The Clean Water Act, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Kentucky Division of Water established Phase II Stormwater regulations that mandate local enforcement mechanisms be enacted to comply with those requirements. Three areas are specified for local control.
(A) The control of erosion and sediment at construction sites is required. During the construction process, soil is highly vulnerable to erosion by wind and water. Eroded soil endangers water resources by reducing water quality and causing the siltation of aquatic habitat for fish and other desirable species. Eroded soil also necessitates repair of sewers, ditches, sinkholes and drywells. Streets and roads with sediment deposits are slick and hazardous to the public. In addition, clearing and grading during construction cause the loss of native vegetation necessary for terrestrial and aquatic habitat. Therefore, this chapter will establish procedures to address stormwater control at land disturbance and construction sites.
(B) Second, a prohibition of non-stormwater discharges to the storm drainage system is required. This chapter will establish procedures to regulate the contribution of pollutants to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) from stormwater discharges by any user, prohibit illicit connections and discharges to the MS4, and establish legal authority to carry out all inspection, surveillance and monitoring procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(C) Finally, land development projects and associated increases in impervious cover alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, flooding, stream channel erosion, and sediment transport and deposition. This stormwater runoff contributes to increased quantities of waterborne pollutants which can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of stormwater runoff from development sites. Therefore, this chapter will establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to be achieved through post-construction practices.
(Ord. 14-08, passed 9-3-2014; Am. Ord. 19-02, passed 5-6-2019; Am. Ord. 20-05, passed 7-20-2020)