(A) It is hereby determined that:
(1) All land disturbing activities described as development projects, land use conversions, and their associated changes to land cover, permanently alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, which in turn increase flooding, stream channel erosion, and sediment transport and deposition, and decrease groundwater recharge;
(2) Land disturbing activities also contribute to increased nonpoint source pollution and degradation of receiving waters;
(3) The impacts of stormwater runoff quantity and quality from land disturbing activities can adversely affect public safety, public and private property, surface water drinking water supplies, groundwater resources, drinking water supplies, recreation, aquatic habitats, fish and other aquatic life, property values and other uses of lands and waters;
(4) These adverse impacts can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of stormwater runoff quantity and quality from new development and redevelopment, by the use of both structural and nonstructural best management practices;
(5) Communities designated by the NPDES Phase II rule are required to comply with a number of both state and federal laws, regulations and permits which require designated entities to address the impacts of post-development stormwater runoff quality and nonpoint source pollution.
(B) Therefore, the City of Easley has established this stormwater management ordinance to provide reasonable guidance for the regulation of land disturbing activity and post-development stormwater runoff for the purpose of protecting local water resources from degradation. This chapter regulates the post-construction stormwater controls for both new and re-development projects.
(C) It has been determined that it is in the public interest to regulate land disturbing activities and post-development stormwater runoff discharges in order to control and minimize increases in stormwater runoff rates and volumes, post-construction soil erosion and sedimentation, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint source pollution associated with post-development stormwater runoff.
(Ord. 2008-06, passed 4-14-08)