Stormwater 101: Why the Village Is Working to Strengthen Flood Control Laws

by Cindy Goldstein -

For many Village residents a weather forecast of rain creates stress and fear.  After years of intensifying flood events with loss and damage to their homes and businesses it’s understandable and heartbreaking. 

One recurring item on recent Village Board of Trustees’ (BOT) agendas has been for updates and reforms to our stormwater laws with the goal of tightening and improving stormwater management controls.  Because a law is being amended, public hearings must be held to gather input from the community and the BOT has not been able to find the right path yet.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater includes not just rain but also melting snow.  Rain is an important water resource, and some rain runs over land, absorbs into the soil, recharges groundwater and eventually ends up in rivers, lakes and streams.  But if the rainfall is too intense and/or the ground is covered by impervious surfaces (e.g., pavement and compacted soil), the runoff cannot be absorbed quickly enough, creating flooding.  Water runs downhill carrying pollutants with it to other areas and, if they exist, storm drains and eventually Long Island Sound.  If the storm is intense the water moves fast and erodes stream banks which creates more flooding both on the streets and in homes.  In built out communities like the Village there is very little natural area where water is quickly absorbed by the soil and trees.

Managing the Rain and Snow

Stormwater management legislation sets up controls to deal with rain and melted snow with the goals of preventing flooding, pollution and erosion.  Appropriate storm water management controls protect the environment, property and people as well as benefit the community overall.  Local governments have the primary responsibility to deal with land use development within their borders and there are various stormwater management programs that must be implemented.  Because the Village of Mamaroneck is at the bottom of 3 watersheds it’s critically important to have strong stormwater laws.  Water comes at us from every direction, from upstream communities, from rainfall and snow as well as Long Island Sound along the coastline.  For a 3.2 square mile village it’s a lot to deal with.

Keep It Simple

In its most basic form, the University of Nebraska (see HERE) sums it up: “Stormwater: Keep It Clean! Slow It Down! Soak It In!  These are the goals, but the devil is in the details.  It’s the intersection of engineering, science and law because engineering studies along with compliance with federal, State and local laws are required.

The Details

When construction projects seek approval from the Village, applicants must present plans to manage stormwater both during construction and after the project is completed.  The current law requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for projects with land disturbance greater than 1,000 square feet.  Under the current proposed law, a SWPPP is expected to be required for smaller lot development projects, among other changes to make the law more rigorous. 

Lack of Public Comment on the Proposed Law

In a Village whose residents have no problem speaking up at BOT meetings the comments on this proposed law have been minimal.  Perhaps resident Bea Cerasoli explained why at the March 10^th meeting of the BOT when she said, “I didn’t understand it all…it’s too technical.  But it’s more stringent that what we have so, I’m in favor.” 

The goal is clear – to minimize the risk from flooding.  The question is how to get there.  At the meeting, the public hearing was adjourned once again as Village Manager Kathleen Gill, stated the BOT had asked for more information and staff was compiling examples from other municipalities and the Village’s consulting engineer was reviewing several approved projects to determine if they would have met the proposed new requirements.

The public hearing will recommence at the March 23^rd BOT Legislative meeting.