Duluth UDC § 1025

1. The purpose of this Division V of this Article is to protect the public health, safety, environment and general welfare through: the regulation of non-stormwater discharges to the city separate storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable as required by federal and state law; establishing minimum requirements and procedures to control the adverse effects of increased post-development stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution associated with new development and redevelopment; and establishing methods for controlling the introduction of non-stormwater discharges into the city separate storm sewer system in order to comply with requirements of the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit process. It has been determined that proper management of post-development stormwater runoff will minimize damage to public and private property and infrastructure, safeguard the public health, safety, environment and general welfare of the public, and protect water and aquatic resources. 2. The objectives of Division V of this Article are to: a. Comply with all state department of natural resources (DNR) and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stormwater regulations developed pursuant to the Clean Water Act; b. Prohibit illicit discharges and illegal connections to the city separate storm sewer system; c. Prevent non-stormwater discharges, generated as a result of spills, inappropriate dumping or disposal, to the city separate storm sewer system; d. Establish decision-making processes surrounding land development activities that protect the integrity of the watershed and preserve the health of water resources; e. Require that new development and redevelopment maintain the pre-development hydrologic response in their post-development state as nearly as practicable in order to reduce flooding, streambank erosion, nonpoint source pollution and increases in stream temperature, and maintain the integrity of stream channels and aquatic habitats; f. Establish design and application criteria for the construction and use of structural stormwater control facilities that can be used to meet the minimum post-development stormwater management standards; g. Encourage the use of nonstructural stormwater management and stormwater better site design practices, such as the preservation of greenspace and other conservation areas, to the maximum extent practicable; and h. To establish legal authority to carry out all inspection, surveillance, monitoring and enforcement procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this Code Division.