The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05 - Chapter 5 - Natural Resources & Stormwater ManagementPlan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 43 5. NATURAL RESOURCES AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Natural resources provide a range of benefits for a community, both measurable and intangible. Environmental features such as wooded open space areas and watercourses can create aesthetic appeal which contributes to quality of life and strong property values, as well as generating more quantifiable positive impacts such as stormwater management, improved air and water quality, flood mitigation and maintenance of biological habitats. This chapter discusses the Village of Rye Brook’s environmental setting and ways to protect and enhance its sensitive natural features, in recognition of the need to balance increasing development pressures on a diminishing supply of land, with greater awareness of the environmental effects of human activities. 5.1 Topography and Elevation Rye Brook is located in the Long Island Sound coastal plain, characterized by low-lying lands closer to shore and gently rising lands farther inland. At its southern end, the village is only about a mile from the Sound, and thus, while lacking actual shoreline, Rye Brook’s land is typical of a Long Island Sound coastal community. The overall topography ranges from a low of about 60 feet above sea level just south of Bowman Avenue, to a high of approximately 405 feet above sea level at BelleFair’s community center (see Figure 7). 5.1.1 Steep Slopes Steady population growth and increased land values in Westchester County have resulted in development of some steeply sloped areas once considered too difficult and prohibitively expensive to develop. Generally, development of steep slopes greater than 15% is challenging, though not impossible, due to construction costs and the undesirability of road grades that exceed 10%. In addition, during construction, soil erosion and surface water runoff can increase as a result of the clearing of vegetation from steep slopes. Less than 10% (approximately 173 acres) of Rye Brook’s total land area contains steep slopes, with about 84% of that amount (145 acres) having slopes of 15% to 25%, and about 16% (28 acres) with slopes greater than 25%. Steep slope areas are found throughout the village, with the most significantly sloped areas generally running in two north-south lines in central Rye Brook, as well as along western portion of BelleFair (see Figure 8). The Village regulates disturbance of steep slopes through Chapter 213 of the Village Code, which controls certain activities on areas of at least 100 square feet and slopes of 15% or more. Some key areas of potential development or redevelopment, especially the Hilton property and undeveloped portions of office campuses, would be subject to the law’s provisions. VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK, NY SOURCE: WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING PLAN RYE BROOK FIGURE 7: TOPOGRAPHY KI N G S T 28 L I N C O L N A V E 1 0 N MA I N S T 27 P U R C H A S E S T ANDERSON HILL RD POLLY PARK RD C R O SS W E S TC H EST E R EX PY S R E G E N T ST PUTNAM AVE N REGE N T ST RT-120 HUTCHINSON R IVE R PKY S WESTCHESTER AVE INDIAN RD KEN I L W O R T H R D WE BB AV E S PEA R L S T BOSTON POST RD S T HALSTEAD AVE R T-120A S MA I N ST A N D AVE MILL ST RIDGE BLVD W G L E N A V E 1 -S U ADEE ST S R I D G E S T CROSS WESTCHE S TER EXPY C R O S S W E S T C H E S T E R 28 27 WEST CHESTE R A V E WESTCHESTER AVE 10 P U R C H A S E S T N RIDG E ST 29 BOWMAN AVE H UT CHIN SO N R I VE R P KY S HUT CHINSON RIVER PKY N S RI D G E ST 30S V A LLEY TER WESTCHESTER AVE KIN G ST CRAWFORD ST COU NTR Y RIDG E DR T AMARA CK RD LINCOLN AVE L ATO NIA R D A RB O R D R BEL L E F A I R RD BONWIT RD OLD O R C H A R D RD D R R O S D N I W BETSY BROWN RD H OLLY L N HILLA ND A LE RD B E L LE F AI R BL V D LOCH LN MOHEGAN LN TA LC O T T R D COMLY AVE ANDER SON HILL RD D R N O T L I W BOBBIE LN FAIRLAWN PKY PA D D O C K R D PIN E R I D GE R D RI DGE ST BIRCH LN BR O O K L N L ONGLED GE DR ARGYLE RD ELM HILL DR JEA N LN BERKLEY DR MEADOWLARK RD HA W TH O R N E AV E E V A T S E R C L L I H RED ROOF DR ROCKINGHORSE TRL CHU R C HIL L R D IRENHYL AVE WYMAN ST NEUTON AVE DR KAO DLO R D E G D IR KCOR RIDGE BLVD MAGNO LIA DR SUNSET RD JENNIFER LN BEACO N L N LAWR IDGE DR WINDINGWOOD RD N WOODLAN D DR B OXWOO D PL MARK DR ACKER DR BELL PL WOODLA N D AVE P H Y L LIS PL MAYWOOD AVE WINDINGWOOD RD S E A G L E S B LF DORC HE STE R DR REUNION RD MAPLE CT W R D SNEER G L A R O D DIV ISION ST WINTHROP DR EDGEWOOD DR DIXON ST BEECHWOOD BLVD FRANKLIN ST ORIOLE P L H I D DEN PO ND DR SLEEPY HOLLOW RD CARLTON LN L E E L N CAN D Y L N WHIPP OOR WILL R D AVON CIR KNOLL W O O D DRHUNTER DR CH A R L ES LN GREENWAY LN MILESTO N E R D RO ANOKE A V E ARLINGTON PL TE RRACE C TKENDOLIN LN INTERNATIONAL DR W ES T V I E W A V E COLLEGE AVE W RIDGE DR R Y E RID G E PLZ ELLENDALE AVE BA R B E R P L BROOKRIDGE CT W WILLIAM ST DEER RUN PAR KWOOD P L BISHOP DR S IVY HILL LN R I C E G D IR Y R T N U O C CROSSWAY LITTLE KINGS LN BE RKLEY LN RT-120A BR OO KS ID E WAY 27S PARADE LN BAY B ERRY LN P INE T REE DR CRESCENT PL OSB OR NE PL T R E E T O P LN BISHOP DR N JAMES WAY JACQUELINE LN BOLT O N P L WILTON CIR LIN C O L N A V E 29 T S G NIK Port Chester C O N N E C T I C U T 00.40.80.2 Miles μB Y R A M R I V E R HARRISON Legend Elevation in Feet Under 50 51 - 100 101 - 150 151 - 200 201 - 250 251 - 300 301 - 350 351 - 400 401 - 450 451 - 500 Westchester County Airport Blind Brook Country Club Blind Brook School Rich Manor Park Crawford Park HUTCH I N S O N RIVER PAR K W AY Port Chester Middle School St. Mary's Cemetery T O W N O F G R E E N W I C H VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK, NY SOURCE: WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING PLAN RYE BROOK FIGURE 8: ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES KI N G S T 28 L I N C O L N A V E 10 N M A IN S T 2 7 P U R C H A S E S T ANDERSON HILL RD POLLY PARK RD C R OS S W ES T C H E S T E R E XP Y S R E G E N T ST PUTNAM AVE N R EGEN T S T RT-120 HUTCHINS ON RIVER PKY S WESTCHESTER AVE INDIAN RD KEN I L W O R T H R D WE B B A VE S PEA R L S T BOSTON POST R D E S T HALSTEAD A VE RT-1 2 0 A S M A IN S T L A ND AV E MILL ST RIDGE BLVD W G L E N A V E 1 -S U ADEE ST S R IDG E S T CROSS WESTCHESTER EXPY C R O S S W E S T C H E ST E R E 2 8 27 WESTCH ESTER AVE WESTCHESTER AVE 10 P U R C H A S E S T N RI D G E ST 29 BOWMAN AVE HU TCHIN SON R I VE R PK Y S HUTCHINSO N RIVER PKY N S RIDGE S T 30S RET Y E L L A V WESTCHESTER AVE KING S T CRAWFORD ST COU NTRY RIDGE DR T A MARAC K R D LI NCOLN AVE LA T O NIA RD AR BO R DR B E LLE F AIR RD BONWIT RD OLD O R C H AR D R D D R R OSDNIW BETSY BROWN RD HOLLY L N HIL LANDAL E RD B E L L E F AIR BL V D LOCH LN MOHEGAN LN TAL C O TT R D COMLY AVE ANDER SON HILL RD D R N O T L I W BOBBIE L N FAIRLAWN PKY P A D D O C K RD P I N E R I DGE RD R I DGE ST BIRCH LN B R O O K L N LONGLEDGE D R ARGYLE RD ELM HILL DR JE A N LN BERKLEY DR MEADOWLARK RD H A W T H O R N E A VE E V A T S E R CLLIH RED ROOF DR ROCKINGHORSE TRL C H U R C H I LL R D IRENHYL AVE WYMAN ST NEUTON AVE DR KAO DLO R D EGDIR KCOR RIDGE BLVD M A G N O L IA D R SUNSET RD JENNIFER LN BEACO N L N LAWRIDGE DR WINDINGWOOD RD N WOOD LAND DR BOXWOO D PL MARK DR ACKER DR BELL PL WOO D L AND AVE P H Y LL IS P L MAYWOOD AVE WINDINGWOOD RD S EA G LE S B L F DOR CHESTE R DR REUNION RD MAPLE CT D O R A L G R EE N S D R W DIV ISIO N ST WINTHROP DR EDGEWOOD DR DIXON ST BEECHWOOD BLVD FRANKLIN ST ORIO LE P L H I D DEN P O N D DR SLEEPY HOLLO W RD CARLTON LN L E E L N C A N D Y L N WHIPPOO R WILL RD AVON CIR K NOLLW OO D DRHUNTER DR CH AR LES LN GREENWAY LN MILEST ONE RD R O A N O K E AV E ARLINGTON PL TERR AC E C TKENDOLIN LN INTERNATIONAL DR W E S T VIE W AVE COLLEGE AVE W RIDGE DR R Y E R I D G E P L Z ELLENDALE AVE BARBER P L BROOKRIDGE CT W WILLIAM ST DEER RUN PARKWOOD PL BISHOP DR S IVY HILL LN RIC E G DIR Y R T N U O C CROSSWAY LITTLE KINGS LN BER KL EY LN RT-120A BROOK SIDE W AY 27S PARADE LN BAYBE RRY LN PIN E TREE DR CRESCENT PL O S B O R N E PL TRE E TOP L N BISHOP DR N JAMES WAY JACQUELINE LN BOL TO N PL WILTON CIR LI N C O L N A V E 29 KI N G S T Port Chester C O N N E C T I C U T 00.510.25 Miles μB Y R A M R I V E R HARRISON Legend Slopes 15% to 25% Slopes over 25% NYSDEC Mapped Wetlands National Wetland Inventory Wetlands Hydric Wetland Soils Water Bodies Major Drainage Basin Divides Minor Drainage Basin Divides Streams Westchester County Airport Blind Brook Country Club Blind Brook School Rich Manor Park Crawford Park HUTCHINSON RIVER P A RKW A Y Port Chester Middle School St. Mary's Cemetery Port Chester High School T O W N O F G R E E N W I C H BLIND BROOK BASIN BEAVER SWAMPBROOK BASIN BYRAM RIVER BASIN PORT CHESTER HARBOR BASIN KENSICORESERVOIR BASIN MAMARONECK RIVER BASIN BYRAM RIVER BASIN BYRAMRIVERBASIN Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 46 5.2 Soils The physical properties of soils have a direct impact on land use and have important implications for future development, based on their ability to absorb stormwater runoff, filter out pollutants carried by runoff, support structures and sustain plant and animal life. Other key characteristics include their rate of water percolation, stability and inclination to erode. Consideration of the engineering properties of the soil present on a site is an integral part of site design. Based on information derived from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) 1994 Soil Survey of Putnam and Westchester Counties, just under half of Rye Brook’s soils are characterized as “urban land.” An additional 26% of the village’s land area is characterized as either Charlton or Paxton soils – containing low to steep slopes and rockiness in some areas – while about 9% of the soils are considered hydric, typically found in wetland areas. These hydric areas are generally found on the Blind Brook running along the border between Rye Brook and Harrison, as well as in large pockets in the northern portion of the village, at the Blind Brook Country Club, Doral Greens-Arrowwood and along Lincoln Avenue east of Westchester County Airport (see Figure 9). 5.3 Water Resources 5.3.1 Coastal Long Island Sound Watershed All of Rye Brook is located within the Coastal Long Island Sound watershed, which encompasses much of southeastern Westchester County, generally east of the Bronx River and south of Kensico Lake and Rye Lake. The village comprises approximately 5% of this watershed. Surface water within Rye Brook reaches its destination largely via Blind Brook or the Byram River. Both the main stem and the East Branch of Blind Brook fall within the village’s boundaries; the East Branch joins the main stem just south of Bowman Avenue. The Byram River channel is entirely outside of Rye Brook’s boundaries, although a small part of the village drains to it. 5.3.2 Blind Brook and Byram River Subwatersheds Rye Brook is located within the Blind Brook and Byram River subwatersheds (see Figure 8). Blind Brook Subwatershed The Blind Brook is approximately 10 miles in length and flows directly into Long Island Sound. The Blind Brook subwatershed covers about 11 square miles in New York and Connecticut, and comprises 10 square miles within the coastal Long Island Sound watershed. The Rye Brook portion of the Blind Brook subwatershed covers approximately 2,061 acres, or 32%, of the coastal Long Island Sound watershed. VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK, NY SOURCE: WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING PLAN RYE BROOK FIGURE 9: SOILS LINC OL N AV E ANDERSON HILL RD 27S COMLY AVE WYMAN ST N RID GE ST H AINES BL V D ALFR ED CT D R N O TLIW D R D RA HCR O D L O A R R O W W O O D CI R N RIDG E ST BEECHWOOD BLVD LIN C O L N AV E ARB O R DR FRANKLIN ST CARLTON LN W OOD LAND DR S RID GE ST ROB I N S ROO ST HA W TH O RN E AVE HUTCHINSON RIVER PKY S W OO D LAND AV E HUTCHIN SON RIVER PKY N BETSY BROWN RD DORAL GREEN DR YRTNUOC RD EGDIR C OU NT RY RI DGE CLOSE TR EE T OP CRES KIN G ST WILTON CIR BOLT ON PL IRENHYL AVE BOWMAN AVE S R I D G E S T FAIRLAWNPKY NEUTON AVE BOWMAN AVE BRUSH HO L LO W CR ES E S U O H N E E R G R I C JAMES WAY HUTCHINSON RIVER PKY S N L T N I O P S L L I H H ER I T A GE C T OSBORNE PL BISHOP DR N TRE E TOP L N ARL I NGTON P L COLLEGE AVE HEIRLOOMLN RT-120A JACQUELINE LN T S G NIK ARGYLE RD BOX WOOD PL DORCHE S TER D R SUNSET RD E L M H I LL D R BERKLEY DR HIGHVI EW AV E L A T ONIA R D CAS TLE LN D G PARADE LN DEVONSHIRE CT WE S TVIE W AVE VIN TAGE CT RIDGE BLVD CRESCENT PL DIXONST IRENHYLAVE JENNIFER LN LEGENDARY CIR PINE T RE E DR STONEFALLS CT HIGHST BE LL E FA IR BL V D SYLV A N R D EVA TSERCLLIH BAYBE RR Y LN Y A W N E E R G R I C REUNION RD DOR AL GREE N DR E O L D O A K R D RD E G DIR Y R T N U O C BONWIT RD L AT O NIA RD WESTCHESTER AVE BO BBIE LN PI NE RID G E R D LA WRID GE D R WOODLAND DR NAMYW N TS HIGH POINT CIR BELL EFAIRBLVD COUNTRY RIDGE D R MARK DR RIDGEBLVD BEA CO N L N CROSSWAY V ALL E Y T E R RIDGEBLVD WINDINGWOOD RD S LON GLE D GE DR ARGYLE RD BL UE B IR D H O L W FAIRLAWN PKY IVY HILL LN WINDINGWOOD RD N RIDGE BLVD L A W R I D G E D R FELLOWSHI P L N LEGENDARY CIR MEADOWLARK RD B A R B E R PL BERKLEY LN C O N C O R D PL BISHOP DR S MEETING HOUSE LN PA R K R I D G E C T BAYBERRY CLOS HIG H V IE W A V E LITTLE KINGS LN W RIDGE DR W WILLIAM ST PAR KWOOD PL MOHEGAN LN BELL PL CASTLE VIEW CT MILLENIUM PL L P E R O M E T T I H W TE R R A C E C T R Y E R ID G E PL Z RED ROOF DR R O C KI N GHO RSE TR L B R U S H H O LLO W CLOS ROCKRIDGE DR ELLENDALEAVE BERKLEY DR CH AR LES LN KENDOLIN LN ORIOLE PL BIRCH LN CO U N T R Y RI D G E C I R D R R O S D N I W ROCK RIDGE DR DIVI SION S T B E LL E FA IR B LV D LINCOLN AVE MI LESTONE R D CANDY LN RYERIDGEPLZ P H YLLI S P L SLEEP Y HOLLOW RD DR KCARAMAT BROOKRIDGE CT DEER R UN P A D D OCK R D MOHEGAN LN PINE RIDGE RD E A G L E S B L F INTERNATIONAL DR MAPLE CT BELLEFAIR RD 29 30 S BOBBIE LN RO A NO K E AV E EDGEWO O D DR S RID G E ST KNO LL WOO D DR BR O O K L N H I DD EN PO ND DR MAYWOOD AVE WHIPPOORW ILL RD DORA L GREENS DR W J E A N L N WINTHROP DR R IDGE ST COUNTRY RI DGE DR LOCH LN B ETSY BROW N RD R E T Y E L L AV 29 T A M A R A C K R D CHU R C H I L L RD HOLLY LN AVON CIR WI NDI N GWOO D RD S MAGNOLIA DR COUN TR Y RI DGE DR RET Y E L L A V CROSSWESTCHESTEREXPY CROSS WESTCHESTEREXPY C R O S S WES TCHES TER HILLANDALE RD TALCOTT RD CRAWFORD ST LI N C O L N A V E ADEE ST HAWLEY AVE RIDGEBLVD RT-120A RT-1 2 0 A BOS TON POST RD C R O S S W E S T C H E S T E E X P Y WILLETT AVE K ENI L W ORT H R D M ID LAND A VE 10 HU T CHI N S ON R I V ER PK Y S P U R C H A S E S T A I R P O R T R D C R O S S W E S T C H E S T E R EX P Y L I N C O L N A V E BOWMAN AVE INDIAN RD P U R C H A S E S T S R EG E N T ST BOWMANAVE LI N C O L N A V E HALS T EAD AVE WESTCHESTER A V E N MA IN ST WE B B AVE HUTCHI N S O N RIVER P KY S N R EGEN T S T S M A I N S T MILLST S RI D G E S T R T-1 2 0 A W E B B AVE WE S TC H ES T E R A V E ANDERSON HILL RD PUTNAM AVE 1 -S U PU TNAM AV E P URC H AS E S T KEN I L W O R T H RD HUTCHINSON RIVER PKY S HUTCHINSONRIVERPKY N 2 8 POLLY PARK RD S P EAR L S T KI N G S T RT-12 0 H A I N E S B L V D 9N-S W G L E N A V E WESTCHESTER AVE G R A C E C H U R C H S T WESTCHESTERAVE 27 RID G E ST 27 10 28 LcB Uf W RdA CsD LcA Sh Sh CrC UpC PnB Ub UlC W Uf RdA WdB Ff WdBPnC Sh UpB LcB Ub UpC UhC WdBPnC RdA WdA PnB WdB W Uc W Sh UwBSuB W PnD PnC PnB CrC ChC CuD CtC PnC Sh Uf WdB PnB ShCtC CuD Sh WdC LcA CrC W CuD CsD W Uf W CrC PnC WdB LcA CrC W W PnC W UhC Ub Uc Ff Sm PnC WdB RdB CuD PnB PnC UpC WdB PnB RdB CrC SuB UbW W PnC ChC RdA UlC Uf UlC CuD W SuA ChB WdB ChB Uf WdB PnD UlD PnDShPnB W PnBLcA UpC ChC CrC UpB UpB UhC PnC W RdA ChB SuA ChB PnC Ub RdA WdCSh CsD Sh W Uf WdB PnB Ub Uf UfUfUlC CsD UlD UwB CtC CsD WCtC Ce LeBCrC CrC PnC Pa CtC UcUb PnB Uf CrC W SuB ChD CuD Uf CuD UbW RdB UlC ChC CrC W RdA RdB WdB WdB PnC PoB ChBWdB CtC Ub UwB W PnC Sh PnC Sh Sh CrC CrC UhB UwB RdA PnC RdA RhA PnD PnC CtC UpB Sh Ub PoB CtC LcA Sh WdB CrC Ub ChB PnB CrC PnC CsD CsD CsD UpC UfCsDCuD UwB ChB LcA RdB RdA WdB PnB RdA RgBPnCPnB UwB LcB UwB ChD Uf WdB SuB WdA LeB UpC ChB WdB PnB WdB Uf UpB UhB PnB SuB WdB PnB CsD PnC Ub ChC ChB WdB UpB UwB Ff PnB PnC LcA W UlC UhB WdB UhC LcB PnC PnB RdB Sh CrC RdB PnB UpB PnC LcA Sh CtC Ub CrC Sh UbSuB CsD UhCUwB UbSh UpC PnB Ra ChB Uf W RdAPnC PnB RdA Ub CsD LcA WdB RdA WdBCsD CrC Ub UlC PnB WdB UhCW ChB W WdA Ff WdB UpB PnB Sh Uc LcB LcB CuDCtCLcBSh W Uf PnB Ub Uf LcA UwB UhB ChB WdA UlC LcB UvB PnC CrC UhC UlC ChB LcB PnB PnB FfPnB PnC Uf Uf UpC SuB CrC Ub Ub UlD CrC SuA PnB UpB Uc PnB UwB CuD WdC Ub PnD ChCWdB UhDChBLcA Uf ChBChC Uf W UpB UlC LcB Ub UbSuA PnB RdBUbUhB CsD Sm Sh UlC CsD RdA W WdA Uf CsD CsD PnC UpB Uf UpCLcB Port Chester C O N N E C T I C U T 00.510.25 Miles μB Y R A M R I V E R HARRISON Westchester County Airport T O W N O F G R E E N W I C H Rye Brook Legend Soil Type Groupings Charlton Chatfield Paxton Sutton Woodbridge Urban Hydric Fluvaquents Riverhead Water Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 48 In 1998, a special Watershed Advisory Committee, under the guidance of Westchester County, completed a watershed management plan for the subwatersheds of Beaver Swamp Brook, Beaver Swamp Brook West, Blind Brook, Mamaroneck Harbor, Milton Harbor and Port Chester Harbor. The study identified six water quality-impaired sites along the Blind Brook main branch. Three are between Lincoln Avenue and the Hutchinson River Parkway, along the Rye Brook/Harrison boundary, with one site found between Westchester Avenue and I-287 and two additional sites located in Rich Manor Park and just south of Westchester Avenue. Table 13 summaries the study’s recommendations for Rye Brook. Table 13: Watershed Planning Strategies for Rye Brook Village-Specific Recommendation Action Taken Municipal Comprehensive Plans and Ordinances  Amend the Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance to apply to all substantial land-disturbing activities and be consistent with the County’s Best Management Practices Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control and the NYSDEC’s Guidelines for New Development.  New Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance adopted in 2003.  Adopt a stormwater management ordinance that contains provisions for the treatment of stormwater for both water quality as well as quantity.  New Stormwater Management Law consistent with NYSDEC Phase II regulations adopted in 2006.  Amend site plan/subdivision regulations to include steep slope provisions to safeguard remaining undeveloped areas which contain steep slopes.  Steep Slope Protection Law adopted in 2003.  Amend the Village’s existing Wetlands and Watercourses Ordinance to include a section on mitigation plan requirements.  Wetlands and Watercourses Law amended in 2003.  Amend the Zoning Ordinance to include lot coverage limits for all zoning districts and provide for the area closest to the Rye Ridge Complex to be kept open to provide a buffer and recreational resource to village residents as recommended in the Village’s Rye Brook South Study.  Zoning ordinance amended in 2006 to add lot coverage limits for residential districts. Roanoke Park designated. Stormwater Management  Many of the 11 surface stormwater management basins identified in the study area portion of Rye Brook can be improved from a water quality standpoint by relatively simple changes in design.  Numerous stormwater management improvements completed; see discussion below. Wetland Restoration  Provide the long-term protection and preservation of the State-designated wetland that straddles the Rye Brook and Harrison municipal boundary.  This wetland area is regulated by the Village’s Wetlands and Watercourses Ordinance. Stream Restoration  Improve water quality by modifying urban housekeeping practices, enhancing the stream buffer/banks, managing nutrients, controlling erosion and sediment, restoring the natural channel, stabilizing stream banks, maintaining septic systems, retrofitting storm drains, improving streamside mowing practices and removing sediment from the stream channel.  Numerous stormwater management improvements completed; see discussion below. Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution: A Management Plan for the Watersheds of Beaver Swamp and Blind Brooks, Mamaroneck, Milton and Port Chester Harbors (1998), Westchester County Department of Planning Byram River Subwatershed The Byram River is nearly 14 miles in length, and its subwatershed covers approximately 29 square miles in New York and Connecticut, largely in North Castle, Greenwich and Port Chester. The Rye Brook portion covers about 162 acres, or less than 1% of the total subwatershed. Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 49 5.3.3 Wetlands Chapter 245 of Rye Brook’s Village Code defines wetlands as: 1. Those areas that meet criteria specified in the Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands (1989), or 2. Those areas that meet the definition of wetlands included in the New York State Freshwater Wetlands Act. These are identified on the New York State Freshwater Wetlands Maps, and are only those wetlands that are 12.4 acres or more in size or have been specially designated by the State as being of “unusual local importance.” Per Village and State regulations, certain regulated activities within 100 feet of wetlands and watercourses must first be approved by the designated approval authority, whether it is the Village Planning Board, Village Engineer or NYSDEC. Although the NYSDEC regulates only those wetlands that are identified on its Freshwater Wetlands Maps, Rye Brook regulates all freshwater wetlands, regardless of size, as long as they meet one or both of the above criteria. Due to its inland location, no tidal wetlands exist within the village. Figure 8, above, depicts wetlands or areas most likely to contain wetlands in Rye Brook. Only one State-designated wetland is present in the village. It totals approximately 18.6 acres and is a forested wetland flanking Blind Brook immediately north of Anderson Hill Road, between SUNY Purchase and Reckson Executive Park, on the border of Rye Brook and Harrison. Other smaller wetlands have been identified and mapped in the village as part of the National Wetland Inventory (NWI), a non-regulatory mapping system prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The NWI-mapped wetlands total approximately 42 acres within Rye Brook, including part of the State-designated wetland and some segments of both the main stem and the East Branch of Blind Brook. These NWI-mapped wetlands consist of freshwater ponds totaling about 23 acres, swamp areas totaling approximately 15 acres and marsh areas totaling about 4 acres. NWI mapping does not identify all wetlands within municipalities, and must be used in conjunction with site-specific mapping and field investigations. 5.3.4 Water Quality All waters in New York State are assigned a letter classification denoting their best use. Classifications AA or A are assigned to waters used as a source of drinking water, while Classification B indicates a best usage for swimming and other contact recreation, but not for drinking water. Classification C is for waters supporting fisheries and suitable for non-contact activities, while Classification D is appropriate for fishing and non-contact activities. Both Blind Brook and the Byram River are classified C. According to the NYSDEC’s Atlantic Ocean/Long Island Sound Basin Waterbody Inventory and Priority Waterbodies List, the sources of water quality impairments within the Long Island Sound watershed include municipal and industrial discharges, urban stormwater runoff, combined and Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 50 separate sewer overflows, contaminated sediments, oil and hazardous material spills, nonpoint source runoff, dredge soil disposal, ground/surface/saltwater intrusion and thermal discharges. Portions of the Blind Brook and Byram River are classified as either impaired or stressed, indicating documented water quality issues. 5.4 Stormwater and Flooding Land development often eliminates natural features that moderate stormwater runoff and exposes soil to erosion. Stormwater runoff carries soil and other pollutants into streams, lakes, rivers and estuaries. In severe storm events, bank erosion, flooding, road washouts and flooded basements are a direct result of uncontrolled stormwater runoff. This is a very costly and sometimes dangerous problem, as residents of Rye Brook have witnessed firsthand. Preventing these problems requires precautions during and after land development. Federal and State law required urbanized communities, including the village, to establish Phase II stormwater management programs aimed at controlling stormwater on developed sites to the maximum extent possible. This means that the quantity, rate and quality of runoff should not change significantly between pre- and post-development. Under State law, local stormwater programs which incorporate the Stormwater Phase II Minimum Control Measures had to be fully functional by January 2008; the Village of Rye Brook adopted updated stormwater management regulations incorporating the Phase II measures in 2006. One of the leading contributors to stormwater runoff is impervious surfaces, defined as any material that prevents the infiltration of water into the soil. Roads, rooftops, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas all fall into this category. As shown in Figure 10, approximately 485 acres, or about 22% of Rye Brook’s total land area, is covered with impervious surfaces. Some 60% of that amount is coverage from roadways, parking areas, sidewalks and airport runways, with the remaining 40% consisting of buildings and structures. 5.4.1 Stormwater Management The Village of Rye Brook has been proactive in addressing stormwater runoff and drainage issues. In 2002, the Village commissioned a study by Dolph Rotfeld Engineering of drainage in the East Branch Blind Brook watershed. This watershed encompasses about 520 acres in two main areas: the upper northeast portion, including the tributary north and east of Acker Drive, and the south/southwest portion, containing the balance of the overall tributary area. VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK, NY SOURCE: WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING PLAN RYE BROOK FIGURE 10: IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE KI N G S T 28 LI N C O L N A V E 10 N MA I N ST 2 7 P U R C H A S E S T ANDERSON HILL RD POLLY PARK RD CR O S S W E S T C H ES TER E X P Y S R E G E N T ST PUTNAM AVE N RE G E N T ST RT-120 HUTCHINSON RIVER P K Y S WESTCHESTER AVE INDIAN RD KEN I L W O R T H R D WE B B A V E S P EAR L S T BOS TON POS T RD S T HALSTEAD AV E RT -1 20 A S M A I N ST AN D AVE MILL ST RIDGE BLVD W G L E N A V E 1 -S U ADEE ST S R I DGE S T CROSS WESTCHESTER EXPY C R O S S W E S T C H E S T E R 28 27 WESTC H E S T ER AVE WESTCHESTER AVE 10 P U R C H A S E S T N RIDG E ST 29 BOWMAN AVE H UT CHIN SO N RI VE R P KY S HUTC HINSON RIVE R PKY N S RID G E S T 30S V A LLEY TER WESTCHESTER AVE KING ST CRAWFORD ST COU NTR Y RIDG E DR TAMARA CK RD LINCOLN AVE LAT O N IA R D ARB OR DR BE L L E F A I R RD BONWIT RD OLD O R C H AR D R D D R R O S D N IW BETSY BROWN RD HOLLY LN HILLA ND ALE RD BELLE FAI R B L V D LOCH LN MOHEGAN LN TALC O T T R D COMLY AVE A NDER SON HILL RD D R N O T L I W BOBBIE LN FAIRLAWN PKY PA D D O C K R D P I NE R IDG E R D R I DGE ST BIRCH LN BR O O K L N L ONGLED GE DR ARGYLE RD ELM HILL DR JEAN L N BERKLEY DR MEADOWLARK RD HAW TH ORN E AV E E V A T S E R C L L I H RED ROOF DR ROCKINGHORSE TRL C H U R C H I LL RD IRENHYL AVE WYMAN ST NEUTON AVE DR KAO DLO R D E G D IR KCOR RIDGE BLVD M A G N O L I A DR SUNSET RD JENNIFER LN BEACO N L N LAWRI DGE D R WINDINGWOOD RD N WOODLAND DR B OXWOOD PL MARK DR ACKER DR BELL PL WOODLAND AVE P H Y L LI S PL MAYWOOD AVE WINDINGWOOD RD S E A G LE S BLF DORC HESTE R DR REUNION RD MAPL E CT W R D S N E E R G LAROD DIVISION ST WINTHROP DR EDGE WOO D DR DIXON ST BEECHWOOD BL VD FRANKLIN ST ORIO L E P L H I D DEN P O ND DR SLEEPY HOLLOW RD CARLTON LN L E E LN C A N D Y L N WHIPPOOR WILL R D AVON CIR KNOLL WO O D DRHUNTER DR CH AR L ES LN GREENWAY LN MI LEST O NE RD ROAN O K E A V E ARLINGTON PL TE R RA C E C TKENDOLIN LN INTERNATIONAL DR W ES TVI E W A V E COLLEGE AVE W RIDGE DR R Y E RID G E PL Z ELLENDALE AVE B A R B E R P L BROOKRIDGE CT W WILLIAM ST DEER RUN PARKWOOD PL BISHOP DR S IVY HILL LN RIC E G DIR Y R T N U O C CROSSWAY LITTLE KINGS LN BE RKLEY LN RT-120A BR OOKS IDE WAY 27S PARADE LN BAYBERRY LN PINE TREE DR CRESCENT PL OSB O R N E P L TR E E T OP L N BISHOP DR N JAMES WAY JACQUELINE LN BOLT O N PL WILTON CIR LIN C O L N A V E 29 T S G NIK Port Chester C O N N E C T I C U T 00.510.25 Miles μB Y R A M R I V E R HARRISON Legend Roadways Buildings Parking Areas & Driveways Sidewalks Airport Runways Westchester County Airport Blind Brook Country Club Blind Brook School Rich Manor Park Crawford Park HUTCHINS O N RIVER PAR K W A Y Port Chester Middle School St. Mary's Cemetery Port Chester High School T O W N O F G R E E N W I C H Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 52 As of 2013, as a result of the East Branch Blind Brook watershed study and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and stormwater management, the Village has implemented the following improvements:  Rich Manor Park stream bank stabilization and riparian buffer improvements  East Branch channel improvements on Little Kings Lane  Installation of an underground stormwater detention system and piping under the King Street Ballfields.  Storm sewer improvements on King Street and Loch Lane bypass  Phillips Pond and channel improvements near Beechwood Circle  Edgewood Drive/Bluebird Hollow detention pond  Joint study with the City of Rye on the upper and lower pond on Bowman Avenue (including points north near Avon Circle and Brook Lane)  Sluice gate installation between the upper and lower pond on Bowman Avenue In addition, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study of the Blind Brook Main Branch (see discussion below) has identified a stormwater management project, which is under consideration by the Village, to create an upstream detention pond near SUNY Purchase. In 2006, as discussed above, the Village adopted a new Stormwater Management Law to incorporate NYS Phase II Minimum Control Measures. These include the requirement that developers submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to the Village with any regulated application for a land-use approval. NYS Phase II is limited to areas over one acre. However, Rye Brook opted for a more stringent regulation, requiring a stormwater management control permit for any land development activity involving 400 square feet or more, and a full SWPPP for major land development activities (land disturbance of 20,000 square feet or more). In addition, the Village is a member of the Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC), an association of 13 municipalities in the lower Long Island Sound drainage basin focused on making collective decisions to achieve a cleaner Long Island Sound. The group helped gain adoption in 2011 of a Westchester County Stormwater Management Law that created a watershed advisory board for each watershed basin in the County. Recently, LISWIC has discussed creating a capital improvement plan for the Lower Long Island Sound Watershed, with the intent of applying for County grants to fund needed stormwater projects. 5.4.2 Flooding For land-use planning purposes, the regulatory floodplain is typically viewed as all lands within reach of a 100-year flood, or one with a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The Federal Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 53 Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) produces floodplain maps defining which land falls within the 100-year floodplain in order to implement the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood hazard areas are divided into zones:  Zone A – areas of 100-year flood  Zone B – areas between the limits of the 100-year flood and 500-year flood, or certain areas subject to 100-year flooding with average depths less than one foot or where the contributing drainage area is less than one square mile, or areas protected by levees from the base flood  Zone C – areas of minimal flooding  Zone V – areas within the 100-year floodplain with additional hazards associated with storm-induced waves As shown in Figure 11, below, 100-year flood zones are found in Rye Brook along both the main stem and the East Branch of the Blind Brook. These areas vary in width up to about 550 feet, and in some locations – such as the East Branch in the vicinity of Rich Manor Park, encompass single- family residences and Village parkland. In other locations, such as at Deer Run, the flood zone is confined to narrow bands on the east and west sides of the main stem of the Blind Brook. Base flood elevations range from about 32 feet at the brook’s southern end in Rye Brook at I-287 to approximately 344 feet at the brook’s northern end at Lincoln Avenue. Rye Brook Village Code Section 130: Flood Damage Prevention regulates development in floodplains and appoints the Village Engineer as local administrator for granting development permits within the areas of flood hazard. Under the requirements of the law, residential construction must have the lowest floor including the basement elevated to 2 feet above the base flood elevation, or at least 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade if no base flood elevation data are available. Utilities must also be designed and/or located to prevent water damage during flooding. Variances from floodplain development permits may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Adoption of local flood damage laws is a prerequisite for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, a federal program allowing property owners in participating communities to purchase flood insurance in exchange for state and community floodplain management regulations that reduce future flood damages by controlling new or substantially modified construction in floodplains. Rye Brook’s Flood Damage Prevention law was amended in 2007 and reflects guidelines set by the NYSDEC. The Village of Rye Brook has actively studied and responded to flooding issues. As discussed, in 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared a Blind Brook Watershed Management Plan to identify specific flood mitigation alternatives based on an assessment of existing flood impacts. Recommended improvements included a large stormwater detention basin upstream of Anderson Hill Road next to SUNY Purchase, and improvements to the dam across Blind Brook at Bowman Avenue. VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK, NY SOURCE: WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BFJ PLANNING PLAN RYE BROOK FIGURE 11: FLOODPLAINS C O N N E C T I C U T N Rid g e St I 2 8 7 S R i d g e S t Bowman Ave Va l l e y T e r Linco l n A v e Westchester Ave Arb o r D r K i n g S t Hut chi n s o n Rive r Pkw y Crawford Rd Ai r p o r t R d B e ll e f a i r R d L a t o n i a R d Bonwit Rd A nder s o n Hi ll Rd Berkley Dr Coun t r y R idg e D r N Holl y Ln Hill an dale Rd Betsy Brown Rd Win d s o r R d Loch Ln Comly A ve B r o o k L n Birch Ln P a d d o c k R d Lon g led g e D r Bo b b i e Ln S t a t e H w y 1 2 0 A Hil l c re s t Av e Elm Hill Dr W i n di n g woo d Rd N Meadowlark Rd Argyle Rd Ro c k i n g h ors e T r l Law r idg e D r J e a n L n Acker Dr L e g e n d a r y C i r Ro ck Ridge D r Magnolia Dr Jennifer Ln Wyman St Neuton Av Bell Pl H a w t h o r n e A v e High St B oxw o o d Pl Country Ridge Dr Oriole Pl Rid g e St R o a n o k e A v e Whi p poor w ill R d Avon Cir L i ttle King s L n I 2 8 7 L i n c o l n A v e Rye Brook Flood Zones 500 Year Flood 100-Year Flood Streams and Watercourses 3,900 0 3,9001,950 Feet Port Chester HARRISON CITY OF RYE Rye Brook GREENWICH RYE TOWN Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 55 In 2010, the Village, together with the City of Rye, studied the Bowman Avenue upper and lower ponds and the areas immediately north (including around Brook Lane and Avon Circle). The study’s outcome was a flood mitigation project to retrofit the outlet control structure of the Bowman Avenue dam with a sluice gate, following up on the Army Corps plan and an earlier feasibility study. The dam is on City property within the village, and the project would benefit properties in both municipalities south of the dam. Construction, partially funded by the County and State, was completed in 2012. Given that many residences within floodplains may pre-date current regulations and best practices, the Village should explore the potential to assist residents with retrofitting their homes to reduce future flood damage, including providing incentives such as reduction or waiver in development fees. According to FEMA, there are six general retrofitting methods:  Elevation – Raising the home so that the lowest floor is above the flood level.  Wet Floodproofing – Making uninhabited portions of the home resistant to flood damage and allowing water to enter during flooding.  Relocation – Moving the home out of the floodplain to higher ground.  Dry Floodproofing – Sealing the home to prevent floodwaters from entering.  Levees and Floodwalls – Building floodwalls/levees at the home to hold back floodwaters.  Demolition – Tearing down the damaged home and either rebuilding on the same property or buying or building a home elsewhere. Not all of these methods are applicable to Rye Brook, especially with the lack of available vacant land for potential relocation. FEMA offers competitive grants to state and local governments for assistance in implementing measures to reduce the flooding risk to structures and populations. 5.5 Hazard Mitigation With recent weather events like Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, there is major focus on the need to plan for hazardous events. The Village completed a Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2007 that provides general recommendations to address the potential impacts of these events and to reduce risk. The plan, approved by FEMA in 2008, recommended a range of infrastructure improvements to address flooding and stormwater management, as well as emergency preparedness. The Village’s emergency management plans were tested during the Sandy event in October 2012, when about 17 homes sustained major damage, 30 roads were blocked (including major arterials) and nearly 80% of Rye Brook homes lost power. During the storm, Village Hall served as the center of emergency management operations, and the Village communicated with residents using the Nixle emergency notification system. In September 2013, Rye Brook amended its zoning regulations controlling permanent standby backup generators to provide greater flexibility in siting and screening emergency generators. The Village should continue to monitor opportunities to address emergency management needs as they become apparent. Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 56 5.6 Plants and Wildlife Perhaps the most prominent natural feature in Rye Brook’s landscape is its trees. The presence or absence of street trees has a significant impact on the character of village neighborhoods. Trees beautify neighborhoods, provide shade and clean the air, enhancing quality of life for Rye Brook residents. They also absorb rainfall, reduce flooding and decrease heat island effects, whereas unshaded asphalt soaks in thermal energy and radiates it back into the atmosphere. Maintaining and planting trees should be an important component of the Village’s efforts to preserve and improve air quality, micro-climate, image and property values. In Rye Brook, trees are predominantly pioneer hardwoods and oaks, with the most highly vegetated areas located near the Blind Brook and BelleFair. Forest cover in the village has not changed significantly in the last several decades, although in recent years, underdeveloped parcels and farmland have been replaced by more dense residential communities. The Village’s tree ordinance (Chapter 235 of the Village Code) protects trees on both public and private property, through regulations including:  Permits are required for removing trees over a certain size on public and private property  Property owners are required to follow tree removal guidelines  Clear cutting is not allowed  Tree Preservation Maps are required for subdivisions  The spacing of urban trees is regulated  Native non-invasive species should replace removed trees  Specified criteria for tree removal  Fines are imposed for illegal tree removal Wildlife in Rye Brook is fairly typical of suburban communities, including a range of animals that can survive in established residential areas but that can sometimes prove a nuisance to residents. The Village has had particular problems in recent years controlling the coyote population, and instituted an annual coyote trapping program and public education effort to address the issue. 5.6.1 Endangered Species The NYSDEC does not provide lists of endangered, threatened or special concern species at the village level, but information is available for Westchester County (see Table 14). In addition, from 2000 to 2005, NYSDEC staff and volunteers surveyed breeding birds in the state and found two birds of special concern in Rye Brook: Cooper’s Hawk and Yellow-breasted Chat.5 5 See the NYSDEC Breeding Bird Atlas for more information. Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 57 Table 14: Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species in Westchester County Common Name Distribution Status Year Last Documented State Protection Status Birds Bald Eagle Recently Confirmed 2010 Threatened Common Tern Recently Confirmed 2000-2005 Threatened King Rail Recently Confirmed 2002 Threatened Least Bittern Recently Confirmed 2002 Threatened Northern Harrier Recently Confirmed 2006 Threatened Peregrine Falcon Recently Confirmed 2009 Endangered Pied-billed Grebe Recently Confirmed 2002 Threatened Sedge Wren Historically Confirmed 1982 Threatened Short-eared Owl Recently Confirmed 2005 Endangered Reptiles Bog Turtle Recently Confirmed 1990 Endangered Eastern Mud Turtle Historically Confirmed 1884 Endangered Fence Lizard Recently Confirmed 2009 Threatened Timber Rattlesnake Recently Confirmed 1990-1999 Threatened Fish Shortnose Sturgeon Recently Confirmed 2004 Endangered Flowering Plants Broad-lipped Twayblade Possible but not Confirmed Endangered Dragon’s Mouth Orchid Historically Confirmed Threatened Giant Pine-drops Possible but not Confirmed Endangered Hooker’s Orchid Historically Confirmed 1860 Endangered Large Twayblade Recently Confirmed 1983 Endangered Orange Fringed Orchid Historically Confirmed Endangered Puttyroot Historically Confirmed 1869 Endangered Scarlet Indian-paintbrush Historically Confirmed Endangered Ferns Blunt-lobe Grape Fern Historically Confirmed 1891 Threatened Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Nature Explorer. 5.7 Critical Environmental Areas A Critical Environmental Area (CEA) is a State- or locally designated geographic area with exceptional or unique environmental character. There is one Westchester County-designated CEA in Rye Brook: the area within the 60 Ldn noise contour of the Westchester County Airport.6 This CEA, designated in 1990, is located in Rye Brook, Harrison and North Castle, with the Rye Brook portion located entirely on the airport property itself. 6 Ldn represents the average noise exposure over a 24-hour period as a day-night average sound level. Ldn values are calculated from hourly equivalent sound levels (Leq), with the Leq values for the nighttime period increased to reflect the greater disturbance potential from nighttime noise. Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 58 Development proposed in a CEA is subject to a somewhat more rigorous review than other areas. The potential impact of any Type I or Unlisted Action on the environmental characteristics of the CEA is a relevant area of environmental concern and must be evaluated in the determination of significance prepared under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) regulations. 5.8 Sustainability As defined by the American Planning Association, sustainable development that is that which “maintains or enhances economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting and restoring the natural environment upon which people and economies depend.” Promotion of sustainable development should be achieved through an integrated approach to planning for land use, transportation, the environment, housing, economic development and infrastructure. As the ideas of sustainability and “green development” gain traction across the country and the world, Rye Brook has an opportunity to actively pursue a greener future through specific policies related to low-impact development, green buildings, resource preservation, energy conservation, groundwater protection, recycling and waste management. 5.8.1 Land-Use Regulations An effective way that many communities enhance the sustainability of the built environment is through land-use regulations. Zoning, site plan, subdivision and wetland regulations are the primary tools through which Rye Brook controls land use. These regulations should be reviewed and updated as needed to identify opportunities to promote green, low-impact development and environmental conservation. Green land-use regulations that may be explored include:  Encouraging green building practices including the use of pervious pavements, green roofs, rain gardens and bioswales.  Reducing parking requirements, where appropriate, and implementing innovative parking solutions such as shared parking, off-site parking and land banking.  Regulating the use or herbicides and pesticides in the maintenance of municipal grounds and facilities.  Promoting the use of alternative energy sources such as solar, geothermal and biodiesel. 5.8.2 Green Buildings A national standard for sustainable or green building design has been developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This standard, referred to as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), promotes the design and construction of buildings that save Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 59 energy, conserve water, reduce carbon emissions, improve outdoor environmental quality and encourage stewardship of environmental resources. LEED is a voluntary program developed to provide a common standard of measurement for green buildings, recognize environmental leadership in the building industry, stimulate green competition and raise consumer awareness about the benefits of green buildings. The program allots points in seven categories for environmentally beneficial building materials and design, such as site location, water efficiency, energy and the atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality. Nationwide, buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions. To address this important issue, many municipalities across the country are encouraging green building practices through development standards and site plan review practices. While LEED has historically applied to commercial buildings, recently the USGBC created the LEED for Homes Certification program, which promotes high- performance, green single- and multifamily homes. The USGBC also offers a Green Home Guide that offers guidance on increasing the energy-efficiency of existing homes. It provides resources aimed at helping homeowners save energy (and money) through a variety of measures such as insulating attics and windows, planting shad trees and replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The USGBC, with Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council, has also created the LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) certification program for new development or redevelopment projects. The program is meant to promote neighborhoods that reduce the need for automobiles through mixed-use development; streets that encourage walking, bicycling and public transportation; and green buildings and infrastructure. In addition to LEED accreditation, New York State offers a tax incentive program for developers known as the Green Building Tax Credit (GBTC) program. The GBTC is a $25 million income tax credit for owners and tenants of buildings that meet a range of green building criteria. Also, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides technical and financial assistance to those interested in building green. To encourage green building, Rye Brook should consider incorporating sustainable development practices and green building criteria into its site plan regulations. Options include a rebate on building permit fees based on the level of compliance with established green building criteria, and expedited site plan permitting for green building. The Village should also lead by example by exploring LEED certification for any new or retrofitted municipal facilities, which in the long-term could result in significant energy cost savings. Such improvements could be funded through federal, state and private grants; tax funds (either an allocated amount or a voluntary additional contribution); or a designated fund into which fines from zoning, building code and wetlands violations could be deposited. Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 60 5.8.3 Energy Conservation An important way that Rye Brook can enhance its sustainability is to reduce dependence on non- renewable energy and expand the use of renewable energy resources, or those that are derived from the natural movements and mechanisms of the earth and can be naturally replenished at a rate proportional to their use. These include sunlight, wind, biomass, moving water and the heat of the earth.7 There are a variety of renewable energy technologies that the Village can promote:  Wind power: wind turbines  Photovoltaic: solar panels that produce electricity, usually roof mounted  Solar heating: solar panels that produce hot water, usually roof mounted  Hydroelectric: typically located in or adjacent to a stream or river  Geothermal: in this region limited to heat capacity of earth used for smaller-scale heating and cooling  Biodiesel: plant or animal based fuel usable in diesel engines  Compact florescent lamps (CFLs) and installation of light- emitting diode (LED) street lights (currently underway in certain portions of Rye Brook)  Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) Direct actions that Rye Brook should consider to improve its energy efficiency include conducting a new energy audit of municipal facilities to include future opportunities at a new DPW highway garage, retrofitting public buildings with energy saving technologies and replacing the Village fleet with more efficient hybrid and/or electric vehicles. The Village should also continue its active association with the Southern Westchester Energy Action Consortium (SWEAC), an organization of communities in the region committed to energy and other sustainability issues. In addition, the Village should support existing and create new innovative programs to conserve energy. Consolidated Edison offers several programs designed to help customers reduce energy use, including lower rates for reduced usage during peak hours and access to the company’s steam energy system.8 Rye Brook should work with ConEd to promote participation in such programs. The Village may also explore a “green homes program,” to encourage homeowners 7 Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources Renewable Energy & Distributed Generation Guidebook 8 http://www.coned.com/customercentral/energychoices.asp Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 61 to make energy-saving improvements to their homes. The Town of Babylon has created an innovative green homes program that lets owners pay for energy-saving home improvements with benefit assessment financing. The Town offers assistance for home improvements up to $12,000, which the homeowner then repays with money saved on utility bills every month. This program, which was featured on CNN Money, could serve as a model for Rye Brook. EnergyStar, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy efficient products. The EnergyStar label is now on major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics and more, and the EPA has also extended the label to cover new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. A number of communities have passed legislation mandating that certain types of uses purchase EnergyStar-labeled products or requiring certain types of residential buildings to conform to EnergyStar Homes criteria. 5.8.4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions According to the NYSDEC’s policy for assessing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in environmental impact statements (EISs), there is scientific consensus that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is increasing, and that this, in turn, is leading to climate change. Emissions of carbon dioxide represent an estimated 89% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the state, and the vast majority of these emissions result from fuel combustions. Other sources of greenhouse gases include electricity distribution, refrigerant substitutes, management of municipal waste, municipal wastewater and agriculture and natural gas leakage. In 2008, Westchester County completed a comprehensive Westchester Action Plan for Climate Change and Sustainable Development setting an aggressive goal for every sector of the community to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% by 2015 and 80% by 2050. The County’s plan outlines a series of strategies to reach that goal, tailored to various sectors: businesses, County government, municipal government, higher education and K-12 schools. While climate change is often perceived as a federal, state or regional issue, local communities can take actions to mitigate its impacts. The NYSDEC has identified a number of measures that can increase energy efficiency, reduce energy demand and decrease greenhouse gas emissions from proposed projects. Many of these are discussed throughout this chapter and involve efficient site planning, green building practices and energy conservation. In order to combat the negative effects of climate change, it is recommended that Rye Brook adopt an active program to reduce local emissions of greenhouse gases. As a key first step, the Village could become a member of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program, which focuses on local actions that will lower operating costs, promote economic growth, improve operational efficiency and upgrade infrastructure, while protecting the climate. Members of the program can use a State clearinghouse for information on available energy-efficiency programs, including state and federal assistance. Any municipality or county can join the Climate Smart Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 62 Communities program without cost, by passing a resolution adopting the Climate Smart Communities pledge and submitting a certified copy to NYSDEC. More than 25 municipalities in Westchester County have joined this program, including the Village of Port Chester and the Town of North Castle. The Village may also consider commissioning an inventory of municipal emissions, in order to establish a baseline and to identify the most cost-effective areas in which to make changes. Certain energy-conservation steps, such as retrofitting lighting, may have very short or even immediate payback times. The NYSDEC has compiled a toolbox for conducting local greenhouse gas inventories, which it suggests it possible without the use of outside consultants or staff. 5.8.5 Waste Management A final issue relevant to Rye Brook’s sustainability efforts is waste management. At present, the Village offers curbside recycling and green waste pickup on a weekly basis and twice-monthly bulk trash pickup. NYSDEC provides a number of assistance programs for waste reduction, recycling and household hazardous waste projects, including funds for capital projects and local recycling coordinators, which the Village should explore to strengthen its recycling programs. 5.9 Issues and Opportunities Stormwater Management As discussed above, the Village of Rye Brook has taken an aggressive and proactive approach to stormwater management, systematically addressing implementation of prior studies and reports. At this point, the Village’s focus at the local level should be one of maintenance and enhancement of existing municipal facilities, as well as keeping abreast of current best practices and opportunities for additional improvements, and facilitating on-site stormwater management as practicable. Rye Brook’s stormwater management regulations, though quite comprehensive and more stringent than the New York State Phase II Minimum Control Measures, generally apply only to new construction or significant additions. Many homes in the Village pre-date the adoption of stormwater management regulations, and may not have any means of handling stormwater. Although individually this lack of stormwater management may have minimal impact, on a cumulative basis, it may contribute to flooding on a more widespread basis. The Village should explore ways to encourage homeowners to install stormwater management measures on their properties, through a combination of education and incentives such as waiving or reducing development fees to help offset homeowners’ costs. Such incentives could be available to homeowners based on achieving a minimum threshold of stormwater management measures, as determined by the Building Inspector. Significant future stormwater management activities will likely need to be focused at a regional level, which will require coordination with other municipalities, Westchester County and institutional and corporate entities such as SUNY Purchase and major office complexes. The Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 63 Village should actively seek out opportunities for intra-municipal and institutional partnerships to address mutual stormwater management needs. The recent joint effort with the City of Rye to implement flood mitigation measures at the Bowman Avenue dam should serve as a model for such partnerships. One logical avenue for a regional approach is the Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC), of which Rye Brook is already a member, and the Village should pursue available funding for projects as needed. Sustainability This chapter describes a wide range of potential measures to address sustainability, including changes to land-use regulations, promotion of green building practices and energy conservation strategies and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Because of the high degree of complexity in this effort, and the need to employ strategies based on both a community green vision and a quantitative baseline of data, this Plan recommends that the Village undertake a comprehensive sustainability plan. Such a plan would articulate a vision and approach to sustainability that is tailored to Rye Brook, and outline an action plan of implementable practices that would be effective in addressing specific goals, objectives and targets in a measurable and cost-effective way through the establishment of milestones and appropriate timelines. In Westchester County, a good example of such a plan is GreeNR, the New Rochelle Sustainability Plan 2010-2030. This award-winning plan, adopted in 2011, is highly illustrative and user-friendly, and lays out a set of 43 action initiatives, each with specific goals and recommendations. Recommendations are grouped by short-, medium- and long-term progress, with responsible agencies and potential partners, municipal costs and funding sources identified. 5.10 Natural Resources and Stormwater Management Recommendations  Continue to focus on stormwater management at the regional and intermunicipal level, through partnerships with other municipalities, institutions and advocacy groups, and pursue funding for such partnerships and projects as needed.  Create incentives for homeowners to better manage stormwater on a local level.  Undertake a comprehensive sustainability plan to articulate a vision and approach to sustainability that is tailored to Rye Brook, with an action plan of implementable practices or projects that would be effective in addressing specific goals, objectives and targets in a measurable and cost-effective manner through the establishment of milestones and appropriate timelines. Such a plan should explore measures such as: o Reviewing existing land use regulations for opportunities to promote sustainable development, reduce parking requirements and implement alternative parking solutions, regulate the use of herbicides and pesticides and promote the use of alternative energy sources. o Amending zoning and subdivision regulations to include incentives for green buildings and infrastructure that incorporate sustainable design practices. o Adopting a policy for new Village buildings to be green, incorporating LEED-type compliance requirements. Plan Rye Brook Chapter 5: Natural Resources and Stormwater Management 64 o Exploring a “green homes program” to encourage owners to make energy-saving improvements to their homes. o Passing EnergyStar legislation to facilitate green residential projects. o Conducting energy audits as needed for Village facilities, to establish potential retrofit strategies to reduce energy use. o Considering the long-term environmental and financial benefits of LED street lighting Village-wide. o Replacing cars and trucks in the Village fleet with high-efficiency options. o Joining New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program, which provides access to information on available energy-efficiency programs, including state and federal assistance. o Conducting a Village greenhouse gas emissions inventory. o Creating a sustainability committee to educate the public about available programs.