As areas are developed, the amount of paved surfaces increase leading to an increase in stormwater volume and pollutants, which can harm our streams.
The best way to mitigate stormwater impacts from new development is to use practices that treat, store, and infiltrate runoff onsite before it can affect water bodies downstream. Innovative site designs that reduce paved surfaces, or imperviousness, and other green infrastructure practices are excellent ways to reduce flows and improve water quality.
In partnership with the Cumberland County Conservation District, and in association with our MS4 permit, Silver Spring Township has a program to address post-construction stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopments that disturb one or more acres. The program includes:
- strategies to implement a combination of structural and non-structural BMPs,
- an ordinance to address post-construction runoff, and
- a program to ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance of BMPs.
Silver Spring Township has been mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to establish an inspection program for various stormwater mitigation features (grass swales, infiltration trench/seepage pits, rain gardens, and storm water basins). Inspection of these features is a required part of the Township's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit program and will begin in 2016. You may receive a notice from the Township indicating that you are required to provide evidence that your stormwater BMP is working. We ask that you please cooperate with Township staff as we implement our stormwater program.