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 Dorchester County
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 36. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
 Article I. IN GENERAL

  § 36-5. Findings.  

Latest version.

  • The county council makes the following findings:

    (1)

    Uncontrolled stormwater runoff has significant, adverse impact on the health, safety and general welfare of the county and the quality of life of its citizens by transporting pollutants into receiving waters and by causing erosion and/or flooding. Development and redevelopment alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds and increases stormwater runoff rates and volumes, flooding, soil erosion, stream channel erosion, nonpoint and point source pollution, and sediment transport and deposition, as well as reducing groundwater recharge. These changes in stormwater runoff contribute to increased quantities of water-borne pollutants and alterations in hydrology which are harmful to public health and safety, as well as to the natural environment.

    (2)

    Development within the county and the effects of alterations to existing land use have shown evidence of downstream degradation of the county's receiving waters, thereby adversely effecting the unique qualities of the county's estuaries, its commercial and recreational fishing, the ecosystems' ability to naturally reproduce, and the general ability of the area to sustain its natural coastal resources. Development within the county that has created concentrated urbanized areas have also effected the county's receiving waters and aquatic species.

    (3)

    The county is required by federal law (33 USC 1342(p) and 40 CFR 122.26) to obtain an NPDES permit from the state department of health and environmental control (SCDHEC) for stormwater discharges from the county stormwater system. The NPDES permit requires the county to impose controls to reduce the discharge of pollutants in stormwater to the maximum extent practicable using management practices, control techniques and system, design and engineering methods, and such other provisions that are determined to be appropriate for the control of such pollutants.

    (4)

    Additionally, certain facilities that discharge stormwater associated with an industrial activity, including land disturbing activities, are required to obtain their own respective NPDES permits. Also, the state stormwater management and sediment reduction act (S.C. Code 1976, § 48-14-10 et seq.) requires the county to obtain a permit for certain land disturbing activities.

(Ord. No. 07-21, § 1.3, 8-20-2007)