For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPLICANT. Any person, corporation, or public or private organization proposing a development or project which would involve disturbance to the natural terrain as herein defined.
COASTAL FEATURE. Coastal beaches and dunes, barrier beaches, coastal wetlands, coastal
cliffs, bluffs, and banks, rocky shores, and manmade shorelines as defined in "The State of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program," as amended June 28, 1983.
CUT. An excavation. The difference between a point on the original ground and a designated point of lower elevation on the final grade. Also, the material removed in excavation.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Any construction, demolition, or removal of structures, roadways, parking, or other paved areas, utilities, or other similar facilities, including any action requiring a building permit by the town.
EROSION. The removal of mineral and/or organic matter by the action of wind, water, and/or gravity.
EXCAVATE. Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, or any other similar material is dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated, or bulldozed, and including the conditions resulting therefrom.
FILL. Any act by which earth, sand, or other material is placed or moved to a new location above ground. The fill is also the difference in elevation between a point of existing undisturbed ground and a designated point of higher elevation of the final grade.
LAND DISTURBING ACTIVITY. Any physical land development activity which includes such actions as clearance of vegetation (in wetlands), moving or filling of land, removal or excavation of soil or mineral resources, or similar activities.
RUNOFF. The surface water discharge or rate of a given watershed after a fall of rain or snow and including seepage flows that do not enter the soil but run off the surface of the land. Also, that portion of water that is not absorbed by the soil, but runs off the land surface.
SEDIMENT. Solid material, both mineral and/or organic, that is in suspension, is being transported, or
has been moved from its site or origin by wind, water, and/or gravity as a product of erosion.
STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (SWPPP). The (approved) document required before any person may cause a disturbance to the natural terrain within the town as herein regulated. Also, herein referred to as SWPPP, APPROVED PLAN.
SUBDIVISION. The process (and the result) of dividing a parcel of raw land into smaller buildable sites, blocks, street, open space public areas and the designation of the location for utilities and other improvements.
WATERCOURSE. Any tidewater or coastal wetland at its mean high water level, and any freshwater wetland at its seasonal high water level, including but not limited to any river, stream, brook, pond, lake, swamp, marsh bog, fen, wet meadow, or any other standing or flowing body of water. The edge of the WATERCOURSE as herein defined shall be used for delineation purposes.
(Ord. passed 9-21-92; Am. Ord. passed 2-21-06)