A. 
Regulation of discharges to the municipal storm drainage system is necessary for the protection of the City's water bodies and groundwater, and to safeguard public health, safety, welfare, and environment. The purpose of this chapter is to improve and protect water quality, reduce erosion and sedimentation, promote environmentally sensitive site design practices, and ensure long term maintenance of stormwater controls. This chapter is required to meet all applicable federal and state requirements of the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems General Permit, commonly known as the "NPDES MS4 permit."
B. 
The purposes, objectives, and intent of this chapter are as follows:
(1) 
To prevent pollutants from entering the City's municipal storm drainage system and waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(2) 
To establish an Authorized Enforcement Agency to promulgate, adopt, implement, enforce and amend stormwater regulations;
(3) 
To prohibit nonstormwater and unauthorized discharges, connections and obstructions to the municipal storm drainage system;
(4) 
To require the removal of all such illicit discharges, connections and/or obstructions;
(5) 
To comply with state and federal statutes and regulations relating to stormwater discharges;
(6) 
To establish procedures to regulate construction and post-construction stormwater runoff management from new development and redevelopment; and
(7) 
To establish legal authority to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter through inspection, monitoring, and enforcement.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUTHORIZED ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
The Commissioner of Public Works, his/her employees, officers, or agents are designated to enforce this chapter.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), as hereafter amended.
CRITICAL AREAS
A. 
Disturbed areas 2,000 square feet or greater within the surface water supply protection area of any of the City's drinking water supplies; or
B. 
Disturbed areas of 300 square feet or greater on slopes greater than 15%.
DEVELOPMENT
Any construction or grading activities other than for agricultural and silvicultural purposes.
DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS
The addition from any source of any pollutant or combination of pollutants into the municipal storm drainage system or into the waters of the United States or Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
DISTURBED AREA
An area where land disturbance has occurred or is planned.
EROSION
A condition in which the earth's surface, including soil or rock fragment, is detached and moved away by the action of water, wind, ice, gravity or other means.
GROUNDWATER
Water beneath the surface of the ground.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
A surface or subsurface drain or conveyance, which allows an illicit discharge into the municipal storm drainage system, including, without limitation, sewage, process wastewater, or wash water and any connections from indoor drains, sinks, or toilets, regardless of whether said connection was previously allowed, permitted, or approved before the effective date of this chapter.
ILLICIT DISCHARGE
Direct or indirect discharge to the municipal storm drainage system that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except as exempted in § 154-10 of this chapter. The term does not include a discharge in compliance with a NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit or a Surface Water Discharge Permit or resulting from firefighting activities exempted pursuant to § 154-10 of this chapter.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material or structure on or above the ground that prevents water infiltrating the underlying soil. "Impervious surface" includes, without limitation, roads, paved parking lots, sidewalks, and rooftops.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any action that causes a change in the position, location, or arrangement of soil, sand, rock, gravel, or similar earth material, or results in the removal or covering up of natural vegetation.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4) or MUNICIPAL STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
The system of conveyances designed or used for collecting or conveying stormwater, including any road with a drainage system, street, gutter, curb, inlet, piped storm drain, pumping facility, retention or detention basin, natural or man-made or altered drainage channel, reservoir, and other drainage structure that together comprise the storm drainage system owned or operated by the City.
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) STORMWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT
A permit issued by United States Environmental Protection Agency or jointly with the state that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States.
NONSTORMWATER DISCHARGE
Discharge to the municipal storm drainage system not composed entirely of stormwater.
OWNER
A person with a legal or equitable interest in property.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, association, firm, company, trust, corporation, agency, authority, department or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the federal government, to the extent permitted by law, and any officer, employee, or agent of such person.
POLLUTANT
A. 
Any element or property of sewage, agricultural, industrial or commercial waste, runoff, leachate, heated effluent, or other matter, whether originating at a point or nonpoint source, that is or may be introduced into the municipal storm drainage system or waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
B. 
Pollutants shall include, without limitation:
(1) 
Paints, varnishes, and solvents;
(2) 
Oil and other automotive fluids;
(3) 
Nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes;
(4) 
Refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, ordnances, accumulations and floatables;
(5) 
Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers;
(6) 
Hazardous materials and wastes;
(7) 
Sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens;
(8) 
Dissolved and particulate metals;
(9) 
Animal wastes;
(10) 
Rock, sand, salt, soils;
(11) 
Construction wastes and residues; and
(12) 
Noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
PROCESS WASTEWATER
Water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any material, intermediate product, finished product, or waste product.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, whether mineral or organic, that is in suspension, is transported or has been moved from its site of origin by erosion.
STORMWATER
Any water resulting from rainfall or other precipitation that runs off surfaces during or after a storm, including stormwater runoff, snowmelt runoff, and surface water runoff and drainage.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
As a text, shall mean the handbook, Volume One, Volume Two, and Volume Three prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection dated February 2008 as the same may be from time to time revised.
SURFACE WATER DISCHARGE PERMIT
A permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) pursuant to 314 CMR 3.00 that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SURFACE WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION AREA
The land area which drains into the City's reservoirs. The watershed areas are depicted and identified on the Geographic Information System of the City of Fitchburg.
TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL OR WASTE
Any material which, because of its quantity, concentration, chemical, corrosive, flammable, reactive, toxic, infectious or radioactive characteristics, either separately or in combination with any substance or substances, constitutes a present or potential threat to human health, safety, welfare, or to the environment. Toxic or hazardous materials include any synthetic organic chemical, petroleum product, heavy metal, radioactive or infectious waste, acid and alkali, and any substance defined as toxic or hazardous under MGL c. 21C and c. 21E, and the regulations at 310 CMR 30.000 and 310 CMR 40.0000.
WASTEWATER
Any sanitary waste, sludge, or septic tank or cesspool overflow, and water that, during manufacturing, cleaning or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by-product or waste product.
WATERCOURSE
A natural or man-made channel, through which water flows or a stream of water, including a river, brook or underground stream.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
All waters within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including, without limitation, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, springs, impoundments, estuaries, wetlands, coastal waters, and groundwater.
WETLANDS
Coastal and freshwater wetlands, including wet meadows, marshes, swamps, and bogs, as defined and determined pursuant to MGL c. 131, § 40 and 310 CMR 10.00 et seq.
This chapter shall apply to:
A. 
Every user of the City's municipal storm drainage system, including discharges to the municipal storm drainage system and to the waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
B. 
Any land disturbance activity, including clearing, grading, and excavation in which any one or more of the following criteria are met:
(1) 
The total cumulative disturbed area exceeds 20,000 square feet.
(2) 
The proposed disturbed area constitutes a critical area as defined in § 154-2 of this chapter.
(3) 
The proposed disturbed area is located on a parcel of land having more than 5,000 square feet of existing impervious area and the project will result in a net increase of 30% or more of impervious area.
(4) 
Exemptions.
(a) 
Construction activities waived from permit coverage under the NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities.
(b) 
Routine maintenance that is performed to maintain the original line and grade, hydraulic capacity, or the original purpose of the site.
(c) 
Normal maintenance and improvement of land in agricultural use as defined by the Wetlands Protection Act regulation, 310 CMR 10.04.
(d) 
Maintenance of existing landscaping, gardens or lawn areas associated with a single-family dwelling.
(e) 
The construction of fencing that will not substantially alter existing terrain or drainage patterns.
(f) 
Construction of utilities other than drainage (gas, water, electric, telephone, etc.) which will not alter terrain or drainage patterns.
(g) 
Emergency work to protect life, limb, or property.
The Authorized Enforcement Agency, as defined in § 154-2 of this chapter, shall administer, implement and enforce this chapter, and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder. Any powers granted to or duties imposed upon the Authorized Enforcement Agency may be delegated, in writing, by the Authorized Enforcement Agency to employees or agents of the Authorized Enforcement Agency.
The Authorized Enforcement Agency may adopt and periodically amend rules and regulations, not inconsistent, herewith, to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. Said regulations may include but shall not be limited to provisions regarding administration, application requirements and fees, permitting procedures and requirements, design standards, surety requirements, inspection and site supervision requirements, waivers and exemptions, and enforcement procedures. Failure by the Authorized Enforcement Agency to promulgate such rules and regulations shall not have the effect of suspending or invalidating this chapter.
A. 
The Authorized Enforcement Agency and/or its agent shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter. To this end, the Authorized Enforcement Agency and its agent shall have the authority to seek remedies, as described within the stormwater regulations, to enforce this chapter, its regulations and/or the terms and conditions of its permit.
B. 
Any person found to be violating any of the provisions of this chapter and regulations promulgated by the Authorized Enforcement Agency pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter and by any and all applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or rules shall be subject to enforcement action, as described within the stormwater regulations. Each day in which any such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
C. 
Any person found to be violating any of the provisions of this chapter and regulations promulgated by the Authorized Enforcement Agency pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter and by any and all applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or rules shall become liable to the City for any expense, loss or damage occasioned the City by reason of such violation.
The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable. If any provision, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this chapter or the application thereof to any person, establishment, or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of this chapter.
Residential property owners shall have 90 days from the effective date of this chapter to comply with its provisions, provided good cause is shown for the failure to comply with this chapter during that period.