The Borough Council finds the following.
(A) Inadequate management of accelerated runoff of stormwater resulting from development throughout a watershed increases flood flows and velocities, contributes to erosion and sedimentation, changes the natural hydrologic patterns, destroys aquatic habitat, elevates aquatic pollutant concentrations and loadings, overtaxes the carrying capacity of streams and storm sewers, greatly increases the cost of public facilities to carry and control stormwater, undermines floodplain management and flood control efforts in downstream communities, reduces groundwater recharge, and threatens public health and safety.
(B) A comprehensive program of stormwater management, including reasonable regulation of development and activities causing accelerated erosion and loss of natural infiltration, is fundamental to the public health, safety and welfare and the protection of the people of the borough and all of the people of the commonwealth, their resources and the environment.
(C) Stormwater can be an important resource by providing groundwater recharge for water supplies and baseflow of streams, which also protects and maintains surface water quality.
(D) Public education on the control of pollution from stormwater is an essential component in successfully addressing stormwater.
(E) Federal and state regulations require certain municipalities to implement a program of stormwater controls. These municipalities are required to obtain a permit for stormwater discharges from their separate storm sewer systems under the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES).
(F) Non-stormwater discharges to municipal separate storm sewer systems can contribute to pollution of waters of the commonwealth by the borough.
(Ord. 226-2007, passed 5-7-2007)