Source: https://www.ecode360.com/15192629
Timestamp: 2019-03-20 02:50:02
Document Index: 251715211

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164']

Town of Highlands, NY Stormwater Management
Ch 164 Art I Stormwater Control
§ 164-1 Findings.
§ 164-6 Definitions.
§ 164-7 Stormwater pollution prevention plans.
§ 164-8 Performance and design criteria.
§ 164-9 Maintenance and repair of stormwater facilities.
§ 164-10 Inspections; reports; performance guarantees; recordkeeping.
§ 164-11 Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
§ 164-12 Fees for services.
Ch 164 Art II Prohibition of Illicit Discharges, Activities and Connections to Separate Storm Sewer System
§ 164-13 Purpose.
§ 164-14 Definitions.
§ 164-15 Applicability.
§ 164-16 Responsibility for administration.
§ 164-17 Severability.
§ 164-18 Discharge prohibitions.
§ 164-19 Prohibition against failing individual sewage treatment systems.
§ 164-20 Prohibition against activities contaminating stormwater; discharge prohibitions.
§ 164-21 Requirement to prevent, control and reduce stormwater pollutants by the use of best management practices.
§ 164-22 Suspension of access to MS4.
§ 164-23 Industrial or construction activity discharges; suspension of access to MS4.
§ 164-24 Access to facilities; monitoring of discharges.
§ 164-25 Notification of spills.
§ 164-26 Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
§ 164-27 Appeal of notice of violation.
§ 164-28 Corrective measures after appeal.
§ 164-29 Injunctive relief.
§ 164-30 Alternative remedies.
§ 164-31 Violations deemed a public nuisance.
§ 164-32 Remedies not exclusive.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Highlands 4-12-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Erosion control — See Ch. 101.
Excavations — See Ch. 105.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 173.
Water — See Ch. 203.
164a Maintenance Agreement 164b Schedule A
Article II Prohibition of Illicit Discharges, Activities and Connections to Separate Storm Sewer System
This stormwater runoff contributes to increased quantities of waterborne pollutants, including siltation of aquatic habitat for fish and other desirable species, and may cause property damage;
Improper design and construction of stormwater management practices and measures can increase the velocity of stormwater runoff, thereby increasing stream bank erosion and sedimentation;
The purpose of this chapter 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 findings set forth in § 164-1 hereof. This chapter attempts to meet these goals by seeking to achieve the following objectives:
Minimize increases in stormwater runoff from land development activities in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature and streambank erosion, and to maintain the integrity of stream channels;
Reduce stormwater runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution, wherever possible, through stormwater management practices, and to ensure that these management practices are properly maintained.
In accordance with the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, the Town of Highlands Town Board has the authority to enact and amend local laws for the purpose of promoting the health, safety or general welfare of the Town of Highlands and for the protection and enhancement of its physical environment. The Town Board may include in any such local law provisions for the appointment of any municipal officer, employee or independent contractor to effectuate, administer and enforce such local law.
This chapter shall be applicable to all land development activities as defined in § 164-6 of this chapter.
The Town shall designate a Stormwater Management Administrator, who shall accept and review all stormwater pollution prevention plans and forward such plans to the applicable municipal board(s). The Stormwater Management Administrator may:
Upon approval by the reviewing board, engage the services of a professional engineer to review the plans, specifications and related documents; and/or
Accept the certification of a New York State licensed professional engineer that the plans conform to the requirements of this chapter and other applicable laws and regulations.
All land development activities subject to review and decision by the applicable municipal board shall be reviewed pursuant to the standards contained in this chapter, and other applicable laws and regulations.
A stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) consistent with the requirements of this chapter shall be required for preliminary subdivision plat approval. The SWPPP shall meet the performance and design criteria and standards in §§ 164-6 through 164-12 of this chapter. The approved preliminary subdivision plat shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
A stormwater pollution prevention plan consistent with the requirements of this chapter and with the terms of preliminary plan approval shall be required for final subdivision plat approval. The SWPPP shall meet the performance and design criteria and standards in §§ 164-6 through 164-12 of this chapter. The approved final subdivision plat shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
A stormwater pollution prevention plan consistent with the requirements of this chapter shall be required for site plan approval. The SWPPP shall meet the performance and design criteria and standards in §§ 164-6 through 164-12 of this chapter. The approved site plan shall be consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
No land development activity not subject to review as stated in Subsection C above shall be commenced unless and until the Town Planning Board has approved a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) submitted to the Board.
Repair to any stormwater management practice or facility deemed necessary by the Building Inspector, Engineer or other person designated by the Town Board.
Land development activity that received approval by the Town Planning Board prior to the effective date of this chapter. However, said activity shall not be exempt from compliance with applicable state laws or regulations governing stormwater management and control.
Land development activity for which a building permit has been approved prior to the effective date of this chapter. However, said activity shall not be exempt from compliance with applicable state laws or regulations governing stormwater management and control.
Landscaping and horticultural activities in connection with an existing structure, provided that such activities do not disturb one acre or more of land.
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having walls and a roof, designed for the shelter of any person, animal or property.
Excavation, filling or regrading or leveling of soil or rock material, including the resulting conditions thereof.
Those surface improvements and structures that cannot effectively infiltrate rainfall, snow melt and water (e.g., building rooftops, pavement, sidewalks, driveways, etc.).
An area that has been or may be determined to be a federal wetland; a New York State mapped wetland; or an area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly known as "hydrophytic vegetation."
Construction activity, including but not limited to clearing, grading, excavating, blasting, soil disturbance or placement of fill, that results in disturbance of one or more acres of land, or activity that disturbs less than one acre of land area that is part of a common plan of development or sale which will or has disturbed one or more acres of land, even though multiple separate and distinct land development activities may take place at different times on different schedules.
A permit under the New York Sate 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 DISCHARGE 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 specific stormwater control standards.
The use of structural or nonstructural practices and measures that are designed to reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate its adverse impacts on property, natural resources and the environment.
The Building Inspector, Town's Engineer or other person designated by the Town Board to accept and review stormwater pollution prevention plans, forward the plans to the applicable municipal board and inspect stormwater management practices.
One or a series of stormwater management practices and measures installed and operated for the purpose of controlling stormwater runoff.
Flow on the surface of the ground, resulting from precipitation, including snow melt.
A channel that directs surface runoff to a watercourse or to the public storm drain system.
Stormwater pollution prevention plan requirement. No application for approval of a land development activity shall receive approval until the appropriate board 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 discharge(s) (site map shall be at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 50 feet);
Dimensions, materials specifications and installation details for all erosion and sediment control practices, including the siting and sizing of any temporary sediment basins;
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;
Additional information if requested by the Stormwater Management Administrator.
Land development activities as defined herein 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 Subsection D below, as applicable:
All information listed in Subsection B of this section;
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; and
Inspection and maintenance declaration binding on all subsequent landowners served by the on-site stormwater management measures in accordance with § 164-9D of this chapter.
Plan certification. The SWPPP shall be prepared by a New York State licensed 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.
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 chapter. These documents are on file in the Town Hall and the Building Department.
The applicant or developer or representative identified in the SWPPP shall be on site at all times when land development activity takes place and shall inspect and document the effectiveness of all erosion and sediment control practices. Inspection reports shall be completed every seven days, in addition, and within 24 hours of any storm event producing 0.5 inch of precipitation or more. The reports shall be delivered to the Stormwater Management Administrator and to the Town Engineer, and copies shall be filed in the site log book.
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 declaration 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 and its agents to determine whether 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.
Maintenance after construction. The owner or operator of permanent stormwater management practices shall be responsible for insuring that said practices are operated and maintained in compliance with the SWPPP and all other conditions of approval. Proper operation and maintenance also includes, as a minimum, the following:
A preventive/corrective maintenance program for all 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.
Monitoring to assure that discharges from the SMPs shall not exceed design criteria or cause or contribute to water quality standard violations.
Maintenance declarations. The property owner shall execute a formal maintenance declaration 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 declaration shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of Schedule 1[1] annexed as part of this chapter, entitled "Sample Stormwater Management Facility Maintenance Declaration." The terms and conditions of the stormwater management facility maintenance declaration may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Town Board. The Town, at its sole discretion, may accept dedication of any existing or future stormwater management facility, provided that 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.
Editor's Note: The Sample Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Declaration is on file in the Town offices.
The Town of Highlands may require such inspections as necessary to determine compliance with this chapter 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 chapter and the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) as approved. To obtain inspections, the applicant shall notify the Town of Highlands enforcement official at least 48 hours before any of the following:
Stormwater management practice inspections. The Town of Highlands Stormwater Management Administrator is authorized to conduct inspections of stormwater management practices (SMPs). All applicants are required to submit "as built" plans for any permanent stormwater management practices constructed or located on site and/or off site. The plan must also show the final design specifications for all stormwater management facilities, which specifications must be prepared by and certified to by a professional engineer.
Inspection of stormwater facilities after project completion. Inspection programs shall 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.
Submission of reports. The Stormwater Management Administrator may require monitoring and reporting from entities subject to this chapter as are necessary to determine compliance with this chapter.
Right of entry for inspection. When any new stormwater management facility is installed on private property or when any new connection is made between private property and the public stormwater system, the landowner shall grant to the Town of Highlands, its officers, employees and agents, the right to enter the property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purpose of inspection as specified in Subsection B above.
Construction completion guarantee. In order to ensure the full and faithful completion of all land development activities related to compliance with all conditions set forth by the Town of Highlands in its approval of the stormwater pollution prevention plan, the Town of Highlands shall require the applicant or developer to provide, prior to construction, a cash escrow, or irrevocable letter of credit from an appropriate financial or surety institution which guarantees satisfactory completion of the project and names the Town of Highlands as the beneficiary. The security shall be in an amount to be determined by the Town Engineer of the Town of Highlands 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 Town of Highlands, provided that such period acceptance or such other certification that the facility(ies) has 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 Town of Highlands.
Operation and maintenance guarantee. The developer, prior to construction, shall be required to provide the Town of Highlands with an operation and maintenance bond to ensure proper operation and maintenance of all stormwater management and erosion control facilities, both during and after construction. The amount of the bond shall be determined by the Town Engineer. If the developer's successor(s) fail(s) to properly operate and maintain stormwater management and/or erosion and sediment control facilities, the Town, its officers, employees and agents, may enter upon the property and perform any work necessary to facilitate proper reconstruction, operation and/or maintenance of the facilities, and may draw upon the account of the bond to cover all such costs, including legal, engineering and inspection costs. The maintenance provisions in the bond shall cover the estimated cost of properly maintaining the system for five years after completion of construction.
Recordkeeping. The Town of Highlands shall require entities subject to this chapter to maintain records demonstrating compliance with the regulations of this chapter.
This article shall be enforced by the Stormwater Management Administrator, with the assistance of the Town Engineer if the Administrator deems same to be necessary. The Stormwater Management Administrator is authorized to issue and serve appearance tickets in connection with violations of this chapter.
It shall be a violation of this article if any land development activity or any other disturbance of land does not fully comply with the requirements of this chapter, or with the terms or provisions of the SWPPP, or with any lawful order or notice issued by the Stormwater Management Administrator.
Notice of violation. If the Town determines that a violation has occurred, the Stormwater Management Administrator shall issue a written notice of violation. The notice of violation shall contain:
Stop-work orders. The Stormwater Management Administrator 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, except those permitted activities that remedy the violation(s) causing issuance of the stop-work order. The stop-work order shall be in effect until the Stormwater Management Administrator confirms that the land development activity is in compliance and the violation has been satisfactorily addressed. Failure to remedy 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.
In addition to or as an alternative to any penalty provided herein or by law, any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, 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 15 days, 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 $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
In addition to and not in lieu of the above, any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who builds or alters any structure or use of land in violation of any statement or plan submitted and approved thereunder, or who assists therein, shall be liable to the Town for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $350 for a first violation; in an amount not less than $350 nor more than $700 for a second violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation; and in an amount of not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 for a third and each subsequent violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
In addition to and not in lieu of the remedies authorized above, the Town Board or the enforcement officer may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct or abate any violation or threatened violation of this chapter or to enforce any provision of this chapter.
In addition to and not in lieu of the remedies authorized above, where a violation of this chapter may cause injury or damage to public or private property or to the public interest or environment or may cause, in whole or in part, noncompliance by the Town with stormwater or erosion control requirements, then, after due notice and opportunity to be heard is given the violator, the Town, its officers, employees and agents, shall have the authority to enter upon private property and take necessary corrective and restorative action to remedy such violation. All costs of such Town action, including but not limited to corrective, engineering, legal and administrative costs, shall be billed to the owner of the property. It not paid, such costs may be assessed and levied against the property and collected in the same manner as real property tax. In the event of an emergency, the Town shall be authorized to enter upon the property and take action without notice to the property owner or opportunity for said owner to be heard.
Withholding of certificate of occupancy. If any building is built or any land development activity is conducted in violation of this chapter, no certificate of occupancy shall be issued and no building or land shall be occupied.
Restoration of lands. Any violator of this chapter may be required to restore land to its undisturbed or prior condition. In the event that restoration is not undertaken within 60 consecutive calendar days after notice and opportunity to be heard, the Town, its officers, employees and agents, shall have the authority to enter upon the private property and take necessary corrective and restorative action to remedy violations of this chapter. All costs of such Town action, including but not limited to corrective, engineering, legal and administrative costs, shall be billed to the owner of the property. If not paid, such costs may be assessed and levied against the property and collected in the same manner as real property taxes.
The Town of Highlands may require any person undertaking land development activities regulated by this chapter to reimburse to the Town the Town's reasonable costs for review of SWPPPs, preparation of estimates of guaranty amounts, inspections, administrative work, or SMP maintenance performed by or on behalf of the Town.
The purpose of this article is to provide for the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the Town of Highlands 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. The objectives of this article are:
Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, general good housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and educational practices, maintenance procedures and other management practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to stormwater, receiving waters or stormwater conveyance systems. BMPs also include treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.
Any material, including any substance, waste or combination thereof, which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, a present or potential hazard to human health, safety, property or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed.
Any conveyances which allow any nonstormwater discharge including 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; and/or
Any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the MS4, except as exempted in § 164-18 of this article.
Owned or operated by the Town of Highlands;
Any building, lot, parcel of land or portion of land whether improved or unimproved including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.
The Building Inspector, Engineer or other person designated by the Town Board to enforce this chapter. The SMA may also be 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.
The Stormwater Management Administrator(s) [SMA(s)] shall administer, implement and enforce the provisions of this article. Such powers granted or duties imposed upon the authorized enforcement official may be delegated in writing by the SMA as may be authorized by the Town Board.
The following discharges are exempt from discharge prohibitions established by this article, unless the Department 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, 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.
Cause or contribute to the municipality being subject to the special conditions as defined in § 164-14, Definitions, of this article.
Such activities include prohibited discharges or connections and failing individual sewage treatment systems as defined in § 164-19, improper management of animal waste or any other activity that causes or contributes to violations of the municipality's MS4 SPDES permit authorization.
Best management practices. Where the SMA has identified illicit discharges as defined in § 164-14 or activities contaminating stormwater as defined in § 164-20, the Town may require implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to control those illicit discharges and activities.
Any person responsible for a property or premises that is, or may be, the source of an illicit discharge as defined in § 164-14 or an activity contaminating stormwater as defined in § 164-20 may be required to implement, at said person's expense, additional structural and nonstructural BMPs to reduce or eliminate the source of pollutants to the MS4.
Individual sewage treatment systems response to special conditions requiring no increase of pollutants or requiring a reduction of pollutants. Where individual sewage treatment systems are contributing to the municipality's being subject to the special conditions as defined in § 164-14 of this article, the owner or operator of such individual sewage treatment systems shall be required to:
Inspect the septic tank annually to determine scum and sludge accumulation; septic tanks must be pumped out whenever the bottom of the scum layer is within three inches of the bottom of the outlet baffle or sanitary tee or the top of the sludge is within 10 inches of the bottom of the outlet baffle or sanitary tee; inspection of the tank for cracks, leaks and blockages shall be done by the septage hauler at the time of pumping of the tank contents;
The SMA 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 SMA 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 SMA may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the MS4 or to minimize danger to persons.
Suspension due to the detection of illicit discharge. Any person discharging to the municipality'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 SMA will notify a violator in writing of the proposed termination of its MS4 access and the reasons therefor. The violator may petition the SMA for a reconsideration and hearing. Access may be granted by the SMA 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 SMA 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 SMA.
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. 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.
Notice of violation. When the Town's SMA finds that a person has violated a prohibition or failed to meet a requirement of this chapter or failed to comply with a permit or approval condition related to the subject matter of this chapter (all deemed a "violation" of this chapter), he/she may order compliance by written notice of violation to the responsible person. Such notice may require without limitation:
In addition to or as an alternative to any penalty provided herein or by law, any person who violates this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, 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 15 days, 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 $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
In addition to and not in lieu of the above, any person who violates this chapter shall be liable to the Town for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $350 for a first violation; in an amount not less than $350 nor more than $700 for a second violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation; and in an amount of not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 for a third and each subsequent violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
In addition to and not in lieu of the remedies authorized above, the SMA or the Town Board may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct or abate any violation or threatened violation or to enforce any provision of this chapter.
Any person receiving a notice of violation may appeal the determination of the SMA 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 Town Clerk and mail a copy of its decision by certified mail to the appellant. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Town Board may appeal such decision to the Supreme Court pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules. Such proceeding must be commenced within 30 days after the decision is filed in the Town Clerk's office or shall be time-barred.
The cost of implementing and maintaining such measures shall be the sole responsibility of the discharger and may be collected in the same manner as set forth in § 164-26A(6).
Where a person has violated a provision of this article, he/she may be eligible for alternative remedies in lieu of a civil penalty, upon recommendation of the Town Attorney and concurrence of the SMA, where: