STC Planning

Susquehanna-Chemung Action Plan -- Runoff

An Ecosystem-Based Watershed Management Plan
for the
Susquehanna and Chemung Basins of New York

Water connects us all...

GOAL:
Rainwater is good: Slow it down. Spread it out. Soak it in.

Protect and re-establish the natural functions of floodplains, forests, wetlands, and groundwater recharge areas.
Use better site design, green infrastructure, and standard stormwater management practices to reduce impacts from development.
Keep clean water clean.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Section 6: Runoff

GIS Viewer

Susquehanna-Chemung Data Atlas

EXISTING PLANS & DATA::

Stormwater Management Program Plans (SWMPPs): Description of the stormwater management program developed to comply with Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit conditions.
- Elmira Urban Area: Chemung County Stormwater Coalition has developed a joint SWMPP and submits a combined MS4 Annual Report documenting the previous year's accomplishments.
- Binghamton Urban Area: The Broome-Tioga Stormwater Coalition prepares a combined MS4 Annual Report.
- Owego: The Town of Owego / Tioga County Stormwater Management Plan Program 2010-2015.
- NYS Department of Transportation: SWMPP is not yet officially issued. DOT prepares a statewide MS4 Annual Report.
New York State Open Space Conservation Plan includes recommendations for promoting urban forestry and green infrastructure.
New York State DEC Stormwater Interactive Map: Mapping application used to look up geographic information related to the Phase II Stormwater Program.

Good Resources

STC Stormwater Webpage: Includes educational resources as well as information about Southern Tier Central stormwater activites, the Chemung County Stormwater Coalition, and the Rural Stormwater Coalition (Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties).
STC Better Site Design / Low Impact Development Page: Better Site Design (BSD) and low Impact Development (LID) are approaches to reducing the impacts of stormwater runoff by preserving or replicating the existing drainage conditions of a development site. The Low Impact Development (LID) Sampler is a booklet highlighting techniques, built in the Upper Susquehanna Watershed, that increase groundwater recharge, expand greenery in urban spaces, and reduce the amount of water that becomes damaging "runoff."
New York State Stormwater Program: The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website provides resources for managing stormwater, including NYS design standards and resources for complying with state stormwater permits for construction activities, municipal drainage systems (MS4), and industrial sites.
Green Infrastructure Resource Guide: Green Infrastructure links landscapes and communities by managing runoff using techniques that preserve and restore natural landscape features. This guide, developed by Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, is an online compendium of resources for New York State users. The NYS DEC website also lists green infrastructure resources and provides information about example projects in the Hudson Valley. A national Green Infrastructure Leadership Program promotes the use of Green Infrastructure by performing assessments (for green infrastructure plans), providing training, and developing publications.
Center for Watershed Protection: Provides research, training, community assistance, and other resources for stormwater management and watershed planning, including a Stormwater Manager's Resource Center.
"Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices": US Environmental Protection Agency report documents the cost-effectiveness of green infrastructure techniques. In the majority of 17 case studies of various municipalties in the country, the cost of LID techniques were 15-80% cheaper than conventional techniques used to manage stormwater.
"Using Porous Asphalt and CU-Structural Soil": Porous asphalt systems allow for water flow through the pavement and into a reservoir of gravel beneath the surface, which reduces runoff and allows for groundwater recharge. This report presents information about the porous asphalt system developed at Cornell University and tested in Ithaca, including design and installation guidelines.
Urban and Community Forestry Resources: City trees can provide multiple benefits, including intercepting rain water and thus reducing the amount and speed of runoff. This list of resources developed by the USDA Forest Service can assist with planting and caring for trees in developed areas. Publications include a 3-part Urban Watershed Forestry Manual.
EPA's SUSTAIN model: A GIS-based decision support system to facilitate selection and placement of stormwater practices and Low Impact Development techniques at strategic locations in urban watersheds.

Stakeholders

Runoff

"No single raindrop believes it is to blame for the flood."
- author unknown

Learn More

Additional information, references, and recommended actions may be added to these page as the plan is implemented and updated. If you would like to get involved and share resources or suggestions, please contact a member of the ad hoc Advisory Committee or STC staff, Chelsea Robertson (; 607-962-5092). Learn more about the Suquehanna-Chemung Action Plan by selecting issues from the menu on the left. Other resources include a Project Summary handout, information about Ecosystem-Based Management, and a document library with minutes and other information.

STC Regional Planning & Development Board 8 Denison Parkway East Ste 310 Corning, NY 14830

Phone 607.962.5092

Fax 607.962.3400

stcrpdb@stcplanning.org