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Stormwater
May 6, 2009
The presentation of the Annual MS4 Year 6 report was held on May 6, 2009 at Town Hall. Copies of the report are 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 or click on the links below. Public comments are encouraged and will be accepted. Please send them via e-mail to SRiley@townoflloyd.com or hard copies will be accepted at Town Hall Building Department.
MS4 Presentation to the Town of Lloyd Town Board
MS4 year 6 Annual Report
2009 Stormwater Goals
Town of Lloyd Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)
adopted by the Town of Lloyd Town Board 4.11.07
Town of Lloyd Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)
adopted by the Town of Lloyd Town Board June 10, 2009.
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.
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Sediment can cloud the water and make
it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also
can destroy aquatic habitats.
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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.
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Bacteria and other pathogens can wash
into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach
closures necessary.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Keep livestock away from streambanks
and provide them a water source away from waterbodies.
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Store and apply manure away from waterbodies
and in accordance with a nutrient management plan.
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Vegetate riparian areas (banks) along
waterways.
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Rotate animal grazing to prevent soil
erosion in fields.
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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.
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Clean up spills immediately and properly
dispose of cleanup materials.
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Provide cover over fueling stations
and design or retrofit facilities for spill and containment.
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Properly maintain fleet vehicles to
prevent oil, gas, or other discharges from being washed into local
waterbodies.
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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.
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Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks,
driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.
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Cover grease storage and dumpsters
and keep them clean to avoid leaks.
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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.
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Control erosion by diverting stormwater
away from disturbed or exposed earth areas of the construction site.
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Install silt fences, vehicle mud removal
areas, vegetative cover, and other sediment and erosion controls and
properly maintain them, especially after rainstorms.
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Prevent soil erosion by minimizing
disturbed areas during construction projects, and seed and mulch bare
areas as soon as possible.
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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.
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Further information can be found in
the Town Code Chapter 55 – “Stormwater Management, Erosion
& Sediment Control”.
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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.
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Conduct pre-harvest planning to prevent
erosion and lower costs.
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Use logging methods and equipment
that minimize soil disturbance.
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Plan and design skid trails, yard
areas, and truck access roads to minimize stream crossings and avoid
disturbing the forest floor.
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Construct stream crossings so that
they minimize erosion and physical changes to streams.
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Expedite re-vegetation of cleared
areas.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Don’t over water your lawn. Consider
using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
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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.
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Compost or mulch yard waste. Don’t
leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.
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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.
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When walking your pet, remember to
pick up the waste and dispose of it properly.
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Flushing pet waste is the best disposal
method.
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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.
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Rain barrels: You can collect rainwater
from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used
later on lawn or garden areas.
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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.
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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.
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.
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