CHAPTER 157: SOIL EROSION; SEDIMENT CONTROL
Section
   157.01   Incorporation
   157.02   Definitions
   157.03   General principles
   157.04   Erosion control permit
   157.05   Design and operation standards and requirements
   157.06   Enforcement
 
   157.99   Penalty
§ 157.01 INCORPORATION.
   The preambles in the ordinance codified herein are incorporated herein by this reference as if set out in full at this place.
(Ord. 766, passed 10-20-2004)
§ 157.02 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   BUILDING PERMIT. A permit issued by the village for the construction, erection or alteration of a structure or building.
   CERTIFY or CERTIFICATION. Formally attesting that the specific inspections and tests where required have been performed, and that the tests comply with applicable requirements of this chapter.
   CLEARING. Any activity which removes vegetative ground cover.
   CUBIC YARDS. The amount of material in excavation and/or fill measured by the method of “average end areas”.
   EROSION CONTROL PERMIT. A permit issued by the village for the construction or alteration of ground improvements and structures for the control of erosion, runoff and grading.
   EXCAVATION. Any act by which organic matter, earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar, material is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
   EXISTING GRADE. The vertical location of the existing ground surface prior to excavation or filling.
   FILL. Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is deposited, placed, replaced, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved by humans to a new location and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
   FINAL GRADE. The vertical location of the ground or pavement surface after the grading work is completed in accordance with the site development plan.
   GRADING. Excavation or fill or any combination thereof and shall include the conditions resulting from any excavation or fill.
   NATURAL DRAINAGE. Channels formed in the existing surface topography of the earth prior to changes made by unnatural causes.
   PARCEL. All contiguous land in one ownership.
   PERMITTEE. Any person to whom an erosion control permit is issued.
   PERSON. Any individual, firm or corporation, public or private, the state and its agencies or political subdivisions, and the United States of America, its agencies and instrumentalities and any agent, servant, officer or employee of any of the foregoing.
   REMOVAL. Cutting vegetation to the ground or stumps, complete extraction or killing by spraying.
   SITE. A lot or parcel of land, or a contiguous combination thereof, where grading work is performed as a single unified operation.
   SITE DEVELOPMENT. Altering terrain and/or vegetation and constructing improvements.
   STREAM. Any river, creek, brook, branch, flowage, ravine or natural or human-made drainage way which has a definite bed and banks or shoreline, in or into which surface or groundwater flows, either perennially or intermittently.
   STRIPPING. Any activity which removes the vegetation surface cover including tree removal, clearing and storage or removal of top soil.
   VACANT. Land on which there are no structures or only structures which are secondary to the use or maintenance of the land itself.
   VILLAGE. The Village of Elwood, Will County, Illinois.
   WETLANDS. Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
(Ord. 766, passed 10-20-2004)
§ 157.03 GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
   The approaches outlined here have been proven effective in minimizing soil erosion from development sites and in reducing the damaging effects of that erosion which does occur. They should serve as guidelines for the preparation of site development activities which are exempted from the permit requirements of this chapter.
   (A)   Development should be related to the topography and soils of the site so as to create the least potential for erosion. Areas of steep slopes where high cuts and fills may be required should be avoided wherever practical, and natural contours should be followed as closely as practical.
   (B)   Natural vegetation should be retained and protected where practical. Areas immediately adjacent to natural watercourses, lakes, ponds and wetlands should be left undisturbed wherever possible. Temporary crossings of watercourses, when permitted, must include appropriate stabilization measures.
   (C)   Special precautions should be taken to prevent damages resulting from any necessary development activity within or adjacent to any stream, lake, pond or wetland. Preventative measures should reflect the sensitivity of these areas to erosion and sedimentation.
   (D)   The smallest practical area of land should be exposed for the shortest practical time during development.
   (E)   Sediment basins or traps, filter barriers, diversions and any other appropriate sediment or runoff control measures should be installed prior to site clearing and grading and maintained to remove sediment from run-off waters from land undergoing development.
   (F)   The selection of erosion and sedimentation control measures should be based on assessment of the probable frequency of climatic and other events likely to contribute to erosion, and on evaluation of the risks, costs and benefits involved.
   (G)   In the design of erosion control facilities and practices, aesthetics and the requirements of continuing maintenance should be considered.
   (H)   Provision should be made to accommodate the increased run-off caused by changed soil and surface conditions during and after development. Drainage way should be designed so that their final gradients and the resultant velocities and rates of discharge will not create additional erosion onsite or downstream.
   (I)   Permanent vegetation and structures should be installed and functional as soon as practical during development.
   (J)   Those areas being converted from agricultural purposes to other land uses should be vegetated with an appropriate protective cover prior to development.
   (K)   All waste generated as a result of site development activity should be properly disposed of and should be prevented from being carried off the site by either wind or water.
   (L)   All construction sites should provide measures to prevent sediment from being tracked onto public or private roadways.
(Ord. 766, passed 10-20-2004)
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