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iv. Erosion Control: The applicant has indicated the Project will comply <br />with the provisions of Section 6.15 of the UDO. This includes <br />compliance with the following: <br />1. High Quality Waters (HQW): Under applicable State <br />regulations, surface waters are classified into various, <br />unique, ‘designations’ in an attempt to identify/define the <br />best uses to be protected within said waters. <br />For example is the water feature ideal for swimming, fishing, <br />for use as a drinking water supply and therefore activities <br />should be limited, etc. These designations carry with them <br />water quality standards designed to address potential <br />impacts. <br />These designations, ultimately, are designed to protect water <br />quality, wildlife, or other special characteristics. <br />The ‘High Quality Water’ (HQW) classification is intended to <br />protect waters rated excellent, based on biological and <br />physical/chemical characteristics, to serving as public water <br />supplies, nursery areas, etc. <br />Under current local/State regulations, development is limited <br />to no more than 20 acres of land area being ‘uncovered’ (i.e. <br />disturbed) at any one time. State regulations would allow for <br />additional acreage to be ‘uncovered’ only with the issuance <br />of a waiver by state staff. <br />This Project is in a HQW area and will have to abide by a 20 <br />acre disturbance limit unless the applicant applies to the <br />State for a waiver. <br />v. Environmental Assessments (EA) and Impact Statements (EIS): <br />Section 6.16 outlines the submittal/review of environmental <br />document(s) for projects disturbing a set amount of land area. <br />STAFF COMMENT: All MPD-CZ projects are required to <br />complete and submit and EA application. <br />Regulations are designed to require the full disclosure of <br />anticipated development activities on a given parcel of property so <br />the County can proactively work with a developer/land owner to <br />either avoid or mitigate impacts to environmentally sensitive areas <br />(i.e. streams, floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, water features, <br />etc.). <br />STAFF COMMENT: Per Section 6.16.4 of the UDO, a <br />project is deemed to have a ‘significant environmental <br />impact’ when it: <br /> Involves surface or subsurface extraction activity <br />requiring a Mining Permit issued by the State; <br /> Involves long-term storage or disposal of hazardous <br />wastes; <br />111