For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“ADVERSE EFFECTS.” Any modifications, alterations or effects on waters and associated wetlands, including their quality, quantity, hydrology, surface area, species composition or usefulness for human or natural uses due to design, which are or may potentially be harmful or injurious to human health, welfare, safety or property, to biological productivity, diversity or stability or which unreasonably interfere with the reasonable use of the property, including outdoor recreation. The term includes secondary and cumulative as well as direct impacts.
“ASSOCIATED WETLANDS.” Any wetlands that are adjacent or contiguous to waters, or which have a direct hydrologic connection to waters.
“BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS OF A PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTALLY- SENSITIVE AREA.” Those functions described in the Conservation Element of the Comprehensive Plan that justify designating an area as environmentally sensitive.
“DIRECT HYDROLOGIC CONNECTION.” A surface water connection which, under normal RESOURCE PROTECTION STANDARDS hydrological conditions, occurs on an average of 30 or more consecutive days per year. In the absence of a surface water connection, a continuum of wetlands may be used to establish a direct hydrologic connection.
“FLOODPLAIN.” See “FLOOD HAZARD AREA” in § 152.20 for definition.
“POLLUTANT.” Any substance, contaminant, noise, man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological or radiological integrity of air or water in quantities or at levels which are or may be potentially harmful or injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life or property, or which unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of life or property including outdoor recreation.
“REGULATORY AGENCIES.” The St. Johns Water Management District, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, the city or other regulatory agency with jurisdiction.
“SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT.” Any modification, alteration or effect upon a Wetland Protection Zone which measurably reduces the areas beneficial function as
delineated in the Conservation Element of the city comprehensive plan or any district or regulatory agency long-range plan.
“WATER BODY.” Any natural or artificial pond, lake, reservoir or other area with a discernable shoreline which ordinarily or intermittently contains water.
“WATER COURSE.” Any natural or artificial channel, ditch, canal, stream, river, creek, waterway or wetland through which water flows in a definite direction, either continuously or intermittently, and which has a definite channel, bed, banks or other discernable boundary.
“WATER’S EDGE” and “WETLAND’S EDGE.” The city does not recognize the existence of wetland jurisdiction lines which are grandfathered. The water’s or wetland’s edge shall be determined by whichever of the following indices yields the most landward extent of waters or wetlands:
(1) The boundary established by the normal high water mark;
(2) The landward boundary of hydric soils as used by the St. Johns River Water Management District defined in Chapter 40-C4 Florida Administrative Code; or
(3) The landward boundary of wetland vegetation based on the determination of the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Army Corps of Engineers or the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation.
“WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT” or “DISTRICT.” St. Johns River Water Management District.
“WETLAND PROTECTION ZONE.” An environmentally-sensitive area adjacent to Crystal Lake or Soldiers Creek designated by the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation or the Army Corps of Engineers.
(Ord. 538, passed 2-21-91; Am. Ord. 1614, passed 10-3-19)