Stormwater and the Environment

by Mike Wiener, Trustee, Village of Larchmont

(March 3, 2003) Unless you’re living under a rock these days, it’s impossible to miss the discussion and debate over the upcoming EPA Phase II stormwater regulations. These new regulations require that stormwater runoff, otherwise known as nonpoint source pollution, is properly understood and managed to minimize pollution. The Village of Larchmont has been ahead of the curve in many areas of storm water management, which gives us a strong start in our need to comply with the new federal regulations. In addition, as members of LISWIC (of which I serve as Treasurer) we are working with other area municipalities to determine how we can partner in our compliance efforts. Finally, our newly formed Village Environmental Committee will provide its expertise to the Board as we step up our management practices, review how to most effectively use state and federal grant money we’ve received for the work we need to do, and communicate our agenda to the public.

We have been, and will remain, solidly committed to making and keeping our environment healthy and clean. We currently perform the following storm water management practices:

1) Maintain a mapping system: The Village has a map detailing the location of the outflows of our storm water. This map will be useful in determining where changes can and should be made to maximize benefit.

2) Annual cleaning of all catch basins: As a matter of policy, we clean out the catch basins every year. This keeps debris and silt from washing all the way into Long Island Sound.

3) Street cleaning: The Village has a street sweeper that sweeps both the business and residential districts. This is a full time program to keep debris and litter clear of the storm drains.

4) Cooperative Planning Between the Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Pubic Works: This cooperation works to ensure that spill incidents are mitigated in the most expedient way possible to prevent the spill from entering the storm system.

5) Public Awareness: The Village Board regularly reports on our stormwater management efforts to help raise awareness.

6) Municipal Cooperation: As we all know, water does not abide by political boundaries which makes stormwater management a regional concern. As members of LISWIC, we work actively to help coordinate our stormwater management efforts.

One of the Village Board's concerns regarding overbuilding and widespread construction has been the increase in the amount of impervious surfaces, forcing more stormwater runoff. This particular issue is being addressed both as part of our zoning code review, and our compliance efforts with the new EPA regulations. It is important to note that while the Village has been aggressive in its work to maintain a healthy and clean environment, there is much more we can and will do. The issue of stormwater control does not stand alone, but must be considered when reviewing zoning regulations, streetscape improvements and general DPW management practices. The Village Board will continue to incorporate stormwater management planning into the general day to day operations of the Village.