(A) The intent of this chapter is to protect and enhance the water quality of our watercourses and water bodies in a manner pursuant to and consistent with the Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program authorized by the 1972 amendments to the Clean Water Act, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Rule 13 (327 I.A.C. 15-13), and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Rule 5 (327 I.A.C. 15-5) and to establish minimum storm water management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety and welfare of the public by guiding, regulating and controlling the design, construction, use and maintenance of any development or other land altering activity which disturbs or breaks the topsoil or otherwise results in the movement of earth within the defined boundaries of the City of Lawrence and as specified herein.
(B) This chapter seeks to meet that purpose through the following objectives:
(1) Manage storm water runoff from any development in order to reduce flooding, siltation, increases in stream temperature and stream bank erosion and maintain the integrity of stream channels;
(2) Minimize non-point source pollution caused by storm water runoff from development, which would otherwise degrade local water quality;
(3) Manage the total annual volume of surface water runoff, which flows from any specific site during and following development to not exceed the pre-development hydrologic regime to the maximum extent practicable;
(4) Reduce storm water runoff rates and volumes, soil erosion and non-point source pollution, wherever possible, through storm water management controls and ensure that these management controls are properly maintained and pose a minimal threat to public safety; and
(5) Establish legal authority to carry out all inspection, monitoring, reporting and enforcement procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(Ord. 6, 2008, passed 5-5-2008)