∙ Stabilization. The use of measures which protect soil from the erosion forces of wind, rain and flowing water. ∙ Steep Slope. Land where agricultural activity or development is either not recommended or described as poorly suited due to slope steepness and the site's soil characteristics, as mapped and described in available county soil surveys or other technical reports, unless appropriate design and construction techniques and farming practices are used in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Where specific information is not available, steep slopes are lands having average slopes over twelve percent (12%), as measured over horizontal distances of fifty (50) feet or more, that are not bluffs. ∙ Surface Water or Waters. All streams, lakes, ponds, marshes, wetlands, reservoirs, springs, rivers, drainage systems, waterways, watercourses, and irrigation systems whether natural or artificial, public or private. ∙ Utility. The owner/operator of any underground facility including an underground line, facility, system, and its appurtenances used to produce, store, convey, transmit, or distribute communications, data, electricity, power, heat, gas, oil, petroleum products, water (including stormwater), steam, sewage and other similar substances. ∙ Watercourse. Any natural or improved stream, river, creek, ditch, channel, canal, conduit, gutter, culvert, drain, gully, swale, or wash in which waters flow either continuously or intermittently. ∙ Watershed. A region draining to a specific river, river system, or body of water. ∙ Wetlands. A lowland area such as a marsh, that is saturated with moisture, as defined in Sec. 404, Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1987, or the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act of 1991.
|