Town of Lloyd Stormwater Management

Stormwater

May 7, 2008 The presentation of the Annual MS4 Year 5 report will be held on May 7, 2008 5pm at Town Hall. Copies of the report will be available for public review at the Town Clerk’s office, 12 Church Street, Highland, NY from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Public comments are encouraged and will be accepted until May 19, 2008. Please send them via e-mail to SHanofee@townoflloyd.com or hard copies will be accepted at Town Hall Building Department.

Town of Lloyd Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)
adopted by the Town of Lloyd Town Board 4.11.07

Stormwater Pollution Solutions

Recent research by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) finds stormwater runoff to be the leading source of water quality impairments to streams, rivers and estuaries and the third largest source of impairments to lakes and ponds. Pollutants from untreated stormwater runoff can harm fish and wildlife, kill native vegetation, taint drinking water supplies and foul recreational areas. Stormwater runoff also increases the volume and rate at which water moves across the land and into lakes, ponds and streams, leading to erosion and flooding.

Education is the first step toward creating a better environment for our Town. It is a responsibility that is easily accomplished by each individual homeowner and business. Be aware that pollutants entering the drains will be carried untreated into a local waterbody.

What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious, or impenetrable, surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is stormwater runoff a problem?
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river, wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.

The effects of pollution:
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats.
Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.
Debris – plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts – washed into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

In summary: Recycle or properly dispose of household or commercial products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don’t pour them into the ground or into storm drains.

Specifically, in the following activities, to coin a phrase, a few ounces of prevention lead to pounds and pounds of cure!

AGRICULTURE
Lack of vegetation on stream banks can lead to erosion. Overgrazed pastures can also contribute excessive amounts of sediment to local waterbodies. Excess fertilizers and pesticides can poison aquatic animals and lead to destructive algae blooms. Livestock in streams can contaminate waterways with bacteria, making them unsafe for human contact.

Keep livestock away from streambanks and provide them a water source away from waterbodies.
Store and apply manure away from waterbodies and in accordance with a nutrient management plan.
Vegetate riparian areas (banks) along waterways.
Rotate animal grazing to prevent soil erosion in fields.
Apply fertilizers and pesticides according to label instructions to save money and minimize pollution.

AUTOMOTIVE FACILITIES
Uncovered fueling stations allow spills to be washed into storm drains. Cars waiting to be repaired can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that can be picked up by stormwater.

Clean up spills immediately and properly dispose of cleanup materials.
Provide cover over fueling stations and design or retrofit facilities for spill and containment.
Properly maintain fleet vehicles to prevent oil, gas, or other discharges from being washed into local waterbodies.
Install and maintain oil/water separators.

COMMERCIAL
Dirt, oil, and debris that collect in parking lots and paved areas can be washed into the storm sewer system and eventually enter local waterbodies.

Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.
Cover grease storage and dumpsters and keep them clean to avoid leaks.
Report any chemical spill to the local hazardous waste cleanup team. They’ll know the best way to keep spills from harming the environment.

CONSTRUCTION
Erosion controls that aren’t maintained can cause excessive amounts of sediment and debris to be carried into the local stormwater system. Construction vehicles can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that can be picked up by stormwater and deposited into local waterbodies.

Control erosion by diverting stormwater away from disturbed or exposed earth areas of the construction site.
Install silt fences, vehicle mud removal areas, vegetative cover, and other sediment and erosion controls and properly maintain them, especially after rainstorms.
Prevent soil erosion by minimizing disturbed areas during construction projects, and seed and mulch bare areas as soon as possible.
Before starting with any construction work, check with our Town Building Department to see if additional stormwater pollution prevention plans are required for your project.
Further information can be found in the Town Code Chapter 55 – “Stormwater Management, Erosion & Sediment Control”.
Chapter 55 also requires all landowners/developers to keep all installed stormwater facilities on their property in good operating condition. Penalties may be levied against violators.

FORESTRY
Improperly managed logging operations can result in erosion and sedimentation.

Conduct pre-harvest planning to prevent erosion and lower costs.
Use logging methods and equipment that minimize soil disturbance.
Plan and design skid trails, yard areas, and truck access roads to minimize stream crossings and avoid disturbing the forest floor.
Construct stream crossings so that they minimize erosion and physical changes to streams.
Expedite re-vegetation of cleared areas.
Check with the Town Building Department to see if a permit is required before starting any logging or land clearing activity.

RESIDENTIAL

· Auto Care Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a waterbody.

Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car in your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.
Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

· Lawn Care Excess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams. In addition, yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.

Don’t over water your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
Compost or mulch yard waste. Don’t leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

· Pet Waste Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters.

When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly.
Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method.
Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local waterbodies.

· Residential Landscaping Permeable pavement: Traditional concrete and asphalt don’t allow water to soak into the ground. Instead, these surfaces rely on storm drains to divert unwanted water. Permeable pavement systems allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing stormwater runoff.

Rain barrels: You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.
Rain gardens and grassy swales: Specially designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftop areas or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains.
Vegetated filter strips: Filter strips are areas of native grass or plants created along roadways or streams. They trap the pollutants that stormwater picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.

· Septic Systems Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by stormwater and discharged into nearby waterbodies. Pathogens can cause public health problems and environmental concerns.

Inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary (every 3 to 5 years).
Don’t dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

The above information has been provided in part by the USEPA. Additional information can be found by visiting their website at www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater (or) www.epa.gov/nps. Specific regulations for New York State on MS-4 requirements may be found by visiting the NYSDEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us and navigate to “Stormwater” in the alphabetical listing. Please feel free to also contact the Town of Lloyd Planning Board Office in town hall, 12 Church Street, Highland, NY 12528 for local concerns. We will forward your questions to our town’s Drainage Committee. You may also email us at tlpz@townoflloyd.com or telephone us at (845) 691-7167 x21.

12 Church Street
Highland, NY 12528

Phone:	(845)-691-2144
FAX:	(845)-691-2732