HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 6705 SOIL EROSION SEDIMENTATION CONTROL ORD
Augusta Richmond GA
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ORDINANCE # 6705
Soil Erosion And Sedimentation Control Ordinance
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, BY THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY
COMMISSION, AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY AUTHORITY OF SAME AS
FOLLOWS
SECTION I
TITLE
This ordinance will be known as "Augusta, Georgia Soil Erosion and Sedimentation
Control Ordinance."
SECTION II
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this
ordinance, unless otherwise specifically stated:
1. Best Management Practices (BMP's):
A collection of structural practices and vegetative measures which, when properly
designed, installed and maintained, will provide effective erosion and sedimentation
control. The term "properly designed" means designed in accordance with the hydraulic
design specifications contained in the "Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in
Georgia" specified in O.C.G.A. 12-7-6 subsection (b).
2. Board: The Board of Natural Resources.
3. Buffer: The area of land immediately adjacent to the banks of state waters in its
natural state of vegetation, which facilitates the protection of water quality and aquatic
habitat.
4. Commission: The State Soil & Water Conservation Commission.
5. Cut: A portion of land surface or area from which earth has been removed or will be
removed by excavation; the depth below original ground surface to excavated surface.
Also known as "excavation".
6. Department: The Department of Natural Resources.
7. Director: The Director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of
Natural Resources.
8. District: The Brier Creek Soil and Water Conservation District.
9. Division: The Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural
Resources.
10. Drainage Structure: A device composed of a virtually nonerodible material such as
concrete, steel, plastic or other such material that conveys water from one place to
another by intercepting the flow and carrying it to a release point for stormwater
management, drainage control, or flood control purposes.
11. Erosion: The process by which land surface is worn away by the action of wind,
water, ice or gravity.
12. Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan: A plan for the control of soil erosion
and sedimentation resulting from a land- disturbing activity. Also known as the "plan".
13. Fill: A portion of land surface to which soil or other solid material has been added;
the depth above the original ground.
14. Finished Grade: The final elevation and contour of the ground after cutting or filling
and conforming to the proposed design.
15. Grading: Altering the shape of ground surfaces to a predetermined condition; this
includes stripping, cutting, filling, stockpiling and shaping or any combination thereof
and shall include the land in its cut or filled condition.
16. Ground Elevation: The original elevation of the ground surface prior to cutting or
filling.
17. Land-Disturbing Activity: Any activity which may result in soil erosion from water
or wind and the movement of sediments into state waters or onto lands within the state,
including, but not limited to, clearing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting, and
filling of land but not including agricultural practices as described in Section III,
Paragraph 5.
18. Larger Common Plan of Development or Sale: A contiguous area where multiple
separate and distinct construction activities are occurring under one plan of
development or sale. For the purposes of this paragraph, "plan" means an
announcement; piece of documentation such as a sign, public notice or hearing, sales
pitch, advertisement, drawing, permit application, zoning request, or computer design;
or physical demarcation such as boundary signs, lot stakes, or surveyor markings,
indicating that construction activities may occur on a specific plot.
19. Local Issuing Authority: The governing authority of any county or municipality
which is certified pursuant to subsection (a) a.c.G.A. 12-7-8.
20. Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA): A state law referenced as a.c.G.A.
12-5-440 et.seq, which addresses environmental and developmental matters in certain
metropolitan river corridors and their drainage basins.
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21. Natural Ground Surface: The ground surface in its original state before any
grading, excavation or filling.
22. Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU): Numerical units of measure based upon
photometric analytical techniques for measuring the light scattered by finely divided
particles of a substance in suspension. This technique is used to estimate the extent of
turbidity in water in which colloidally dispersed particles are present.
23. Operator: The party or parties that have: (A) operational control of construction
project plans and specifications, including the ability to make modifications to those
plans and specifications; or (B) day-to-day operational control of those activities that are
necessary to ensure compliance with a storm-water pollution prevention plan for the site
or other permit conditions, such as a person authorized to direct workers at a site to
carry out activities required by the storm-water pollution prevention plan or to comply
with other permit conditions.
24. Permit: The authorization necessary to conduct a land-disturbing activity under the
provisions of this ordinance.
25. Person: Any individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private
corporation, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility,
cooperative, state agency, municipality or other political subdivision of this State, any
interstate body or any other legal entity.
26. Project: The entire proposed development project regardless of the size of the area
of land to be disturbed.
27. Qualified Personnel: Any person who meets or exceeds the education and training
requirements of a.c.G.A. 12-7-19.
28. Roadway Drainage Structure: A device such as a bridge, culvert, or ditch,
composed of a virtually nonerodible material such as concrete, steel, plastic, or other
such material that conveys water under a roadway by intercepting the flow on one side
of a traveled way consisting of one or more defined lanes, with or without shoulder
areas, and carrying water to a release point on the other side.
29. Sediment: Solid material, both organic and inorganic, that is in suspension, is being
transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water, ice, or gravity as a
product of erosion.
30. Sedimentation: The process by which eroded material is transported and deposited
by the action of water, wind, ice or gravity.
31. Soil and Water Conservation District Approved Plan: An erosion and
sedimentation control plan approved in writing by the Brier Creek soil and water
conservation district.
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32. Stabilization: The process of establishing an enduring soil cover of vegetation by
the installation of temporary or permanent structures for the purpose of reducing to a
minimum the erosion process and the resultant transport of sediment by wind, water, ice
or gravity.
33. State General Permit: The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
general permit or permits for stormwater runoff from construction activities as is now in
effect or as may be amended or reissued in the future pursuant to the state's authority
to implement the same through federal delegation under the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251, et seq., and subsection (f) of Code
Section 12-5-30.
34. State Waters: Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, branches, lakes, reservoirs,
ponds, drainage systems, springs, wells, and other bodies of surface or subsurface
water, natural or artificial, lying within or forming a part of the boundaries of the State
which are not entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a single
individual, partnership, or corporation.
35. Structural Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices: Practices for the
stabilization of erodible or sediment producing areas by utilizing the mechanical
properties of matter for the purpose of either changing the surface of the land or storing,
regulating or disposing of runoff to prevent excessive sediment loss. Examples of
structural erosion and sediment control practices are riprap, sediment basins, dikes,
level spreaders, waterways or outlets, diversions, grade stabilization structures,
sediment traps and land grading, etc. Such practices can be found in the publication
Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia.
36. Trout Streams: All streams or portions of streams within the watershed as
designated by the Game and Fish Division of the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources under the provisions of the Georgia Water Quality Control Act, a.c.G.A. 12-
5-20 et. seq. Streams designated as primary trout waters are defined as water
supporting a self- sustaining population of rainbow, brown or brook trout. Streams
designated as secondary trout waters are those in which there is no evidence of natural
trout reproduction, but are capable of supporting trout throughout the year. First order
trout waters are streams into which no other streams flow except springs.
37. Vegetative Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures: Measures for the
stabilization of erodible or sediment producing areas by covering the soil with:
a. Permanent seeding, sprigging or planting, producing long-term vegetative
cover; or
b. Temporary seeding, producing short-term vegetative cover; or
c. Sodding, covering areas with a turf of perennial sod forming grass.
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Such measures can be found In the publication Manual for Erosion and Sediment
Control in Georgia.
38. Watercourse: Any natural or artificial watercourse, stream, river, creek, channel,
ditch, canal, conduit, culvert, drain, waterway, gully, ravine, or wash in which water
flows either continuously or intermittently and which has a definite channel, bed and
banks, and including any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reason of
overflow or floodwater.
39. Wetlands: Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water
at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances
do support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
SECTION III
EXEMPTIONS
This ordinance shall apply to any land disturbing activity undertaken by any person on
any land except for the following:
1. Surface mining, as the same is defined in a.C.G.A. 12-4-72, "Mineral Resources and
Caves Act";
2. Granite quarrying and land clearing for such quarrying;
3. Such minor land-disturbing activities as home gardens and individual home
landscaping, repairs, maintenance work, fences, and other related activities which result
in minor soil erosion;
4. The construction of single-family residences, when such construction disturbs less
than one acre and is not part of a larger common plan of development or sale with a
planned disturbance of equal to or greater than one acre and not otherwise exempted
under this paragraph; provided, however, that construction of any such residence shall
conform to the minimum requirements as set forth in Section IV of this ordinance and
this paragraph. For single-family residence construction covered by the provisions of
this paragraph, there shall be a buffer zone between the residence and any state waters
classified as trout streams pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 5 of the Georgia Water
Quality Control Act. In any such buffer zone, no land-disturbing activity shall be
constructed between the residence and the point where vegetation has been wrested by
normal stream flow or wave action from the banks of the trout waters. For primary trout
waters, the buffer zone shall be at least 50 horizontal feet, and no variance to a smaller
buffer shall be granted. For secondary trout waters, the buffer zone shall be at least 50
horizontal feet, but the Director may grant variances to no less than 25 feet. Regardless
of whether a trout stream is primary or secondary, for first order trout waters, which are
streams into which no other streams flow except for springs, the buffer shall be at least
25 horizontal feet, and no variance to a smaller buffer shall be granted. The minimum
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requirements of Section IV of this ordinance and the buffer zones provided by this
section shall be enforced by the issuing authority;
5. Agricultural operations as defined in a.c.G.A. 1-3-3, "definitions", to include raising,
harvesting or storing of products of the field or orchard; feeding, breeding or managing
livestock or poultry; producing or storing feed for use in the production of livestock,
including but not limited to cattle, calves, swine, hogs, goats, sheep, and rabbits or for
use in the production of poultry, including but not limited to chickens, hens and turkeys;
producing plants, trees, fowl, or animals; the production of aqua culture, horticultural,
dairy, livestock, poultry, eggs and apiarian products; farm buildings and farm ponds;
6. Forestry land management practices, including harvesting; provided, however, that
when such exempt forestry practices cause or result in land-disturbing or other activities
otherwise prohibited in a buffer, as established in paragraphs (15) and (16) of Section
IV C. of this ordinance, no other land-disturbing activities, except for normal forest
management practices, shall be allowed on the entire property upon which the forestry
practices were conducted for a period of three years after completion of such forestry
practices;
7. Any project carried out under the technical supervision of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture;
8. Any project involving less than one acre of disturbed area; provided, however, that
this exemption shall not apply to any land-disturbing activity within a larger common
plan of development or sale with a planned disturbance of equal to or greater than one
acre or within 200 feet of the bank of any state waters, and for purposes of this
paragraph, "State Waters" excludes channels and drainageways which have water in
them only during and immediately after rainfall events and intermittent streams which do
not have water in them year- round; provided, however, that any person responsible for
a project which involves less than one acre, which involves land-disturbing activity, and
which is within 200 feet of any such excluded channel or drainageway, must prevent
sediment from moving beyond the boundaries of the property on which such project is
located and provided, further, that nothing contained herein shall prevent the Local
Issuing Authority from regulating any such project which is not specifically exempted by
paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 or 10 of this section;
9. Construction or maintenance projects, or both, undertaken or financed in whole or in
part, or both, by the Department of Transportation, the Georgia Highway Authority, or
the State Tollway Authority; or any road construction or maintenance project, or both,
undertaken by any county or municipality; provided, however, that construction or
maintenance projects of Department of Transportation or State Tollway Authority which
disturb one or more contiguous acres of land shall be subject to provisions of a.c.G.A.
12-7-7.1; except where the Department of Transportation, the Georgia Highway
Authority, or the State Road and Tollway Authority is a secondary permittee for a project
located within a larger common plan of development or sale under the state general
permit, in which case a copy of a notice of intent under the state general permit shall be
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submitted to the local issuing authority, the local issuing authority shall enforce
compliance with the minimum requirements set forth in O.C.G.A. 12-7-6 as if a permit
had been issued, and violations shall be subject to the same penalties as violations by
permit holders;
10. Any land-disturbing activities conducted by any electric membership corporation or
municipal electrical system or any public utility under the regulatory jurisdiction of the
Public Service Commission, any utility under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, any cable television system as defined in O.C.G.A. 36-
18-1, or any agency or instrumentality of the United States engaged in the generation,
transmission, or distribution of power; except where an electric membership corporation
or municipal electrical system or any public utility under the regulatory jurisdiction of the
Public Service Commission, any utility under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, any cable television system as defined in O.C.G.A. 36-
18-1,or any agency or instrumentality of the United states engaged in the generation,
transmission, or distribution of power is a secondary permittee for a project located
within a larger common plan of development or sale under the state general permit, in
which case the local issuing authority shall enforce compliance with the minimum
requirements set forth in O.C.G.A. 12-7-6 as if a permit had been issued, and violations
shall be subject to the same penalties as violations by permit holders; and
11. Any public water system reservoir.
SECTION IV
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL
USING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Excessive soil erosion and resulting sedimentation can take place during land-disturbing
activities. Therefore, plans for those land-disturbing activities which are not exempted
by this ordinance shall contain provisions for application of soil erosion and
sedimentation control measures and practices. The provisions shall be incorporated into
the erosion and sedimentation control plans. Soil erosion and sedimentation control
measures and practices shall conform to the minimum requirements of Section IV B. &
C. of this ordinance. The application of measures and practices shall apply to all
features of the site, including street and utility installations, drainage facilities and other
temporary and permanent improvements. Measures shall be installed to prevent or
control erosion and sedimentation pollution during all stages of any land disturbing
activity.
B. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/BMPs
1. Best management practices as set forth in Section IV B. & C. of this ordinance shall
be required for all land-disturbing activities. Proper design, installation, and
maintenance of best management practices shall constitute a complete defense to any
action by the director or to any other allegation of noncompliance with paragraph (2) of
this subsection or any substantially similar terms contained in a permit for the discharge
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of stormwater issued pursuant to subsection (f) of a.C.G.A. 12-5-30, the "Georgia
Water Quality Control Act". As used in this subsection the terms "proper design" and
"properly designed" mean designed in accordance with the hydraulic design
specifications contained in the "Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia"
specified in a.C.G.A. 12-7-6 subsection (b).
2. A discharge of stormwater runoff from disturbed areas where best management
practices have not been properly designed, installed, and maintained shall constitute a
separate violation of any land disturbing permit issued by a local Issuing Authority or of
any state general permit for construction activities issued by the Division pursuant to
subsection (f) of a.c.G.A. 12-5-30, the "Georgia Water Quality Control Act", for each
day on which such discharge results in the turbidity of receiving waters being increased
by more than 25 nephelometric turbidity units for waters supporting warm water
fisheries or by more than ten nephelometric turbidity units for waters classified as trout
waters. The turbidity of the receiving waters shall be measured in accordance with
guidelines to be issued by the Director. This paragraph shall not apply to any land
disturbance associated with the construction of single family homes which are not part
of a larger common plan of development or sale unless the planned disturbance for
such construction is equal to or greater than five acres.
3. Failure to properly design, install, or maintain best management practices shall
constitute a violation of any land- disturbing permit issued by a Local Issuing Authority
or of any state general permit issued by the Division pursuant to subsection (f) of Code
Section 12-5-30, the "Georgia Water Quality Control Act", for each day on which such
failure occurs.
4. The Director may require, in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board,
reasonable and prudent monitoring of the turbidity level of receiving waters into which
discharges from land disturbing activities occur. The rules and regulations, ordinances,
or resolutions adopted pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of governing land-
disturbing activities shall require, as a minimum, protections at least as stringent as the
state general permit; and best management practices, including sound conservation
and engineering practices to prevent and minimize erosion and resultant sedimentation,
which are consistent with, and no less stringent than, those practices contained in the
Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia published by the Georgia Soil and
Water Conservation Commission as of January 1 of the year in which the land-
disturbing activity was permitted, as well as the following:
1. Stripping of vegetation, regarding and other development activities shall be
conducted in a manner so as to minimize erosion;
2. Cut-fill operations must be kept to a minimum;
3. Development plans must conform to topography and soil type so as to create
the lowest practical erosion potential;
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4. Whenever feasible, natural vegetation shall be retained, protected and
supplemented;
5. The disturbed area and the duration of exposure to erosive elements shall be
kept to a practicable minimum;
6. Disturbed soil shall be stabilized as quickly as practicable;
7. Temporary vegetation or mulching shall be employed to protect exposed
critical areas during development;
8. Permanent vegetation and structural erosion control practices shall be
installed as soon as practicable;
9. To the extent necessary, sediment in run-off water must be trapped by the use
of debris basins, sediment basins, silt traps, or similar measures until the
disturbed area is stabilized. As used in this paragraph, a disturbed area is
stabilized when it is brought to a condition of continuous compliance with the
requirements of a.c.G.A. 12-7-1 et. seq.;
10. Adequate provisions must be provided to minimiZe damage from surface
water to the cut face of excavations or the sloping of fills;
11. Cuts and fills may not endanger adjoining property;
12. Fills may not encroach upon natural watercourses or constructed channels in
a manner so as to adversely affect other property owners;
13. Grading equipment must cross flowing streams by means of bridges or
culverts except when such methods are not feasible, provided, in any case, that
such crossings are kept to a minimum;
14. Land-disturbing activity plans for erosion and sedimentation control shall
include provisions for treatment or control of any source of sediments and
adequate sedimentation control facilities to retain sediments on-site or preclude
sedimentation of adjacent waters beyond the levels specified in Section IV B. 2.
of this ordinance
15. Except as provided in paragraph (16) of this subsection, there is established
a 25 foot buffer along the banks of all state waters, as measured horizontally
from the point where vegetation has been wrested by normal stream flow or
wave action, except where the Director determines to allow a variance that is at
least as protective of natural resources and the environment, where otherwise
allowed by the Director pursuant to a.c.G.A. 12-2-8, or where a drainage
structure or a roadway drainage structure must be constructed, provided that
adequate erosion control measures are incorporated in the project plans and
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specifications, and are implemented; provided, however, the buffers of at least
25 feet established pursuant to part 6 of Article 5, Chapter 5 of Title 12, the
"Georgia Water Quality Control Act", shall remain in force unless a variance is
granted by the Director as provided in this paragraph. The following requirements
shall apply to any such buffer:
a. No land-disturbing activities shall be conducted within a buffer and a
buffer shall remain in its natural, undisturbed state of vegetation until all
land disturbing activities on the construction site are completed. Once the
final stabilization of the site is achieved, a buffer may be thinned or
trimmed of vegetation as long as a protective vegetative cover remains to
protect water quality and aquatic habitat and a natural canopy is left in
sufficient quantity to keep shade on the stream bed; provided, however,
that any person constructing a single family residence, when such
residence is constructed by or under contract with the owner for his or her
own occupancy, may thin or trim vegetation in a buffer at any time as long
as protective vegetative cover remains to protect water quality and aquatic
habitat and a natural canopy is left in sufficient quantity to keep shade on
the stream bed; and
b. The buffer shall not apply to the following land-disturbing activities,
provided that they occur at an angle, as measured from the point of
crossing, within 25 degrees of perpendicular to the stream; cause a width
of disturbance of not more than 50 feet within the buffer; and adequate
erosion control measures are incorporated into the project plans and
specifications and are implemented: (i) Stream crossings for water lines;
or (ii) Stream crossings for sewer lines; and
16. There is established a 50 foot buffer as measured horizontally from the point
where vegetation has been wrested by normal stream flow or wave action, along
the banks of any state waters classified as "trout streams" pursuant to Article 2
of Chapter 5 of Title 12, the "Georgia Water Quality Control Act", except where a
roadway drainage structure must be constructed; provided, however, that small
springs and streams classified as trout streams which discharge an average
annual flow of 25 gallons per minute or less shall have a 25 foot buffer or they
may be piped, at the discretion of the landowner, pursuant to the terms of a rule
providing for a general variance promulgated by the Board, so long as any such
pipe stops short of the downstream landowner's property and the landowner
complies with the buffer requirement for any adjacent trout streams. The Director
may grant a variance from such buffer to allow land-disturbing activity, provided
that adequate erosion control measures are incorporated in the project plans and
specifications and are implemented. The following requirements shall apply to
such buffer:
a. No land-disturbing activities shall be conducted within a buffer and a
buffer shall remain in its natural, undisturbed, state of vegetation until all
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land disturbing activities on the construction site are completed. Once the
final stabilization of the site is achieved, a buffer may be thinned or
trimmed of vegetation as long as a protective vegetative cover remains to
protect water quality and aquatic habitat and a natural canopy is left in
sufficient quantity to keep shade on the stream bed: provided, however,
that any person constructing a single- family residence, when such
residence is constructed by or under contract with the owner for his or her
own occupancy, may thin or trim vegetation in a buffer at any time as long
as protective vegetative cover remains to protect water quality and aquatic
habitat and a natural canopy is left in sufficient quantity to keep shade on
the stream bed; and
b. The buffer shall not apply to the following land-disturbing activities,
provided that they occur at an angle, as measured from the point of
crossing, within 25 degrees of perpendicular to the stream; cause a width
of disturbance of not more than 50 feet within the buffer; and adequate
erosion control measures are incorporated into the project plans and
specifications and are implemented: (i) Stream crossings for water lines;
or (ii) Stream crossings for sewer lines.
D. Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent any Local Issuing Authority
from adopting rules and regulations, ordinances, or resolutions which contain stream
buffer requirements that exceed the minimum requirements in Section IV B. & C. of this
ordinance.
E. The fact that land-disturbing activity for which a permit has been issued results
in injury to the property of another shall neither constitute proof of nor create a
presumption of a violation of the standards provided for in this ordinance or the terms of
the permit.
SECTION V
APPLlCA TION/PERMIT PROCESS
A. GENERAL
The property owner, developer and designated planners and engineers shall review the
general development plans and detailed plans of the Local Issuing Authority that affect
the tract to be developed and the area surrounding it. They shall review the zoning
ordinance, stormwater management ordinance, subdivision ordinance, flood damage
prevention ordinance, this ordinance, and other ordinances which regulate the
development of land within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Local Issuing Authority.
However, the property owner operator is the only party who may obtain a permit.
B. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. No person shall conduct any land disturbing activity within the jurisdictional
boundaries of Augusta Georgia without first obtaining a permit from the Augusta-
Richmond County Planning and Zoning Commission to perform such activity.
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2. The application for a permit shall be submitted to the Augusta Richmond County
Planning and Zoning Commission and must include the applicant's erosion and
sedimentation control plan with supporting data, as necessary. Said plans shall include,
as a minimum, the data specified in Section V C. of this ordinance. Soil erosion and
sedimentation control plans shall conform to the provisions of Section IV B. & C. of this
ordinance. Applications for a permit will not be accepted unless accompanied by (6)
copies of the applicant's soil erosion and sedimentation control plans. All applications
shall contain a certification stating that the plan preparer or the designee thereof visited
the site prior to creation of the plan or that such a visit was not required in accordance
with rules and regulations established by the board.
3. A fee, in the amount of up to, but not exceeding three thousand dollars $3,000.00
shall be charged for each acre or fraction thereof in the project area.
4. In addition to the local permitting fees, fees will also be assessed pursuant to
paragraph (5) subsection (a) of a.C.G.A. 12-5-23, provided that such fees shall not
exceed $80.00 per acre of land disturbing activity, and these fees shall be calculated
and paid by the primary permittee as defined in the state general permit for each acre of
land-disturbing activity included in the planned development or each phase of
development. All applicable fees shall be paid prior to issuance of the land disturbance
permit. In a jurisdiction that is certified pursuant to subsection (a) of a.c.G.A. 12-7-8
half of such fees levied shall be submitted to the division; except that any and all fees
due from an entity which is required to give notice pursuant to paragraph (9) or (10) of
a.c.G.A. 12-7-17 shall be submitted in full to the division, regardless of the existence of
a local issuing authority in the jurisdiction.
5. Immediately upon receipt of an application and plan for a permit, the Local Issuing
Authority shall refer the application and plan to the District for its review and approval or
disapproval concerning the adequacy of the erosion and sedimentation control plan. A
District shall approve or disapprove a plan within 35 days of receipt. Failure of a District
to act within 35 days shall be considered an approval of the pending plan. The results of
the District review shall be forwarded to the Issuing Authority. No permit will be issued
unless the plan has been approved by the District, and any variances required by
Section IV C. 15. & 16 and bonding, if required as per Section V B.5. (b), have been
obtained. Such review will not be required if the Issuing Authority and the District have
entered into an agreement which allows the Issuing Authority to conduct such review
and approval of the plan without referring the application and plan to the District.
6. If a permit applicant has had two or more violations of previous permits, this
ordinance section, or the Erosion and Sedimentation Act, as amended, within three
years prior to the date of filing of the application under consideration, the Local Issuing
Authority may deny the permit application.
7. The Local Issuing Authority may require the permit applicant to post a bond in the
form of government security, cash, irrevocable letter of credit, or any combination
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thereof up to, but not exceeding, $3,000.00 per acre or fraction thereof of the proposed
land-disturbing activity, prior to issuing the permit. If the applicant does not comply with
this ordinance or with the conditions of the permit after issuance, the Local Issuing
Authority may call the bond or any part thereof to be forfeited and may use the proceeds
to hire a contractor to stabilize the site of the land-disturbing activity and bring it into
compliance. These provisions shall not apply unless there is in effect an ordinance or
statute specifically providing for hearing and judicial review of any determination or
order of the Local Issuing Authority with respect to alleged permit violations.
C. PLAN REQUIREMENTS
1. Plans must be prepared to meet the minimum requirements as contained in Section
IV B. & C. of this ordinance. Conformance with the minimum requirements may be
attained through the use of design criteria in the current issue of the Manual for Erosion
and Sediment Control in Georgia, published by the State Soil and Water Conservation
Commission as a guide; or through the use of more stringent, alternate design criteria
which conform to sound conservation and engineering practices. The Manual for
Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia is hereby incorporated by reference into this
ordinance. The plan for the land-disturbing activity shall consider the interrelationship of
the soil types, geological and hydrological characteristics, topography, watershed,
vegetation, proposed permanent structures including roadways, constructed waterways,
sediment control and storm water management facilities, local ordinances and State
laws.
2. Data Required for Site Plan
a. Narrative or notes, and other information: Notes or narrative to be located on
the site plan in general notes or in erosion and sediment control notes.
b. Description of existing land use at project site and description of proposed
project.
c. Name, address, and phone number of the property owner.
d. Name and phone number of 24-hour local contact who is responsible for
erosion and sedimentation controls.
e. Size of project, or phase under construction, in acres.
f. Activity schedule showing anticipated starting and completion dates for the
project. Include the statement in bold letters, that "the installation of erosion and
sedimentation control measures and practices shall occur prior to or concurrent
with land disturbing activities."
g. Stormwater and sedimentation management systems-storage capacity,
hydrologic study, and calculations, including off-site drainage areas.
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h. Vegetative plan for all temporary and permanent vegetative measures,
including species, planting dates, and seeding, fertilizer, lime, and mulching
rates. The vegetative plan should show options for year-round seeding.
i. Detail drawings for all structural practices. Specifications may follow guidelines
set forth in the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia.
j. Maintenance statement - "Erosion and sedimentation control measures will be
maintained at all times. If full implementation of the approved plan does not
provide for effective erosion and sediment control, additional erosion and
sediment control measures shall be implemented to control or treat the sediment
source."
3. Maps, drawings, and supportive computations shall bear the signature/seal of a
registered or certified professional in engineering, architecture, landscape architecture,
land surveying, or erosion and sedimentation control. After December 31, 2006, all
persons involved in land development design, review, permitting, construction,
monitoring, or inspection or any land-disturbing activity shall meet the education and
training certification requirements as developed by the commission pursuant to
a.c.G.A. 12-7-20. The certified plans shall contain:
a. Graphic scale and north point or arrow indicating magnetic north.
b. Vicinity maps showing location of project and existing streets.
c. Boundary line survey.
d. Delineation of disturbed areas within project boundary.
e. Existing and planned contours, with an interval in accordance with the
following:
Map Scale
1 inch = 100 ft.
or larger scale
Ground Slope
Flat 0-2%
Rolling 2-8%
Steep 8% +
Contour Interval. ft.
0.5 or 1
1or2
2. 5 or 10
f. Adjacent areas and feature areas such as streams, lakes, residential areas,
etc. which might be affected should be indicated on the plan.
g. Proposed structures or additions to existing structures and paved areas.
h. Delineate the 25-foot horizontal buffer adjacent to state waters and the
specified width in MRPA areas.
i. Delineate the specified horizontal buffer along designated trout streams, where
applicable.
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j. Location of erosion and sedimentation control measures and practices using
coding symbols from the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia,
Chapter 6.
4. Maintenance of all soil erosion and sedimentation control practices, whether
temporary or permanent, shall be at all times the responsibility of the property owner.
D. PERMITS
1. Permits shall be issued or denied as soon as practicable but in any event not later
than forty-five (45) days after receipt by the Local Issuing Authority of a completed
application, providing variances and bonding are obtained, where necessary.
2. No permit shall be issued by the Local Issuing Authority unless the erosion and
sedimentation control plan has been approved by the District and the Local Issuing
Authority has affirmatively determined that the plan is in compliance with this ordinance,
any variances required by Section IV C. 15. & 16 are obtained, bonding requirements, if
necessary, as per Section V B. 5. (b) are met and all ordinances and rules and
regulations in effect within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Local Issuing Authority
are met. If the permit is denied, the reason for denial shall be furnished to the applicant.
3. If the tract is to be developed in phases, then a separate permit shall be required for
each phase.
4. The permit may be suspended, revoked, or modified by the Local Issuing Authority,
as to all or any portion of the land affected by the plan, upon finding that the holder or
his successor in the title is not in compliance with the approved erosion and
sedimentation control plan or that the holder or his successor in title is in violation of this
ordinance. A holder of a permit shall notify any successor in title to him as to all or any
portion of the land affected by the approved plan of the conditions contained in the
permit.
SECTION VI
INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
A. The Augusta Public Works and Engineering Department will periodically inspect the
sites of land-disturbing activities for which permits have been issued to determine if the
activities are being conducted in accordance with the plan and if the measures required
in the plan are effective in controlling erosion and sedimentation. Also, the Local
Issuing Authority shall regulate both primary and secondary permittees as such terms
are defined in the state general permit. Primary permitees shall be responsible for
installation and maintenance of best management practices where the primary permitee
is conducting land-disturbing activities. Secondary permitees shall be responsible for
installation and maintenance of best management practices where the secondary
permittee is conducting land-disturbing activities. If, through inspection, it is deemed that
a person engaged in land-disturbing activities as defined herein has failed to comply
with the approved plan, with permit conditions, or with the provisions of this ordinance, a
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written notice to comply shall be served upon that person. The notice shall set forth the
measures necessary to achieve compliance and shall state the time within which such
measures must be completed. If the person engaged in the land-disturbing activity fails
to comply within the time specified, he shall be deemed in violation of this ordinance.
B. The Augusta Public Works and Engineering Department shall have the power to
conduct such investigations as it may reasonably deem necessary to carry out duties as
prescribed in this ordinance, and for this purpose to enter at reasonable times upon any
property, public or private, for the purpose of investigation and inspecting the sites of
land-disturbing activities.
C. No person shall refuse entry or access to any authorized representative or agent of
the Issuing Authority, the Commission, the District, or Division who requests entry for
the purposes of inspection, and who presents appropriate credentials, nor shall any
person obstruct, hamper or interfere with any such representative while in the process
of carrying out his official duties.
D. The Districts or the Commission or both shall periodically review the actions of
counties and municipalities which have been certified as Local Issuing Authorities
pursuant to a.c.G.A. 12-7-8 (a). The Districts or the Commission or both may provide
technical assistance to any county or municipality for the purpose of improving the
effectiveness of the county's or municipality's erosion and sedimentation control
program. The Districts or the Commission shall notify the Division and request
investigation by the Division if any deficient or ineffective local program is found.
E. The Board, on or before December 31, 2003, shall promulgate rules and regulations
setting forth the requirements and standards for certification and the procedures for
decertification of a local issuing authority. The Division may periodically review the
actions of counties and municipalities which have been certified as Local Issuing
Authorities pursuant to Code Section 12-7-8 (a). Such review may include, but shall not
be limited to, review of the administration and enforcement of a governing authority's
ordinance and review of conformance with an agreement, if any, between the district
and the governing authority. If such review indicates that the governing authority of any
county or municipality certified pursuant to a.c.G.A. 12-7-8 (a) has not administered or
enforced its ordinances or has not conducted the program in accordance with any
agreement entered into pursuant to a.c.G.A. 12-7-7 f61 (e), the Division shall notify the
governing authority of the county or municipality in writing. The governing authority of
any county or municipality so notified shall have 30 days within which to take the
necessary corrective action to retain certification as a Local Issuing Authority. If the
county or municipality does not take necessary corrective action within 30 days after
notification by the division, the division may revoke the certification of the county or
municipality as an a Local Issuing Authority.
SECTION VII
PENALTIES AND INCENTIVES
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A. FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR LAND-DISTURBING ACTIVITY
If any person commences any land disturbing activity requiring a land disturbing permit
as prescribed in this ordinance without first obtaining said permit, the person shall be
subject to revocation of his business license, work permit or other authorization for the
conduct of a business and associated work activities within the jurisdictional boundaries
of the Issuing Authority.
B. STOP-WORK ORDERS
1. For the first and second violations of the provisions of this ordinance, the Director or
the Local Issuing Authority shall issue a written warning to the violator. The violator shall
have five days to correct the violation. If the violation is not corrected within five days,
the Director or the Local Issuing Authority shall issue a stop-work order requiring that
land-disturbing activities be stopped until necessary corrective action or mitigation has
occurred; provided, however, that, if the violation presents an imminent threat to public
health or waters of the state or if the land-disturbing activities are conducted without
obtaining the necessary permit, the Director or the Local Issuing Authority shall issue an
immediate stop-work order in lieu of a warning;
2. For a third and each subsequent violation, the Director or the Local Issuing Authority
shall issue an immediate stop-work order; and;
3. All stop-work orders shall be effective immediately upon issuance and shall be in
effect until the necessary corrective action or mitigation has occurred.
4. When a violation in the form of taking action without a permit, failure to maintain a
stream buffer, or significant amounts of sediment, as determined by the local issuing
authority or by the director or his or her designee, have been or are being discharged
into state waters and where best management practices have not been properly
designed, installed, and maintained, a stop work order shall be issued by the local
issuing authority or by the director or his or her designee. All such stop work orders
shall be effective immediately upon issuance and shall be in effect until the necessary
corrective action or mitigation has occurred. Stop work orders shall apply to all land-
disturbing activity on the site with the exception of the installation and maintenance of
temporary or permanent erosion and sediment controls.
C. BOND FORFEITURE
If, through inspection, it is determined that a person engaged in land-disturbing activities
has failed to comply with the approved plan, a written notice to comply shall be served
upon that person. The notice shall set forth the measures necessary to achieve
compliance with the plan and shall state the time within which such measures must be
completed. If the person engaged in the land-disturbing activity fails to comply within the
time specified, he shall be deemed in violation of this ordinance and, in addition to other
penalties, shall be deemed to have forfeited his performance bond, if required to post
one under the provisions of Section V B. 5. (b). The Issuing Authority may call the bond
or any part thereof to be forfeited and may use the proceeds to hire a contractor to
stabilize the site of the land-disturbing activity and bring it into compliance.
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D. MONETARY PENALTIES
Any person who violates any provisions of this ordinance or any permit condition or
limitation established pursuant to this ordinance, or who negligently or intentionally fails
or refuses to comply with any final or emergency order of the Director issued as
provided in this ordinance shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500.00 per
day. For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this ordinance, notwithstanding any
provisions in any City charter to the contrary, municipal courts shall be authorized to
impose penalty not to exceed $2,500.00 for each violation. Notwithstanding any
limitation of law as to penalties which can be assessed for violations of county
ordinances, any magistrate court or any other court of competent jurisdiction trying
cases brought as violations of this ordinance under county ordinances approved under
this ordinance shall be authorized to impose penalties for such violations not to exceed
$2,500.00 for each violation. Each day during which violation or failure or refusal to
comply continues shall be a separate violation.
SECTION VIII
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
After December 31, 2006, all persons involved in land development design, review,
permitting, construction, monitoring, or inspection or any land disturbing activity shall
meet the education and training certification requirements, dependent on their level of
involvement with the process, as developed by the commission in consultation with the
division and the stakeholder advisory board created pursuant to O.C.G.A. 12-7-20.
SECTION IX
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL
JUDICIAL REVIEW
A. ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES
The suspension, revocation, modification or grant with condition of a permit by the
issuing Authority upon finding that the holder is not in compliance with the approved
erosion and sediment control plan; or that the holder is in violation of permit conditions;
or that the holder is in violation of any ordinance; shall entitle the person submitting the
plan or holding the permit to a hearing before the Augusta Richmond County
Commission within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Issuing Authority of written notice
of appeal.
B. JUDICIAL REVIEW
Any person, aggrieved by a decision or order of the Issuing Authority, after exhausting
his administrative remedies, shall have the right to appeal denovo to the Superior Court
of Richmond County, Georgia.
SECTION X
EFFECTIVITY, VALIDITY AND LIABILITY
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A. EFFECTIVITY
This ordinance shall become effective on the 1 st day of July 2004
B. VALIDITY
If any section, paragraph, clause, phrase, or provIsion of this ordinance shall be
adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, such decisions shall not effect the remaining
portions of this ordinance.
C. LIABILITY
1. Neither the approval of a plan under the provIsions of this ordinance, nor the
compliance with provisions of this ordinance shall relieve any person from the
responsibility for damage to any person or property otherwise imposed by law nor
impose any liability upon the Issuing Authority or District for damage to any person or
property.
2. The fact that a land-disturbing activity for which a permit has been issued results in
injury to the property of another shall neither constitute proof of nor create a
presumption of a violation of the standards provided for in this ordinance or the terms of
the permit.
3. No provision of this ordinance shall permit any persons to violate the Georgia Erosion
and Sedimentation Act of 1975, the Georgia Water Quality Control Act or the rules and
regulations promulgated and approved thereunder or pollute any Waters of the State as
defined thereby. ~
Duly adopted by the Augusta Commission, this IS- day of ~v--'2- ,2004.
~
ATTEST
~ BobYoung,
I, the undersigned,
copy of an Ordinan
followip,g date, t "t
this IS!t day 0
Clerk, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a we and correct
Augusta-Richmond County Commission at a meeting held on the
2004, as the same appears on the minutes of said Commission
Approved by the Augusta Richmond County Commission June 15, 2004
Clerk
Published in the Augusta Chronicle July 8,2004
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First Reading: Jlll1e 15,2004
Second Reading: Waived
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