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MAMARONECK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Phase II Storm
Water Program
Fact Sheet #1
Sensitive Waterbodies in Your Area
STORM WATER RUNOFF: THE SILENT THREAT
Storm water runoff is generally classified as excess rainwater or snowmelt that
is transported to surface waters by overland flow. Surface waters include any
open body of water, such as lakes, rivers, streams or impoundments. Storm water
runoff directly impacts sensitive waterbodies in your area by discharging
pollutants carried by overland storm water flow.
Since the passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the quality of the Nation’s
waters has improved dramatically. Despite this progress, degraded surface waters
still exist. According to the 1996 National Water Quality Inventory, 79 percent
of the waterbodies are polluted by urban/suburban storm water runoff and the
balance by runoff from construction sites. Accordingly, in 1990 the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issued new regulations under the CWA
affecting storm water runoff. Phase I of these regulations addressed storm water
runoff from: (1) “medium” and “large” Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
(MS4s) generally serving populations of 100,000 or greater, (2) construction
activity disturbing 5 acres of land or greater and (3) ten categories of
industrial activity. Phase II regulations, issued on December 8, 1999 addressed
storm water runoff from: (1) “small” MS4s generally serving populations of less
than 100,000 and (2) small construction activity disturbing 1 to 5 acres of
land.
POLLUTANTS FROM STORM WATER RUNOFF
When it rains, pollutants from overland areas and impervious surfaces such as
city streets, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks are transported directly
into nearby surface waters and the sensitive waterbodies in your area.
Pollutants transported from overland flow may include oils and greases (from
improperly maintained automobiles), litter and debris and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (from roofs and parking lots) pesticides and herbicides (from lawns
and gardens) and other dissolved solids such as salts and chlorides (from
de-icing agents).In addition to pollutants from developed areas, uncontrolled
runoff from ongoing construction sites yield pollutants such as sediment,
petroleum products, and construction chemicals, resulting in streambed scouring,
erosion and destruction of near-stream vegetative cover. Sediment-laiden runoff,
petroleum products, and construction chemicals, also contribute to loss of
in-stream habitats for fish and other aquatic species. In addition, excessive
sediments may cause blinding of water filtration plants, a reduction in
reservoir storage capacity, and frequently contribute to increase flooding and a
reduction in the navigational capacity of waterways.
Pollutants from overland flow eventually end up in the sensitive waterbodies,
located in your watershed, defined as that area of land that catches the storm
water runoff from rain and snowmelt.
SENSITIVE WATERBODIES IN YOUR WATERSHED
The Phase II Storm Water Program must identify local waters in your District
that are impacted by storm water runoff. The principal water body receiving
storm water runoff in your District is the Long Island Sound and its watersheds.
The watersheds of the Long Island Sound include the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake
rivers and the Mamaroneck Harbor, which cover an area of approximately 25 square
miles of Westchester County. The Mamaroneck River, which originates in North
White Plains and Harrison, flows south through the Town and Village of
Mamaroneck, where it empties into the Mamaroneck Harbor. A tributary to the
Mamaroneck River is the Sheldrake River, which originates in north Scarsdale and
New Rochelle and empties into the Mamaroneck River in Mamaroneck Village.
Ultimately, these streams discharge into the Long Island Sound.
How Can You Help?
We all need to
get on board. Staff and students are encouraged to take lead roles in education
efforts through awareness of the impacts of storm water runoff, pollution
prevention outreach campaigns in your school and at home, and through
partnerships with citizens and local governments. Establish volunteer groups and
become involved in storm water restoration efforts in your school.
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