On March 10, 2003, the City implemented its Stormwater Management Plan as mandated by the United States Department of Environmental Protection. The plan requires that the City make every effort to improve the water quality of our streams, lakes and Long Island Sound. The City must implement six (6) minimum control measures including educating the public through a variety of outreach efforts, soliciting participation and involvement of the public, detect and eliminate illicit discharges, require control of construction site runoff, require maintenance and operation of post construction stormwater management facilities, and provide pollution prevention at existing municipal facilities using good housekeeping practices.

New Rochelle continues its efforts in managing stormwater quality with everyday functions such as street sweeping, stormwater catchbasin cleaning and refuse collection. Utilizing grants provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the City now collects over 30% of floatable debris, the result of carelessly discarded litter. An Aquatic Planting Project completed at 5 Islands Park in 2001 has been recognized by the Region II Office of the United States Department of Environmental Protection for protecting and enhancing water quality.

The City will strive to build and expand its Stormwater Management Plan through
March of 2008 when the overall plan must be finalized. In the interim, we need your help in order to make our efforts successful. Learn what you can about improving stormwater quality by reviewing the information provided on our website, by browsing the United States Department of Environmental Protection website at http://www.epa.gov, or by typing in Stormwater Management on your web browser. Community volunteers are also needed to conduct stream walks, roadside debris collections, reporting of suspected contaminated waters and other Stormwater Management efforts.

Together, we can work to protect our water resources.

Sincerely
Noam Bramson
Mayor