a. This ordinance is adopted in accordance with statutory authority granted to the Schererville Town Council under "Home Rule" as well as the "Indiana Drainage Code", and further is required by I.C. §§ 36-9-28.5 and 36-9-27-69.5, Phase II of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System program (FR Doc. 99-29181) authorized by the 1972 amendments to the Clean Water Act, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Rule 13 (327 IAC 15-13), and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Rule 5 (327 IAC 15-5), all as amended from time to time.
b. It is recognized that smaller streams and drainage channels serving the Town of Schererville may not have sufficient capacity to receive and convey storm water runoff, resulting when land use changes from open or agricultural use to a more urbanized use. It is further recognized that deposits of sediment from developments during and after construction can reduce capacities of storm sewers and drainage systems and result in damages to receiving lakes and streams.
c. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the Town of Schererville that the storage and controlled release of storm water runoff shall be required of all new development and new construction in the Town of Schererville. The release rate of storm water from developed lands shall not exceed the release rate from the land area in its present land use.
d. Because topography and the availability and adequacy of outlets for storm runoff vary with almost every site, the requirements for the storm drainage tend to be an individual matter for any project. It is recommended that each proposed project be discussed with the MS4 Coordinator at the earliest practical time in the planning stage.
e. The regulations set forth herein are made in order to promote the public health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience and general public welfare. The regulations are made in order that the environment may be protected and that properly planned development may be promoted. Further, the regulations prohibit illicit discharges and regulate the contribution of pollutants to the stormwater drainage system and public waters from construction sites, new development and redevelopment projects. Finally, the regulations establish legal authority for the Town of Schererville and its designee(s) to inspect, monitor and enforce compliance with this ordinance.
(Ord. No. 1708, 6-13-07)