The City Council finds that uncontrolled drainage and development of land may have a significantly adverse impact upon the quality of the waters of the community, generally:
(A) Stormwater runoff carries pollutants into receiving water bodies, degrading water quality;
(B) The increase in nutrients accelerates eutrophication of receiving waters, adversely affecting fauna and flora;
(C) Improper channeling of water increases the velocity of runoff, thereby increasing erosion;
(D) Construction requiring the alteration of natural topography and removal of vegetation increases erosion;
(E) Siltation of water bodies resulting from increased erosion decreases their capacity to hold and transport water, interferes with navigation and harms fauna and flora;
(F) Impervious surfaces increase the quantity and velocity of stormwater runoff. Less water percolates into the soil and recharge of groundwaters is thereby decreased;
(G) Uncontrolled stormwater runoff increases the incidence of flooding and the level of floods which occur, possibly destroying property and causing loss of life;
(H) Uncontrolled stormwater runoff interferes with the maintenance of optimum salinity in estuarine areas.
(Ord. 95-33, passed 8-24-95)