Section 4-401 A particular site may be classified under one or several definitions as being Environmentally Sensitive. In those cases, the most restrictive provision of these regulations shall apply.

Section 4-402 Wetlands and Lands Adjacent to Wetlands

1. No in-ground or above ground tanks, bins or vessels for the storage of fuels or chemicals shall be permitted either in or within 100 feet of wetland areas as defined.

2. Detained storm water and all other water run-off shall be filtered or purified according to DEQ standards, so it will be suitable for introduction to the wetland prior to allowing such run-off to flow or percolate to the wetland area so that the wetland and its waters are not degraded.

3. Discharge of any wet or dry materials on the soil of wetlands (Section 4-203) or lands defined as adjacent to wetlands shall not be permitted unless it can be shown that such material will not result in the degradation of the wetland and its waters over time.

Section 4-403 Soils Subject to Leaching

1. Where a land use may entail intentional or accidental application or discharge of chemicals, fuels, waste or effluent which could prove harmful to ground water, soil borings and engineering reports analyzing the potential impact shall be required and special conditions shall be imposed to assure that ground water quality and the standards recommended by the Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency, Michigan DEQ, and the Antrim Soil Conservation District are fully met.

2. On site sewage disposal will be allowed only if designed such that effluent will not degrade the quality of surface and ground waters and approved by the Soil Erosion Control Office and the District Health Department.

3. No in ground tanks, vessels or bins for the storage of fuels or chemicals shall be permitted.

4. Above ground tanks, vessels or bins for the storage of fuels or chemicals shall, be installed in such a way that leakage or spillage or any or all of their contents will be safely contained and prevented from reaching the soil, as licensed by the Michigan State Fire Marshall.

Section 4-404 Steep Slopes

1. No structure shall be permitted on a slope of greater than fifteen (15%) percent unless it shall be done in accordance with plans prepared for the site by a registered professional architect or engineer. Plans shall be prepared for the disposal of storm waters without erosion of topsoil and without sedimentation of any stream or other body of water.

2. Prior to approval, such plans for site alterations for steep slope areas shall be provided to the Antrim County Drain Commission for comment or review and recommendation. A permit may be conditioned to require compliance with such recommendations.

Section 4-405 Shorelines

1. The plans for filling, grading or other alteration of natural drainage within the shoreline area shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission prior to commencing construction, earth movement or excavating.

2. Whether or not a land use permit is required, except if required by state law or to allow occasional parking sites so that two vehicles may pass, no existing private road and no newly constructed private road shall be more than eighteen feet (18') wide with a right-of-way at least thirty feet (30') wide, except where necessary to allow access to emergency vehicles. A private road shall mean any road other than a state or county road in the Shoreline Protection Strip.

Section 4-406 Floodplains

1. The digging or drilling of wells or domestic water supply sources in the flood plain is prohibited.

Section 4-407 Groundwater Recharge Zones

1. Any land use covering more than the area specified in Article 6 - Chart of District Dimensional Requirements (for a lot or parcel of land with structures and/or parking and/or storage areas with impervious surfaces) shall be designed and constructed, so that all run-off water shall be collected, retained, filtered or purified.

2. The run-off water shall be suitable for return by natural percolation to the naturally occurring aquifer.

3. The run-off water shall be returned to the land in such a way that the full, natural recharge of the ground water aquifer is maintained.

4. Such plans for land uses may be provided to the Antrim County Drain Commission for comment or review and recommendations,

5. A permit shall be conditioned to require compliance with such recommendations.

Section 4-408 Other Areas

1. Archaeologically or historically significant areas and structures: No development, excavation or modification of such areas or structures may be undertaken without first obtaining an Environmentally Sensitive Land Use Permit which may include restrictions based on reasonable opinions of experts in the fields of archeology and/or history.

2. Other areas designated by the Township as Environmentally Sensitive Areas, in accordance with this Ordinance may have special requirements for development.