the Village or a contractor and the expense thereof shall be charged to the violator and shall constitute a lien against the property.
If the violation has not been corrected pursuant to the requirements set forth in the notice of violation, then the SMO 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.
Within 10 days after abatement of the violation by, or under authorization of the SMO, the owner of the property will be notified of the cost of abatement, including administrative costs. The property owner may file a written protest with the Village Board of Trustees objecting to the amount of the assessment within 10 days of receipt of said notice. If the amount due is not paid within 30 days after the disposition of any protests or the expiration of the time to file an appeal, whichever is earlier, the charges shall become a lien on the property for the amount of the assessment to be collected in the same manner as real estate taxes.
§ 131-27 Penalties for offenses. [1]
A violation of any provision of this article is considered an offense and for a first offense a person is subject to a civil penalty of a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $300.
In addition to the enforcement processes and penalties provided herein, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this article is a threat to public health, safety, and welfare, and is declared and deemed a nuisance, and may be summarily abated or restored at the violator's expense, and/or a civil action to abate, enjoin, or otherwise compel the cessation of such nuisance may be commenced by the Village.