Chairman: Charles W. Sawicki, Village of Suffern
First Vice Chairman: Alan Englander, Village of Upper Nyack
Second Vice Chairman: Pat Brady, Town of Haverstraw
Participating Members: Towns: Clarkstown • Haverstraw • Orangetown • Ramapo • Stony Point
Villages: Airmont • Chestnut Ridge • Grandview on the Hudson • Haverstraw • Hillburn • Kaser •
Montebello • New Hempstead • New Square • Nyack • Piermont • Pomona • Sloatsburg • South Nyack •
Spring Valley • Suffern •
Upper Nyack • West Haverstraw • Wesley Hills
April 9, 2015
What is the storm water consortium? Show by Michael Wilson and Justin GrimmGreenblatt
The April storm water show was an introduction show to both a new host and to
reintroduce the Strom Water Consortium. A concise definition of the Storm Water Consortium
was given. The show also featured a guest environmentalist named Justin Grimm-Greenblatt,
who explained why storm water is an issue in terms of water resources.
The show opened up with an introduction of Michael Wilson being the new host and a
review of his credentials. The Storm Water Consortium was then defined as a group that
addresses water quality concerns in Rockland County and is made up of 5 towns and 19 villages,
with collaboration with the Soil and Water Conservation District and Cornell Cooperative
Extension. The formation of the consortium was to address compliance with Phase II Stormwater
Regulations of the Clean Water Act of 1972. The federal regulation requires permits from
municipalities that have stormwater discharges from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
(MS4S). The MS4 was compared to a Combined Sewer System like in New York City to explain
the difference between the two and clarify how storm water is treated in Rockland County.
The Stormwater Consortium’s accomplishments to date include educational sessions for
homeowners, business, and professionals. The consortium was responsible for the establishment
of two local stormwater laws: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination & Erosion and
Sediment Control. They also provide grant assistance to fund projects. Additional information
about the consortium can be found on the web site for Rockland County Cooperative Extension.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website also has information
on stormwater and non-point pollution.
The connection of stormwater and non-point pollution was explained with the effects on
water resources for Rockland County. There is a direct connection between stormwater entering
the catch basin and open water ways because storm water
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drainage systems discharge into streams and ponds that are tributaries of larger bodies of water.
This runoff contains pollutants that can include oil and grease from roadways. Nitrogen and
phosphorous from fertilizer which are applied to lawns are carried by stormwater runoff. This
can create eutrophic waters and reduced dissolved oxygen (DO) which can compromise fish
populations along with an effect on other aquatic wildlife. There are a number of other possible
pollutants that can be transported from stormwater runoff. Grease and oil also reduces the
transfer of oxygen into water, further reducing the DO in water. Careless application of
herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers can also cause ecosystem imbalances. Construction
sediment and erosion clouds waterways and contains suspended solids (SS) which can clog the
gills of fish and negatively affect other forms of aquatic life, including plants. Litter is easily
carried by stormwater runoff and can wash up on the banks of rivers, streams, and ponds
reducing aesthetics and creating a hazard for wildlife if ingested.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized
for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with
Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities