For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACTIVITY. Any use, operation or action including, but not limited to, filling, dredging, constructing or excavating material and/or structures.
AQUATIC VEGETATION. Plants and plant life forms which naturally occur in, at, near or predominantly near water.
BOTTOMLANCK. All land area of a lake, stream or watercourse which lies below the ordinary high water mark and which may or may not be covered by water.
CHANNEL. The geographical area within the natural or artificial banks of a watercourse required to convey continuously or intermittently flowing water under normal or average flow conditions.
CONTIGUOUS. Any of the following:
(1) A permanent surface water connection or other direct physical contact with an inland lake or pond;
(2) A seasonal or intermittent direct surface water connection; and
(3) A wetland partially or entirely located within 500 feet of the ordinary high water mark.
DRAINAGEWAY. Any drain, pipe, stream, creek or swale which serves to transport water runoff to the primary watercourse system.
FILL MATERIAL. Any soil, sand, gravel, clay, peat, debris and refuse, waste of any kind or any other material which displaces soil or water or reduces water retention potential.
HYDRIC SOIL. A soil that is saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part.
MINOR ACTIVITIES. Activities that are similar in nature, that will cause only minimal adverse environmental effects when performed separately and that will have only minimal cumulative adverse effects on the environment.
MINOR DRAINAGE. Includes ditching or tiling for the removal of excess soil moisture incidental to the planting, cultivating, protecting or harvesting of crops or improving the productivity of land in established use for agriculture, horticulture, silviculture or lumbering.
OFFICIAL MAP. The official Wetlands Map of the Village of Pinckney, as amended or updated from time to time, a copy of which shall be on file with the Village Clerk.
ORDINARY HIGH WATER. The line between upland and bottomland which persists through successive changes in water levels, below which the presence and action of the water is so common or recurrent that the character of the land is markedly distinct from the upland and is apparent in the soil itself, the configuration of the surface of the soil and the vegetation. On an inland lake which has a level established by law, the ordinary high water mark means the high establishing level. When water returns to its natural level as a result of the permanent removal and abandonment of a dam, it means the natural ordinary high water mark.
OWNER. Any person who has dominion over, control of, title to and/or any other proprietary interest in wetland and watercourse areas, or title to an obstruction, natural or otherwise, to wetland and watercourse properties.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization or legal entity of any kind, including governmental agencies conducting operations within the Village of Pinckney.
RUNOFF. Surface discharge of precipitation to a watercourse or low area.
SEASONAL. Any intermittent or temporary activity which occurs annually and is subject to interruption from changes in weather, water level or time of year and may involve annual removal and replacement of a device or structure.
STRUCTURE. Any assembly of materials above or below the surface of the land or water, including but not limited to houses, buildings, bulkheads, piers, docks, landings, dams, waterway obstructions, towers and utility transmission devices.
TEMPORARY. A time period as specified in the use permit, or if unspecified, means an uninterruptible time period less than one year in duration.
WATERCOURSE. Any waterway, drainageway, drain, river, stream, lake, pond or retention basin, or any body of surface water having well defined banks, whether continually or intermittently flowing. Watercourses subject to regulation are designated on the official wetlands map.
WETLANDS. Lands characterized by the presence of water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support wetland vegetation or aquatic life and are commonly referred to as bogs, swamps, marshes and wet meadows.
(Ord. 34, passed 7-24-1989)
