(A) Site construction control. The purpose of this chapter relative to post-construction control is to establish requirements for stormwater discharges from construction activities of one acre or more so as to protect the public health, existing water uses, and aquatic biota. This chapter establishes methods for controlling the introduction of pollutants into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) in order to comply with requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process. The objectives of this chapter are:
(1) To regulate construction activities disturbing more than one acre of land as governed by 327 IAC 15-5.
(2) To require construction site operators to develop and implement a construction plan including a stormwater pollution prevention plan in order to receive a grading permit from the county.
(B) Post-construction control. The purpose of this chapter relative to post-construction control is to implement planning procedures that promote and improve water quality. The planning procedures will include, at a minimum, the post-construction requirements of 327 IAC 5-5-6.5(a)(8). The county may require the use of any storage, infiltration, filtering, and/or vegetative practices to reduce the impact of pollutants on stormwater runoff. Where appropriate, and to the extent of the MS4 operator's authority, the planning procedures may also include the following:
(1) Buffer strip and riparian zone preservation;
(2) Filter strip creation;
(3) Minimization of land disturbance and surface imperviousness;
(4) Minimization of directly connected impervious areas;
(5) Maximization of open space; and
(6) Directing the community's growth away from sensitive areas and towards areas that can support growth without compromising water quality.
(BC Ord. 2006-14, passed 7-26-06)