A. Policy Statement. Flood control, groundwater recharge, erosion control and pollutant reduction shall be achieved using stormwater management measures, including green infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) and nonstructural stormwater management strategies. Green infrastructure BMPs and low impact development should be utilized to meet the goal of maintaining natural hydrology to reduce stormwater runoff volume, reduce erosion, encourage infiltration and groundwater recharge, and reduce pollution. Green infrastructure BMPs and low impact development should be developed based upon physical site conditions and the origin, nature and the anticipated quantity, or amount, of potential pollutants. Multiple stormwater management BMPs may be necessary to achieve the established performance standards for water quality, quantity, and groundwater recharge contained in this article.
B. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls as authorized by the Pinelands Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 13:18A-1 et seq.) and consistent with the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) (N.J.A.C. 7:50-1.1 et seq.) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Stormwater Management Regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.1 et seq.). The standards in this article are intended to minimize the adverse impact of stormwater runoff on water quality and water quantity, to facilitate groundwater recharge, and to control and minimize soil erosion, stream channel erosion, sedimentation and pollution associated with stormwater runoff. Moreover, Pinelands Area resources are to be protected in accordance with the anti-degradation policies contained in the New Jersey Surface Water Quality Standards (N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.1 et seq.). Additionally, this article is intended to ensure the adequacy of existing and proposed culverts and bridges and to protect public safety through the proper design and operation of stormwater BMPs. If there are any conflicts between a provision required by the Pinelands CMP and a provision required by the NJDEP, the Pinelands CMP provision shall apply.
C. Applicability.
(1) The terms "development," "major development" and "minor development" are defined in § 175-171 in accordance with the Pinelands CMP (N.J.A.C. 7:50-2.11) and differ from the definitions of "development" and "major development" contained in the NJDEP Stormwater Management Regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.2).
(2) This article shall apply within the Pinelands Area to all major development, and to minor development meeting the following criteria:
(a) Development involving the construction of four or fewer dwelling units;
(b) Development involving any non-residential use and resulting in an increase of greater than 1,000 square feet of regulated motor vehicle surfaces; and
(c) Development involving the grading, clearing, or disturbance of an area in excess of 5,000 square feet within any five-year period. For development meeting this criterion, the stormwater management standards for major development set forth in this article shall apply.
(3) This article shall apply to all development meeting the criteria of (2) above that is undertaken by Hammonton Town.
(4) Except as provided in § 175-179, the exemptions, exceptions, applicability standards, and waivers of strict compliance contained in the NJDEP Stormwater Management Regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.1 et seq. shall not apply within the Pinelands Area.
D. Compatibility with other permit and ordinance requirements.
(1) Development approvals issued pursuant to this article are to be considered an integral part of development approvals and do not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to secure required permits or approvals for activities regulated by any other applicable code, rule, act, or ordinance. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this article shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare.
(2) This article is not intended to interfere with, abrogate, or annul any other ordinances, rule or regulation, statute, or other provision of law except that, where any provision of this article imposes restrictions different from those imposed by any other ordinance, rule or regulation, or other provision of law, the more restrictive provisions or higher standards shall control.
(3) In the event that a regional stormwater management plan(s) is prepared and formally adopted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.1 et seq. for any drainage area(s) or watershed(s) of which Hammonton Town is a part, the stormwater provisions of such a plan(s) shall be adopted by Hammonton Town within one year of the adoption of a Regional Stormwater Management Plan (RSWMP) as an amendment to an Areawide Water Quality Management Plan. Local ordinances proposed to implement the RSWMP shall be submitted to the Pinelands Commission for certification within six months of the adoption of the RSWMP per N.J.A.C. 7:8 and the Pinelands CMP.
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