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6 <br /> • <br /> residential development, the amount of land occupied by such uses may <br /> not exceed five percent of the watershed area beyond a Critical Area. <br /> In either of the cases cited above, the local government is <br /> required to assume ultimate responsibility for operation and maintenance <br /> of the stormwater controls, including a requirement to inspect such <br /> controls at least once per year to determine whether the controls are <br /> performing as designed and intended. Approval of such controls must be <br /> conditioned on the posting of adequate financial assurance by the <br /> applicant in the form of a cash deposit or security performance bond <br /> made payable to the local government. Local governments may also form a <br /> stormwater utility as a means of funding the operation and maintenance <br /> of stormwater controls which have been dedicated to them. <br /> Because of the financial and staffing implications of such <br /> requirements, amendments concerning the use of stormwater controls are <br /> to be considered at the August public hearing on the State-mandated <br /> watershed protection standards. However, a proposal to permit the use of <br /> conservation easements has been prepared, since the County has obtained <br /> special legislation to acquire a lesser interest to real property by <br /> easement for the purpose of preserving open space, including the <br /> conservation of watershed areas. <br /> EXISTING/PROPOSEED ORDINANCE/PLAN PROVISIONS <br /> New wording is highlighted in boldface. Changes recommended by the <br /> County Attorney are highlighted in italics. <br /> *6. 23 . 4 Impervious Surface Regulated in Protected Watersheds <br /> *Amended An impervious surface is a surface composed of any <br /> 11-20-84 material which impedes or prevents the natural <br /> 11-19-85 infiltration of water into the soil. Such surfaces <br /> 1-7-86 shall include any concrete or asphalt surface. These would <br /> include, but not be limited to, streets and parking areas, <br /> sidewalks, patios and structures which cover the land. As a <br /> watershed becomes developed the amount of impervious surface <br /> increases causing a decrease in soil absorption of stormwater <br /> runoff and an increase in direct runoff to streams and other <br /> water bodies resulting in an increase in potential water <br /> pollution. <br /> In order to promote infiltration of stormwater <br /> runoff into the soil and to minimize direct and <br /> immediate runoff into streams and water supply <br /> impoundments, impervious surface ratios shall be <br /> required as provided in the Table of Impervious <br /> Surface Ratios Section 6. 23 . 4 . <br /> Modifications of the Impervious Surface Ratios may be <br /> requested, however, through one of the following provisions: <br /> a. As a Class A Special Use in accordance with the <br /> provisions of Section 8 of this Ordinance. In no case <br /> shall a modification be granted for property located in a <br />