17.02.010 Findings.
The Kenosha County Board finds that uncontrolled stormwater runoff and construction site erosion from land development and land disturbing activity can have significant adverse impacts upon local water resources and the health, safety and general welfare of the community, and diminish the public enjoyment and use of natural resources. Specifically, uncontrolled soil erosion and stormwater runoff can:
(a) Degrade physical stream habitat by increasing stream bank erosion, increasing stream bed scour, diminishing groundwater recharge, diminishing stream base flows and increasing stream temperatures;
(b) Diminish the capacity of lakes and streams to support fish, aquatic life, recreational and water supply uses by increasing pollutant loadings of sediment, suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, bacteria, pathogens and other urban pollutants;
(c) Alter wetland communities by changing wetland hydrology and increasing pollutant loads;
(d) Reduce the quality of groundwater by increasing pollutant loading;
(e) Threaten public health, safety, property, and general welfare by increasing runoff volumes and peak flood flows and overburdening storm sewers, drainage ways and other storm drainage systems;
(f) Undermine floodplain management efforts by increasing the incidence and levels of flooding. [Code § 17.02-1.]