Definitions. For the purpose of an EIA, the following definitions shall apply:
ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
An impact which contributes to a harmful or degraded condition and/or produces an environmental harm or degradation. Adverse environmental impacts may include a negative impact on surrounding land uses; negative impacts which are contrary to the Comprehensive Plan for the Township and the intent of this chapter; negative impacts which may create a threat to the public health, safety and general welfare; and negative impacts on physical and biological resources.
ALTERNATIVES
Choices between or among two or more plans, layouts, approaches, solutions or results.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
Results contributing to an improvement in condition and/or producing a favorable result such as making a use more compatible with the intent of this chapter and the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and promoting the public health, safety and general welfare.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Characteristics of the natural environment manifest in its flora and fauna. The disposition of these characteristics is typically expressed in vegetation and/or wildlife units such as field and meadow; tree, woodland or forest stands and related understory and ground cover growth; and aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and/or their habitats.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The services which provide for various community health, education, safety, leisure and like needs and the locations at which these services are provided. Typical community facilities include schools, parks and recreation areas; libraries; hospitals and other health-care facilities; fire protection; police; ambulance and rescue services; and postal services.
CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
A representation of man's influence on land and/or water through the use, organization, adornment and maintenance of property and structures.
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristics related to the distribution, density and vital statistics of populations.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the construction or alteration to buildings or other structures, the placement of mobile homes, streets or other paving, utilities, filling, grading, regrading, excavation, mining, dredging or drilling operations; provided, however, the following shall not be considered as development: routine maintenance; incidental grading related to gardening, cultivation and the like and minor structure alterations to a building.
ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristics related to the expenditure and revenues in conjunction with the management of income of a household, private business, community, association and/or government.
ENVIRONMENT
The conditions, resources and/or characteristics which exist within and surround the area to be affected by a proposed project, including but not limited to natural elements such as land, water, air, minerals, natural flora and natural fauna; and man-made components such as objects of historic or aesthetic significance, infrastructure and man-related attributes of a social and economic nature.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT
An assessment which objectively describes, analyzes and documents both the beneficial and adverse environmental and cultural effects of a proposed project and the measures to be undertaken to mitigate adverse effects in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter and Chapter 196, the Nockamixon Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
HISTORIC RESOURCES
Sites, areas, structures, trails and/or routes which are valued due to their significance as examples and/or locations of events, customs, skills and/or arts of the past.
IMPACT
The power of an event or condition to produce changes in other conditions. In the context of impact exerted on the environment, changes which affect existing conditions and/or quality are of greatest concern.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The basic installations and facilities on which the continuance and growth of a community depend such as roads, schools, electrical transmission facilities, transportation and communication systems and sewer and water systems.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Results which are manifest for or extending over a period of greater than two years.
MITIGATION
The act of precluding a potentially adverse effect and/or making a potentially adverse effect less severe through measures which will improve a condition and/or lessen the impact.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
A composition of land, water and/or air represented by its inherent physical and biological resources.
PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Characteristics of the natural environment manifest in its land forms, soils, geological structure of surface and/or subsurface rock, minerals, natural bodies of water and/or man-made impoundments, watercourses, groundwater and the like. The disposition of these characteristics is typically expressed in physiographic, topographic and/or hydrologic units such as rock formations, slope elevations, soil types, watersheds, surface water types, wetlands, floodplains, aquifers or aquifer recharge areas and the like.
PRIMARY EFFECTS
Results of a direct nature which have a principal influence on a particular condition.
PROJECT
A subdivision, land development or other development involving the construction or alteration of buildings or other structures or the grading of land to accommodate use of property as a solid waste facility.
SECONDARY EFFECTS
Results of an indirect nature which have an influence on a particular condition or state derived from a primary effect.
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
Results which are manifest for or extending over a period of two years or less.
VISUAL RESOURCES
Characteristics of the natural and/or cultural environment which are visible. The visual resources of a particular area are typically expressed in terms of their visibility, character and/or attractiveness relative to their amenity value and/or quality.