For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section unless the context in which they are used specifically indicates otherwise:
(a) “Best Management Practices (BMPs).” A practice, or combination of practices and design criteria that comply with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Guidebook of BMPs for Michigan Watersheds, or equivalent practices and design criteria that accomplish the purposes of this chapter (including, but not limited to minimizing stormwater runoff and preventing the discharge of pollutants into stormwater) as determined by the Village Engineer, and, when applicable, the standards of the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner.
(b) “Changes in Land Use.” Any land use change, including, but not limited to, construction, earth change, and redevelopment.
(c) “Cutting.” An earth change, which lowers topography or removes soil.
(d) “Design Storm.” A precipitation event of a designated amount and/or frequency. Typically used in a regulatory setting to designate required design criteria for stormwater facilities.
(e) “Detention.” A system, which is designed to capture stormwater and release it over a given period of time through an outlet structure at a controlled rate.
(f) “Detention Basin.” A designed (although may be a natural area) facility which stores and detains runoff and releases water at a controlled rate. Size will depend on the design storm event (ten-, 25-, 100-year storm). These basins may be dry between runoff events or may be “wet bottom,” where a base water level occurs below the elevation of the outlet structure.
(g) “Developed” or “Development.” The installation or construction of impervious surfaces on a development site that require, pursuant to state law or local ordinance, the Village approval of a site plan, plat, site condominium, special land use, planned unit development, land division approval, private road approval or other approvals required for the development of land or the erection of buildings or structures; provided, however, that for purposes of this chapter only, developed or development shall not include the actual construction of, or an addition, extension or modification to, an individual single-family or a two-family detached dwelling.
(h) “Discharge.” The rate of flow or volume of water passing a given point. Expressed as cubic feet per second.
(i) “Drain.” Any drain as defined in the Drain Code of 1956, as amended, being M.C.L.A. 280.1 et seq., other than an established county or intercounty drain.
(j) “Drainage.” The collection, conveyance, or discharge of ground water and/or surface water.
(k) “Drainage Area.” The contributing watershed, which is expressed in acres or square miles.
(l) “Earth Change.” Any human activity which removes ground cover, changes the slope or contours of the land, or exposes the soil surface to the actions of wind and rain. Earth change includes, but is not limited to, any excavating, surface grading, filling, landscaping, or removal of vegetative roots.
(m) “Erosion.” The process by which the ground surface is worn away by action of wind, water, gravity or a combination thereof.
(n) “Fill.” Earth or other materials added to existing topography.
(o) “First Flush.” The term given to the initial runoff quantity, typically highest in pollutant concentration, which is generally believed to be the first one-half inch of precipitation which washes pollutants off impermeable surfaces.
(p) “Grading.” Any stripping, excavating, filling, and stockpiling of soil or any combination thereof and the land in its excavated or filled condition.
(q) “Groundwater.” The naturally existing water beneath the land surface. The uppermost elevation, or “water table,” will fluctuate seasonally or in response to precipitation. May be in multiple layers separated by aquatards (relatively impermeable layers). Deeper aquifers are used to withdraw water for domestic wells or irrigation.
(r) “Impervious.” The ground condition (e.g., roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and rooftops) which does not allow percolation or infiltration of precipitation. The condition causes water to accumulate on the surface resulting in increased runoff.
(s) “Infiltration.” The percolation and movement of water downward into and through the soil column. The rate of this movement is expressed in inches per hour.
(t) “Non-point Source.” “...sources of pollution which enter surface or groundwaters through widely diffused small increments,” (from Federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S. CFR Part 1344). This type of pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands and underground sources of drinking water.
(u) “Offsite Facility.” Any portion of a stormwater management system which is located off the development site which it serves.
(v) “100-year Flood.” That water occupation adjacent to a waterbody which results from a storm event having a 1% probability of occurrence in any given year. Thus, a 50-year storm has a 2% probability, a ten-year storm a 10% probability, etc.
(w) “Overland Flow-way.” Surface area that conveys a concentrated flow of stormwater runoff.
(x) “Practicable.” Available and capable of being done after taking into consideration cost, existing technology and logistics.
(y) “Property Owner.” Any person, firm or corporation having legal or equitable title to property or any person having or exercising care, custody, or control over any property.
(z) “Retention Basin.” A stormwater management facility, either natural or manmade, which does not have an outlet, which captures and holds runoff directed into it.
(aa) “Runoff.” The portion of precipitation which does not infiltrate or percolate into the ground, but rather moves over the land, eventually reaching a waterbody, wetland, or low area.
(bb) “Site.” Any tract, lot, or parcel of land or combination of tracts, lots, or parcels, which compose an area proposed for development and/or earth change.
(cc) “Soil Erosion.” The stripping of soil and weathered rock from land creating sediment for transportation by water, wind or ice, and enabling formation of new sedimentary deposits.
(dd) “Soil Erosion Control.” Structures, facilities, barriers, berms, vegetative cover, basins, and/or any other installation, temporary or permanent, which are designed to minimize and prevent erosion.
(ee) “Storm Drain.” A system of open or enclosed conduits and appurtenant structures intended to convey or manage stormwater runoff, ground water and drainage.
(ff) “Stormwater Facility.” Methods, structures, BMPs, areas, or related items, which are used to control, store, receive, infiltrate, or convey runoff.,
(gg) “Stormwater Runoff.” The runoff and drainage of precipitation resulting from rainfall, snowmelt or other natural event or process.
(hh) “Village.” The Village of Wolverine Lake.
(ii) “Watershed.” The total land area which contributes runoff, or is within such an area, to a common outlet, such as a lake or stream. Also known as the drainage area.
(jj) “Wetland.” Land characterized by the presence of water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, wetland vegetation and/or aquatic life. Also known as a bog, swamp, marsh, etc. (from M.C.L.A § 324.30301, Part 303 of NREPA, Wetlands Protection). The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is the authority on the presence and regulatory status of wetlands.
(Ord. 154. Passed 10-12-11.)