The city finds that:
(A) Water bodies, roadways, structures, and other property within, and downstream of the city are at times subjected to flooding;
(B) Flooding is a danger to the lives and property of the public and is also a danger to the natural resources of the region;
(C) Land development alters the hydrologic response of watersheds, resulting in increased stormwater runoff rates and volumes, increased flooding, increased stream channel erosion, and increased sediment transport and deposition;
(D) Soil erosion resulting from land-disturbing activities causes a significant amount of sediment and other pollutants to be transported off-site and deposited in ditches, streams, wetlands, lakes, and reservoirs;
(E) Increases of stormwater runoff rates, soil erosion, and non-point source pollution have occurred as a result of land development, and have resulted in a deterioration of the water resources of the city;
(F) Increased stormwater runoff rates and volumes, and the sediments and pollutants associated with stormwater runoff from future development projects within the city will, absent reasonable regulation and control, adversely affect the city's water bodies and water resources;
(G) Illicit discharges have occurred as a result of illegal dumping and direct connections of non-stormwater flows, and have resulted in a deterioration of the water resources of the city;
(H) Continued pollutant contributions from illicit discharges within the city will, absent reasonable regulation, monitoring, and enforcement, adversely affect the city's water bodies and water resources;
(I) Stormwater runoff, soil erosion, non-point source pollution, and illicit sources of pollution can be controlled and minimized by the regulation of stormwater management;
(J) Adopting the standards, criteria, and procedures contained and referenced in this chapter and implementing the same will address many of the deleterious effects of stormwater runoff and illicit discharges;
(K) Adopting this chapter is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare, and for the conservation of our natural resources.
(Ord. 7-2006, passed 6-12-06)