Natural Resources and Water Quality Restoration Program
Westchester County has been heavily populated for two centuries. During this time, much of the county's natural resources, like streams, wetlands and forests, have been degraded or destroyed by human activities, especially from development and pollution.  Reversing some of this damage to improve water quality and wildlife habitat is a goal of Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano and the County Board of Legislators.
The Westchester County Department of Planning and Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District began
a water quality and habitat improvement program by restoring natural resources, especially streams and wetlands, in
1998. More recently, storm water management practices have been installed
or upgraded to improve water quality. Some 30 such projects have been
completed or are being planned, designed or constructed. As more resources are
restored, water quality will continue to improve and a more diverse community of
plants and animals will be established.
The
map below shows the general locations of aquatic restoration projects completed by
the County.
When you click on each of the map numbers, a window opens up that
will show you information and photos about the projects you select.
Most of these project sites are accessible to the public if you want to visit.
You also can click on the aquatic restoration video button below if you want to
watch the half-hour documentary on the aquatic restoration program. This
video focuses on five types of restoration projects, each easily viewable in
five-minute segments.
Ecological
restoration improves the functional benefits of natural resources. In other
words, restoration ecologists take disturbed and degraded habitats and
“restore” the benefits they used to provide or that the ecologists would like
them to provide.
“Bioengineering” techniques are often used to improve natural
resources. These
techniques make use of biodegradable soil stabilization materials to temporarily
protect plantings from erosive waves, currents and storm water.
Ecologists might also re-grade the soil, alter site hydrology, eradicate
invasive species, and/or plant native vegetation to restore habitats.
Rich Manor park, before:
An eroding stream bank and unsuccessful attempt to keep Canada geese off the adjoining lawn characterized Rich Manor Park in Rye Brook in 1998. |
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Rich Manor Park, after:
The stream bank was stabilized using biodegradable mesh blankets and log-shaped structures anchored to the toe of the bank. Native vegetation providing a buffer between lawn and water also acted as a natural and attractive barrier to geese. |
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Echo Bay, before:
Echo Bay in New Rochelle was the victim of pollution and neglect. Salt marshes and the fish and wildlife that use them had all but disappeared from the bay by the late 1980s. |
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Echo Bay, after:
Less than a year after it was created at Five Islands Park, this salt marsh is now one of several that are helping to keep the bay clean and provide shelter, feeding grounds and a nursery to a variety of birds, fish and shellfish. |
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Coastal dunes, before:
Coastal dunes are very scarce in Westchester County. They protect the shoreline during storms and give shorebirds a place to nest. At the Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, a fore dune and back dune were created and planted with a variety of dune-loving vegetation. |
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Coastal dunes, after:
Six months after they were planted, the dunes began to thrive. Beach grass, goldenrod, beach plum, beach pea, shadblow, and bayberry are among the plants now holding the dunes in place. They also provide cover for nesting shorebirds. |
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East Creek, before:
East Creek flows through Flint Park in Larchmont and Mamaroneck Town. Before the creek was restored, its banks were severely eroded and littered with automobile parts, leaking oil containers, shopping carts and other debris. |
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East Creek, after:
During restoration, a tide gate was installed, debris was removed, the banks re-contoured to make them flatter, and biodegradable mesh blankets and log-shaped structures were installed. Vegetation now provides permanent stabilization and helps to filter out pollutants. |
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Nonpoint
source pollution is polluted storm water runoff containing sediment, fertilizers
and pesticides, gasoline, heavy metals, and wastewater from degraded septic
systems.
These pollutants may be carried by storm water runoff to streams,
reservoirs and Long Island Sound.
Plants native to the region
are key to the success of natural filtration systems.
Plant roots, stems and leaves filter out pollutants, including nutrients
and sediments, before they reach streams and water bodies.
The roots also reduce soil erosion by binding the soil.
Plants improve habitat for fish and wildlife and act as sponges, soaking
up excess water after storms.
Bronx River, I
The shore of Bronxville Lake, formed by a dam on the Bronx River, was the subject of a bank stabilization project using a variety of techniques. Here, native perennials grasses, sedges and wildflowers that die back each year and send out new growth in the spring await planting along the bank. This strip of perennials will help stabilize the bank, curb geese traffic, filter out pollutants before they reach the river, and provide habitat for beneficial animals. |
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Bronx River, II
In addition to perennials, the bank stabilization also relied on biodegradable mesh blankets to temporarily stabilize the soil and banks and cuttings from shrubs and small trees. Here, cuttings from red-twig dogwood (foreground) and willow and silky dogwood (background) are tied into bundles and layered on top of each other in a terracing effect that is temporarily stabilized by mesh blanket until the roots of the shrubs permanently bind the soil. |
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Beaver Swamp, I
A marsh next to Beaver Swamp Brook in Harrison was completely dominated by the highly invasive and aggressive common reeds (Phragmites) and further degraded by past dumping, including a derelict automobile and shed as well as steel drums and car parts. The first task in restoration was to remove the reeds and junk. |
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Beaver Swamp, II
After the reeds and junk were removed, the reeds were allowed to grow back again before the site was sprayed with an herbicide developed for aquatic conditions. The site was eventually planted with native vegetation that included thousands of grasses, rushes, sedges, wildflowers, shrubs and trees. |
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The Aquatic Restoration Program
provides a unique opportunity to educate and reach out to the public about
environmental issues. In the photos
above, county staff and high school volunteers work together to plant beachgrass,
remove invasive plants, and repair stonework protecting the base of dunes at the
Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye City.
The sandy, vegetated dunes were constructed under the program in 2000
next to a beach fronting Long Island Sound.
The aggressive, non-native plant called mugwort invaded part of the
dunes, prompting this volunteer effort. |
The cultural requirements
of plants, rate and volume of flow for streamside plantings, depth and duration
of standing water for pond edge and wetland plantings, maintenance requirements,
site preparation, purchasing healthy plants, selecting native species, and
planting for function all play a role in choosing the right plants for aquatic
restoration projects. The species and types of plants used depends on
site-specific conditions.
What
plants have been installed at our aquatic restoration projects?
Click here for a
list of some of the plant species that were installed at our project sites and
others that can be used at your site(s).
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Interpretive
signs, like these installed at Harbor Island Park, next to the West
Basin of Mamaroneck Harbor, Village of Mamaroneck, provide important
educational tools about completed restoration projects. In addition to
improving water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, a goal of the
aquatic restoration program is to provide demonstration projects for
public educational purposes. |
 The Westchester County Department of Planning and Soil and Water Conservation District wish to thank the following for their assistance to the Aquatic Restoration Program:
U.S. Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and
Department of State, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on the Aquatic Restoration Program, or to receive
a copy the program's color brochure or video, please
contact:
Robert Doscher (914)995-4423 or
Lisa Vasilakos (914)995-4407
Westchester County Department of Planning
and Soil and Water Conservation District,
148 Martine Avenue, Room 432
White Plains, NY 10601-4704.
This webpage was created by the Westchester County Department of Planning and
Soil and Water Conservation District.
Click image at right to view A Guide to Aquatic Buffers
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