Protecting and restoring natural resources and educating the public

The Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District (District) is a special purpose district created to develop and carry out a program of soil, water and related natural resources conservation. Environmental professional staff of the Westchester County Department of Planning (Planning Department) provides administrative and technical support to the seven-member citizen Board of Directors.

The District has developed a distinct soil and water resources and ecological conservation and management work program oriented towards suburban and urban environments.  It considers a wide range of concerns, such as:

• restoring streams, freshwater and tidal wetlands and other natural resources to improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, and retrofitting and installing stormwater management practices to improve water quality and control excessive stormwater runoff;
• protecting and managing streams, wetlands, ponds, lakes, reservoirs and floodplains;
• controlling erosion and sedimentation and polluted stormwater runoff by advocating the use of best management practices through public education and outreach;
• encouraging and facilitating the development and implementation of soil and water resources conservation practices and strategies based on watershed-wide perspectives and analyses; and
• promoting sound soil and water resources conservation techniques and natural resources stewardship through public outreach and education.

The District's 2008 accomplishments were varied, from natural resources restoration and stormwater management projects to the sponsorship of professional development workshops and production of educational materials for the public.  The District's achievements are noted in its 2008 Annual Report.

The ambitious 2009 work plan includes the design and construction of several, varied natural resources restoration and stormwater management projects as well as the execution of professional development workshops and other educational activities.  The District will continue its partnership with other regional, state and federal agencies and organizations, as well as municipalities, to further mutual soil and water conservation and management goals and objectives. This year's objectives are noted in the District's 2009 Work Plan.

Work program activities:

• Aquatic Restoration Program
• USDA-NRCS Earth Team Volunteer Program, specifically the Streamwalk Program
• Regional and State Envirothon
• Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts (LHCCD) collaborates with New York City and the counties of Ulster, Rockland, Rensselaer, Putnam, Orange, Greene, Dutchess, Columbia and Albany.  
• New York City Water Supply Watershed Whole Farm Planning Initiatives
• Lower Hudson – Long Island Resource Conservation and Development Council including the counties of Ulster, Suffolk, Rockland, Putnam, Nassau and Dutchess, and New York City.

Technical services:

• Interpreting the USDA-NRCS Soil Survey of Putnam and Westchester Counties
• Stormwater management and water quality protection, including the New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual and New York State Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control
• Natural resources and ecosystem protection and management
• Environmental mapping, such as national wetlands inventory, tidal wetlands, coastal erosion hazard areas, flood zone, and historic aerial photographs 

Publications available online:

• NYS Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control
• New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual
• Addendum to New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual (Alternative Stormwater Management Practices)
• Addendum to New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual (Redevelopment Strategy)
• Addendum to New York State Stormwater Management Design Manual (Proprietary Practices)
• Westchester County Best Management Practices Manual for Individual Sewerage Systems
• Westchester County Best Management Practices Manual for Stormwater Management
• Westchester County - A Guide to Aquatic Buffers
• Step by Step: Your Guide to Cleaner Water
• Westchester County's Most Invasive Plants 

Publications available only in printed form:

• Ordering information

Model ordinances:

• Erosion and Sediment Control
• Wetland and Watercourse Protection

Guidance documents:

• Stormwater Management Guide for Local Officials

Related links:

• New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee
• New York State Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
• United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)
• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)

For more information, please contact Robert Doscher, District manager, at (914) 995-4423 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or Lisa Vasilakos, Environmental Planner, at (914) 995-4407 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .