Environment

Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) public scoping/informational meetings on the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers flood study were held on June 22. Attendees included Village residents, staff and elected officials and staff of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

The County is partnering with the ACOE and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on a five-year study. The study, conducted by the Corps, will focus on options to control flooding in Mamaroneck, a village severely impacted by flooding in April 2007. A draft report with recommendations is scheduled to be completed in three years and final federal-level approval of the report is expected in 2015. Funding to implement the recommended actions will need to be authorized at the federal, state and local levels; a federal share of 65% and non-federal share of 35%.

The Department completed a manual that addresses the local land use planning and regulatory tools and techniques used to mitigate the environmental impacts of flooding. The manual provides general information on flood concepts and specifics on how comprehensive planning and local land use regulations can help lower the risk of flooding and to reduce the volume of stormwater generated from development. Examples of codes and ordinances from local municipalities and other resources are provided.

Copies of the manual, a compendium to the April 26 workshop on flooding, have been sent to Westchester municipalities and workshop attendees. The manual is available online or as a CD which can be obtained from the department by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

View the Flood Manual.

A part of the County’s on-going effort to improve water quality by controlling stormwater pollution, the second phase of restoration on Manursing Lake, part of the County-owned Edith Read Sanctuary and Natural Park and Playland Park in the City of Rye, is nearing completion. This restoration project, to improve water quality and biodiversity in both the lake and Long Island Sound, is one of more than 30 projects completed by the County in the drainage areas of the Sound.

The first phase, the installation of a new tide gate, was completed in October. The gate now allows the County to regulate the daily ebbs and flows of the tide throughout the lake, and created the hydrological conditions that set the stage for the second phase of restoration work.

Over the past two months, contractors have restored and created coastal habitats, including a tidal creek and wetlands, in and along the southern shore of the lake. Tidal zones were regraded and some 60,000 salt marsh grass plugs were planted throughout the restored and created tidal wetlands and creeks. Additional work to be completed over the summer and into fall include drainage upgrades, curbing along the access roadway, further eradication of invasive plants, and the planting of hundreds of shrubs and trees to create an upland buffer between the roadway and tidal marshes.

The final deliverables of the regional stormwater education and outreach program are being distributed to the 38 partnering municipalities. Funded by a grant from the NYS DEC, the program’s goal is to increase awareness of stormwater issues and promote ways that residents can improve water quality throughout Westchester. The deliverables of posters, digital media, banner stands and a wide variety of giveaway items - from bookmarks to pet waste bag dispensers - are materials which can be used to assist municipalities in the development of stormwater education programs and help them comply with the requirements of the MS4 stormwater permit. By developing the consistent themes and messages of the program regionally, and implementing the program in the county through its partnering municipalities, the program will raise awareness of the environmental impacts of stormwater issues.