For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
EARTH-CHANGING ACTIVITY.
(1) Includes such activities as mining, moving, removing, transporting, dumping, spreading, stockpiling, digging, bulldozing or otherwise manipulating soil.
(a) MAJOR. Any earth-changing activity or combination of activities which:
1. Involves a total surface area of more than three acres;
2. Involves a quantity of soil in excess of 400 cubic yards within one year of commencement of such activity; or
3. Involves a site on which earth-changing operations are contemplated at a distance of less than 1,000 feet from a wetlands, river, lake, stream, pond or creek.
(b) MINOR. Any earth-changing activity or combination of activities which:
1. Involves a total surface area of more than one acre, but less than three acres; or
2. Involves a total quantity of soil greater than 200 cubic yards, but less than 400 cubic yards within one year of commencement of such activity.
(2) The following earth-changing activities are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
(a) Earth-changing activities which are not defined as either minor or major earth-changing activities;
(b) Earth-changing activities which constitute the practice of commonly-accepted agricultural activities when employed on a parcel properly zoned for that purpose, as described in the State Right To Farm Act, being M.C.L.A. §§ 286.471 et seq., and defined by the State Department of Agriculture;
(c) Earth-changing activities performed by or under the direction of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the State Department of Transportation, the County Road Commission and the township in connection with the construction and maintenance of public roadways and publicly-owned facilities and buildings; and
(d) Earth-changing activities directly related to and necessitated by a construction project for which a current building permit has been issued, unless the site of that project is described in division (1)(a)3. above.
SOIL. Topsoil, subsoil, clay, sand, gravel, rock, stone and aggregate, marl, earth, waste products or any other similar material, specifically excluding subsurface deposits of oil, brine and natural gas, whose point of origin or point of destination is located within the township.
STREET. Includes the entire length and width of public and private roadways and rights-of-way of every kind or description, including, but not limited to, all of the primary and secondary roads now or hereafter serving the township and public drains for which the township may be assessed maintenance fees.
(Prior Code, Ch. XXIV, § I) (Ord. 1992-3, passed - -; Ord. 2001-1, passed 7-17-2001)