The Board of Commissioners finds that development without control of drainage has a significant impact upon the health, safety and welfare of the community. More specifically:
(A) Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can carry pollutants into receiving water bodies, degrade water quality and result in closures of shellfish waters.
(B) Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can increase nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen, thereby accelerating eutrophication of receiving waters, adversely affecting flora and fauna.
(C) Improperly channeling water increases the velocity of runoff thereby increasing erosion and sedimentation.
(D) Construction requiring the alteration of natural topography and removal of vegetation tends to cause a loss of natural recharge areas and increase erosion.
(E) Siltation of water bodies resulting from increased erosion decreases their capacity to hold and transport water interferes with navigation, and harms flora and fauna.
(F) Impervious surfaces increases the volume and rate of stormwater runoff and allow less water to percolate into the soil, thereby decreasing groundwater recharge.
(G) Improperly managed stormwater runoff can increase the incidence of flooding and the level of floods which occur, endangering property and human life.
(H) Improperly managed stormwater runoff can interfere with the maintenance of optimum salinity in estuarine areas, thereby disrupting biological productivity.
(I) The economy of the town as well as the health, safety and welfare of its citizens is dependent upon the preservation of healthy beaches, clean navigable waterways, abundant fishing and shellfishing resources, and a healthy ecosystem that attracts visitors to the town.
(J) Many future problems can be avoided or substantially mitigated if land is developed in accordance with sound stormwater runoff management practices.
(Ord. passed 11-11-05)