Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply where applicable in this chapter, unless otherwise stated or required:AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONSAll activities directly related to the growing or raising of crops or livestock for the sale of agricultural produce, including horticultural and fruit operations.AUTHORIZED OFFICIALThe person designated by the Town Board of the Town of Webster to administer and enforce the provisions of this article.DRAINAGEThe gravitational movement of water or other liquids by surface runoff, closed conduits or subsurface flow.EROSIONThe wearing away of the land surface by action of wind, water, gravity or other natural forces.EXCAVATIONAny activity which removes or significantly disturbs rock, gravel, sand, soil or other natural deposits.FILLINGAny activity which deposits natural or artificial material so as to modify the surface or subsurface conditions of land, lakes, ponds or watercourses.GRADINGThe alteration of the surface or subsurface conditions of land, lakes, ponds or watercourses by excavation or filling.JURISDICTIONAL WETLANDAn area that is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for state-regulated wetlands and/or the United States Army Corps of Engineers for federally regulated wetlands.[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch.

1, General Provisions, Art. I)]MULCHINGThe application of a layer of plant residue or other material for the purpose of effectively controlling erosion.SEDIMENTSolid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being transported, has been deposited or has been removed from its site of origin by erosion.SITE PREPARATIONThe activities of stripping, excavation, filling and grading, no matter what the purpose of these activities.SOILAll unconsolidated mineral or nonliving organic material of whatever origin which overlies bedrock.STRIPPINGAny activity which removes or significantly disturbs trees, brush, grass or any other kind of vegetation, other than for agricultural purposes.TOPSOILThe natural surface layer of soil, usually darker than subsurface layers, to a depth of at least six inches within an undisturbed area of soils.WATERCOURSEAny natural or artificial stream, river, creek, ditch, channel, canal, conduit, culvert, drainageway, gully, ravine or wash in which water flows in a definite direction or course, either continuously or intermittently, and which has a definite channel, bed and banks and an area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reason of overflow, flood or stormwater.WETLANDSAn area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, hydrophytic vegetation.

Areas of aquatic or semiaquatic vegetation or any areas which have been designated as such on the Official Town of Webster EPOD Maps or have been designated as Type I, Type II, Type III or Type IV wetlands by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or is identified as a Federal Wetland Environmental protection Agency.[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]