As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPURTENANCEA minor or accessory structure attached to, placed near or used in conjunction with a structure.
BEACHThe zone of unconsolidated earth that extends landward from the mean low-water line to the waterward toe of a dune or bluff, whichever is most waterward. Where no dune or bluff exists landward of a "beach," the landward limit of a "beach" is 100 feet landward from the place where there is a marked change in material or physiographic form or from the line of permanent vegetation, whichever is most waterward. Shorelands subject to seasonal or more frequent overwash or inundation are considered to be "beaches."
BLUFFAny bank or cliff with a precipitous or steeply sloped face adjoining a beach or a body of water. The seaward limit of a "bluff" is the landward limit of its waterward natural protective feature. Where no beach is present, the waterward limit of a "bluff" is mean low water. The landward limit is 25 feet landward of the receding edge or, in those cases where there is no discernible line of active erosion, 25 feet landward of the point of inflection on the top of the "bluff." (The point of inflection is that point along the top of the "bluff" where the trend of the land slope changes to begin its descent to the shoreline.)
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATIONThe local board responsible for administering this article. The powers and duties of this Board are more fully described in §
205-93.
COASTAL EROSION HAZARD AREA MAPThe final map and any amendments thereof issued by the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which delineates boundaries of coastal erosion hazard areas subject to regulation under this article.
COASTLINE and COASTAL WATERSThe lands adjacent to the Village's coastal waters are the "coastline." "Coastal waters" are Long Island Sound and its connecting water bodies, bays, harbors, shallows and marshes.
DEBRIS LINEA linear accumulation of waterborne debris deposited on a beach by storm-induced high water or by wave action.
DUNEA ridge or hill of loose, windblown or artificially placed earth, the principal component of which is sand.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERThe local Village official empowered to enforce this article. The powers and duties of this official are more fully described in §
205-93.
EROSIONThe loss or displacement of land along the coastline due to the action of waves, currents, wind-driven water, waterborne ice or other impacts of storms. It also means the loss or displacement of land due to the action of wind, runoff of surface waters or groundwaters or groundwater seepage.
EROSION HAZARD AREAAn area of the coastline which is a structural hazard area or a natural protective feature area.
EROSION PROTECTION STRUCTUREA structure specifically designed to reduce or prevent erosion, such as a groin, jetty, revetment, breakwater or artificial beach nourishment project.
EXISTING STRUCTUREA structure and appurtenance in existence or one where construction has commenced or one where construction has not begun but for which a building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this article.
GRADINGA redistribution of sand or other unconsolidated earth to effect a change in profile.
MAJOR ADDITIONAn addition to a structure resulting in a twenty-five-percent-or-greater increase in the ground area coverage of the structure other than an erosion protection structure or a pier, dock or wharf. The increase will be calculated as the ground area coverage to be added, including any additions previously constructed under a coastal erosion management permit, divided by the ground area coverage of the existing structure as defined above.
MEAN LOW WATERThe approximate average low-water level for a given body of water at a given location, determined by reference to hydrological information concerning water levels or other appropriate tests.
MODIFICATIONA change in the design, shape, configuration, materials or use of a structure.
MOVABLE STRUCTUREA structure designed and constructed to be readily relocated with minimum disruption of the intended use. Examples of "movable structures" are gazebos, sheds, statuary or aboveground pools.
NATURAL PROTECTIVE FEATURE AREAA land and/or water area containing natural protective features, the alteration of which might reduce or destroy the protection afforded other lands against erosion or high water or lower the reserve of sand or other natural materials available to replenish storm losses through natural processes.
NEARSHORE AREAThose lands under water beginning at the mean low-water line and extending waterward in a direction perpendicular to the shoreline to a point where mean low-water depth is 15 feet or to a horizontal distance of 1,000 feet from the mean low-water line, whichever is greater.
NORMAL MAINTENANCEPeriodic replacement or repair of same-kind structural elements or protective coatings which do not change the size, design or function of a functioning structure. A functioning structure is one which is fully performing as originally designed at the time that "normal maintenance" is scheduled to begin. "Normal maintenance" of a structure does not require a coastal erosion management permit.
PERSONAny individual, public or private corporation, political subdivision, government agency, public improvement district, partnership, association, firm, trust or estate or any other legal entity whatsoever.
PRIMARY DUNEThe most waterward major dune where there are two or more parallel dunes within a coastal area. Where there is only one dune present, it is the primary one. Occasionally one or more relatively small dune formations exist waterward of the "primary dune." These smaller formations will be considered to be part of the "primary dune" for the purposes of this article. The waterward limit of a "primary dune" is the landward limit of its fronting beach. The landward limit of the "primary dune" is 25 feet landward of its landward toe.
RECEDING EDGEThe most landward line of active erosion or, in cases where there is no discernible line of active erosion, it is the most waterward line of permanent vegetation.
RECESSION RATEThe rate, expressed in feet per year, at which an eroding shoreline moves landward.
REGULATED ACTIVITYThe construction, modification, restoration or placement of a structure or major addition to a structure; or any action or use of land which materially alters the condition of land, including grading, excavating, dumping, mining, dredging, filling or other disturbance of soil.
RESTORATIONThe reconstruction without modification of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the estimated full replacement cost of the structure at the time of restoration. Modifications, however, may be allowed if they do not exceed preexisting size limits and are intended to mitigate impacts to natural protective features and other natural resources.
SECONDARY DUNEThe major dune immediately landward of the primary dune. The waterward limit of a "secondary dune" is the landward limit of its fronting primary dune. The landward limit of a "secondary dune" is 25 feet landward of its landward toe.
SIGNIFICANT FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATThose habitats which are essential to the survival of a large portion of a particular fish or wildlife population, which support rare or endangered species, which are found at a very low frequency within a geographic area, which support fish or wildlife populations having significant commercial or recreational value or which would be difficult or impossible to replace.
STRUCTURAL HAZARD AREAThose shorelands located landward of natural protective features and having shorelines receding at a long-term average recession rate of one foot or more per year. The inland boundary of a "structural hazard area" is calculated by starting at the landward limit of the fronting natural protective feature and measuring along a line perpendicular to the shoreline a horizontal distance landward which is 40 times the long-term average annual recession rate.
STRUCTUREAny object constructed, installed or placed in, on or under land or water, either permanently or temporarily, including but not limited to a building; shed; deck; gazebo; in-ground and above ground pools; garage; mobile home; recreation court; road; public service distribution, transmission, or collection systems; tanks; docks; piers; wharves; groins; jetties; seawalls; bulkheads; breakwaters; revetments; or artificial beach nourishment; or any addition to or alteration of the same.
TOEThe lowest surface point on a slope face of a dune or bluff.
UNREGULATED ACTIVITYActivities which are not regulated by this article and which include, but are not limited to, normal beach grooming or cleanup; normal and customary maintenance of structures and/or in compliance with an approved maintenance program; planting vegetation and sand fencing so as to stabilize or entrap sand in primary dune and secondary dune areas in order to maintain or increase the height and width of dunes; routine agriculture operations, including cultivation or harvesting; and the implementation of practices recommended in a soil and water conservation plan as defined in §
3(12) of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law; provided, however, that agricultural operations and implementation of practices will not be construed to include any activity that involves the construction or placement of a structure.
VEGETATIONPlant life capable of surviving and successfully reproducing in the area or region in which it is planted and which is compatible with the environment of the coastal erosion hazard area.