HomeMy WebLinkAboutLocal Waterfront Revitalization Program Revised 12/1/1994 TOWN OF MAMARONECK and VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT
LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
Adopted:
Town of Mamaroneck Town Board, June 30, 1986
Village of Larchmont Board of Trustees, June 30, 1986
Approved:
NYS Secretary of State Gail S, Shaffer, October 28, 1986
Concurred:
U.S. Office of Ocean and Coastal.Resource Management,April 21, 1987
Revised:
December 1994
VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT TOWN OF MAMARONECK
1986 1986
Board of Trustees Town Council
Miriam Cumin, Mayor Dolores Battalia, Supervisor
James Anderson Thomas Amlicke
Sydney Astle Stephen Chapin
Nan Forger, Deputy Mayor Lawrence Lerman, CZMC Liaison
Paul Kean, CZMC Liaison Caroline Silverstone, Deputy Supervisor
Barbara Wood, Village Clerk Patricia DiCioccio, Town Clerk
1994 1994
Cheryl Lewy, Mayor Elaine Price, Supervisor
Kenneth Bialo Kathleen O'Flinn, Deputy Supervisor
William McSherry, Deputy Mayor/CZMC Liaison Valerie O'Keeffe
Judy O'Gorman Paul Ryan
Marian White Barry Weprin, CZMC Liaison
Eileen Finn, Village Clerk Patricia DiCioccio, Town Clerk
Coastal Zone Management Committee
Co-Chairmen: Wallace Irwin, Jr. (VOL), Shirley Tolley (TOM).
Subcommittee Heads: Elinor Fredston, Mary Anne Johnson, Lawrence Lowy, C.Alan Mason,
Howard McMichael, Jr.
Members: Bruce Allen, June Allen, Albert Blumenthal, Alex Buchman, Joseph Dorsey,
William Eipel, Gary Hirschberg, Arthur Katz, James Killilea, James Lotto,
Paul Miller, Elaine Price, Edward Riley, Abe Rosenfield, Robert
Schoenberger, Joseph Vandernoot, Robert White, Leo Wilson
Coastal Zone Management Commission
Chairmen: 9/86-9/88 Robert Schoenberger, 10/88-9/92 Phyllis Wittner, 10/92-9/93 Angel Martin,
10/93-9/94 C. Alan Mason, 10/94 Phyllis Wittner
Members: Bruce Allen, Lilian Andrews, Richard Coico, Mary Feldtmose, Elinor Fredston,
Wallace Irwin, Jr., Mary Anne Johnson, Arthur Katz, Paul Kean, Lucien Leone,
Lawrence Lowy, Frank McGahan, Howard McMichael, Jr., Richard Metzner, Nancy
Seligson, Nancy Sterbenz, Shirley Tolley, Richard Ward, Richard Young
IN MEMORIAM
The Commission records with sorrow the loss of Lawrence Lowy who served on the Commission
from 1986 - 1992. Larry's contribution of time and expertise to local government and for the
restoration and preservation of our local environment will long be remembered.
CONTENTS
SECTION I WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION AREA BOUNDARY
A. Background I- 5
B. Expansion of the Coastal Boundary I- 5
C. Description of the Coastal Boundary I- 6
SECTION II INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
A. Summary II- 5
B. LWRP: General Description II- 6
C. LWRP: Management Structure II- 7
D. Physical Geography II- 7
E. Economy II- 8
F. Historic Buildings II- 9
G. Archaeological Sites 11-11
H. Scenic Resources II-11
I. Public Access
1. Larchmont Manor Park II-12
2. Village of Larchmont Property II-13
3. Town of Mamaroneck Property 1I-14
J. Open Space
1. Village of Larchmont II-15
2. Town of Mamaroneck
a. Parks and Conservation Areas I1-15
b. Larchmont Reservoir Conservation Area II-15
c. Private Golf Courses II-15
d. Residential Tracts 11-16
K. Recreation
1. Active Land Sports 11-16
2. Water-Dependent Sports II-16
3. Passive Recreation II-17
4. Possibilities and Limits II-18
L. Living Resources II-19
M. Significant Coastal Fish & Wildlife Habitat 11-20
N. Locally Important Fish & Wildlife Habitats
1. Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex 1I-22
2. Larchmont Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking II-23
Freshwater Wetland Complex
3. Premium Salt Marsh Complex II-25
4. Intertidal & Littoral Zone 1I-25
O. County Critical Environmental Areas II-25
i
P. Fish & Wildlife Values
1. Fish II-26
2. Other Aquatic Species II-26
3. Birds II-27
4. Land Animals II-27
5. Utilization II-27
6. Stewardship II-28
Q. Water Resources
1. Fresh water I1-28
2. Salt water 11-29
R. Coastal Erosion Hazard Area II-30
S. Flood Hazard Areas II-30
T. Other Resources
1. Residential Real Estate 11-3 1
2. Human Resources II-31
3. Organizational Resources
a. Official Bodies 11-3 1
b. Nongovernmental Bodies II-32
c. Educational & Informational II-32
U. Watershed Management
1. Introductory Observations 11-33
2. The Pine Brook-Premium Watershed II-36
a. Larchmont Hills 11-36
b. Pine Brook Area 11-36
c. Upper Premium River II-37
d. Lower Premium River, Marsh, Mill Pond II-37
e. Other Issues 11-38
3. The Sheldrake Watershed II-39
a. Weaver Street-Bonnie Briar Area II-40
b. Brookside Drive Area 11-40
4. The East Creek-Gut Creek Watershed 11-41
a. East Creek II-41
b. Hommocks Marsh 11-43
c. Little Harbor Sound II-43
5. The Harbor Area 11-45
a. Navigation and Dredging 11-45
b. Harbor Security 11-46
6. Area-Wide Sewage Problems II-47
V. Long Island Sound Study II-49
W. Area-Wide Causes & Cures of Interacting Flooding, II-50
Siltation and Sewage Problems
X. Other Area-Wide Pollution Problems:
1. Water Pollution II-51
2. Air and Noise Pollution II-52
3. Litter and Dog Waste 11-53
ii
SECTION III WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM POLICIES
Development Policies
Policy 1 III- 5
2 III- 5
3 III- 6
4 III- 6
5 III- 6
6 III- 7
Fish and Wildlife Policies
Policy 7 III- 7
7A III- 9
8 III-11
9 III-12
10 III-13
10A III-13
Flooding and Erosion Policies
Policy 11 III-14
12 III-15
13 111-17
14 III-19
15 III-21
16 111-21
17 III-22
General Policy
Policy 18 III-23
Public Access Policies
Policy 19 III-24
20 III-24
Recreation Policies
Policy 21 III-25
22 III-26
Historic and Scenic Policies
Policy 23 III-27
24 111-29
25 III-29
Agricultural Lands Policy
Policy 26 III-31
Energy and Ice Management Policies
Policy 27 III-32
28 III-32
29 III-32
Water and Air Resources Policies
Policy 30 III-32
31 III-33
32 III-34
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Policy 32A III-34
33 III-35
33A III-35
34 III-36
35 III-36
36 III-37
37 III-38
38 III-43
39 III-43
39A III-44
40 III-44
41 III-45
42 III-45
43 III-45
44 III-46
44A III-47
SECTION IV PROPOSED LAND AND WATER USES AND PROPOSED PROJECTS
A. LWRP 1986 and Major Accomplishments IV- 5
1. Zoning IV- 5
2. Habitat Protection IV- 5
3. Legislation IV- 6
B. Recommended Actions to Implement the LWRP IV- 6
1. Land Use- Open Space IV- 7
2. Land Use- Other Sensitive Areas IV- 8
3. Wetlands and Other Natural Resources IV- 8
4. Buffer Areas IV- 9
5. Point and Nonpoint Pollution Control IV-10
6. Water Quality- Pollution (Monitoring and Control) IV-12
7. Flood Damage Prevention IV-12
8. Scenic Protection IV-13
9. Historic Sites IV-13
10. Recreational Facilities IV-13
11. Intermunicipal Watershed Cooperation IV-13
12. Management Plans for Conservation Areas IV-14
13. Harbor Management Plan IV-15
for Larchmont Harbor and Other Waterways
14. Education IV-15
15. Lobbying Activities IV-15
iv
SECTION V TECHNIQUES FOR LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION
A. Summary V- 5
B. Local Laws and Regulations Pertinent to the LWRP
1. Architectural Review V- 5
2. Coastal Zone Management Commission V- 6
3. Conservation Area Regulations V- 6
4. Consistency V- 6
5. Critical Environmental Areas V- 6
6. Dog Waste V- 7
7. Dumping V- 7
8. Flood Damage Prevention V- 8
9. Freshwater Wetlands V- 8
10. Incinerators V- 8
11. Larchmont Reservoir V- 9
12. Litter V- 9
13. Parks V- 9
14. Satellite Earth Station V- 9
15. Sewers V- 9
16. Signs V-10
17. Site Plan Approval V-10
18. State Environmental Quality Review V-11
19. Subdivision Regulations V-11
20. Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control V-11
21. Trees V-12
22. Zoning V-12
C. Local Law to Establish the Coastal Zone Management V-13
Commission
D. Other Laws and Directives Which Serve to Implement the LWRP
1. Comprehensive Master Plans V-16
2. County Critical Environmental Areas V-17
3. New York State and Federal Regulations
a. Coastal Erosion Hazard Area V-17
b. Tidal Wetlands V-17
c. Significant Habitats V-18
d. Stream Protection Act V-18
e. Reauthorization of Federal Coastal Zone Act V-18
f. Long Island Sound Regional Coastal Management Program V-18
E. Financial Resources Necessary to Implement the LWRP V-19
F. Local, State and Federal Compliance
1. Local V-19
2. State V-19
3. Federal V-19
v
SECTION VI STATE AND FEDERAL ACTIONS AND PROGRAMS LIKELY TO
AFFECT IMPLEMENTATION
A. Explanation VI- 7
B. Federal and State Actions and Programs Which Should be Undertaken
in a Manner Consistent with the LWRP
State Agencies:
Office for the Aging VI- 8
Department of Agriculture and Markets VI- 8
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control/State Liquor Authority VI- 8
Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Substance Abuse Services VI- 9
Council on the Arts VI- 9
Department of Banking VI- 9
NYS Bridge Authority VI-10
Department of Correctional Services VI-10
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York VI-10
Department of Economic Development VI-11
Education Department VI-11 •
Energy Planning Board and Energy Office VI-11
NYS Energy Research and Development Authority VI-11
Department of Environmental Conservation VI-11
Air Resources VI-12
Construction Management VI-12
Fish and Wildlife VI-12
Lands and Forest VI-13
Marine Resources VI-13
Regulatory Affairs VI-13
Solid Wastes VI-14
Water Resources VI-14
Environmental Facilities Corporation VI-14
Facilities Development Corporation VI-15
Office of General Services VI-15
Department of Health VI-15
Division of Housing and Community Renewal and VI-16
Its Subsidiaries and Affiliates
Housing Finance Agency VI-16
Interstate Sanitation Commission (regional agency) VI-16
Job Development Authority VI-16
Medical Care Facilities Financing Agency VI-16
Office of Mental Health VI-16
Office of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities VI-17
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (regional agency) VI-17
Division of Military and Naval Affairs VI-17
Natural Heritage Trust VI-17
vi
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation VI-17
(including Regional State Park Commission)
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (regional agency) VI-18
Power Authority of the State of New York VI-18
NYS Science and Technology Foundation VI-18
Department of Social Services VI-18
Department of State VI-18
State University Construction Fund VI-19
State University of New York VI-19
NYS Thruway Authority (regional agency) VI-19
Department of Transportation VI-19
Urban Development Corporation and its subsidiaries VI-20
and affiliates
Division of Youth VI-21
Federal Agencies:
Direct Federal Activities and Development Projects
Department of Commerce
National Marine Fisheries Services VI-21
Department of Defense
Army Corps of Engineers VI-21
Army, Navy and Air Force VI-21
Department of Energy VI-21
General Services Administration VI-22
Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service VI-22
Mineral Management Service VI-22
National Park Service VI-22
Department of Transportation
Amtrak, Conrail VI-22
Coast Guard VI-22
Federal Aviation Administration VI-22
Federal Highway Administration VI-23
Federal Licenses and Permits
Department of Defense
Army Corps of Engineers VI-23
Department of Energy
Economic Regulatory Commission VI-23
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission VI-23
Environmental Protection Agency VI-24
Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Services VI-24
Mineral Management Service VI-24
Interstate Commerce Commission VI-24
Nuclear Regulatory Commission VI-25
vii
Department of Transportation
Coast Guard VI-25
Federal Aviation Administration VI-25
Federal Assistance
Department of Agriculture VI-25
Department of Commerce VI-26
Department of Housing and Urban Development VI-26
Department of Interior VI-26
Department of Transportation VI-27
General Services Administration VI-27
Community Services Administration VI-27
Small Business Administration VI-27
Environmental Protection Agency VI-27
C. State Federal Actions Necessary to Further the LWRP
State Agencies:
Department of Economic Development VI-28
Department of Environmental Conservation VI-28
Office of General Services VI-28
Job Development Authority VI-28
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation VI-29
Department of State VI-29
Council on the Arts VI-29
Department of Transportation VI-29
Federal Agencies:
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning VI-29
and Development
Department of the Interior
National Park Service VI-29
Department of the Treasury VI-30
Economic Development Administration VI-30
Department of Transportation
U.S. Coast Guard VI-30
SECTION VII CONSULTATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES
A. Adjacent Municipalities VII- 5
B. Westchester County Government VII- 5
C. State of New York VII- 6
1. Department of State
2. Department of Environmental Conservation
D. Resolution of Conflicts VII- 6
viii
SECTION VIII LOCAL COMMITMENT
A. Background VIII- 5
B. The Present VIII- 6
SECTION IX APPENDICES
Appendix A- Subject Index- CZMC Annual Reports 5
Appendix B- Inventory of Bird Species in 3 Fish and Wildlife 7
Habitats
Biological Inventory for 3 Fish and Wildlife Habitats 14
Appendix C- Botanical Inventory- Reservoir-Sheldrake- 17
Leatherstocking Complex
Appendix D- Compilation of Bird Lists for the Reservoir- 22
Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Complex
Appendix E- Compilation of Bird Lists for the Premium River- 27
Pine Brook Wetlands Complex
Appendix F- Botanical Inventory- Hommocks Marsh Complex 34
Appendix G- Bird Species- Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex 38
Botanical Inventory- Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex 42
Appendix H- Management Recommendations for the Hommocks 43
Salt Marsh Complex
Appendix I- Management Plan for the Reservoir-Sheldrake 50
Leatherstocking Critical Environmental Area
Map 1 Regional Setting
Map 2 Boundary Map
Map 3 Location Map
Map 4 Existing Open Space
Map 5 Tidal Wetlands, Watershed Boundaries and Flood Hazard Areas
Map 6 Coastal High Hazard Areas and Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas
Map 7 Land and Water Uses
ix
SECTION I
WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION AREA BOUNDARY
SECTION I: Contents
Page
A. Background 5
B. Expansion of the Coastal Boundary 5
C. Description of the Coastal Boundary 6
WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION AREA BOUNDARY
SECTION I: Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary
A. Background
The original landward boundary of the coastal zone for the Town of Mamaroneck
and Village of Larchmont delineated by the State of New York showed an inland
boundary which followed the Boston Post Road all the way across the Town and
Village from the City of New Rochelle border to the Village of Mamaroneck
border (see Regional Setting Map No. 1). The area within this boundary included
those lands most frequently associated with the coastal waters in terms of use and
impact from the coastal environment. However, it did not include lands and
inland waters that are of major importance under one of the criteria established
by the State for defining coastal boundaries.
As the Inventory and Analysis (Section II) makes clear, the physical, chemical,
biological, littoral and aesthetic characteristics of our coastal area suffer
significant damaging impact from pollution, siltation and flooding. The sources of
much of this damage are the various watercourses carrying runoff from drainage
basins which empty into Long Island Sound. All of these watercourses traverse
northerly areas of the Town and Village well inland from the coastal zone
boundary originally established by New York State. Not only do existing
conditions in these drainage basins adversely affect our coastal waters; we must
also deal with the possibility of future changes in land use intensity and
characteristics, drainage patterns, or land management practices that could have a
further adverse impact. Removing, preventing, or mitigating such adverse impacts
is a principal objective of a number of policies, projects, and actions proposed in
Section III, IV and V.
B. Expansion of the Coastal Boundary
The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program's recommendation to extend the
Coastal Zone boundaries of the Town and Village to include the entire Village of
Larchmont and the entire Unincorporated Area of the Town of Mamaroneck was
approved by the New York State Secretary of State with the acceptance of the
LWRP in 1986 (see Boundary Map No. 2). This important action brought within
the Coastal Zone the Town and Village portions of the four watersheds shared
with White Plains, Scarsdale, New Rochelle and the Village of Mamaroneck. The
main purpose of this action is to enable the Town and Village to apply State
coastal policy throughout their respective jurisdictions, and thereby exert more
effective control over one of the major environmental problems in this coastal
area--flooding from upstream in all of the watersheds that drain into our coastal
waters with associated erosion, pollution and sewer malfunctions, which together
5
have a severe impact on our coastal area. Such expansion was also considered
important as a basis for fostering intermunicipal watershed cooperation. Because
of this boundary change, LWRP policies are applicable throughout Larchmont
Village and the Unincorporated Area of the Town, and development actions in
that wider area are subject to review for consistency with those policies.
C. Description of the Coastal Boundary
The inland Coastal Zone boundary is described as follows:
-- Beginning at the southern (Long Island Sound) terminus of the boundary
between the Town of Mamaroneck and City of New Rochelle;
-- Thence inland along the Town boundary to the boundary of the Village of
Mamaroneck;
-- Thence south along the western boundary of the Village of Mamaroneck to
the coast.
The coastal boundary does not include any areas other than those in the
Unincorporated Area of the Town of Mamaroneck and in the Village of
Larchmont. The Village of Mamaroneck has adopted its own LWRP, has its own
coastal boundary, and is not a party to the present Program. No part of it is
included in the coastal boundary as here in described.
6
SECTION II
INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
SECTION II: Contents
A. Summary 5
B. LWRP: General Description 6
C. LWRP: Management Structure 7
D. Physical Geography 7
E. Economy 8
F. Historic Buildings 9
G. Archaeological Sites 11
H. Scenic Resources 11
I. Public Access
1. Larchmont Manor Park 12
2. Village of Larchmont Property 13
3. Town of Mamaroneck Property 14
J. Open Space
1. Village of Larchmont 15
2. Town of Mamaroneck
a. Parks and Conservation Areas 15
b. Larchmont Reservoir Conservation Area 15
c. Private Golf Courses 15
d. Residential Tracts 16
K. Recreation
1. Active Land Sports 16
2. Water-Dependent Sports 16
3. Passive Recreation 17
4. Possibilities and Limits 18
L. Living Resources 19
M. Significant Coastal Fish & Wildlife Habitat 20
N. Locally Important Fish & Wildlife Habitats
1. Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex 22
2. Larchmont Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Freshwater
Wetland Complex 23
3. Premium Salt Marsh Complex 25
4. Intertidal & Littoral Zone 25
O. County Critical Environmental Areas 25
P. Fish & Wildlife Values
1. Fish 26
2. Other Aquatic Species 26
3. Birds 27
4. Land Animals 27
5. Utilization 27
6. Stewardship 28
Q. Water Resources
1. Fresh water 28
2. Salt water 29
R. Coastal Erosion Hazard Area 30
S. Flood Hazard Areas 30
T. Other Resources
1. Residential Real Estate 31
2. Human Resources 31
3. Organizational Resources
a. Official Bodies 31
b. Nongovernmental Bodies 32
c. Educational & Informational 32
U. Watershed Management
1. Introductory Observations 33
2. The Pine Brook-Premium Watershed 36
a. Larchmont Hills 36
b. Pine Brook Area 36
c. Upper Premium River 37
d. Lower Premium River, Marsh, Mill Pond 37
e. Other Issues 38
3. The Sheldrake Watershed 39
a. Weaver Street-Bonnie Briar Area 40
b. Brookside Drive Area 40
4. The East Creek-Gut Creek Watershed 41
a. East Creek 41
b. Hommocks Marsh 43
c. Little Harbor Sound 43
5. The Harbor Area 45
a. Navigation and Dredging 45
b. Harbor Security 46
6. Area-Wide Sewage Problems 47
V. Long Island Sound Study 49
W. Area-Wide Causes & Cures of Interacting Flooding, Siltation 50
and Sewage Problems
X. Other Area-Wide Pollution Problems:
1. Water Pollution 51
2. Air and Noise Pollution 52
3. Litter and Dog Waste 53
SECTION II: INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
A. Summary
The Village of Larchmont and the Unincorporated Area of the Town of
Mamaroneck together occupy an attractive but environmentally vulnerable
six-square-mile residential area along the Long Island Sound shore of Westchester
County -- a highly indented and beautiful coastline totaling some nine miles with
pristine views of the Sound, its islands and the far shore of Long Island. Proximity
to New York City and the beauty and recreational values of the area have attracted
a business and professional population of 17,412, according to the 1992 census. The
area supports an economy based on residential real estate and including many retail
and service establishments. Although most of the coastline is in private hands, there
is access to the shore through private clubs and through public access to shoreline
parks and conservation areas.
Additional assets include environmentally significant fish and wildlife habitats
(primarily salt and freshwater wetlands) and sites of historical importance and scenic
beauty.
These values, and the economy and way of life that depend on them, have already
been damaged to some degree, and are further threatened by environmental
problems -- chiefly upstream flooding from over developed watersheds with
associated siltation and sanitary sewer malfunctions, and adverse impact on streams,
wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitats. Siltation in the harbor area also periodically
affects boating, a major recreational activity. Other problems include water
pollution, which affects public health and sensitive wildlife habitats; occasional
coastal flooding during storms and high tides; noise pollution and litter. A further
long-range problem is how to assure future protection of places of historic or scenic
importance, such as the cherished, tranquil views of the Sound periodically
threatened by the possible intrusion of high-rise or other aesthetically insensitive
development. There are also concerns about the over use of boating facilities, for
example, the addition of inappropriately large marinas clogging up the Sound's
waters.
Our geographic situation makes it obvious that many aspects of our community's
environmental problems can only be addressed effectively with the aid of
intermunicipal cooperation extending throughout the watersheds that terminate in,
or transit, our coastal zone. Section I details the scope of the inland Coastal Zone
boundary in order to maximize the ability of both municipal governments to deal
with these problems. However, since the problems follow geographic rather than
political lines, and extend well beyond our political jurisdiction, the solutions can only
be found with watershed-wide cooperation. Provision for intermunicipal cooperation,
with reinforcing participation by agencies of the State and Westchester County
II-5
governments, therefore remains an integral part of our Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program.
Awareness of the social-economic, ecological, and institutional resources herein
described is essential to an understanding of the problems and possibilities of the
Larchmont-Mamaroneck Coastal Zone. Our success or failure in protecting and
enhancing the quality of, and promoting access to, the Coastal Zone will go far to
determine the economic and demographic future of our community, as well as of
nearby communities which share in its economic and recreational life. On the one
hand, excessive or poorly regulated development can, and in many ways already does,
threaten our waterfront and its resources with flooding and other destructive effects.
On the other hand, it is primarily the existence of a highly developed, high-value
residential environment, of medium population density and with convenient
commercial and transport facilities, that has created a community which desires
protection of scenic, ecological and other coastal values and makes these goals
possible and a priority. What is needed is a prudent and sustainable balance among
ecological, economic and social values and concerns.
B. LWRP: General Description
On June 30, 1986, the governments of the Town of Mamaroneck and the Village of
Larchmont, acting jointly, adopted the Town of Mamaroneck-Village of Larchmont
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) under New York State's
Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act of 1981. The LWRP became
effective as State coastal policy upon its approval by Secretary of State Gail Shaffer
on October 28, 1986. The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management at
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (United States Department
of Commerce) concurred with that approval on April 21, 1987. The LWRP was then
incorporated into the New York State Coastal Management Program thereby making
Federal actions in our coastal area subject to consistency review (see Section V)
pursuant to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act of New York
State. State agencies are responsible for determining consistency of their actions with
State coastal policies and the LWRP.
As noted in Section I, this LWRP covers the entire Village of Larchmont and the
Unincorporated Area of the Town of Mamaroneck. The area covered is bounded
on the west by the City of New Rochelle, on the north by the Village of Scarsdale,
and on the east by the Town of Harrison and the Village of Mamaroneck. Of the
approximately 6 square miles in this bi-municipal area, one square mile including
about eight out of nine miles of highly indented coastline, lies within the
incorporated Village of Larchmont. The remainder consists of the Unincorporated
Area of the Town, which borders the Village on all its inland sides and also includes
parts of two ecologically important pieces of shoreline and major parts of the
watercourses that drain the area.
II-6
Geography and patterns of development link the two municipalities in many ways.
The Town-Village borders on both east and west run through ecologically and
hydrologically important stream beds and tidal inlets. Several of the municipalities'
functions, notably sanitation, the library, Senior Center and conservation, are
performed jointly. Town and Village residents share the same school district, post
office, telephone exchanges, and public library; many attend the same houses of
worship and belong to the same local voluntary organizations. Thus, the entire area
shares an interest in the health of the same Coastal Zone.
C. LWRP: Management Structure
At the time of adoption of the LWRP, the Town and Village also created an
11-member bi-municipal Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC) to
coordinate and monitor implementation of the LWRP (see Section V). The
responsibility for implementation not only lies with the Village and Town
governments that adopted it, but also with the people whom those governments
serve. Involvement of the public is of the essence, since effective local government
is necessarily, to a great extent, self-government, which requires a major component
of volunteer action and willing compliance with the law. This being the case, the
actions called for in this document will continue to require the participation not only
of the two municipal governments but also of concerned citizens throughout the
Town and Village, both individually and through the organizations in which they
work.
The CZMC is required by law (see Section V) to make an Annual Report to the
Town and Village Boards on the activities of the Commission, including progress
achieved and problems encountered during the year, and recommendations on such
actions as the Commission considers necessary for the further implementation of the
LWRP. The Annual Reports, therefore, are a resource for expanded information
(see Appendix A.). Beginning with the Third Annual Report, background data was
compiled as an abbreviated history so that the current year's actions and discussions
could be weighed in the context of past years. That format also highlights the
ongoing nature of CZMC considerations, and places what has been accomplished in
the context of what remains to be done. Consistency Referrals (see Consistency law
in Section V) from the inception of the CZMC on June 30, 1986 to date are found
in the latest Annual Report.
D. Physical Geography
Geologically, the area is part of the Manhattan Prong, the southernmost portion of
the New England upland geological province. The effects of differential weathering
on the underlying rock structure and of glaciation make for great topographical
variety and scenic beauty, with hills and streams running down to a sound shore
made up of numerous small bays, inlets and promontories. This advantage, however,
II-7
is partly offset by environmental drawbacks. In many places, the underlying rock is
near the surface thus limiting the capacity of the ground to absorb water and thereby
contributing to problems of flooding and siltation. At other locations, former lakes,
streams and marshes are buried by today's parks where water absorption is limited,
such as at Pine Brook Park and Fountain Square. Flooding and siltation are serious
problems for our community, most of which is drained by the Pine Brook, Sheldrake,
and East Creek-Gut Creek watersheds flowing through such rocky strata for much
of their length.1
The two municipalities also lie less than 20 miles from the East River on the shores
of the Western Narrows of Long Island Sound. The naturally sluggish tidal flushing
action of the Western Narrows, exacerbated by excessive nitrogen flows caused by
overdevelopment, polluted stormwater runoff and inadequate sewage treatment have
combined to create an area in the Western Narrows where the water is plagued with
the lowest dissolved oxygen counts (hypoxia) of the Sound, as reported by the
federally funded Long Island Sound Study of 1992 (see Part V of this Section). The
Hempstead Sill, a shoal extending from the mouth of Hempstead Harbor (directly
across the Sound from Larchmont) to the New York-Connecticut border causes an
even more narrow and shallow water area, 30 feet and less in depth, further
restricting tidal action and significantly contributing to the polluted water of the
Western Narrows.
E. Economy
The dominant business in both Larchmont and the Unincorporated Area is
residential real estate. There is almost no manufacturing, and the commercial
enterprises in the area exist mainly to serve local or nearby residents.
The area's residential value lies not only in its ready access to New York City -- as
well as to a widening array of suburban business, commercial and cultural centers --
by both road and rail, but also in its physical beauty and the amenities and
recreational advantages of its coastal location. Our economic geography is likewise
a mixed blessing. Our location in a great metropolitan region -- with a railroad and
two interstate highways crossing our community, four large airports nearby (one
major one being just across the Sound), and substantial small industry and
commercial water traffic along the nearby Sound shore -- brings us important
economic benefits; indeed, it is the basic source of employment for our residents.
But this location also brings environmental drawbacks: pollution of water, air and soil
1 These three watersheds are the focus of drainage-related problems discussed in Part U Watershed Management. As the
drainage boundaries shown on Map 1 make clear,a fourth watershed,that of the Mamaroneck River,drains an area of
about 1 square mile in the northeastern portion of the Town,about half of it consisting of a part of the Saxon Woods
County Park. Immediately downstream from this area is the Village of Mamaroneck,which has chronic problems of
residential flooding in this watershed during rainy periods.
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by aircraft, vehicular and industrial wastes; noise pollution; and the flooding and
other evils that result from residential overbuilding.
Personal incomes vary over a wide range. The median household income is about
$74,000 annually. The resulting high residential real estate values, and the ancillary
professional and business (mainly retail) establishments, provide tax support for a
high-quality public school system and efficient municipal services.
The residential development of Larchmont and the Unincorporated Area (most of
which lies within the Larchmont postal district, zip code 10538) has proceeded
steadily since the late 19th century. Development of Larchmont Village took place
primarily before World War II, while that of the Unincorporated Area continued
thereafter, in both cases with subdivision of large properties into single-family homes
and construction of several apartment houses near the major east-west thoroughfares.
The population of the area grew from 14,500 in 1940 to about 20,000 in 1970. Of the
latter number, about 7,000 lived in the Village. Today's population is approximately
17,400 with 6,180 in the Village. This stabilization underlines a fact of major
importance for local planning, namely, that property in the area is already almost
fully developed except for the existing parks, golf courses, and conservation areas
described below. Overbuilding in recent decades, both in our community and in
those upstream, has caused some of our most serious problems -- natural habitat
reduction,flooding, siltation,pollution and malfunction of overloaded sanitary sewers
-- which threaten the beauty and integrity of the coastal zone on which the
community's property values, economy,and ecology all heavily depend. Development
in upstream communities (see Part U of this Section) continues to exert new pressure
on stormwater drainage in our community and in the Long Island Sound (see Section
V for local controls concerning stormwater runoff).
F. Historic Buildings
Our community's resources include a considerable number of sites of historic and/or
scenic value. Many such sites in the area deserve official protection, the absence of
which may increase the likelihood of future actions needlessly damaging to historical
and scenic values in this area.
Although no systematic survey has been made of historical and archaeological sites
(see Part G) in this area'-, the Village and the Unincorporated Area have many sites
of historical, architectural, and cultural interest, including a score or more of private
houses a century or more old, a few of these date from the Federal period and many
from late Victorian times. Some formal survey work was done in the Village in 1982
2 In November 1993,the Larchmont Historical Society received a$5,000.grant from the Smart Family Foundation Inc.for a
reconnaissance level historical sites survey of the Larchmont Postal District. This work is to begin in 1994.
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by the Westchester County Division of Housing and Community Development
Department when they conducted a survey of Larchmont's business district. In
addition, the histories of approximately thirty houses were researched and
documented in conjunction with house tours sponsored by the Larchmont Historical
Society. Westchester County, New York: Colonial to Contemporary by Frank E.
Sanchis was published in 1977 after a county-wide architectural survey recording over
2500 buildings. Larchmont, which represents a small geographic percentage of
Westchester County, was considered to possess a large number of buildings
considered architecturally significant within the context of the County as a whole.
Numerous illustrations of Larchmont's residential and civic buildings can be found
in the book.
The oldest surviving structure in the area is a private house at 4 Pryer Manor Road,
built in 1775 on the site of an earlier mill house. It has been recognized by the
Daughters of the American Revolution as a historical landmark, as has the
Larchmont Public Library, built on the site of the original Samuel Palmer house.
The Manor House, built in 1790 for Peter Jay Munro, still stands at the head of
Prospect Avenue. Beside the Post Road outside Larchmont's municipal building is
a milestone bearing the carved inscription "21 miles from New York", erected in 1804
along what was then the Westchester Turnpike and is now U.S. 1. Nearby are two
small cemeteries of early date, one of them established by Quakers in the early 18th
century -- the oldest known relic of European habitation in our community.
The house at 86 Weaver Street, now a private residence, was built prior to 1808 to
house the first public school in the Town of Mamaroneck, organized under the New
York State public education law of 1795.
Many structures of late 19th century vintage are in a neighborhood known locally as
The Manor. It is defined by Town of Mamaroneck Map 610, the area once owned
by the Larchmont Manor Company, predecessor of the incorporated Village of
Larchmont. In addition to private residences, notable structures in this area include
the clubhouse of the Larchmont Yacht Club, built in the 1880's, a remarkable show
piece of late Victorian design; and Fountain Square in Larchmont Manor, turned
over to the Larchmont Manor Park Society in 1892 and redesigned by Larchmont
architect Walter C. Hunting. It is a distinguished landmark and was once the center
of the incorporated Village of Larchmont. The Larchmont Manor Inn, opened in
The Manor in 1893, two years after the Village was incorporated, has been
nominated for listing on the National Historic Register.
Two books recording the Village's past were published in 1991 in honor of the
Village of Larchmont's Centennial, Larchmont, N.Y.: People and Places Pre-History
to 1892 by Judith Doolin Spikes and the Larchmont Official Centennial Edition.
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G. Archaeological Sites
It is believed likely that traces of post-Revolutionary building sites remain on the
Mamaroneck side of the Larchmont Reservoir property. This possibility is being
investigated. Three quarry sites have also been identified at the Reservoir property.
In addition, the Reservoir was the site of a saw mill, grain mill and ice-harvesting
business.
Some other sites in the area bear traces of prehistoric American Indian habitation.
Indians are believed to have built a weir at the site of the present Premium Mill
Pond dam, which itself dates from 1801. A south-facing rocky cave adjacent to Pine
Brook Park may have been used by Indians as a blind for hunting animals. Some
large erratic boulders in the area, including the one that gave Rockingstone Avenue
its name, are believed to have been places of Indian worship.
Phase I Archaeological Reconnaissance Surveys were conducted on two properties
in Larchmont Manor in 1989 and 1990, one on Park Avenue opposite Larchmont
Harbor and the other at Fountain Square, both prior to development. While the
archaeologist's report traced the area's history back to prehistoric times, no
meaningful artifacts were recovered and no further investigations were
recommended.
H. Scenic Resources
Numerous sites and views contribute significantly to the scenic quality of the coastal
zone. They include upland sites not visible from the shore, e.g., Fountain Square,
Memorial (Station) Park, the Sheldrake River and Leatherstocking Trail
Conservation area, the Larchmont Reservoir Conservancy, the three local golf
courses (Bonnie Briar, Winged Foot, and Hampshire), and the Brookside
Drive-Gardens Lake area.
The shoreline from the Premium River, Mill Pond and peninsula east to Flint Park
on East Creek is primarily a low density residential area consisting of homes of fine
architectural or historical significance, is well landscaped, and provides pleasing and
interesting views of the shoreline and from the water to the shore. The Premium
Mill Pond area, Manor Park, Flint Park, the Hommocks Marsh and the area's
associated wetlands and open surface waters provide natural feature areas with a
high degree of interesting line, texture and mass, provided by upland and wetland
vegetation, the intersection of the rocky and vegetated shoreline with open waters,
and the slope of land to the water's edge. Solid metamorphic rocks and sandy
beaches skirt the shoreline. Native vegetation includes lush wetland marsh grasses,
low trees and shrubs, as well as large deciduous trees, set back from the shoreline,
which provide enclosure canopies when viewing the shore a short distance from the
water's edge. The Premium River and Mill Pond comprise a protected and relatively
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undisturbed region offering welcome relief from surrounding developed and
urbanized areas.
Viewer interest in shoreline characteristics, natural features, the foreground, middle
ground and background changes depending upon the location and position of the
viewer from various areas along roadways, from within Manor and Flint Parks, along
the shoreline itself, and the elevation of the viewer in relation to the shoreline. The
combined elements of rocky outcroppings, open water, wetland vegetation, and
shoreline trees and shrubs result in a visually pleasing and high quality view from,
along, and to the shoreline. Important vistas of and from the shoreline within this
area are primarily from Park Avenue near Manor Park looking towards Long Island
Sound, from Walnut and Bay Avenues looking toward the Sound, and from the Pryer
Manor Bridge looking at the Premium River or looking across the Mill Pond to the
Sound.
One must be mindful of the impact of development on the quality and character of
life on the Sound coast. General standards are required on a regional basis to
safeguard the view from the water to land and land to water, to protect specific
significant structures and landscapes, and to protect community scale and character.
Public Access
The bulk of the Long Island Sound shoreline in our community, including tidal
estuaries and inlets, is privately owned either by homeowners or by private clubs and
associations, to which many Village and Town residents belong. However, a
significant amount of public property, and one uniquely important private park, are
open to the public, as follows (see Map 4 Existing Open Space):
1. The Larchmont Manor Park (12.65 acres) winds along a twisting half mile of
indented shore from Umbrella Point westward to, and including, Horseshoe
Harbor. It is one of the great beauty spots of the Westchester shore. From
its various promontories, a panoramic view of the Sound unfolds of sky and
water and low-lying greenery in ever-changing hues and configurations as the
weather and the seasons shift. It has been owned and maintained since its
establishment by the Larchmont Manor Park Society, whose enlightened
volunteer management has preserved the park for more than a century as an
asset for the whole community.
The Larchmont Manor Park Society is a nonprofit corporation whose
membership is limited to residents of a designated area (Map 610) south of
the Boston Post Road. Under a deed to the Society in 1892, the right to use
the park is limited to residents of Map 610, their households and guests;
however, the society has also invited access to the park by residents outside
that area, subject only to rules designed principally to preserve the park's
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peaceful atmosphere, beauty, and fragile environment (its soil is shallow and
has occasionally suffered from overuse).The boathouse in Horseshoe Harbor,
recently rebuilt after a fire, is managed for the Society by the Horseshoe
Harbor Yacht Club.
The Society itself manages the adjoining beach and swimming facilities,
providing access and bathhouse space to Larchmont Village residents, first
come first served, for a seasonal fee, and recently to Town residents of
Larchmont postal district zip code 10538, subject to availability.
The larger, landscaped portion of the park is used for passive recreation only.
Over the decades the Society, at its own expense, has erected seawalls and
planted and maintained lawns and trees to preserve and maintain the park's
appearance. The Horseshoe Harbor Yacht Club has conducted dredging
operations three times in the past 30 years to maintain the needed depth for
boats in Horseshoe Harbor.
The Manor Park is artfully landscaped and adorned with stately trees, three
gazebos overlooking the Sound, broad lawns, wild thickets and winding walks,
and a spectacular formation of ancient metamorphic rock skirting the shore.
Flanked by the unspoiled tree-lined silhouettes of City Island, Pine Island,
Davids Island and Huckleberry Island to the south, it commands a sweeping
view of Long Island Sound and the Long Island shore opposite, the trees, bays
and inlets of the Queens and Nassau County shorelines with the tips of Lloyds
Point and Eton's Neck to the east, the last sight of land before the view is one
of only open water. Manor Park is an important resource for natural history
education and a favorite place for strolling and for watching the sailing and
racing activity centered on the Larchmont Yacht Club nearby.
2. Village of Larchmont Property: Flint Park, the largest, as well as Pine Brook,
Lorenzen and Woodbine Parks, all touch the waterfront or streams near it.
The total park area of about 37 acres is mainly accounted for by Flint Park
(27 acres). Its mostly level ground contains tennis and paddle tennis courts
and playing fields for baseball and youth soccer. It is a key facility in the
Village's recreational life. It is also the site of a small building, known as
"The Play House", used for meetings and cultural events. Its use for public
access to the shoreline for passive recreation, however, is impaired by the
location of a Village leaf disposal facility. The Village has worked diligently
to improve the leaf disposal site located at the south end of Flint Park.
It should also be noted that the dead ends of several Village streets abut the
waterfront or the Premium estuary. In addition, the easternmost 50 feet of
Premium Point, just inside the Village of Larchmont border, is unimproved
Village property totaling about 0. 1 acre. The use of this area for public
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recreation has been considered from time to time, but, as is noted later in this
inventory, there are many drawbacks to such use. (Also see Part N at 4.)
3. Town of Mamaroneck Property: Two important waterfront areas are Town
property under the management of the Conservation Advisory Commission.
These are the 5-acre Hommocks Conservation Area, most of which lies in the
Town (the rest is in the Village of Mamaroneck) and the 10-acre Premium
River Conservation Area. Both include tidal wetlands with well-rooted marsh
grasses which function as important wildlife habitats and, through their
water-retention capacity, retard erosion in the tidal estuaries. Both are open
to the public for passive recreation, with woodchipped walk trails and dry
ground and catwalks and foot bridges in marshy areas. The Premium
Conservation Area recently received a face-lift when its entranceway was
enhanced with plantings indigenous to an upland tidal wetland provided by a
grant from the National Small Business Administration, administered by the
Department of Environmental Conservation, and two local organizations.
However, as discussed in Part U, both the Hommocks and the Premium have
chronic siltation and pollution problems.
In addition, the south end of the 12.5 acre Hommocks athletic field abuts the
Hommocks Marsh and Little Harbor Sound. The field is owned by the Town,
and its use is shared by the Town Recreation Department and the Board of
Education whose property to the north of the field is the site of the
Hommocks Middle School. The field was built on a sanitary landfill in the
1960's and early 1970's which buried the lower ends of East Creek and Gut
Creek in culverts. The 900 foot above-ground section of East Creek runs
approximately along the Town-Village border. Defects in covering, grading,
and seeding remain.
J. Open Space
In the watersheds along the highly developed Westchester shore, open space serves
several major purposes including wildlife habitat, recreation, aesthetic values, and
of special importance in this area, improvement of air quality caused by water
exchange, and flood control by absorbing and retarding runoff in wet weather. Three
jurisdictional categories of open space are involved, totaling about 722 acres. These
figures do not include 187 acres of parkland in the northeast corner of the Town,
which form part of the County-owned Saxon Woods Park (see Map 4).
1. Within the Village of Larchmont, open space includes 34 acres of public
parks; the 12.65-acre privately owned Larchmont Manor Park; and 17
waterfront acres occupied by the Larchmont Yacht Club and the Larchmont
Shore Club -- a total of about 64 acres.
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2. Within the Unincorporated Area of the Town, open space totals
approximately 589 acres, as follows:
a. About 109 acres of Town-owned parks and conservation areas, namely:
the Sheldrake River and Leatherstocking Trails, Hommocks and
Premium River Conservation Areas; the handsomely landscaped
Memorial Park; the Gardens Lake; and the Hommocks playing field.
In September 1983 all these open spaces were formally dedicated by
the Town for parks and recreational use.
b. The 12.76-acre Larchmont Reservoir Conservation Area, consisting of
that portion of the Larchmont Reservoir - James G. Johnson Jr.
Conservancy lying within the Town of Mamaroneck.
The unique status of the 60-acre Larchmont Reservoir - James G.
Johnson, Jr. Conservancy, calls for further comment. It is owned by
the Village of Larchmont, located partly in the Unincorporated Area,
(12.76 acres) with the remainder in the City of New Rochelle. In
October 1984, this property was dedicated in perpetuity by the Village
for specified public purposes including conservation, nature study,
wildlife preserve, flood control, standby water supply, and
environmental and historical education. Since late 1975, when the
Reservoir ceased to serve as the Village's regular water supply, the
property, with the concurrence of the Village, has been maintained as
a conservation area and flood control facility by the Conservation
Advisory Commission and the Town of Mamaroneck conservation staff,
with additional support since 1981 from the Friend§.of the Reservoir,
Inc., a private nonprofit organization. Following the dedication of the
property, the Village's oversight of these arrangements has been
strengthened by creation of the Village of Larchmont Reservoir
Committee, which makes recommendations to the Village Board on
policy and projects relating to the property and works with the above
bodies in the initiation and review of proposals concerning it. In 1993,
the National Institute for Urban Wildlife certified the Larchmont
Reservoir as an "Urban Wildlife Sanctuary" noting that it had met all
of the Institute's wildlife habitat and management criteria, including
such items as natural food availability on a seasonal basis, water being
present all year 'round and adequate living space with vegetated
corridors extending from the property.
c. Two large private golf courses and part of a third, totaling 428 acres.
The Bonnie Briar and Winged Foot golf clubs are in northern part of
the Town. A 6.74-acre portion of the Hampshire Country Club golf
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course extends west from the Village of Mamaroneck into the
unincorporated area near the Hommocks Conservation Area.
d. About 40 acres of large residential tracts with development potential
lying between the Bonnie Briar and Winged Foot golf clubs.
This list is by no means conclusive. The Conservation Advisory Commission has
been charged with the responsibility for maintaining an inventory of open spaces.
K. Recreation
Recreational facilities, part public and part private, are substantial for both active
and passive recreation, much of it water-dependent or water-enhanced. Many of
these facilities, because of their size and location, also have great environmental
importance as absorbers of flood waters and as wildlife habitats. Their recreational
uses can be summed up as follows:
1. Active Land Sports: In addition to the facilities of the Mamaroneck school
system, active sport facilities for adults and children include public baseball
and soccer fields, chiefly in Flint Park; a public indoor ice rink next to
Hommocks School; tennis and paddle tennis courts in Flint Park, the Town's
Memorial (Station) Park, and private clubs; and three private golf clubs, two
of them wholly and one partly within the Town.
2. Water-Dependent Sports:
As befits a coastal community,water-dependent sports are well developed, for
example:
a. Boating: On the Larchmont shoreline are two yacht clubs, the
Larchmont Yacht Club (11 acres) and the Horseshoe Harbor Yacht
Club which uses the Larchmont Manor Park Society's boathouse in the
Manor Park. Their combined fleets of sail and motor craft number
over 450, and provide recreation to thousands of residents. In
addition, a few members of the Larchmont Shore Club (6 acres) moor
their boats in club waters, and numerous boats are docked or moored
at private residences along the shore. The Larchmont Yacht Club has
made Larchmont famous as one of the most important yachting centers
on the American east coast, increasing the attractiveness of this area
as a place of residence for sailing enthusiasts. The area is also a
market for a considerable nearby industry, especially in the Village of
Mamaroneck and in New Rochelle, devoted to yacht building, sailing,
maintenance and supply.
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There are no public boating facilities along the shoreline in Larchmont
or the Unincorporated Area of the Town of Mamaroneck. Some
residents keep their boats at the Village of Mamaroneck facility in
Harbor Island nearby, although it has a long waiting list and charges
a substantially higher fee for nonresidents. (Also see Part U.S.)
b. Swimming: Facilities include the indoor Hommocks swimming pool,
shared between the school system and the Town, and open to the
public; an open-air County swimming pool in Saxon Woods Park;
another Westchester County facility, Rye Playland and, as previously
mentioned (see Part I), bathhouse facilities at the Manor Park
Society's Manor Beach. Homeowners in the adjoining Map 610 area
have priority rights in this facility, but the Manor Park Society makes
room for hundreds of other Village and Town residents for a season
fee, first come first served. Up to 750 families have shared this facility
in some recent years. In addition, the Shore Club and the Yacht Club
have private beaches for members. No public outdoor swimming
facility exists along the shore, but such facilities are available, at higher
fees than for residents, in nearby Sound shore municipalities including
the Village of Mamaroneck and New Rochelle. A chronic problem
affecting all Sound shore swimming in recent years is the pollution of
coastal waters by raw sewage after heavy rains because of infiltration
of storm water into the sanitary system thus causing bypassing of the
sewage plant which in turn frequently causes the closing of nearby
beaches by order of the County Health Department.
c. Fishing: Both local and deep-water fishing is done in the Sound by
many boat owners in the area. In addition, there is some fishing from
the shore at private residences and, subject to municipal regulation, on
public property. Restoration of shellfishing along the Sound shore, for
recreational as well as commercial purposes, will depend on future
steps to upgrade water quality.
3. Passive Recreation: Much of the so-called passive recreation in parks and
conservation areas--walking,birding,sketching,painting,photography, nature
study, etc. -- is enhanced by bodies of salt or fresh water and is in that sense
water-related. The scenic beauty of the Larchmont Manor Park makes it a
favorite public strolling place. For birders and students of ecology, the
Premium and Hommocks Conservation areas, and on a smaller scale
Horseshoe Harbor, incubate abundant fish, shellfish, and crustaceans and are
nesting and feeding grounds for many species of waterfowl and shore birds.
Farther inland, the Sheldrake and Leatherstocking Conservation areas (total
55 acres) and the 60-acre Larchmont Reservoir Conservancy all contain
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undisturbed woodland with a varied topography of open water, wetlands, and
rocky heights, the habitats of abundant wildlife.
4. Possibilities and Limits: As has already been made clear, this area has
extensive resources for water-related recreation, both active and passive.
Private shoreline facilities for boating and swimming are enjoyed by many
residents, and are used at or close to capacity. It is widely realized that
possibilities for wider public access to boating and swimming along this part
of the Sound shore are limited by the nature of the shoreline and its
ownership.
Attempts in recent years to establish Village of Larchmont facilities for small
boats, windsurfers, etc. in Little Harbor Sound at the foot of Flint Park, or at
the dead ends of Beach and Magnolia Avenues were abandoned as
impractical. The Village has determined that Little Harbor Sound, the dead-
ends at Beach, Walnut and Magnolia Avenues and an unimproved beach lot
at the east end of Premium Point (one of the finest intertidal areas along the
Sound shore) are out-of-the-way locations hard to supervise and police, with
difficult physical access and limited parking possibilities.
In sum, the potential of existing public properties for creating new
recreational facilities is very limited. If either municipality should in the
future acquire, or obtain the use of, property on or near the shore other than
what they now own, the adaptation of such property for public recreational
use would be desirable but would require careful weighing of relevant factors
such as public demand, costs, environmental impact, and effect on the
residential neighborhood.
Facilities for so-called passive recreation are more plentiful: birding and
nature walks in the Town conservation areas and the Manor Park. Optimum
use of the Premium Conservation Area for these purposes, however, will
require more maintenance and community support. A potential also exists for
creating additional small areas for passive recreation at the south end of Flint
Park and along the open section of East Creek, as noted above in discussion
of that area.
The importance of these public and private recreational resources, both in
maintaining the quality of life in our community and in sustaining its
economy, cannot be overstated. Whatever impairs or degrades or needlessly
restricts recreational opportunities -- such as a ban on swimming at times of
severe water pollution, or silting up of navigational channels, or unnecessarily
limited public access, or littering and vandalism in parks and conservation
areas -- tends to lower the quality of life, and makes the area a less desirable
II-18
place to live. A major aim of this Program must be to prevent such
conditions from arising and to correct them where they exist.
L. Living Resources
Our land and waters nourish a wide diversity of fish and wildlife.3 Bird species are
especially numerous owing to our coastal location and our transitional climate
pattern caused in part by the meeting of the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream.
Birds, both resident and migratory, and land animals find food and shelter in the
wide variety of trees, shrubs, lawns and rocky structures on private land and suburban
streets, and in the more protected open space of our parks and conservation areas.
Fish, shellfish, crustaceans, amphibians, and reptiles breed in the nutrient-rich ponds,
salt marshes and watercourses,providing food for gulls, shore birds,winter-sheltering
ducks, geese, and swans, and land animals, as well as some recreational fishing. (See
Part M- Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Part N- Locally Important
Fish and Wildlife Habitats of this section for details.)
A 1991 report entitled Northeast Coastal Areas Study: Significant Coastal Habitats
of Southern New England and Portions of Long Island, New York prepared by
Joseph J. Dowhan of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service includes the Premium River
Complex as part of"The Narrows Complex" or the westernmost part of Long Island
Sound between Hell Gate and the Hempstead Sill to the New York-Connecticut
boundary. The report sees habitats in this region to be linked, or potentially so.
Described are two major subcomplexes joined together by the waters of the
Sound and ecologically linked with one another: 1) the Northern Bays (Little
Neck and Manhasset Bays and Hempstead Harbor) and the immediate
nearshore waters of Long Island Sound; and 2) the Mainland Coastline, with
its several small offshore islands, mainland wetlands and nearshore waters,
bays and coves. The Mainland Coastline extends from Eastchester Bay and
the Throgs Neck Bridge in New York eastward to Greenwich Cove in
Greenwich, Connecticut.
Included within this subcomplex are the following Significant Habitat sites:
Greenwich Cove, Cos Cob Harbor, and Great Captain Island in Connecticut;
Playland Lake and Manursing Island Flats and the Marshlands Conservancy
at Maries Neck/Milton Harbor, Rye; the Premium River-Pine Brook
Wetlands in Larchmont, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle; Huckleberry Island-
Davids Island in New Rochelle; and Pelham Bay Park in New York. (Also
included in this subcomplex are South and North Brother Islands,just west of
Rikers Island near the western boundary of The Narrows, approximately 6
linear miles (10 km) west of the core area.)
3 See Wildlife Inventories in Appendix B.
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These areas may appear discontinuous and remote from each other, but based on the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife study and others, there appears to be a natural connection
between them (for example, a connection between the wading colonial bird rookeries
of The Narrows and western Long Island Sound in Connecticut).
Development in recent years has impacted the region's wildlife in numerous ways:
for example, with the reduction of habitat diversity, relatively adaptable species have
flourished (crows, raccoons, and skunks) while more sensitive species have declined.
As will be noted, inappropriate or careless development poses serious threats to
many of the valued species that breed and thrive in our area.
This threat is especially significant in two saltwater wetlands located in the Premium
and Hommocks Conservation Areas and in the freshwater wetlands areas in the
Larchmont Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Complex. Largely because of the
importance of salt marshes as spawning grounds for fish and other aquatic species,
the Premium and Hommocks were designated locally over a decade ago as conserva-
tion areas under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Advisory Commission; but this
status cannot fully protect them from environmental damage -- in fact, they have
already been substantially damaged by siltation, erosion, and pollution. Because of
their ecological value, these areas were designated"locally important fish and wildlife
habitats" (see parts M and N of this Section).
M. Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat
This narrative describes the Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex which
was designated a Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat by the NYS Secretary
of State on November 15, 1987. This area is also identified in the LWRP as a
Locally Important Habitat of regional importance, which led to its State designation.
The Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex is tributary to Long Island Sound
in the Town of Mamaroneck, the City of New Rochelle4 and the Village of
Larchmont, Westchester County (7.5' Quadrangle: Mount Vernon, N.Y.). The fish
and wildlife habitat is an approximately 65 acre area including Pine Brook south of
the Boston Post Road, the Premium River, Premium Mill Pond, the northeast
portion of Echo Bay, Pryer Manor Marsh, a former wetland between Dillon Road
and Emerson Avenue, salt marsh areas adjacent to the river and creek and small
portions of adjacent meadow. The land area bordering the wetlands complex is
predominantly moderate density residential and commercial. Several town and
village owned parklands including the Premium River Conservation Area, Woodbine
Park, Kane Park, and Lorenzen Park are part of the habitat area.
Adverse impacts on the Premium Marsh and the need for intermunicipal action to restore and protect it are discussed in
some detail on pages 43-47 of the"Local Coastal Management Program"published in 1980 by the City of New Rochelle
Department of Development.
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The portion of the habitat area within Mamaroneck and Larchmont was designated
a Critical Environmental Area pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review
Act (see Part N below).
The Premium River - Pine Brook Wetlands area is a diverse and relatively
undeveloped complex of tidal river, tidal flats, shallows, salt marsh and freshwater
wetlands which is unusual in Westchester County. Although adjacent and upstream
developments and water pollution have degraded this area, the wetlands remain
undeveloped and the range of natural communities in this area support a diversity
of fish and wildlife species. Local efforts are underway to preserve, maintain and
restore the wetlands. As an initial step, the Department of State funded the
development of a wetland restoration and management feasibility study for the Town
of Mamaroneck and the Village of Larchmont. The NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation, under the Environmental Quality Bond Act of 1972,
awarded the Town and Village $618,965 in March of 1990 to dredge the Premium
River. The Town serves as lead agency for the project and hired Malcolm Pirnie Inc.
as consulting engineers to obtain the required permits, perform survey work, sample
and analyze the disposal of dredged material, and to oversee the actual dredging
work. This wetland restoration effort has focused on dredging to restore tidal
circulation in the river and marsh system. This project has been stalled due to the
dredging contract bids coming in above the budget and difficulty in finding capping
material for the dredged spoil and the proper disposal site.
The productive salt marshes, tidal flats and shallows serve as nursery and feeding
areas for a variety of finfish species including alewife, striped bass, blackfish,bluefish,
cod, eel, winter flounder, summer flounder, mackerel, menhaden, porgy, weakfish,
silversides and killifish. Shellfish found in the area include hard clam, soft clam, blue
mussel, American oyster and bay scallop. Although the Mill Pond was once used for
planting and harvesting oysters, the entire area is now closed to shellfishing due to
degraded water quality (high coliform levels) resulting from roadway and other
nonpoint source runoff. Recreational fishing remains locally important.
A variety of coastal wildlife species occur in and around the Premium River - Pine
Brook Wetlands Complex (see Appendices B and E). Nesting bird species include
the black-crowned night heron, ring-necked pheasant, mallard, Canada goose, mute
swan and killdeer. Many species of waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh birds and passerine
species feed in the area as residents during the summer and also during spring and
fall migrations. Large concentrations of black duck occur during migrations and in
recent years, osprey have been observed migrating through the area. Overwintering
species include common loon, American coot, greater scaup, lesser scaup, northern
shoveler, mallard, common goldeneye, canvasback, common merganser, hooded
merganser and red-breasted merganser. The use of this area by waterfowl in winter
is influenced by the extent of ice cover on Premium Mill Pond. Waterfowl hunting
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is not allowed except for some areas offshore of Premium Point. Harbor seals are
occasional visitors to the area.
The combination of this area's diverse natural communities and wildlife and its
proximity to New York City and the densely populated region of Westchester County
makes the Premium River - Pine Brook Wetlands Complex significant for informal
nature study, birding, photography, environmental education and research. The
L.I.F.E. Center naturalists as well as other Westchester citizens groups conduct
frequent nature walks in this area for school groups and adults. Several high schools
and universities use this area as an ecological laboratory. Several local groups
including the Conservation Advisory Commission, the L.I.F.E. Center, the Premium
River-Pine Brook Preservation Association,and the Larchmont/Mamaroneck Coastal
Zone Management Commission are dedicated to preserving and restoring this area.
N. Locally Important Fish and Wildlife Habitats
The three habitats mentioned below are designated as"Critical Environmental Areas"
under the Town of Mamaroneck Environmental Quality Review ordinance and the
State Environmental Quality Review Act adopted by the Village of Larchmont (see
Section V).
1. The Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex is located in and near the head of Little
Harbor Sound, a tidal inlet in Larchmont Harbor. It straddles the boundaries
of the Village of Larchmont and the Unincorporated Area of the Town of
Mamaroneck, and is associated environmentally with adjacent lands in the
Village of Mamaroneck. Its main component is the Town portion (about 3.5
acres) of the Hommocks Conservation Area, most of which consists of tidal
wetlands. Entering the marsh at the northwest corner of the conservation
area are the outfalls of East Creek and Gut Creek, which flow through pipes
under the Hommocks athletic field and drain a watershed which is fully
developed with residential and business properties and major thoroughfares.
There is also an above-ground section of East Creek running approximately
along the Town-Village border. The complex also includes three other areas.
One consists of some 5 acres of sheltered waters off the southwest end of the
Hommocks peninsula, an important feeding area for migrating waterfowl (see
Appendix B). Another is a strip, about 2 acres in area, of partly marshy,
partly wooded ground skirting the south end of Flint Park in the Village of
Larchmont from the East Creek outfall to the western boundary of the park.
This strip forms the north bank of Little Harbor Sound and is ecologically
associated with the Hommocks Marsh. The fourth component is the 6.74-acre
segment of the Hampshire Country Club golf course, lying within the Town
east of Hommocks Road, through which Gut Creek flows on the surface. The
total area of this complex is thus about 17 acres, all but about 2 acres of
which are in the Unincorporated Area.
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Both of the above habitat complexes are rich in wildlife and include areas of
open ground, woods, meadow edges, salt marsh, intertidal flats, and open
water, either salt or brackish. Water depths are shallow. Tidal fluctuation is
slower in the Premium complex because of the dam between it and the
Sound. Both areas are surrounded partly by parks and playing fields and
partly by residential and commercial development. As is discussed in Part U,
they have survived considerable adverse impact from their surroundings.
2. The Larchmont Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Freshwater Wetland
Complex (RSL-CEA) is located in the Sheldrake watershed about two miles
inland. Its total area is about 520 acres. Extending eastward from the Town
portion (12.76 acres) of the Larchmont Reservoir property across the
Unincorporated Area to the Village of Mamaroneck boundary, it forms a
network of large and small open spaces and connecting habitat corridors (see
Appendices B,C and D) to the north and south of the 55-acre
Sheldrake-Leatherstocking trail system, which forms its main east-west axis.
To the north are the Bonnie Briar and Winged Foot golf courses, respectively
141.4 and 280 acres. Within and near the golf courses and the trails are
important habitat corridors following the two branches of the Sheldrake River
and its small tributaries. These include wetlands, springs, ponds, flood plains,
and streams flowing into the Sheldrake's two branches. South of the
Conservation Area, the Complex includes the Sheldrake and its two branches,
the 7.4-acre Badger Sports Club, Gardens Lake, and the small Revere Road
Conservation Area next to the Village of Mamaroneck border. (If defined
solely in ecological terms, this Complex would extend well into the Village of
Mamaroneck downstream and into Scarsdale and New Rochelle along the
upstream portions of the Sheldrake watershed. Only those sections within our
Coastal Zone boundary are included here.) The main components of this
Complex are as follows:
a. Of the 60-acre Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson, Jr.
Conservancy, 12.76 acres are within our Coastal Zone boundary,
including the lower half of Goodliffe Pond, the lower dam and
spillway, a section of the Sheldrake River (West Branch) below the
spillway and west of Weaver Street, and surrounding woods and
meadow. Although the larger part of this Conservancy lies in New
Rochelle, the entire Conservancy is owned by the Village of
Larchmont, dedicated by it to public uses including wildlife preserve,
and maintained by agencies of the Town under Village supervision and
in cooperation with the City of New Rochelle. The Conservancy's two
lakes (about 25 acres) and surrounding deciduous woods, rocky upland,
marshy low ground and meadow, make it an excellent habitat for a
wide variety of aquatic and land birds. In 1985, a fence was built
across the base of the smaller peninsula near the south end of
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Sheldrake Lake creating a protected nesting area for wild birds. A
nesting pole for ospreys was erected on Goodliffe Pond by the Friends
of the Reservoir. Nesting ospreys have been observed.
b. The two golf courses, totaling over 421 acres, offer wide expanses of
relatively undisturbed open space with varied topography and
numerous ponds, streams, thickets and groves of trees. With the
Badger Sports Club property (7.4 acres), private open space in this
complex totals some 428 acres. The Town undertook an
environmental review of the golf course properties in order to
ascertain what kind of zoning of these properties would best serve the
Town's planning goals and community character. A Final
Environrriental Impact Statement on this matter was accepted by the
Town Board in the fall of 1993, and a Findings Statement in support
of rezoning to Private Recreation Zone was made on April 5, 1994.
c. The Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Conservation Area comprises 55 acres
of rocky, deciduous woodlands, of which 13 acres are freshwater
wetlands. It is intersected by both branches of the Sheldrake and by
two tributaries to them, as well as by two tributaries to the main stem
of the Sheldrake near the Village of Mamaroneck line.
d. All the habitat corridors connecting the above areas are centered on
tributaries of the Sheldrake and include the wetlands and other
features described above. Their total area is estimated at 24 acres.
e. The existing, historical land use patterns within the RSL-CEA, as well
as development in surrounding communities, have created an extensive
"green" corridor and critical, although fragmented, stable corridor for
local wildlife populations. The latter have had sufficient time to adjust
and adapt to these habitats. The RSL-CEA has an extensive sampling
of most ecological communities typical of Westchester County.
Because wildlife populations have adapted to the existing land use and
to the isolated nature of the various natural habitats, they would be
very sensitive to any major changes in the habitat network. Pressure
from surrounding areas would cause wildlife species to become more
concentrated, and since individual species would be forced to rely on
less acreage, they would experience greater competition for existing
resources. These types of changes favor those species that are
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adaptable to living under greater stress, and are responsible for the
loss of more sensitive species noted throughout Westchester County.5
3. The Premium Salt Marsh Complex. See Part M above.
4. Intertidal & Littoral Zone. In addition to the above, a fourth habitat complex
merits description in this inventory even though, because it is protected under
the State Tidal Wetlands Law, it is not formally included among the habitat
complexes listed in this program. This is the intertidal and littoral zone
extending from Larchmont Harbor westward along the Sound shore to and
around Premium Point. Included in it are the shores of the Larchmont
Manor Park, Horseshoe Harbor, the Larchmont Shore Club, and intervening
private and public shoreline properties. This complex includes rocky coves in
the Manor Park-Horseshoe Harbor area, several of which contain patches of
salt marsh peat and grasses, as well as a small sandy beach called Pirate's
Cove. Biologically rich rocky and sandy beach continues off the Shore Club
and Premium Point Beach. This habitat nourishes a wide variety of fish
including striped bass, bluefish, flounder, mackerel, blackfish, menhaden,
alewives, eels, porgies, minnows, pipefish, and seahorses; also horseshoe
crabs, lobsters, hardshell and softshell clams, oysters, mussels, and snails. Bird
species include several species of gulls, herons, kingfishers, and shorebirds that
feed on the above organisms, as well as swans, geese, ducks, and other species
that feed on marine vegetation.
0. County Critical Environmental Areas
In 1989, Westchester County enacted a law designating certain areas that are critical
under the State Environmental Quality Review law but do not lie wholly within one
municipality, and also areas that might impact on County property as Critical
Environmental Areas (CEA), thereby entitling them to some measure of legal
protection against adverse actions in or near them. While the Coastal Zone
Management Commission(CZMC)supported the original"500 feet from Long Island
Sound" zone as a CEA, the County subsequently adopted a"cultural boundary"which
in our area is mainly a line mapped from the Boston Post Road to Long Island
Sound. The Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex, recommended for
inclusion in the CEA by the CZMC, and the Larchmont Reservoir-James G.
Johnson, Jr. Conservancy, recommended for inclusion by The Friends of the
Reservoir organization, were also designated County CEAs. (Also see Section V.)
5 Coleman,Stephen,Management Plan for the Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstockinp Critical Environmental Area(RSL-
CEA) Part III,December 1992 (see Appendix D.
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The CZMC also recommended to the County Board of Legislators that provisions
be made within the CEA law to ensure that an integrated review procedure would
occur for those actions that might involve and affect more than one government.
This recommendation was not adopted and therefore, there is no requirement for
intermunicipal notification of pending actions in these special areas nor is there a
system for coordinated "consistency" review. Examples of some of these
intermunicipal areas can be found at the Larchmont Reservoir (Village of Larchmont
and the City of New Rochelle), the Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex
(the Town of Mamaroneck, Larchmont and New Rochelle) and at the Hampshire
Country Club portion of the Hommocks Complex (the Town and the Village of
Mamaroneck). Therefore, each municipality must remain vigilant. For our
community, the most significant value of the Westchester County designation is that
it conferred Critical Environmental Area status to the Larchmont Reservoir-James
G. Johnson, Jr. Conservancy and to that portion of the Premium River-Pine Brook
Wetlands Complex lying within the City of New Rochelle and to a wider range of
areas lying south of the Boston Post Road, including privately held lands along the
Premium River not previously cited by the Village.
P. Fish and Wildlife Values
In this narrow, densely developed region of southeastern New York State, between
the fjord of the Hudson River and the arm of the sea that is Long Island Sound, all
surviving patches of relatively undisturbed open space and wetland -- four of which,
described above, are in our portion of the Coastal Zone -- are vitally important to
a great diversity of fish and wildlife, both resident and migratory. Lists of bird, land
and aquatic species found in these three habitat complexes are given in Appendix B.
The discussion below deals only with some of the more notable species. Unless
otherwise stated, the species mentioned are found in all three habitat complexes.
1. Fish: The Premium and Hommocks areas are nurseries and feeding areas for
bluefish, winter and summer flounder, eels, blackfish, mackerel, menhaden,
weakfish, silversides, alewives, and cod. Fish at the Reservoir include
large-mouth bass, yellow perch, sunfish, eels (which migrate upstream from
salt water), brown bullhead catfish, carp, and shiners.
2. Other Aquatic Species: Diamond-back terrapin breed in the Hommocks
Marsh, and snapping turtles in the Reservoir. Blue crabs have begun to
return to the Premium. It is hoped that their number may increase as water
quality improves. Among shellfish that breed in both areas are ribbed and
blue mussels; hard, soft-shell, and razor clams; oysters and scallops.
However, because of pollution, the waters of the Premium area are not
certified for shellfishing -- once a common activity there. Horseshoe crabs,
now on the endangered species list, breed in the Premium River. Naiads, a
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freshwater mussel, breed in the lower Reservoir -- proof of the quality of its
water, since this species is especially sensitive to pollution.
3. Birds: Many bird species use these habitats as nesting areas, and still more
use them as feeding grounds, either as residents or in migration or as casual
visitors. Nesting species include, in all three areas, the black-crowned night
heron, ring-necked pheasant, mallard, Canada goose, mute swan, green heron
and killdeer. Also nesting at the Reservoir are the snowy egret and wood
duck. Feeding species in all three areas include at least seven heron species:
snowy egret, great egret, great blue heron, green heron, black-crowned night
heron, yellow-crowned night heron and American bittern; and another
long-legged wader, the glossy ibis. Migratory visitors feeding in all three areas
include large numbers of black ducks and, in recent years, at least one osprey
in each area. Between late October and April, the following wintering
waterfowl feed in these areas: common loon, American coot, greater scaup,
lesser scaup, shoveller, mallard, Canada goose, mute swan, ruddy duck,
bufflehead, American widgeon, common goldeneye, canvasback, common
merganser, hooded merganser, and red-breasted merganser. Grebes and
pintails are casual visitors. Use of these areas by waterfowl in winter is
influenced by the extent of ice cover from year to year. Normally most feed
in the open water of the Mill Pond in midwinter; then, with the retreat of the
ice, larger numbers invade the wetlands before migrating north.
Other bird species seen in, and in many cases nesting in, one or more of these
three areas include many of the passerine species common in the American
East; the belted kingfisher; crows (black and fish); blue jay; five hawks
(red-shouldered, marsh, kestrel, merlin, osprey), four gulls (herring, great
black-backed, ring-billed, laughing); six woodpeckers (common flicker,
pileated, red-bellied, yellow-bellied sapsucker, hairy, and downy); three
swallows (tree, bank, and roughwinged); four wading birds (lesser yellowlegs,
greater yellowlegs, spotted sandpiper, semipalmated sandpiper); meadowlark;
and, as rarer visitors, the snowy owl, black skimmer, clapper rail, Virginia rail,
and American pipit. On one occasion a Eurasian fieldfare appeared, drawing
bird enthusiasts from near and far.
4. Land animals: Aside from the common rodents, muskrats breed in the
Premium area and are also found in the Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking
area. Among other mammals found in the Reservoir area are the short-tailed
shrew, North American field vole, white-footed mouse, woodchuck, opossum,
striped skunk, raccoon, red fox and deer.
5. Utilization: The uses of the fish and wildlife species described above by
people in our area, or nearby, include some commercial exploitation (mainly
lobsters), but more important by far are recreational, educational, scientific,
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aesthetic and ecological values. There is some sport fishing offshore in
addition to commercial fishing, the latter being based on nearby ports, not in
our area. There is some land-based fishing from shoreline clubs and
residences. Hunting is not allowed in Larchmont Harbor because of the
proximity of residential areas, but there is some duck hunting offshore from
Premium Point.
Most important are those recreational uses classified as "passive" -- birding,
photography, nature study, etc. Much of this - activity has educational value,
and in some cases scientific value as well. L.I.F.E. Center naturalists conduct
frequent nature walks in all three areas for school groups and adults. Annual
Audubon bird counts are also conducted there. Several ecological studies of
these areas, assigned as educational projects at the State University of New
York at Purchase, the City University of New York, Manhattanville and Iona
Colleges and Mamaroneck High School, have had scientific value. Students
research has led to advanced investigation at the colleges, and a high school
student's project won a Westinghouse Science Award.
No less important, although difficult to assess, is the contribution these three
areas make to the balance of nature in this highly developed land and
seascape at the western end of Long Island Sound. Spawning fish and lobsters
(and, it is hoped, crabs and shellfish once again) not only contribute to the
commercial catch in this part of the Sound, but provide food for many
beautiful and useful species of shorebirds. Insect-eating birds that breed in
these habitats help to control insect pests throughout the coastal area,
reducing the need for chemical insecticides.
6. Stewardship: The biological and botanical inventories appearing in the
Appendix were tabulated from 1991-1993. The Coastal Zone Management
Commission and the Conservation Advisory Commission have employed a
naturalist, bird specialist with many years of experience in the environmental
field especially in habitat management, to assess the Town-Village Critical
Environmental Areas (CEAs). The CZMC is particularly interested in
keeping current the existing inventories which may be used as baseline data,
to gain site specific recommendations for buffer areas to protect these
resources and to know whether restoration and enhancement of CEAs is
needed. Because of budget constraints, only a small part will be done each
year. In time, all three CEAs should be studied in depth.
Q. Water Resources (See Maps 5 and 5A.)
1. Fresh water: A considerable network of lakes, small ponds, wetlands and
watercourses in the Unincorporated Area, as well as the small but important
remaining above-ground stretches of Pine Brook and East Creek in the
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Village, function as wildlife habitats and as important resources for quiet
recreation. In addition, as noted above, the Upper Reservoir (Sheldrake
Lake), located in New Rochelle but owned by the Village, serves the
important function of standby water supply in case of severe water shortage.
It is classified by New York State as "A", "suitable for all uses", while the
Lower Reservoir (Goodliffe's Pond) is classified "C", "suitable for uses other
than consumption and primary contact recreation" (swimming). The
Sheldrake River is classified "C" due to intermittent flow and inability to
support propagation of fish. Gardens Lake is also classified "C". The East
Creek, Premium River and Pine Brook are currently classified "I"; however,
they are subject to reclassification in the near future which will place them
approximately between classes "C" and "D".
This community's water supply comes from the New York City system,
However, recent reports by Westchester County authorities of increasing
demand on the New York City system suggest that reactivation of the Upper
Reservoir as an emergency water supply at some time in the not too distant
future is a distinct possibility. Under County plans, filtration and other
operational costs in such a contingency would be borne by the County.
However, it is incumbent on, and in the interest of, the Village of Larchmont,
as owner of the Reservoir property, to do its best, with the cooperation of
upstream municipalities, to maintain Sheldrake Lake in its present water
classification"A", not only for standby water supply purposes but also in order
to avoid deterioration of the Reservoir property as a wildlife habitat and
recreational and educational area.
2. Salt water: The deep waters of Long Island Sound off our shores are
classified SA, suitable for all salt-water uses; but several wide areas near the
shore, including many shellfish beds, are classified SB, which excludes human
consumption of shellfish. Shell-fishing along these shores, once a significant
commercial and recreational activity, has been banned for many years mainly
because of organic pollution from sewage. The Premium Mill Pond is
classified "SB", which excludes primary contact recreation as well as
shellfishing. A further threat to the quality of these waters is the nonpoint
discharge of organic nutrients--fertilizers, animal wastes, decomposing leaves
and grass cuttings, etc.--into coastal waters via stormwater runoff. These
substances, together with sewage overflow, stimulate algal growth and deplete
the oxygen in the water which is essential to fish and other forms of life.
The above classifications do not reflect the frequent pollution crises described
in later sections, caused by the flow of raw sewage into coastal waters after
heavy rains, rendering these waters temporarily unfit for swimming; nor do
they reflect the serious, though temporary, effects of oil spills.
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R. Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas
The Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas (CEHA) program is part of a protective strategy
that has been adopted by the State. CEHAs include natural protective feature areas
(beach, bluff, wetland, dune and nearshore area), structural hazard areas (located
landward of natural protective features) and flood zones. CEHAs were designated
in the Town of Mamaroneck and Village of Larchmont in January 1989 pursuant to
Article 34 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law (Coastal Erosion
Hazard Areas Act). The general location of the area is generally from west to east:
Premium Point to Horseshoe Harbor and ending at Umbrella Point. The area as a
whole varies in width from 50 to 200 feet upland from mean high water mark.
However, a substantial portion of the Town/Village coastline did not receive CEHA
designation. Those areas not so designated should be equally well protected.
Those prominent features falling within the designated CEHA are the following
Natural Protective Features: a) beaches at Horseshoe Harbor and at the Larchmont
Manor Park, and b) Premium Point Beach. No Structural Hazard Areas have been
designated here at this time.
In order to protect development or to mitigate the effects of development and other
activities in the flood and erosion protection capability of these areas all development
and activities are subject to the standards contained in the implementing regulations
of Article 34 of the ECL (6NYCRR part 505). These regulations discourage, and in
some instances prohibit, structures in coastal erosion hazard areas for safety reasons,
and also because of the adverse effects structures may have on natural protective
features and on coastal processes.
CEHA regulations are administered by the State Department of Environmental
Conservation. These regulations are designed to ensure that certain kinds .of
activities meet required standards. Under the regulations, DEC will authorize a
coastal erosion management permit on condition that the proposed regulated activity
prevents, if possible, or minimizes adverse effects on natural protective features and
their functions and protective values as described in Part 505 of the ECL.
S. Flood Hazard Areas
Another flood protection strategy is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
that allows property owners to purchase federally backed flood insurance within
communities that participate in the Program, thereby enabling property owners to
reduce flood losses on residential structures. The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) has identified special flood hazard areas with various elevations
such as the 100-year and the 500-year flood plain, and has issued flood insurance rate
maps (FIRM) showing the location of these areas. Local flood damage prevention
laws ensure protection of these areas through compliance with this policy.
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The Flood Hazard Area or A-Zone in the TOM/VOL is located generally along the
shoreline and up along the river corridors. It is located within the 100-year
floodplain, extending from the boundaries of the V-Zone (Coastal High Hazard
Area) to the limits of the 100-year flood hazard area. The A and V Zones are
identified on the FIRM issued by FEMA.
The V- Zone or Coastal High Hazard Areas are located generally along the
perimeter of Larchmont Harbor including along Monroe Inlet, Umbrella Point,
Horseshoe Harbor to Premium Point Beach and most of the perimeter, and
extending inland on the Premium Point peninsula. They extend inland to the A-
Zone. The importance of their delineation is that these areas have special flood
hazards associated with high velocity waters from tidal surges and hurricane wave
wash.
T. Other Resources
1. Residential Real Estate: Our population chooses to live in this area not only
because of its strategic proximity to New York City but also for its amenities,
especially the aesthetic and recreational value of its Sound shore. This fact
helps to account for the high value of real estate in the area.
2. Human Resources: Our residents include a high proportion of entrepreneurs,
managers, professionals, artists, and skilled technicians working in the New
York metropolitan area. The Mamaroneck district's primary and secondary
schools, supported by its strong tax base, have long been of high quality with
a high percentage of college-bound students -- a resource of great long-term
importance.
3. Organizational Resources: Larchmont and the Town of Mamaroneck can
draw on a wide array of local organizational resources and programs in
formulating and carrying out their joint Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program. Among these are:
a. Official bodies:
Town Council (Town Board)
Village Board of Trustees
Town Planning Board
Village Planning Commission
Town and Village Zoning Boards of Appeals
Town and Village Architectural Review Boards (also see Section V)
Town and Village Engineering, Highway & Parks Departments
Town Conservation Department
Joint (Village and Town) Sanitation Commission
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Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission
(representing the Town, Village of Larchmont and Village of
Mamaroneck)
Town Recreation Commission and Staff Village Recreation
Committee
Village Beautification Committee
Village Parks and Trees Committee
Village Reservoir Committee
b. Nongovernmental bodies:
The L.I.F.E. (Local Involvement for Environment) Center, the primary
resource for environmental education and awareness. It is mainly
supported by membership dues, but also receives budgetary
contributions from the Town and the Villages of Larchmont and
Mamaroneck.
The Larchmont League of Women Voters
The Garden Club of Larchmont
Friends of the Reservoir, Inc.
The Larchmont Manor Park Society
The Larchmont Yacht Club
The Horseshoe Harbor Yacht Club
The Larchmont Historical Society
The Mamaroneck Historical Society
Local Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Girl Scout, and Camp Fire Girl troops
This list is by no means complete. Various local organizations show
an interest from time to time in local environmental, land-use, and
other questions affecting the coastal zone, including the Larchmont
Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Larchmont-Mamaroneck
Civic Association, the Premium River-Pine Brook Preservation
Association and homeowners' groups in particular residential districts.
c. Educational and Informational:
Local public and parochial schools and their associated PTAs, active
in environmental education and recycling programs.
The Larchmont Public Library
Newspapers: (1) The Gannett Westchester Newspapers' Suburban
edition, The Daily Times, (2) The weekly Sound View News provides
extensive local coverage for New Rochelle, Larchmont and
Mamaroneck.)
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Cable TV: LMC-TV, the local community public access facility, with
studios in Mamaroneck High School and the Emelin Library, produces
programs of local interest that are aired on three cable TV channels
to TCI subscribers in Larchmont Village and Mamaroneck Town and
Village.
U. Watershed Management
1. Introductory Observations: The problems of our coastal zone, unlike those
in many industrial communities, are not primarily economic. There is no
industry on our waterfront. Most of our residents commute to work
elsewhere, and most of those who work in Larchmont's retail and service
establishments reside elsewhere. (The Town has almost completed an
affordable Townhouse type group of apartment buildings, which will provide
housing for some Town employees.) Despite a normal degree of tax
resistance, municipal and educational services remain strong, and there is a
well-developed "safety net" of local governmental, County, and volunteer
social services.
Phase I of a Master Plan Update completed in September 1986 for
Mamaroneck and Larchmont dealt with the eastern portion of the Town and
Village. Phase II completed in October 1987 dealt with the Boston Post
Road. The CZMC consistency review recommended the use of Best
Management Practices in any drainage area (former Policy 14A, now see
Policy 37), and the use of silt traps which have the capacity of removing oil
and grease in parking lots and gas stations to protect the Sound from polluted
stormwater runoff. Regular inspection of the silt traps was further
recommended. The business areas are slowly being improved through the use
of trees and shrubs and other amenities. As to large, undeveloped sites,
increasing the minimum lot size was recommended where over-development
could produce a negative impact on the Premium River-Pine Brook area.
Some of our older apartment units have deteriorated and some commercial
structures along the Post Road and Palmer Avenue are in need of a face lift.
Environmental constraints, on the other hand, are serious and increasing. As
in other highly developed areas, these problems result primarily from many
decades of residential and commercial development without much thought
being given to environmental impact. In many cases, inadequate provision
was made for sanitary sewage disposal and storm water drainage, and for
maintaining a prudent balance between the built environment and the
remaining open space.
Developers, while striving to produce "floodproof' structures in areas known
to be flood-prone, gave little if any thought to the flooding that their
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alteration of the landscape could inflict on neighbors downstream nor were
such effects sufficiently considered by municipal planners. These conditions
were aggravated by taxpayers' natural wish to broaden the tax base by more
intensive zoning and exploitation of remaining open land. The price is now
being paid in flooding, erosion, siltation, and pollution of ground water and
air, causing or threatening serious damage to property, to public amenities,
and to local ecosystems, including the fish and wildlife habitats discussed in
parts M and N above. (See Section V for legislation concerning storm water
runoff, waterfront zoning, flood damage prevention.)
In addition, many adverse effects take place during the construction process.
Land-clearing and building projects, lasting for months and sometimes for
years, are important causes of erosion, siltation, and pollution, especially
downstream from the construction site, due to inadequate management
practices to control these side-effects. (See Section V for legislation
concerning surface water, erosion and sediment control.)
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that these conditions have arisen not
only within the political jurisdiction of the Village and the Unincorporated
Area, but also in nearby upstream communities -- parts of New Rochelle,
Scarsdale, White Plains, and the Village of Mamaroneck --whose waters flow
through the Pine Brook, Sheldrake, and East Creek watersheds into the
Unincorporated Area and the Village of Larchmont. Overbuilding of housing,
streets, shopping malls, parking lots, etc., in recent decades has been a general
practice through most of the geologically shallow watershed whose
downstream coastal section our two municipalities occupy. Our community
consequently receives the brunt of flooding, siltation and pollution from a
wide area of overbuilding upstream.
Retention of open space is essential to flood control: open space in New
Rochelle and Scarsdale retards flooding in the Village and the
Unincorporated Area, while open space in the Unincorporated Area helps to
retard flooding of the lower Mamaroneck River in the Village of
Mamaroneck; and conversely, open space on the Village of Mamaroneck side
of the Hampshire Country Club retards flooding and erosion in the
Hommocks Marsh. Inter-municipal cooperation in the preservation of existing
open space is thus of high importance to all these communities. Pressure for
residential or commercial development in the Westchester Sound shore area's
remaining open space cannot be wisely balanced against other important
long-term considerations unless the municipalities concerned, in cooperation
with the County government, develop common approaches to zoning,
planning, public ownership, and other means of control.
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A further intergovernmental dimension of our problem arises from the fact
that the sanitary sewers in our community feed into the County sewage
treatment plants in New Rochelle and the Village of Mamaroneck.
To succeed, therefore, our LWRP includes not only adequate policies and
programs within our own jurisdiction but also effective measures to obtain the
cooperation of upstream and neighboring communities, both directly and
through the channels of State and County government, in order to cope with
problems of storm water runoff, sewage, and pollution.
In the sections that follow, discussion of these adverse conditions centers first
on certain key localities in our community; then on general problems affecting
the community as a whole.
Important, but insufficient, protection against these problems is found in
existing legislative and physical steps taken by the two municipalities. Existing
local laws and regulations including those enacted to implement the LWRP's
1986 recommendations are listed in Section V. Important in this context are
the Flood Damage Prevention regulations, the Town's Freshwater Wetlands
law, certain provisions of the zoning laws, SEQR laws, site plan review laws,
subdivision regulations, a Town law governing conservation areas and a
Village law dedicating the Larchmont Reservoir property.
Physical mitigation has been obtained from a combination of natural and built
features, the most important of which are the remaining open space in the
Pine Brook and Sheldrake flood plains, lying partly within the Town and
partly in White Plains, Scarsdale and New Rochelle; the Larchmont Reservoir
with its computerized release valve, functioning as a retention basin; and the
tidal wetlands at the foot of the Pine Brook-Premium and East Creek-Gut
Creek-Hommocks watersheds. Some role in the latter watershed is also
played by a portion of the Hampshire Country Club property, located partly
in the Town and partly in the Village of Mamaroneck. So far as lies within
the power of the two municipalities, the flood protection value of all these
features will be preserved. To this end they will also seek the necessary
cooperation of the upstream municipalities just mentioned.
However, these existing laws and physical features, taken together, do not
suffice to achieve effective flood and erosion control in this area and will not
be relied upon to do so. Rather, they will be used as elements in an
integrated flood and erosion control strategy which should be developed for
the three drainage basins pursuant to Policy 14. This strategy should include
physical, legal, and administrative actions such as those described below, as
well as the land use controls set forth in Section IV. It should be based on
technical studies of the hydrology and physical characteristics of the three
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watersheds, and on feasibility studies, where necessary, of various physical
actions under consideration to determine their combined effects in association
with land use patterns and controls. In all aspects of this strategy, the two
municipalities should seek the cooperation of neighboring municipalities in
the three watersheds and Westchester County.
2. Problem Localities: The Pine Brook-Premium Watershed
Of the three watersheds that drain our coastal zone, the most westerly one is
drained by Pine Brook, which originates in north central New Rochelle, and
flows south along Pine Brook Boulevard to Beechmont Lake. Thence it flows
underground, passing beneath City Park, enters the Unincorporated Area at
Fifth Avenue, passes under the New England Thruway and the residential
Pine Brook section in Larchmont and then surfaces south of the Post Road.
From there it flows southward a quarter of a mile to join the Premium River,
which also originates in New Rochelle. An extensive salt marsh surrounds the
confluence of the two streams. The river then winds its way to the Premium
Mill Pond and thence to Long Island Sound.
The Pine Brook-Premium watershed drains a considerable part of New
Rochelle and the western portion of our community, including several
low-lying residential sections which are severely impacted by flooding. Other
problems in these areas are sewage backup, siltation and oil pollution. Four
areas in particular require comment:
a. Larchmont Hills. This subdivision in the Unincorporated Area,
bordering North Chatsworth Avenue north of the Thruway, I-95,
overlies a covered eastern tributary of Pine Brook. Despite
reconstruction of a faulty sewer in 1978 (a sag had developed due to
settlement of marshy soil), sanitary sewers continue to back up during
heavy rains such as those of the spring of 1983 and the winter of 1992,
and basement flooding contaminated by raw sewage is common. The
main causes have been described as surcharging caused by
long-standing illegal connections of residential storm drains and
basement sump pumps into the sanitary sewers, and substantial leakage
of storm water into sanitary sewers through broken pipes or vent holes.
As a result, the New Rochelle treatment plant cannot handle the
storm-swollen sewage flow from Larchmont. Its managers often shut
down the Fifth Avenue pumping station during heavy rains, leaving
sewage to back up in the streets and basements of Larchmont Hills.
b. The Pine Brook Area. This residential neighborhood in Larchmont,
overlying the covered portion of Pine Brook just north of the Post
Road, has been subject to ever-increasing flooding and sewage backup
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in recent years. The problem has both upstream and downstream
causes. Upstream, it stems from development since World War II -
some of it local but most of it in New Rochelle - which consumed
much of the open land in the Pine Brook flood plain. Downstream,
the causes are several: siltation in the Premium River and erosion of
the stream bank, further clogging a channel already narrowed by filling
operations, and sluggish tidal cleansing of the river due to the dam at
the mouth of the Mill Pond -- all resulting in a choking of the river by
sediment at the confluence of its two branches causing upstream waters
to back up. The effect can be seen in Shadow Lane and Pine Brook
Drive which become a lake during heavy rains, flooding nearby
basements and yards; as well as in rear yards along Mayhew Avenue,
where sewage backup is frequent in heavy storms.
c. The Upper Premium River, extending from Dillon Road to Pryer
Manor Road and nearby streets along the Town's boundary with New
Rochelle, is the fourth problem location in the Premium watershed.
Flooding of Pryer Manor Road during storm high tides has been a
common experience for decades, but the water storage capacity of the
surrounding marsh helped to keep flood damage within narrow limits.
In 1970, however, despite residents' protests, a part of this marsh lying
within the Town of Mamaroneck was approved as a building site,
destroying parts of the marsh on both sides of Dillon Road. Now,
during storm high tides and heavy rains, the 36 homes in this area are
completely cut off by floods from fire and ambulance service over
either Dillon Road or Pryer Manor Road. Recent storms in 1992
caused serious damage to homes and garaged automobiles.
d. The Lower Premium River, Marsh, and Mill Pond. This area is the
central focus, the most beautiful section, and the most ecologically
important part of the Premium Basin. It suffers from both siltation
and chemical pollution. Some of the silt washes down from the Boston
Post Road and from dead end streets abutting the east bank. The
other main environmental insult in this area is pollution of the river by
oil, gasoline and other automotive chemical pollutants coming mainly
from the Boston Post Road (U.S. 1) traffic. In addition, carelessly
discarded trash also finds its way to the water.
Incidents of sewage backup have also been reported in this section,
especially near dead-end streets abutting the Premium River. Some
relief was reported in 1984 after supplementary pumps were installed.
Numerous pollution incidents have occurred in the Premium Basin
over the years. Most have been traced either by the Department of
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Environmental Conservation (DEC) or U.S. Coast Guard specialists or
by a water quality consultant hired by the Town. The main sources
were leaking oil tanks in apartment houses, leaking gasoline or waste
oil tanks in service stations and taxi companies, and surreptitious
disposal of waste oil in storm drains. These problems exist in all three
municipalities:New Rochelle,Mamaroneck,and Larchmont. Although
owners usually comply with orders to repair or replace faulty tanks
after the damage is done, routine inspection to assure preventive
maintenance has been grossly inadequate, and instances of illegal
disposal have been hard to trace.
Due in greatest measure to the tenacity of Larchmont officials, years
of leaking heating oil from the MacLeay Housing in New Rochelle was
finally cleaned up by the DEC. The latter placed an oil containment
boom on the Premium River near the Boston Post Road for about a
year. This also proved very effective in containing oil illegally dumped
into storm drains as well as trapping debris from eventually ending up
in Long Island Sound. When the DEC finally removed the boom, the
responsibility for maintaining a boom was assumed by the Village in
1989, which continues to assume this charge. Because of its possible
toxic nature, the absorbent boom is placed, removed and replaced as
needed by an outside firm by arrangement with the Village Engineer.
Finally, the natural barrier of Premium Point Beach at the narrow
eastward neck of Premium Point provides important protection for the
Mill Pond and adjacent residential areas against erosion and other
storm damage during coastal storms. The beach itself, however, is
vulnerable to erosion. It should not be built on, and will require
careful monitoring and maintenance to preserve it.
e. Other issues: The above discussion is by no means a complete account
of flood-related problems in and near the Premium estuary. Sewage
backup, for example, occurs in a number of nearby places in the
Village. Basements of homes near the dead ends of Chestnut, Willow,
and Oak Avenues suffer during storms from backed-up sewage
whenever the County sewage treatment plant in New Rochelle closes
the intake valve in the sanitary sewer that serves that area. Near the
west end of Park Avenue, it is reported that backed-up sewers
sometimes flow with such force that they dislodge a manhole cover in
the street. Raw sewage has also appeared in plumbing facilities in the
Manor Park bathing pavilion, requiring installation of a shutoff valve
for use during rainy periods.
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Aside from sewage backup, leakage from defective sewer pipes as well
as leachate from existing septic fields may also be a problem in this
area. Although we have no current information on the coliform count
in the Premium Marsh, it is important to note that the sewer pipe
draining the Premium area runs under the Premium River and the
Premium Marsh. Its proper maintenance is highly important to the
environment of this area.
3. The Sheldrake Watershed
Covering portions of White Plains, Scarsdale, New Rochelle, and the Town
and Village of Mamaroneck, the Sheldrake watershed is largely developed but
still has important areas of open space both in the Town and upstream. The
Town's portion of the Sheldrake watershed has remained as a major area of
concern regarding land use and consistency with coastal policy all through the
first five years of the LWRP. It contains the largest surviving areas of open
space, and is under continued pressure for further real estate development.
Flooding and the attendant problems of erosion, siltation and sedimentation
are of major concern. The Sheldrake watershed is drained by numerous small
streams which join to form the West and East Branches of the Sheldrake
River. The West Branch rises in a residential area at the westernmost edge
of White Plains near Cushman Road. It then flows south across Scarsdale
into northern New Rochelle, entering the Town of Mamaroneck at the
Larchmont Reservoir. The two main tributaries of the shorter East Branch
rise in Scarsdale and flow southward into the Town between the Winged Foot
and Bonnie Briar golf courses, then join south of Fenimore Road in the
Sheldrake Conservation Area. The East Branch then continues southward to
join the West Branch east of Weaver Street at Valley Stream Road. The
river then flows southeast between East and West Brookside Drive, through
a series of waterfalls to Gardens Lake (widely known as the "Duck Pond").
Thence it turns northeast, flows under the New England Thruway, then enters
the Village of Mamaroneck to join the Mamaroneck River which empties into
Mamaroneck Harbor. The Sheldrake's problems thus affect our neighbors in
the Village of Mamaroneck6 as well as residents of the Unincorporated Area.
Two locations in the Sheldrake watershed present acute problems for our
residents:
6 A proposed physical project in the original LWRP called for the Town to modify sections of the West Branch immediately
upstream from its confluence with the East Branch at Valley Stream Road,a focus of particularly acute flooding. In 1982,
the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers proposed a project to relieve flooding by constructing a concrete flume from the
Conservation area to a point below Briarcliff Road. The Town rejected that proposal because of the impacts this flume
would have on the neighborhood,and requested an alternative. After studying numerous alternatives to straighten and
widen the channel,the Corps finally returned in 1991 to state that none of the proposals,including the flume,would meet
new cost benefit guidelines.
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a. The Weaver Street-Bonnie Briar Area. Along Bonnie Way, Bonnie
Briar Lane, nearby parts of Weaver Street, Sheldrake Place, Sheldrake
Avenue, Brookside Place, and parts of Forest and Rockland Avenues,
substantial flooding in homes has been common during periods of
heavy rain in recent years. During the last five years, this has been
reduced by the computerized valve at the Reservoir.
b. The Brookside Drive Area. The same type of problems have been
particularly acute for residents of this hillside area. In addition, at the
foot of Brookside Drive, Gardens Lake was completely filled with silt
from upstream erosion, a condition that further aggravates flooding
and seriously impairs the beauty of this local landmark. In 1989-90,
the Town had Gardens Lake dredged, and experienced great difficulty
and excessive costs in disposing of the dredge spoil because of Gardens
Lake's proximity to the New England Turnpike (I-95). At this time,
Gardens Lake is again noticeably filling with siltation from upstream
development and is an example of the price that must be paid--in taxes
as well as inconvenience to residents--for unsolved problems and the
need for intermunicipal watershed management and flood control.
In both cases, flooding results from the reduction of the flood plain
upstream in recent times and from the emptying of storm drains from
higher ground nearby. Some relief from these problems has been
gained since the Larchmont Reservoir, after it ceased to be used for
water supply in 1975, became available for temporary storage of runoff
during heavy rains. The upper reach of the West Branch of the
Sheldrake arises in White Plains, passes through a corner of Scarsdale
and New Rochelle and drains into Sheldrake Lake (upper reservoir).
From there it passes through a flood control valve or over the spillway
during heavy, prolonged rains, and continues through Goodliffe Pond
and over its spillway, and then courses through a section of the Town
previously described as Gardens Lake. It later joins the Mamaroneck
River in the Village of Mamaroneck. Sheldrake Lake and Goodliffe
Pond, like Gardens Lake, are shoaling due to siltation and will soon
require dredging. Sheldrake Lake is especially important for flood
control.
This watershed consists of approximately 3,000 acres north of the
reservoir and an additional 3,000 acres south of the reservoir. Both
sections of the watershed are steep-sided and rapidly draining
suburban residential areas. This topography adds to possible flash
floods which have been the experience of the residents of the area.
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In 1975, when the upper reservoir ceased to be used as a water supply,
tentative use of the blowout valve at the dam as a flood control device
was begun under the guidance of the Town Engineer with the
cooperation of the Village of Larchmont Mayor and Board of Trustees
since the Village owns the property. This appeared to be successful,
but the approximately 75 year old valve was a source of worry since its
failure seemed quite probable. In 1981, a new valve was installed in
the blowout line and the use of the upper reservoir as a flood control
device was tested. It succeeded but it required manual operation, and
storms that came in with little or no warning were still hard to manage
if staff was not assigned over weekends or holidays. During 1989, a
motor was added to the valve to make it easier to operate, and on
April 15, 1990, a computer based controller was added to the system
which senses water level in the upper reservoir and adjusts the valve
for nearly optimum detention. The system continues to evolve with the
addition of an external supervisory computer which, in heavy storm
events, will take into account rainfall and stream levels, and augment
the function of the smaller internal computer.
However, the flood problem is far from solved since it arises from both
branches of the Sheldrake River. A hydrological study of the West
Branch of the Sheldrake watershed, completed in 1985 by the
Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District at the
request of the Friends of the Reservoir and the affected municipalities,
is expected to be a major resource in planning a more adequate
solution. The action of the Village of Larchmont in October 1984,
dedicating the property in perpetuity to specified public uses including
flood control, has made it possible to proceed with such plans with
increased confidence. A full study and analysis of drainage in the
entire Sheldrake basin, however, remains to be undertaken.?
4. The East Creek - Gut Creek Watershed
a. East Creek drains a smaller, almost completely built-up watershed
between the Premium and Sheldrake systems. Once an open
waterway, it is now enclosed along nearly all its length. It rises in the
lower Unincorporated Area between the Pine Brook and Sheldrake
systems, flows under the Thruway, the railroad, Vanderburgh Park,
The LWRP supports the County plan for a retention basin on the East Branch of the Sheldrake River just above
Rockland Avenue. However, land development since the County's 1945 study points out the need to expand the Hydrologic
Study data prepared in 1990 by Malcolm Pirnie,Inc.for the Town's Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the
Conservation Recreation (CR) Zone. While much of the groundwork was probably done in the Study,more needs to be
learned of what can be done upstream at each confluence point which would involve the County and other local
governments.
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Hall Avenue and the Post Road, reappears for about 100 yards as an
open stream behind an automobile dealer's car park, then enters a
large pipe which runs beneath the Hommocks School playing field.
There it is joined by a storm water pipe, which drains a portion of the
Boston Post Road and Gut Creek, a smaller stream which also flows
largely underground and drains areas to the north and east including
the Hampshire Country Club golf course lying within the Village of
Mamaroneck, then flows under the lower end of the Hommocks field.
The two streams empty through outfalls into the Hommocks Marsh
and Little Harbor Sound.
A monitoring report to the Conservation Advisory Commission in the
summer of 1984 concerning East Creek and the Hommocks Marsh
showed these waters to be severely polluted by fecal and coliform
contaminants and waste oil. A follow-up study conducted in the
summer of 1988 revealed continued high coliform and fecal counts.
This led to an investigation by the Westchester County Health
Department and the Village of Larchmont, which found broken sewer
lines at Nassau Road. Larchmont repaired 400 linear feet of 18"
diameter pipe.
Since 1984, oil pollution and litter have been mitigated by the addition
of controls placed by Mamaroneck and Larchmont during the
renovation of two adjoining automobile dealerships, including the use
of silt traps, which have the capacity of removing oil and grease, to
deal with surface water runoff and an extensive evergreen berm to
buffer the open section of East Creek. (A green belt is one of the best
known methods for filtering pollutants and keeping litter from entering
waterways.) Although conditions have improved through the efforts of
local advisory commissions and the L.I.F.E. Center volunteers,
especially on Beautification Day, continued vigilance of the area is
important to ensure that mitigation measures are maintained.
The CZMC hired a consultant to inspect East Creek and recommend
protective measures. The consultant's recommendations were
forwarded to the Town Board. It proposed installation and bimonthly
maintenance of a temporary trash screen, followed by permanent
installation of a fixed sediment curtain and floating oil boom to be
periodically maintained by removing accumulated trash and renewing
absorbent boom material. Since Larchmont maintains an absorbent
boom for the Premium area, the Mamaroneck Board agreed in 1992
to support this project.
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In addition to the adverse impact on the Hommocks Marsh (see
below), the condition of the open stretch of East Creek was a small
but typical case of urban pollution and casual litter turning a pleasant
and ecologically valuable area into a small wasteland. Although not
close to any residential area, the open section of the creek is on the
edge of Flint Park and could be a pleasant place for leisurely walking,
jogging, birding and nature study. Further progress was made on the
Larchmont side of the creek in 1990-91 under the leadership of the
Larchmont Parks and Trees Committee and with the support of nearby
residents and the CZMC. The Village Department of Public Works
removed dead trees, saplings and rubble and then planted indigenous
trees and shrubs to help stabilize the creek bank and help screen the
dealership site from nearby residential streets.
b. Hommocks Marsh. East Creek and Gut Creek take on added
importance from the presence of a salt marsh in a sheltered tidal inlet.
From 1972 to 1975, Hommocks Marsh and other salt marshes in the
Larchmont-Mamaroneck area were the subject of intensive study by
Drs. James Utter and Paul Steineck. Their findings showed that the
Hommocks Marsh had undergone major changes as a result of siltation
and sanitary landfill in the construction of the Hommocks playing field,
plus chemical and sewage pollution (the fecal coliform count exceeded
State guidelines for bathing beaches), and that the production of algae
and other organisms had dropped as the succession from low to high
marsh proceeded. Still, however, they found the marsh functioning at
a rate comparable to others more remote from suburbia, and making
a net contribution to the ecosystem of Long Island Sound.
As was explained in Part N, the Hommocks Marsh and adjacent areas
merit the recognition they received as a Critical Environmental Area.
This area is also, and if properly managed can increasingly be, a
pleasant setting for passive recreation. Moreover, the marsh and its
ecosystem afford a superb educational resource convenient to the
Hommocks School. Unfortunately, because Little Harbor Sound
drains a residential area with unsolved sewage problems and is crossed
by two major highways, the marsh receives steady doses of biological
and chemical pollution. The health of the marsh depends on effective
steps to control all types of pollution in this watershed.
c. Little Harbor Sound. This narrow tidal inlet from Larchmont Harbor
extends eastward to the Hommocks Marsh. Its western end is the site
of 32 attractive waterfront homes, most of them with dock facilities,
along Quarry Road, Bishop Place, Shore Drive, Old Colony Road,
Lindsley Drive, and Spanish Cove Road. In 1978, homeowners in this
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neighborhood financed a dredging project to remove silt and debris
which had made Little Harbor Sound un-navigable. By arrangement
with the Town, the dredge spoil was deposited as landfill to rebuild the
Hommocks School athletic field.
This locality suffers from several interacting problems: continued
siltation, pollution by raw sewage and other wastes, and tidal flooding.
(1). The siltation problem arises partly from normal tidal scouring of
the banks of Hommocks Marsh, but mainly from silt and debris carried
downstream to the East Creek and Gut Creek outfalls and by several
large concrete storm drain outlets at the foot of Flint Park and the
Hommocks playing field. There are no catch basins to trap this
material, which consequently builds up to block the inlet. Since the
1979 dredging, re-siltation nearest the storm drain outlets has reached
a depth of three to four feet, already largely nullifying the effect of the
dredging.
(2). The pollution problem has three main sources. The first is the
runoff from commercial establishments and traffic along the Post Road
which reaches this area mainly through the outfall pipes at the foot of
Hommocks Field. Progress has been made in achieving abatement of
nonpoint pollution on the Post Road both with respect to renovated
commercial establishments and the replacement of an aging facility
with multiple-family units which comply in all respects. The second is
runoff from the Larchmont Village leaf composting area at the south
end of Flint Park adjoining the marsh. The third problem, raw sewage,
comes primarily from a County outfall pipe behind Cedar Island. It is
an overflow relief pipe connected to a County-operated pumping
station on Flint Avenue. During heavy rains, the New Rochelle
sewage treatment plant sheds part of its storm water overload by
shutting off the pumps at Flint Avenue, allowing raw sewage to flow
into the harbor. To make matters worse, the outfall pipe terminates
near the shore in an area regularly used for swimming, boating and
fishing. Malfunctions in the pumping station are frequent. Another
source of sewage pollution is a sewer line which crosses Little Harbor
Sound between the Hommocks Marsh and the Hommocks peninsula.
It is uncertain whether this line is still active, and if so, whether it
needs repair.
This locality's flooding problem, like that along Pryer Manor and
Dillon Roads in the Premium area, occurs mainly when extreme high
tides coincide with high winds and rain. Water then comes over the
seawalls, enters lawns and basements, and in some places isolates
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homes until it subsides. A short-term solution to these interacting
problems would include some purely engineering steps such as
installation and maintenance of catch basins upstream from the storm
water outlets nearby, repair and relocation of sewage outfall pipes, and
periodic maintenance and dredging of Little Harbor Sound. A full
solution, however, should include more far-reaching steps, suggested
elsewhere in this program, to control flooding, erosion, siltation, and
sewage and other forms of pollution.
5. The Harbor Area
The prized serenity of Larchmont Harbor (the eastern portion of which lies
in the Village of Mamaroneck), and its neighboring bays and inlets, both as
a residential setting and as a recreational resource, especially for yachting,
swimming, and fishing has been emphasized above. Threats to swimming and
fishing from water pollution are dealt with elsewhere in this inventory. The
harbor has no commercial traffic and very little transient traffic; most boats
moored there are owned by local residents or yacht club members. However,
the harbor's serenity can be marred by speeding watercraft or the unwelcome
sight of debris floating in the water or washed up on shore.
There are two problems that affect yachting. These are, first, siltation and
other problems affecting navigation; second, a concern that the harbor could
be better managed to control vandalism, recklessness, and discharge of waste
and litter from pleasure boats, although the yacht clubs are educating their
members to prevent such discharges.
a. Navigation and Dredging. In 1983, the Village of Larchmont
participated in a Westchester County study of dredging in Sound shore
harbors. In addition, in June 1983 two members of the Coastal Zone
Management Committee made an on-the-spot survey, at extreme low
tide, of conditions in Larchmont Harbor, Little Harbor Sound, and
Horseshoe Harbor. Salient conclusions are:
-- Large areas of Larchmont Harbor show definite silting,which has built
small deltas near Little Harbor Sound and other outflow areas.
Maintenance dredging in some areas will be necessary to maintain the
harbor's present standard of usage. Safe navigation would also be
helped if a number of submerged rocks near the surface along the
western shore were clearly marked for better visibility.
-- Little Harbor Sound, as noted above, already shows heavy silting which
has largely nullified the 1979 dredging. Construction and regular
servicing of catch basins in the storm drains would greatly reduce,
II-45
though not necessarily eliminate, the need for periodic dredging to
keep the inlet navigable.
In Horseshoe Harbor, which includes the sandy Manor Beach, the tidal
drift from the beach to the yacht landing area requires dredging about
every 10 years to allow deeper-draft boats to reach the dock. A recent
30-foot extension of the dock will not obviate this need.
b. Harbor Security. For most purposes, State law assigns responsibility
for law enforcement in Long Island Sound to the State police. The
Westchester County police also have jurisdiction as far as the County
boundary, which runs parallel to the shore in mid-Sound. The U.S.
Coast Guard is responsible for vessels in distress and for apprehending
boats suspected of carrying illegal cargo. The Department of State
advised that the Village has jurisdiction of the water off its shore
within 1,500 feet, and that the Town may not regulate vessels within
1,500 feet of the Village shore.
These provisions of law do not quite fit the realities in Larchmont
Harbor. The County police are not equipped to patrol the waters of
the Sound. The nearest State police barracks is far inland in
Hawthorne, a road distance of about 20 miles. There are no State
police launches on duty along the Westchester Sound shore. State
police response to calls for help in the harbor, not surprisingly in these
circumstances, has been described as slow. Emergency calls to the
Coast Guard station at Eaton's Neck (19 miles away at Northport,
Long Island) also often bring a slow response. Thus the main burden
of maintaining order and security, and dealing with all but the most
serious violations in Larchmont Harbor, rests either on the Larchmont
Village police or on the yacht clubs.
The Larchmont police, whatever their legal jurisdiction, are not
equipped for such duty. They respond to calls for help in suspected
crimes in the harbor, but have no launch and depend for water
transportation either on private boats or on the Village of
Mamaroneck police launch and Bay Constables. As a practical matter,
therefore, policing of all lesser violations and the maintenance of
security and order often rests with the two yacht clubs.
The Larchmont Yacht Club has developed a plan to deal with
emergencies in its area of the harbor, and the Horseshoe Harbor
Yacht Club intends to do the same for its area. The two clubs will
keep each other informed on harbor security matters as a part of this
II-46
process. The Mamaroneck Village Bay Constable patrols the eastern
portion of Larchmont Harbor, which lies within Mamaroneck Village.
An overall harbor management plan that concerns itself with current
and future problems, such as maintaining the quality of the water, the
quality of recreational use, maintenance of the current water uses and
the quality of the scenic view, should be carefully pursued so that all
users of the harbor can constructively reach agreement on an effective
plan.
The CZMC advocated initiating a "Waterfront Protection Program
including a Bay Constable Program" in order to provide police
coverage in Larchmont waters in case of emergency or accident, for
routine patrol services, to enforce existing laws and thereby provide for
the safety and well-being of citizens and their property, and to assist
in the clean-up of our waterways through education and enforcement
of existing federal and state legislation. Village of Larchmont Police
Chief Keresey supported the concept of a Bay Constable Program
because it would offer the best possible police response time to the
boating community. After much discussion, various proposals and
numerous public meetings, the Larchmont Board of Trustees
recommended that a formal agreement between the Larchmont Village
and Mamaroneck Village Police Departments should be established to
provide payment per emergency for calls placed through the
Larchmont Police Department since the Mamaroneck Department
already has a Bay Constable program. The CZMC concerns regarding
the clean-up of our waterways would have to be satisfied through
public education mainly via the yacht clubs, and reliance on the Coast
Guard and DEC to enforce existing federal and state laws.
6. Area-wide Sewage Problems
As has been noted in the discussion of specific problem areas, the frequent
appearance of raw sewage in basements, streets and waterways, with adverse
effects on both public health and aesthetic values, is closely linked to flooding
during heavy storms. Four different ways in which this linkage occurs have
been touched on at various points in earlier pages. They can be summed up
as follows:
a. It has been a frequent practice for decades in this and other
communities for private builders and even municipalities in
flood-prone areas to save construction costs by connecting sump
pumps, roof drains, street catch basins, etc., not, as the law requires,
with municipal storm drains but with the more accessible sanitary
II-47
sewer lines. A newly completed Westchester County study of sewers
in this and other communities has located many such illegal
connections and estimated the cost of correcting them.
At the request of Mamaroneck and Larchmont, Westchester County
performed smoke testing to address the problem of infiltration and
inflow caused by the illegal hookups mentioned above. Homeowners
with illegal hookups were notified and their cooperation was
requested; however, not all of these have been eliminated. In
Larchmont, the County reported 207 illegal hookups; 157 of these have
been corrected (76%), and the Village continues to campaign for 100%
compliance. As of 1991, no stringent enforcement measures were
taken in Mamaroneck. Causing further complication is the fact that
there are areas in the Town where no storm drains exist.
b. Many sanitary sewer lines receive storm water through unrepaired
leaks and breaks, or (when laid close to or under watercourses, as
some sewer trunk lines are) through sewer vent holes. Major
rehabilitation projects in both the Mamaroneck and Larchmont
correcting municipal infiltration and stormwater inflow problems were
undertaken in 1987, 1988 and mid 1989, and have been completed.
Sewer repairs in 1987 and 1988 cost the Town $2.2 million ($1.5
million was paid by the state and federal governments). Larchmont
spent $415,000 on this project with $88,906 offset by State and federal
monies. Extensive replacement by Westchester County of its sewer
lines from Weaver Street to Gardens Lake (1988-89) reduced the
sewage backup problem. Also replaced were sewer mains along
Monroe and Ocean Avenues. Mamaroneck installed a new pumping
station as well.
c. Because the New Rochelle sewage treatment plant is operating above
its design capacity, it cannot accommodate the storm-swollen volume
entering the sewage trunk lines, and must resort to throttling down
pumping stations and intake valves from sewers in Larchmont and the
Unincorporated Area, leaving the sewage-contaminated storm waters
to back up into basements, streets, open waterways or bypassing
directly to Long Island Sound. These polluted overflow problems
became so severe that, in 1986, the State Department of
Environmental Conservation placed the New Rochelle sewage
treatment plant, which services the Town, Larchmont, New Rochelle
and Pelham Manor, under a moratorium, directing the Westchester
County Health Department to no longer approve any sewer line
extensions tributary to the New Rochelle plant. This moratorium is
still in effect.
II-48
d. The growing number of sanitary sewer lines from upstream
communities, traversing our area on their way to sewage treatment
along the Sound, further aggravate the problem. Despite installation
of pumps, piggyback lines and alternate routes, some of these remedial
sewer lines are still unable to handle the peak flow during rainy
periods, and back up into our streets when they become surcharged.
Not all our sewage problems, however, are related to stormwater. Three
other problems are:
e. Inadequate sewage treatment in the County's Mamaroneck treatment
plant. This plant was recently updated (1993) to secondary treatment.
However, further updating may be desirable to reduce the amount of
nitrogen flowing into the Sound. Aggressive action is still necessary to
reduce stormwater infiltration and inflow into the sewer system
throughout the Mamaroneck district to prevent raw sewage from
entering the Sound.
f. Suspected leakage from on-site (septic) residential sanitary systems.
Some homes in this community are still served by these systems even
though the entire coastal area is within public sanitary sewer districts.
Many such systems have been found to be unreliable, overloaded and
pollution-prone. Septic systems are the purview of Westchester
County. It is highly unlikely that a local municipality can impose its
own restrictions on their use.
g. Finally, it should be recalled that land-based human sewage is not the
only source of biological pollution. Pleasure boats off-shore frequently
discharge their sewage in nearby waters -- a practice which seems to
result partly from ignorance of the law and partly from lack of a
clearly located enforcement responsibility (see part U 5 b. above).
Plans are in the works for installation of pumpout stations.
In addition, local dog owners, in spite of Village and Town sanitary
ordinances and the threat of fines (yet to be applied), continue to leave
canine excrement on streets, sidewalks, parks and conservation areas
throughout the community. Enforcement of existing laws against this practice
is long overdue.
V. Long Island Sound Study
The National Estuary Program of the Clean Water Act was created in 1984 in order
to study and protect coastal environments. The Long Island Sound Study (LISS)was
begun in 1985 under the administration of the Environmental Protection Agency with
II-49
an annual million dollar budget to develop a workable Comprehensive Conservation
and Management Plan (CCMP) for the restoration and management of the Sound.
The five problems that the LISS concentrated on were hypoxia, toxic and pathogen
contamination, floatable debris and the effects of pollution on the marine life of the
Sound.
By 1991 much of the research and field work was completed, and it was clear that
hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen levels which occur during the summer months, is the
most pressing water quality issue. As previously noted, the lowest levels of dissolved
oxygen occur right off our shoreline in the western basin of Long Island Sound.
Furthermore, researchers determined that nutrient pollution is the probable cause
of hypoxia. Man-made sources of nutrients which exceed natural amounts comes
from human waste, from sewage treatment plants and septic systems, increased
stormwater runoff (and combined sewer overflows) caused by land development in
the watershed, over-fertilization of lawns and agricultural fields and acid rainfall.
Well over half of the problem comes from point(end-of-pipe) sources,predominately
sewage treatment plants. The remaining part of the problem can be traced to
nonpoint sources.
A computer model of the Sound, also part of the LISS, is nearing completion. Its
purpose is to recommend, with as much accuracy as possible, those particular parts
of the Sound that should take priority for sewage treatment plant upgrades.
Remedial actions were begun by the fall of 1991 with the setting of nitrogen base line
loads at sewage treatment plants by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to keep nitrogen
discharges at the 1990 level. The CCMP was released in final form in 1994.
W. Area-Wide Causes and Cures of Interacting Flood, Siltation and Sewage Problems.
The threats to different parts of our three main watersheds from flooding, siltation
and sewage overflow can be reduced to some extent by specific steps, many of them
suggested in earlier sections, tailored to each local problem. In other respects,
however, these problems are so wide-based geographically, and so interrelated
functionally, that they cannot be solved independently or on a narrowly local scale.
In large measure, these problems have arisen over many years from the natural
tendency, here and in other communities, to widen the tax base through rapid
development while economizing on tax-supported infrastructure. The risks of this
course remain and require vigilance to maintain and preserve the residential
attractiveness and the ecological integrity of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck coastal
zone. Effective action on these interrelated problems, both within our two
municipalities and in cooperation with neighboring municipalities and higher levels
of government, is a major theme in later sections of this program.
II-50
X. Other Area-Wide Pollution Problems
1. Water pollution. Like communities in any metropolitan area, Larchmont and
Mamaroneck receive water pollution, other than raw sewage discussed above,
from many sources. Most of these are either far distant, such as industrial
sources of acid rain, or are diffuse non-point sources nearby, especially from
motor vehicle traffic on local streets as well as on the major highways that
traverse this area. Pollutants from all these sources include some highly toxic
compounds which only sophisticated monitoring can identify and quantify. At
present our local monitoring resources do not cover such substances, nor do
we receive regular information about their presence in this area from higher
levels of government. This is a potentially serious gap in the flow of
information needed to assure water quality in our area.
Among the many nearby point and non-point sources of water pollution, there
may be substantial room for improved water quality control (see Section V -
Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control law). Sources of water
contaminants vary widely in magnitude and in the likely costs and benefits of
control; they include:
-- Land disturbing activities.
-- Scattered incidents, such as the furtive and illegal dumping of waste
oil, paint, etc., into storm drains and streams.
-- A number of antiquated septic discharge systems in our area which
have a limited life expectancy and a high pollution potential.
-- Drainage of chlorinated water and filter backwash from swimming
pools.
-- Underground fuel tanks and pipes subject to leaks.
-- The use of sand, salt or other melting agents on icy roads.
-- Use of fertilizers and pesticides on lawns, golf courses and trees on
both municipal and private property.
It should be borne in mind that the weakness of tidal flushing action in our
sheltered coastal waters aggravates the damage done by pollutants from any
source to environmental, recreational and scenic values in this area. Since an
irreducible minimum of pollution from highways and other nonpoint sources,
and from small, hard-to-control point sources, is probably inevitable, it is all
the more urgent to control all the sources that can be controlled
II-51
cost-effectively, lest the total water pollution burden rise to unacceptable
levels.
2. Air and noise pollution. Control of water pollution requires attention to air
pollution as well, since the latter, aside from its direct damage to air-breathing
organisms, also enters ground and water as precipitation. Air pollution in our
area has many chronic causes, both near and distant, most of them largely
beyond our control or influence. Some local point sources, it is true -- notably
illegal smoke emissions from building incinerators -- can and should be
reduced by more energetic use of County Health Department police powers.8
A local monitoring network to spot and report violations would contribute
importantly to enforcement.
In our view, however, a more significant air pollution problem, and one which
may prove receptive to our influence, comes from the heavy overhead traffic
of aircraft approaching LaGuardia Airport. Since this same traffic is also a
main source of noise pollution in our community, these two kinds of pollution
can be considered together.
The final approach to commonly used Runway 22 at LaGuardia carries
aircraft directly over Larchmont Harbor. Many incoming flights follow this
flight pattern. While passing over Larchmont, the planes are at an average
altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 feet, and engines are cut back as the aircraft
descend. Each plane, during its passage over our area, releases carbon and
unburned kerosene based pollutants, which fall on the harbor area and nearby
homes. Their most visible manifestation is a blackish, oily film which gathers
on docks, boat decks, lawn furniture, parked cars and other exposed surfaces.
They place an additional burden on human health and organic life in the area.
These same aircraft also make an inordinate amount of noise as engines are
throttled back or forward during adjustment to the final approach pattern.
When the weather is bad and runway 22 is in use, aircraft pass over
Larchmont about every 40 seconds; moreover, heavy clouds in bad weather
reflect and amplify the sound. At such times, conversations have to be
suspended while aircraft are overhead.
Residents have tried several times through our elected representatives to
induce the FAA to re-route the airplanes over the Sound, which we
understand is the normal approach route for LaGuardia Airport. Beyond
making courteous replies, the FAA has brought us little or no relief. We
8 In 1992,Mamaroneck passed a law banning burning in apartment house incinerators by mid year 1994.
II-52
intend to pursue this major problem of air and noise pollution in cooperation
with nearby affected communities.
Another significant source of air and noise pollution in our community is the
heavy vehicular traffic on the Boston Post Road and I-95, the New England
Thruway, especially the latter. Noise from these sources can be acutely
unpleasant for their nearest neighbors. Municipal efforts in past years have
produced some action by the State to mitigate Thruway noise, and plans for
construction of new noise barriers along the Thruway in this area were
announced in 1986; however, as of early 1993, only a very small section of the
Thruway which is in close proximity to Gardens Lake received noise barriers.
The progress of this project continues to be followed locally with much
interest. Meanwhile, the noise problem remains.
The roar of power boats speeding through the Sound's waters is jarring to
those who seek to find renewal as they sit or walk in Larchmont Manor Park,
or nearby areas, and look out at the open water. This noise pollution disturbs
wildlife as well, and power boats can cause further degradation of wildlife
habitats. While there may be little that can be done about this problem
locally, the State should require that recreational boat engines meet the same
noise emission standards that automobiles must meet when it requires the
latter to be equipped with mufflers at all times.
Many smaller sources of noise within our community, mainly from power
machinery such as jackhammers, chain saws, power mowers, snow and leaf
blowers, etc., add up to a considerable din at times, creating a widespread
demand for stronger regulation. In 1985 the Village of Larchmont responded
by enacting a law regulating noise from commercial gardening machinery. In
1990, Larchmont revised the law to control hours of operation and to mandate
that all internal combustion engine driven gardening equipment be fitted with
mufflers. Regulation of lawn maintenance equipment by the Federal
government minimizing emissions would help with this problem.
3. Litter and dog waste. No pollution problems are more pervasive, or
seemingly more deeply rooted in suburban and urban mores, than litter and
dog waste in public places. Sources of litter in our area are various: children
and adults, municipal garbage trucks and commercial vehicles, fast-food
stores, wind-scattered newspapers, etc. Ordinances decreeing fines for
littering are widely ignored and only spottily enforced --understandably, since
there are seldom any witnesses to the act. Similarly, local laws requiring dog
owners to clean up after their dogs are ignored in many cases and seldom
enforced. Thus a minority of offenders creates a deteriorated aesthetic and
public health environment which all must endure.
II-53
Anti-litter efforts in the community have been substantial and are led by the
Village of Larchmont Beautification Committee, the L.I.F.E. Center, and the
Conservation Advisory Commission. A conspicuous community effort is the
annual Beautification Day clean-up in April, sponsored by the L.I.F.E. Center
and the CZMC, and the International Coast Weeks cleanup with participation
by students, scouting organizations, and neighborhood groups. Also, waste
containers have been placed in parks and on sidewalks by civic organizations
and by some businesses as a public service. (Also see use of containment
booms on Premium and Hommocks waters.) A more wide-ranging approach
to this complex of problems, with careful study of techniques that have
succeeded elsewhere, should be an integral part of our coastal zone program.
II-54
SECTION III
WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM POLICIES
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SECTION III: LOCAL POLICIES AND APPLICABLE STA 1'h POLICIES
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
POLICY 1 THE STATE POLICY REGARDING THE RESTORATION,
REVITALIZATION, AND REDEVELOPMENT OF
DETERIORATED AND UNDERUTILIZED WATERFRONT
AREAS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL, CULTURAL,
RECREATIONAL AND OTHER COMPATIBLE USES IS NOT
APPLICABLE TO THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND
VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT.
POLICY 2 FACILITATE THE SITING OF WATER DEPENDENT USES AND
FACILITIES ON OR ADJACENT TO COASTAL WATERS.
Explanation of Policy
This policy applies to both water-dependent and water-enhanced uses, and is defined as
follows:
A water-dependent use is one that must be located on or adjacent to coastal waters in
order to function. Among such uses appropriate in this area are:
1. Recreational activities which depend on access to coastal waters (for
example: swimming, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, scenic and nature
walks);
2. Aids to navigation;
3. Flood and erosion protection structures (for example: breakwaters,
bulkheads);
4. Non-commercial facilities needed to store and service boats;
5. Scientific/educational activities which require access to coastal waters (for
example: certain meteorological, ecological and oceanographic activities);
and
6. Support facilities which are necessary for the successful functioning of
permitted water-dependent uses.
A water-enhanced use is one that has no critical dependence on a waterfront location,
but whose profitability or enjoyment is increased significantly by its proximity to, or
visual access to, the waterfront (for example, a scenic waterfront park).
III-5
Existing residential development with associated recreational facilities along the local
waterfront is cohesive and of high quality. Undeveloped land adjoining coastal waters is
scarce and environmentally sensitive; however, critical lands now occupied by commercial
establishments in Larchmont must be scrutinized.
Emphasis under this policy will be placed on preserving appropriate existing uses that
are water-related. Only such new water-dependent or water-enhanced uses or facilities
will be permitted that are compatible with appropriate existing uses and with other
coastal policies herein, including those that relate to the protection of wildlife habitats
and wetlands, the preservation of historical, scenic and recreational resources and the
control of flooding, siltation and pollution.
Priority in the use of any property adjacent to coastal waters that may become available
for development will be given to a water-dependent use over an otherwise equally
qualified water-enhanced use, and to either of these in preference to a use that is in no
way water-related.
POLICY 3 THE STATE COASTAL POLICY REGARDING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR PORTS IS NOT APPLICABLE TO
THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND VILLAGE OF
LARCHMONT.
POLICY 4 THE STATE POLICY TO STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMIC BASE
OF SMALLER HARBOR AREAS IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THE
TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT.
POLICY 5 ENCOURAGE THE LOCATION OF DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS
WHERE PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES ESSENTIAL TO
SUCH DEVELOPMENT ARE ADEQUATE, EXCEPT WHEN
SUCH DEVELOPMENT HAS SPECIAL FUNCTIONAL
REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER CHARACTERISTICS WHICH
NECESSITATE ITS LOCATION IN OTHER COASTAL AREAS.
Explanation of Policy
This policy is designed to assure that development in the coastal area is "encouraged to
locate within, contiguous to, or in close proximity to, existing areas of concentrated
development where infrastructure and public services are adequate, [and] where
topography, geology, and other environmental conditions are suitable for and able to
accommodate development." Since this coastal area is almost fully developed, many of
the above conditions are present and some undesirable types of action such as urban
sprawl or "leapfrog" development are not concerns here.
III-6
The topography and geology of the drainage basins traversing Mamaroneck and
Larchmont set inherent limits on the intensity of development that is possible without
overtaxing storm drainage facilities. As noted in Section II, these limits have already
been exceeded, producing flooding, erosion, siltation, and other adverse impacts. Any
future development in the area's remaining open space, both for the properties in
question and for those downstream, must be designed and regulated to minimize these
impacts, to assure adequate storm drainage and to provide pollution controls.
Cooperation of upstream municipalities in controlling development in their part of these
watersheds must also be sought. Such steps, set forth under Policy 14 and in Section IV,
will give effect to this policy.
POLICY 6 EXPEDITE PERMIT PROCEDURES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE
THE SITING OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AT SUITABLE
LOCATIONS.
Explanation of Policy
When administering existing regulations and prior to proposing new regulations, every
effort should be made to determine the feasibility of coordinating administrative
procedures and incorporating new regulations in existing legislation, if this can reduce
the burden on a particular type of development without jeopardizing the integrity of the
regulation's objectives.
FISH AND WILDLIFE POLICIES
POLICY 7 SIGNIFICANT COASTAL FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS, AS
IDENTIFIED ON THE COASTAL AREA MAP, SHALL BE
PROTECTED, PRESERVED, AND, WHERE PRACTICAL,
RESTORED SO AS TO MAINTAIN THEIR VIABILITY AS
HABITATS.
Explanation of Policy: The Premium River - Pine Brook Wetlands Complex was
designated a Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat by the New York State
Secretary of State on November 15, 1987. It was approved for inclusion in New York
State's Coastal Management Program on November 1, 1990. (See Section II at M.)
The Premium River - Pine Brook Wetlands are tributary to the Long Island Sound in the
Town of Mamaroneck, the Village of Larchmont and the City of New Rochelle (7.5'
Quadrangle: Mount Vernon, N.Y.). The fish and wildlife habitat is an approximately 65
acre area including Pine Brook south of the Boston Post Road, the Premium River, the
Premium Mill Pond, the northeast portion of Echo Bay, the Pryer Manor Marsh, a
former wetland between Dillon Road and Emerson Avenue, the salt marsh areas
adjacent to the river and creek and the small portions of adjacent meadow.
III-7
The Premium River - Pine Brook Wetlands area is a diverse and relatively undeveloped
complex of tidal river, tidal flats, shallows, salt marsh and freshwater wetlands which is
unusual in Westchester County. The wetland complex remains undeveloped and the
range of natural communities in this area support a diversity of fish and wildlife species.
Although not comprehensive, examples of generic activities and impacts which could
destroy or significantly impair the habitat are listed below to assist in applying the
habitat impairment test to a proposed activity.
Any activity that would further degrade the water quality in the Premium River, Pine
Brook, Premium Mill Pond and associated wetlands would impair the biological
productivity of this area. Species of fish and wildlife may be affected by water pollution
such as chemical contamination (including food chain effects), oil spills, excessive
turbidity or sedimentation, waste disposal, and sewage discharges. Efforts should be
made to improve water quality in the area by controlling runoff and waste discharge
from adjacent and upstream commercial and residential areas and by improving tidal
flushing. Habitat enhancement and restoration efforts are needed in several of the
smaller, degraded wetlands in this area. Elimination of freshwater wetlands, salt marsh
and intertidal areas through excavation or filling, would result in a direct loss of valuable
habitat area. Natural plant communities bordering the wetlands should be maintained to
provide cover for wildlife, erosion control, and buffer zones.
Opportunities for compatible public uses of the area (nature study, environmental
education) should be maintained or enhanced to utilize this valuable fish and wildlife
resource.
A habitat impairment test must be met for any activity that is subject to consistency
review under federal and State laws, or under applicable local laws contained in an
approved local waterfront revitalization program. If the proposed action is subject to
consistency review, then the habitat protection policy applies, whether the proposed
action is to occur within or outside the designated area.
The specific habitat impairment test that must be met is as follows:
In order to protect and preserve a Significant Habitat, land and water uses or
development shall not be undertaken if such actions would destroy the habitat, or
significantly impair the viability of the habitat.
Habitat destruction is defined as the loss of fish or wildlife use through direct
physical alteration, disturbance, or pollution of a designated area or through the
indirect effects of these actions on a designated area. Habitat destruction may be
indicated by changes in vegetation, substrate or hydrology, or increases in runoff,
erosion, sedimentation or pollutants.
III-8
Significant impairment is defined as reduction in vital resources (e.g., food,
shelter, living space) or change in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature,
substrate, salinity) beyond the tolerance range of an organism. Indicators of a
significantly impaired habitat focus on ecological alterations and may include, but
are not limited to, reduced carrying capacity, changes in community structure
(food chain relationships, species diversity), reduced productivity and/or increased
incidence of disease and mortality.
The tolerance range of an organism is not defined as the physiological range of
conditions beyond which a species will not survive at all, but as the ecological
range of conditions that supports the species population or has the potential to
support a restored population, where practical. Either the loss of individuals
through an increase in emigration or an increase in death rate indicates that the
tolerance range of an organism has been exceeded. An abrupt increase in death
rate may occur as an environmental factor falls beyond a tolerance limit (a range
has both upper and lower limits). Many environmental factors, however, do not
have a sharply defined tolerance limit, but produce increasing emigration or death
rates with increasing departure from conditions that are optimal for the species.
The range of parameters which should be considered in applying the habitat
impairment test include but are not limited to the following:
1. physical parameters such as living space, circulation, flushing rates, tidal
amplitude, turbidity, water temperature, depth (including loss of littoral
zone), morphology, substrate type, vegetation, structure, erosion and
sedimentation rates;
2. biological parameters such as community structure, food chain
relationships, species diversity, predator/prey relationships, population size,
mortality rates, reproductive rates, meristic features, behavioral patterns
and migratory patterns; and,
3. chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, acidity,
dissolved solids, nutrients, organics, salinity, and pollutants (heavy metals,
toxics and hazardous materials).
POLICY 7A THE FOLLOWING LOCALLY IMPORTANT HABITATS
DESIGNATED AS CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS:
(1) THE HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX INCLUDING
THE EAST CREEK AREA;
(2) THE LARCHMONT RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-
LEATHERSTOCKING FRESHWATER WETLAND COMPLEX;
(3) THE PREMIUM SALT MARSH COMPLEX
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SHALL BE PROTECTED, PRESERVED, AND, WHERE
PRACTICABLE, RESTORED, SO AS TO MAINTAIN THEIR
VIABILITY AS HABITATS.
Note: The intertidal and littoral zone described in Section II at N 4.,
extending from Larchmont Harbor westward to and around
Premium Point has characteristics which qualify it as an important
habitat. It is not so listed here since it is protected by the Tidal
Wetlands Law.
Brief description of habitats:
-- The Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex (total 17 acres) at the head of Little
Harbor Sound next to the outfalls from East and Gut Creeks, is comprised
of the Hommocks Conservation area, East Creek and some small adjacent
habitat areas;
-- The Larchmont Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Freshwater Wetland
Complex (total 520 acres) includes the Larchmont Reservoir-James G.
Johnson Jr. Conservancy, three private open-space areas of which two are
large golf courses, the Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Conservation Area, and
connecting watercourses and ponds which function as habitat corridors.
-- The Premium Salt Marsh Complex (total 32 acres) centers on the Premium
River and includes the Premium Marsh and two smaller tidal wetlands
nearby, a portion of the Significant Habitat (see Policy 7).
All three of these areas are nesting and feeding grounds for many bird species as well as
fish, shellfish, crustaceans, reptiles and mammals. For a detailed description, see Section
II at L through N and the inventory of species in Appendix B.
Explanation of Policy:
New local legislation identified in the 1986 LWRP led to the designation of these areas
as Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs) under the State Environmental Quality Review
law, and in addition, the County designated lands generally lying south of the Boston
Post Road and the Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson, Jr. Conservancy as County
CEAs. These laws regulate land use and construction-related activities in or substantially
contiguous to the CEA in order to limit adverse impacts, protect wetlands and habitats,
and preserve open space.
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Impact Assessment
Most of the land and water in the Premium and Hommocks complexes is public
property, much of it in Town Conservation Areas. The same is true of a large part of
the much larger Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking complex. This fact, however, does
not suffice to shield these areas from adverse impact. As is noted repeatedly in the
Inventory and Analysis (Section II), the impact comes from outside the three areas
themselves, mainly from upstream. Oil spills, raw sewage overflow, illegal waste
disposal, pesticide and fertilizer residues from homes, parks, golf courses and commercial
nurseries, silt from soil erosion, construction sites, and dredging operations -- all these
have already inflicted their share of damage, impairing the quality of all three areas as
feeding and breeding grounds for fish and wildlife. The effects have been seen, for
example, in fish kills in the Larchmont Harbor area and in the ban on consumption of
shellfish taken from the waters of the Westchester Sound shore and its estuaries.
A number of local steps are planned, either for execution or for study (see Section IV),
which are designed in part to repair past damage to these three areas and to enhance
their viability and survivability as wildlife habitats. Some steps have been accomplished
such as the computerized release valve at the Larchmont Reservoir, absorbent booms to
collect oil on Pine Brook and East Creek, a street sweeping schedule has been put into
action, and numerous storm drain-sanitary sewer connections have been eliminated.
Some general cleaning of the Larchmont leaf disposal facility has been completed and it
was moved back to some degree from the water's edge.
Some of the recommendations are restorative or enhancing, to be taken within the areas
themselves; others are protective, involving both physical projects and land use
regulations upstream from these areas, and are intended to reduce future adverse impact
from the outside. Any action that would cause or aggravate such impact, or adversely
affect the preservation or restoration of the habitats covered by this policy, would be
inconsistent with this policy. To the greatest degree practicable, the habitat impairment
test found under Policy 7 should be applied to these CEAs.
Since all of these habitat areas are environmentally linked to neighboring jurisdictions,
cooperation of adjacent municipalities is of great importance in accomplishing the
purposes of this policy.
Note: Since all three of these habitats center on tidal or freshwater wetlands,
which are dealt with under Policies 44 and 44A, the three policies will be
considered together for purposes of implementation.
POLICY 8 PROTECT FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN THE
COASTAL AREA FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF HAZARDOUS
WASTES AND OTHER POLLUTANTS WHICH
BIOACCUMULATE IN THE FOOD CHAIN OR WHICH CAUSE
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SIGNIFICANT SUBLETHAL OR LETHAL EFFECT ON THOSE
RESOURCES.
Explanation of Policy
The regulation of hazardous wastes is assumed by State and Federal agencies. Other
pollutants from point or non-point sources also cause substantial damage to fish and
wildlife resources and are controlled by both State and local laws, the most important
local laws in this connection being the Town's SEQR and the Town and Village's
Freshwater Wetlands laws. County and local government must be more effective in
monitoring pollution as well as enforcing local regulations and reporting violations of
State or Federal law, which are a serious problem especially in the Premium area, the
East Creek-Hommocks area, and nearby waters of Long Island Sound. Pursuant to this
policy, a regular program of monitoring and reporting pollutants likely to damage fish
and wildlife in the area will be conducted in cooperation with the Conservation Advisory
Commission, appropriate State and County agencies, and neighboring municipal
agencies. Local regulations against such pollutants will be reviewed for adequacy and
strictly enforced.
POLICY 9 EXPAND RECREATIONAL USE OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
RESOURCES IN COASTAL AREAS BY INCREASING ACCESS
TO EXISTING RESOURCES, SUPPLEMENTING EXISTING
STOCKS AND DEVELOPING NEW RESOURCES. SUCH
EFFORTS SHALL BE MADE IN A MANNER WHICH ENSURES
THE PROTECTION OF RENEWABLE FISH AND WILDLIFE
RESOURCES AND CONSIDERS OTHER ACTIVITIES
DEPENDENT ON THEM.
Explanation of Policy
The limited fish and wildlife resources of the area, the fragility of their habitats, and
dense surrounding settlement combine to preclude hunting or extensive shore-based
fishing. Hunting is prohibited throughout the area. Shore-based fishing on public
property is limited because of the small number and size of the few locations available.
However, recreational uses of coastal fish and wildlife resources also include
non-consumptive uses such as wildlife photography, bird-watching and nature study. In
general, the last group will be given preference over the former in view of the limited
size of the resources and their location in urbanized areas.
The following additional guidelines should be considered by local, State, and Federal
agencies as they determine the consistency of their proposed actions with the above
policy.
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1. Actions should not impede existing or future utilization of the State's
recreational fish and wildlife resources.
2. Efforts to increase access to a recreational fish and wildlife resource should
not lead to over-utilization of that resource or cause impairment of the
habitat. Sometimes such impairment can be more subtle than actual
physical damage to the habitat. For example, increased human presence
can deter animals from using the habitat area.
3. The impacts of increasing access to recreational fish and wildlife resources
should be determined on a case-by-case basis, consulting the Significant
Habitat narrative (see Section II at M and Policy 7/7A) and/or conferring
with a trained fish and wildlife biologist.
POLICY 10 THE STATE COASTAL POLICY TO FURTHER DEVELOP
COMMERCIAL FINFISH, SHELLFISH AND CRUSTACEAN
RESOURCES IN THE COASTAL AREA IS NOT APPLICABLE TO
THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND VILLAGE OF
LARCHMONT.
POLICY 10A IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN LONG ISLAND SOUND
WATERS TO PERMIT THE TAKING OF SHELLFISH FOR
HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
Explanation of Policy
The Westchester Sound shore, whose waters are accessible by boat to both commercial
and recreational shellfishing, was once a major shellfish producing area. For many years,
however, (as was noted in Section II at Q and on Map 5) most of its inshore waters,
including those off the Larchmont-Mamaroneck coastline, have been in New York State
classification SB, which forbids shellfishing for human consumption. Biological pollution,
mainly from sewage, is the main cause. The municipal governments, in cooperation with
other Sound shore communities and with concerned County and State agencies, will
endeavor to raise the water classification from SB to SA with the goal of reopening
Western Long Island Sound for the taking of shellfish. More effective control of sewage
pollution (see Policies 30 through 34) and organic nutrient runoff (Policy 37), as well as
monitoring and regulation of heavy metals and other bioaccumulative substances
entering coastal waters (Policy 8) will serve to promote this objective.
FLOODING AND EROSION POLICIES1
1 See Maps 5 and 6.
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POLICY 11 BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES WILL BE SITED IN
THE COASTAL AREA SO AS TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE TO
PROPERTY AND THE ENDANGERING OF HUMAN LIVES
CAUSED BY FLOODING AND EROSION.
Explanation of Policy
This policy applies to Flood Hazard and Coastal High Hazard Areas in the Town and
the Village pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program administered by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).2
The design and location of existing or proposed buildings in designated flood hazard
areas are regulated by Flood Damage Prevention laws adopted by both municipalities
and enforced by their respective Building and Engineering Departments under the
Federal Flood Insurance Program. The State Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas regulations
(6 NYCRR Part 505) are enforced by a State permit process. These laws will assure
compliance with this policy in such areas. Where recent flood experience, as in the
Sheldrake watershed, shows a need to extend such regulation to wider areas than are
shown on the current Federal map, the extension may be achieved by local adoption of a
supplementary flood damage control map based on a qualified engineering survey.
Flood Hazard and Coastal High Hazard Areas
The designated Flood Hazard Areas (A-Zones) and Coastal High Hazard Areas (V-
Zones) as identified on the federal Flood Insurance Rate Maps are described in the
Inventory and Analysis (Section II at R and S). The Flood Hazard Areas are located
generally along the shoreline and in the Town and Village extend up along the river
corridors. The A-Zone is located within the 100-year floodplain, extending from the
boundaries of the V-Zone to the limits of the 100-year flood hazard area.
The Coastal High Hazard Areas (V-Zones) are located generally along the perimeter of
Larchmont Harbor including along Monroe Inlet, Umbrella Point, Horseshoe Harbor to
Premium Point Beach and most of the perimeter and extending inland on the Premium
Point peninsula.
The V-zones extend from the shoreline inland to the A-zone. These areas have special
flood hazards associated with high velocity waters from tidal surges and hurricane wave
wash thus increasing the potential for loss of life and severe property damage.
2 This policy also applies to Structural Hazard Areas under the Coastal Erosion Hazards Act (CEHA),but none have been
designated in the Town and Village at this time.
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Standards for Development in Flood Hazard Areas (A-Zone)
1. New construction and substantial additions:
a. All buildings and structures shall be located the maximum setback
possible from mean high tide;
b. All buildings and structures shall be elevated so that the lowest
portion of the structural members of the lowest floor is located a
minimum of 13 feet above mean sea level, with all space below the
lowest floor's supporting member open so as not to impede the flow
of water, except for breakaway walls. These areas are not to be
used for human habitation;
c. All buildings or structures shall be securely anchored on pilings or
columns used as structural support and shall be designed and
anchored so as to withstand all applied loads of the base flood flow.
d. Building materials and utility equipment shall be resistant to flood
damage.
2. For utilities:
a. All new, replacement and expanded water supply systems shall be
designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood water into the
system;
b. All new, replacement and expanded sanitary sewage systems shall be
designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters from
the systems into flood waters;
c. On-site sanitary sewage systems shall be located to avoid
impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding;
d. New, replacement or expanded gas and electrical service shall be
located and constructed to reduce flood damage.
Standards for Development in Coastal High Hazard Areas (V-Zone)
Walled and roofed buildings and fuel storage tanks shall be sited landward and
with the maximum setback possible of mean high tide .
POLICY 12 ACTIVITIES OR DEVELOPMENT IN THE COASTAL AREA
WILL BE UNDERTAKEN SO AS TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE TO
NATURAL RESOURCES AND PROPERTY FROM FLOODING
AND EROSION BY PROTECTING NATURAL PROTECTIVE
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FEATURES INCLUDING BEACHES, DUNES, BARRIER
ISLANDS AND BLUFFS. PRIMARY DUNES WILL BE
PROTECTED FROM ALL ENCROACHMENTS THAT COULD
IMPAIR THEIR NATURAL PROTECTIVE CAPACITY.
Explanation of Policy
While the Town and Village coastline is bounded, for the most part, by an unbroken line
of sea or retaining walls, this area still contains beaches, nearshore areas, and wetlands
that help safeguard coastal lands and property from damage, as well as reduce the
danger to human life resulting from flooding and erosion. Excavation of coastal features,
improperly designed structures, inadequate site planning, or other similar actions which
fail to recognize their fragile nature and high protective values, lead to the weakening or
destruction of these landforms. Activities or development in, or in proximity to, natural
protective features must ensure that all such adverse effects are minimized. These
Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas (CEHAs) are described in detail in Section II at R. The
CEHA is located from Premium Point northeast to and including Premium Point Beach,
Horseshoe Harbor and Umbrella Point, and are administered pursuant to the Coastal
Erosion Hazard Management Program of the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation.
The Town and Village's natural protective features are discussed in Section II and
standards follow below.
Beaches
Beaches are located at Horseshoe Harbor, the Larchmont Manor Park and the Premium
Point Beach in the Town and Village. These man-made beaches buffer shorelands from
erosion by absorbing wave energy that otherwise would be expended on the immediate
shorelands. As much beach as possible should be retained to increase the protective
effectiveness.
To ensure that beaches will be protected, the following standards under applicable State
law shall be adhered to:
1. Excavating, grading, or mining which diminishes the erosion protection
afforded by beaches is prohibited.
2. Clean sand or gravel of an equivalent size or slightly larger grain size is the
only material which may be deposited within beach areas.
3. Active bird nesting and breeding areas must not be disturbed unless such
action is in accord with a specific wildlife management activity.
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4. All development is prohibited on beaches.
Nearshore Areas and Underwater Lands
Nearshore areas are located along the area designated a CEHA extending out in the
water in the Town and Village. Nearshore areas dissipate a substantial amount of wave
energy before it is expended on beaches and other areas by causing waves to collapse or
break. Nearshore areas also act as reservoirs of sand, gravel and other unconsolidated
material for beaches. Rock shoals and/or sandbars, which are located in nearshore areas,
control the orientation of incoming waves and may promote the development of ice cap
formations which help to protect the shore during winter storms. The roots of aquatic
vegetation in nearshore areas bind fine grained silts, clays, and organic material to form
a fairly cohesive bottom that resists erosion.
See Policy 15 for standards relative to the preservation of nearshore areas.
Wetlands
Tidal wetlands are located in the lower Premium River and Marsh Complex, Little
Harbor Sound including Spanish Cove and East Creek, and the Hommocks Marsh in the
Town and Village. Wetlands serve as a buffer against severe storms by absorbing wave
energy and protecting the mainland from erosion.
See Policy 44/44A for standards relative to the preservation of wetlands.
Additionally, major protection against upstream flooding and erosion is provided by a
combination of other natural protective features, despite some impairment resulting from
past development: the floodplains in the Sheldrake with their associated freshwater
wetlands and the Pine Brook drainage basins; the flood protection function of the
Larchmont Reservoir. The flood protection value of these features will be protected
against adverse impact from development or other activities, and further increased by
physical improvements and by improved drainage basin management.
POLICY 13 THE CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF EROSION
PROTECTION STRUCTURES SHALL BE UNDERTAKEN ONLY
IF THEY HAVE A REASONABLE PROBABILITY OF
CONTROLLING EROSION FOR AT LEAST 30 YEARS AS
DEMONSTRATED IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
STANDARDS AND/OR ASSURED MAINTENANCE OR
REPLACEMENT PROGRAMS.
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Explanation of Policy
This policy applies to the designated Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas (CEHAs), as
identified on the Coastal Erosion Hazard Maps for the Town and Village (see Policy 12).
Most of the Long Island Sound coastline, whether designated as a CEHA or not, is
protected from erosion by permanent structures which, with periodic maintenance,
provide long-term protection. However, because of improper design, construction and
maintenance standards, many fail to give the protection which they are presumed to
provide and may even be harmful to adjacent or nearby properties. As a result,
development is sited in areas where it is subject to damage or loss due to erosion. This
policy will help ensure the reduction of such damage or loss. The various rivers and
streams flowing through the coastal area, however, are often subject to increasing erosion
due to changing upstream flow characteristics. Erosion protection structures in these
areas will be designed to give the long-term protection required by this policy while, at
the same time, respecting considerations of the natural and aesthetic environment (see
Policy 25). For example, use of natural materials such as rock or wood is preferable to
concrete or steel.
Those areas which lie in the designated CEHAs require a State permit before any
construction can take place. However, all coastline construction is subject to the
following standards:
1. All erosion protection structures shall be designed and constructed
according to generally accepted engineering principles which have
demonstrated success or, where sufficient data is not currently available, a
likelihood of controlling erosion on the immediate site for at least 30 years;
2. All materials used in such structures must be durable and capable of
withstanding inundation, wave impacts, weathering, and other effects of
storm conditions for a minimum of 30 years.
3. Erosion protection structures must not be likely to cause measurable
increases in erosion at the development site or other locations; and must
minimize, and if possible prevent, adverse effects to natural protective
features (see policy 12), existing erosion protection structures (see policy
14), and natural resources such as significant coastal fish and wildlife
habitats (see policy 7).
4. A long term maintenance program must be provided, which includes
specifications for normal maintenance of degradable materials, the periodic
replacement of removable materials, and minimizing the adverse impacts
of erosion control structures.
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POLICY 14 ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE
CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF EROSION
PROTECTION STRUCTURES, SHALL BE UNDERTAKEN SO
THAT THERE WILL BE NO MEASURABLE INCREASE IN
EROSION OR FLOODING AT THE SITE OF SUCH ACTIVITIES
OR DEVELOPMENT, OR AT OTHER LOCATIONS.
Explanation of Policy
Application of this policy to local conditions requires the development of an integrated
flood and erosion control strategy for improved control of flooding, erosion, siltation, and
associated problems in the three watersheds of this coastal area.
Erosion and flooding are naturally occurring processes. However, unwise actions can
increase the severity and adverse effects of these processes causing damage to or loss of
property and endangering human lives. Such actions include:
failure to follow proper drainage or land restoration practices, thereby
causing runoff which erodes and weakens stream banks or shorelands and
causes siltation of stream beds, wetlands and navigational channels;
placing of structures in identified floodways so that the base flood level is
increased, exposing otherwise hazard-free areas to flood damage;
the use of erosion protection structures such as groins, or the use of
impermeable docks which block the littoral transport of sediment to
adjacent shorelands thus increasing their rate of recession;
filling of wetlands and marsh areas with or without related measures to
prevent erosion.
Actions of these and other kinds over many years, both within and upstream from the
Town-Village coastal area, have resulted in serious aggravation of flooding, erosion, and
siltation. As a result, substantial damage has occurred in residential areas as well as on
recreational and ecological resources in the coastal zone, and further serious damage can
be expected unless corrective actions are taken. In the Sheldrake watershed, these
effects are felt not only within the Town-Village coastal area but also in densely
developed sections of the Village of Mamaroneck downstream near where the Sheldrake
joins the Mamaroneck River.
The Larchmont Reservoir property and the two golf club properties, the remaining open
space in the Pine Brook and Sheldrake flood plains lying partly within the Town and
partly in White Plains, Scarsdale and New Rochelle, the tidal wetlands at the foot of the
Pine Brook-Premium and East Creek-Gut Creek-Hommocks watersheds, and a portion
of the Hampshire Country Club property located partly in the Town and partly in the
Village of Mamaroneck should be preserved for their flood protection values. The Town
and Village will seek the necessary intermunicipal cooperation of upstream
municipalities in order to develop an integrated flooding and erosion control strategy at
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the local level. In assessing proposals that might impact on the Larchmont Reservoir,
weight should be given not only to their cost-effectiveness for flood control but also to
their potential impact on the Reservoir's important aesthetic and recreational value and
on its value as an emergency standby source of municipal water supply.
The Town and Village's Environmental Quality Review, Flood Damage Prevention and
Freshwater Wetlands laws and the Town's Site Plan Review and Surface Water, Erosion
and Sediment Control laws regulate rates of stormwater runoff in new developments to
prevent increases in local or downstream flooding or erosion. Except where a different
solution will clearly better serve the purposes of this policy in a particular site, this
normally means zero increase in the rate of runoff from the site and zero decrease in the
rate of runoff entering the site. In specific cases involving large properties upstream
from flood-prone areas, a reduction in runoff rate from the site may be required. Such
limits can be achieved by, for example, requiring maximum preservation of tree and
ground cover, updating zoning categories, or construction of water retention devices. In
keeping with Policy 17, consistency with this policy requires non-structural measures,
such as retention or detention basins, be used wherever practicable.
When an erosion protection structure is proposed to be constructed, modified, or
restored in the Town or Village, the following standards shall apply:
General Standards for Erosion Protection Structures
1. Need must be demonstrated.
2. The action must not cause a measurable increase in erosion at the
development site or at other locations.
3. The action must minimize, and if possible, prevent long and short term
adverse effects upon natural protective features, existing erosion protection
structures, and natural resources such as Significant Coastal Fish and
Wildlife Habitats and Critical Environmental Areas.
Specific Standards for Erosion Protection Structures along the Coastline
Bulkheads and Revetments
1. The location must be as far back from mean high water as possible and
must be compatible with the location of erosion protection structures on
adjacent properties.
2. Revetments shall be used in place of bulkheads whenever possible since
they are more durable, provide habitats for vegetation and wildlife, and
tend to reduce the amount of erosion from wave energy.
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3. The taking of fill from Town/Village underwater or bottom lands shall be
minimized.
Jetties and Groins
1. The height of jetties and groins shall follow a low profile so as not to
adversely affect the littoral transport of sand.
2. The proposed location of the jetty or groin must be compatible with
existing shoreline structures.
Docks and Pilings
1. The length of docks shall be kept to a minimum.
2. The height of docks and walkways to the docks shall conform to the height
of existing docks and walkways in the area and shall be located above
wetland vegetation.
POLICY 15 MINING, EXCAVATION OR DREDGING IN COASTAL AREAS
SHALL NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INTERFERE WITH THE
NATURAL COASTAL PROCESSES WHICH SUPPLY BEACH
MATERIALS TO LAND ADJACENT TO SUCH WATERS AND
SHALL BE UNDERTAKEN IN A MANNER WHICH WILL NOT
CAUSE AN INCREASE IN EROSION OF SUCH LAND.
Explanation of Policy
There is little beach material in the coastal area of the Town and Village which is
supplied to the adjacent land via natural coastal processes. Mining does not exist in this
area.
Excavation and dredging shall be done so that both the natural and manmade shoreline
are not undermined and so that natural water movement is not changed in a manner that
will increase erosion potential (also see Policies 13 and 35). Excavation and dredging
activities must be reasonable and necessary, considering reasonable alternatives to the
proposed activity, the extent to which the proposed activity requires a shoreline location,
and shall prevent, if possible, or minimize adverse effects on natural protective features
and their functions and protective values, and on existing erosion protection structures.
POLICY 16 PUBLIC FUNDS SHALL ONLY BE USED FOR EROSION
PROTECTION STRUCTURES WHERE NECESSARY TO
PROTECT HUMAN LIFE, AND NEW DEVELOPMENT WHICH
REQUIRES A LOCATION WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO AN
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EROSION HAZARD AREA TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION, OR
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT; AND ONLY WHERE THE PUBLIC
BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THE LONG TERM MONETARY AND
OTHER COSTS INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL FOR
INCREASING EROSION AND ADVERSE EFFECTS ON
NATURAL PROTECTIVE FEATURES.
Explanation of Policy
Public funds are used for a variety of purposes on the State's shorelines. This policy
recognizes the public need for the protection of human life and existing investment in
development or new development which requires a location in proximity to the coastal
area or in adjacent waters to be able to function. However, it also recognizes the
adverse impacts of such activities and development on the rate of erosion and on natural
protective features and requires that careful analysis be made of such benefits and long-
term costs prior to expending public funds.
The local circumstances to which this policy applies are stated in the Explanation of
Policy 13. Projects contemplated under Policy 14, involving construction to protect
property against erosion from upstream flooding, shall be consistent with this policy.
POLICY 17 WHENEVER POSSIBLE, USE NON-STRUCTURAL MEASURES
TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE TO NATURAL RESOURCES AND
PROPERTY FROM FLOODING AND EROSION. SUCH
MEASURES SHALL INCLUDE: (1) THE SETBACK OF
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES: (2) THE PLANTING OF
VEGETATION AND THE INSTALLATION OF SAND FENCING
AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS; (3) THE RESHAPING OF BLUFFS;
(4) THE FLOODPROOFING OF BUILDINGS OR THEIR
ELEVATION ABOVE BASE FLOOD LEVEL.
Explanation of Policy
This policy recognizes the potential adverse impacts of flooding and erosion, whether
from coastal or upstream sources, upon development and upon natural protective
features in the coastal area as well as the costs of protection against those hazards which
structural measures entail. This policy shall apply to the planning, siting and design of
proposed activities and development, including measures to protect existing activities and
development. To ascertain consistency with the policy, it must be determined if any one,
or a combination of, non-structural measures would afford the degree of protection
appropriate both to the character and purpose of the activity or development, and to the
hazard. If non-structural measures are determined to offer sufficient protection, then
consistency with the policy would require the use of such measures, whenever possible.
III-22
In determining whether or not non-structural measures to protect against erosion or
flooding will afford the degree of protection appropriate, an analysis, and if necessary,
other materials such as plans or sketches of the activity or development of the site, and
of the alternative protection measures should be prepared to allow an assessment to be
made.
In the Town and Village, non-structural measures shall include but not be limited to:
1. Within coastal erosion hazard areas; (a) the use of maximum setbacks; and
(b) the strengthening of coastal landforms by appropriate planting of
vegetation; and
2. Within identified coastal high hazard areas (V zones) or floodways; (a) the
avoidance of risk or damage from flooding by the siting of buildings
outside the hazard area; and (b) the flood proofing of buildings or their
elevation above the base flood level.
Application of the Flood Damage Prevention regulations, Best Management Practices
Guidelines for Construction-Related Activities (Catalog of Best Management Practices
for Nonpoint and Source Pollution Control in Westchester County, 1991) and SEQR
procedures will be effective in many instances as preventive measures. For some
purposes, however, such as improved protection against flood damage, sewage backup,
etc., from upstream sources (see Section II at U and Policy 14), nonstructural methods
will have to be supplemented in some instances by structural measures.
GENERAL POLICY
POLICY 18 TO SAFEGUARD THE VITAL ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS OF THE STATE AND OF ITS
CITIZENS, PROPOSED MAJOR ACTIONS IN THE COASTAL
AREA MUST GIVE FULL CONSIDERATION TO THOSE
INTERESTS, AND TO THE SAFEGUARDS WHICH THE STATE
HAS ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT VALUABLE COASTAL
RESOURCE AREAS.
Explanation of Policy
Proposed major actions may not be undertaken in the coastal area if they will
significantly impair valuable coastal waters and resources, thus frustrating the
achievement of the purposes of the safeguards which the State has established to protect
those waters and resources. Proposed actions must take into account the social,
economic and environmental interests of the State and its citizens in such matters that
would affect natural resources, water levels and flows, shoreline damage, and recreation.
III-23
Review under the SEQR process will allow a weighing of the costs and benefits of such
actions to State interests.
PUBLIC ACCESS POLICIES
POLICY 19 PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND INCREASE THE LEVEL AND
TYPES OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC WATER-RELATED
RECREATION RESOURCES AND FACILITIES SO THAT THESE
RESOURCES AND FACILITIES MAY BE FULLY UTILIZED BY
THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH REASONABLY
ANTICIPATED PUBLIC RECREATION NEEDS AND
PROTECTION OF HISTORIC AND NATURAL RESOURCES. IN
PROVIDING SUCH ACCESS, PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO
PUBLIC BEACHES, BOATING FACILITIES, FISHING AREAS
AND WATER FRONT PARKS.
Explanation of Policy
The Larchmont/Mamaroneck coastal area includes many water-related recreation
resources to which the public has varying degrees of access depending on the nature of
the facility and its ownership, as discussed in Section II. Balance between the type,
capacity, and intensity of use of a facility, and the protection of the resource itself and of
the adjacent environment, must be maintained if the quality of these resources is to be
preserved. In general the level of access to, and use of, recreational resources in this
coastal area appears consistent with current needs and with the ability of the facility or
resource to accommodate it. Therefore, retention of present levels of access to existing
facilities will be given priority. Future opportunities to increase access to active,
water-dependent recreation resources should be carefully considered only if the potential
impact of increased traffic and intensity of use on adjacent neighborhoods can be
mitigated and adverse effect on the water environment avoided. Such increases, where
desirable and feasible under these criteria, should, if possible, be achieved by expanding
access to existing facilities.
POLICY 20 ACCESS TO THE PUBLICLY-OWNED FORESHORE AND TO
LANDS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE FORESHORE OR
THE WATER'S EDGE THAT ARE PUBLICLY OWNED SHALL
BE PROVIDED, AND IT SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN A
MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH ADJOINING USES. SUCH
LANDS SHALL BE RETAINED IN PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.
Explanation of Policy
The principal publicly owned lands adjacent to the foreshore are five parcels of
municipally owned land: the Premium and Hommocks Conservation areas, Flint Park,
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Lorenzen Park, and Woodbine Park. In each case except Flint Park, access is provided
to the water's edge for passive recreation activities. Access from Flint Park to the
foreshore (Little Harbor Sound) is largely blocked by the presence of the Village of
Larchmont leaf disposal facility at the south end of the park. All such lands will be
retained in public ownership and the existing level of access will be maintained unless
damage to fragile environmental features mandates temporary or permanent limitations
on access.
RECREATION POLICIES
POLICY 21 WATER-DEPENDENT AND WATER ENHANCED RECREATION
WILL BE ENCOURAGED AND FACILITATED, AND WILL BE
GIVEN PRIORITY OVER NON-WATER RELATED USES ALONG
THE COAST, PROVIDED IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF OTHER COASTAL
RESOURCES AND TAKES INTO ACCOUNT DEMAND FOR
SUCH FACILITIES. IN FACILITATING SUCH ACTIVITIES,
PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO AREAS WHERE ACCESS IS
THE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES OF THE COAST CAN BE
PROVIDED BY NEW OR EXISTING PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND TO THOSE AREAS WHERE
THE USE OF THE SHORE IS SEVERELY RESTRICTED BY
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT.
Explanation of Policy
Water-related recreation includes such obviously water-dependent activities as boating,
swimming, and fishing as well as certain activities which are enhanced by a coastal
location and increase the general public's access to the coast such as pedestrian and
bicycle trails, scenic overlooks and passive recreation areas that take advantage of coastal
scenery.
The Larchmont-Mamaroneck shoreline features a broad range of water-dependent and
water-enhanced recreation facilities (see Section II at K). The developed state of the
shore leaves little scope for additional facilities. Therefore, the primary objective of this
policy is to preserve those water-related facilities that now exist and to protect them
against abuse, overuse, and physical deterioration (see Policies 19, 20, and 30 through
39A). In the event that any private water-related recreational facilities are in danger of
conversion to other use, the local governments, in pursuance of the above objective, will
endeavor to find ways by which the facilities can be maintained in a manner consistent
with this policy and Policy 19, including the possibility of municipal ownership, in whole
or in part, of such facilities.
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ed
t
Within the limits set by the developed stateecreated in shore,mannernconsistent tawith dthe additional
water-related recreational facilities can b
preservation and enhancement of other important coastal resources including fish and
wildlife habitats, wetlands, aesthetically significant areas, and historical and cultural
resources, and provided demand exists, water-related recreational development is to be
increased and shall have a higher priority than any non-coastal-dependent uses, including
non-water-related recreation uses; and t enhanced but not water-dependeer-deendent recreation uses nttake
priority over recreation uses that are water
Recreation in the conservation areas will be confined to passive, non-intensive activities
such as bird watching, nature study, photography, etc. Swimming and boating on the
Sound are to be encouraged, but not to an extent that will overtax the capacity of
on-shore support facilities. Recreational lobstering and shellfishing will be enhanced if
water quality is improved (see Policy 10A). The balance between use of the resource on
the one hand, and on the other hand the enjoyment and safety of users and integrity of
the environment, must be constantly monitored. For example, additional moorings for
boats should be encouraged only if on-shore parking and access facilities are available
and if the new moorings will not inhibit safe navigation in the harbor. Conduct which
degrades, endangers, or interferes with these activities, including vandalism and other
unlawful or reckless conduct in the harbor, and unlawful discharge of sewage or litter or
other pollutants from pleasure boats in municipal waters, will be controlled. To this end
the Village will take steps to work out a clear sharing of responsibility for policing the
harbor among the parties concerned (see also Policy 34). Action to control upstream or
coastal erosion (Policies 11 through 17) will serve the purposes of this policy by retarding
siltation of navigation channels used by recreational boats and by reducing siltation
damage in natural areas suitable for passive recreation.
POLICY 22 DEVELOPMENT, WHEN LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE
SHORE, SHALL PROVIDE FOR WATER-RELATED
RECREATION, AS A MULTIPLE USE, WHENEVER SUCH
RECREATIONAL USE IS APPROPRIATE IN LIGHT OF
REASONABLY ANTICIPATED DEMAND FOR SUCH
ACTIVITIES AND THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE
DEVELOPMENT.
Explanation of Policy
This policy calls for compatible inclusion of recreational facilities in new developments
adjacent to the shore. Lands adjacent to the shore in this coastal area are already
developed to their capacity and include a balance of residential and recreational uses.
However, if new development adjacent to the shore should occur, recreation facilities in
conformity with this policy will be required.
HISTORIC AND SCENIC RESOURCES
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POLICY 23 PROTECT AND RESTORE STRUCTURES, DISTRICTS, AREAS
OR SITES THAT ARE OF SIGNIFICANCE IN THE HISTORY,
ARCHITECTURE, ARCHEOLOGY OR CULTURE OF THE
STATE, ITS COMMUNITIES OR THE NATION.
Explanation of Policy
Among the most valuable of the State's manmade resources are structures or areas of
historic, archeological, or cultural significance. Under State law, municipalities have the
power to adopt regulations for the protection of these resources. In so doing they may
designate, and provide for protection of, or in appropriate cases restoration and adaptive
reuse of, specific sites or more extensive districts.
New York State definitions of such significant resources include these categories that
may be applicable to this area:
-- A local landmark, park, or locally designated historic district that is located
within the boundary of an approved local waterfront revitalization program.
-- A resource on, or nominated to be on, or potentially eligible to be on, the
National or State Register of Historic places.
-- A resource on, or nominated to be on, the State Nature and Historic
Preserve Trust.
-- A resource identified on the archaeological sensitivity model of the New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Places or on the State
Department of Education Inventory of Archaeological sites.
While the program is concerned with the preservation of all significant resources, as here
defined, within the coastal boundary, it gives priority to the preservation of resources
having a coastal relationship.
The following structures, districts, and sites, among others, in the
Larchmont-Mamaroneck coastal area are of historic, architectural, archaeological, or
cultural significance meriting protection under this policy:
1. Larchmont Manor Park, including the Horseshoe Harbor Yacht Club.
2. The neighborhood within Town of Mamaroneck Map 610, known as
Larchmont Manor.
3. Fountain Square
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4. The Larchmont Yacht Club and Larchmont Shore Club.
5. The Premium Mill Pond, dam, and associated structures, including the mill
house.
6. The Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson Jr. Conservancy.
7. The Winged Foot and Bonnie Briar Golf Clubs.
8. The Quaker and Barker Cemeteries.
9. The Manor House at the head of Prospect Avenue.
10. The Larchmont Public Library, site of the original Samuel Palmer House.
11. The Larchmont Post Office.
12. The Indian rock shelter and rock face next to Pine Brook Park.
13. The former Weaver Street School house at 86 Weaver Street.
Structures, districts and sites designated pursuant to this policy shall be protected against
significant adverse change and, where appropriate, restored or rehabilitated for adaptive
reuse. In this context "adverse change" means, among other things, demolition or
removal in whole or in part, or inappropriate alteration of or addition to the
architectural, structural, ornamental or functional features of, a building, structure, earth
work, or site that is a recognized historical, cultural, or archaeological resource or
component thereof; or an action within 500 feet of such a structure, or anywhere within
such a district, that would be incompatible by virtue of location, scale, design, color,
texture, pattern, line, setback, landscaping or similar characteristics, with the preservation
of the quality and integrity of the designated structure or district. In a historic district,
adverse change may also take the form of incompatible improvements in infrastructure
elements such as street and sidewalk paving, street furniture and lighting.
Pursuant to this policy the municipal governments will establish appropriate procedures
for designating significant resources and for accomplishing their protection or restoration.
In addition, contacts with the State Historic Preservation Office, already initiated by the
Larchmont Historical Society, will be pursued with regard to listing of sites in this area
on the National or State Register of Historic Places.
Given the possibility that archaeologically significant sites may be found in the coastal
area, any government agency proposing, permitting or funding a development action on
any site in the coastal area will contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Places for procedures to follow with respect to that site.
I1I-28
This policy shall not be construed as preventing (1) the alteration or demolition of any
structure when such action is certified by competent authority as necessary to avert an
imminent danger to life or to public health; or (2) normal maintenance, repair, or
proper restoration of a designated structure, not involving significant adverse change and
in conformity with the U.S. Department of Interior "Standards for Rehabilitation" and
"Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings."
POLICY 24 THE STATE POLICY REGARDING SCENIC RESOURCES OF
STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE IS NOT APPLICABLE IN THE
TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT
BECAUSE NONE OF THESE RESOURCES HAVE BEEN SO
DESIGNATED.
POLICY 25 PROTECT, RESTORE AND ENHANCE NATURAL AND
MANMADE RESOURCES WHICH ARE NOT IDENTIFIED AS
BEING OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE, BUT WHICH
CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCENIC QUALITY OF THE COASTAL
AREA.
Explanation of Policy
A. The Larchmont/Mamaroneck shoreline includes natural and historic features
which in total comprise a diverse scenic resource of high quality. The pleasant
blend of wetlands and marshes, landscaped parkland, geological forms of
exceptional interest and beauty and attractive, water-oriented homes and
recreation facilities, is unusual in the urbanized New York metropolitan area.
Features of particular scenic quality on the shore include the Premium and
Hommocks wetlands, the Larchmont Manor Park, the Larchmont Yacht Club, and
the Larchmont Shore Club. Although not visible from the shore, Fountain
Square, Memorial (Station) Park, the Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Conservation
area, the Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson Conservancy, the Brookside
Drive-Gardens Lake area, and the Bonnie Briar, Winged Foot, and Hampshire
golf courses all significantly contribute to the scenic quality of the entire coastal
area.
B. Given the generally high visual quality of the coastal area, action under this policy
will be directed primarily toward protecting existing features, but will also seek to
assure compatibility in the siting and appearance of new structures. These
purposes are served to a great extent by existing controls in both municipalities.
Industrial, commercial, and multi-family residential uses are not permitted outside
of zones near the Thruway, Palmer Avenue, and the Boston Post Road. The
appearance of new construction or remodeled structures in both the Village and
the Town is subject to regulation. In the Village, designs may be disapproved on
grounds of, among other things, monotonous similarity to nearby structures, visual
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offensiveness due to poor design, visual discord in relation to the site or
surroundings, or characteristics that prevent appropriate use of adjacent lands.
Site plan review regulations and a Board of Architectural Review provide
comparable safeguards in the commercial area of the Town. The size, character,
and location of all outdoor signs is also regulated, and property owners are
required to keep their properties clear of brush, weeds and unsightly materials.
C. Local efforts to maintain visual quality in the shore area consist primarily of
maintaining existing natural areas, ensuring that development is well sited and in
harmony with the surrounding environment, and retaining views to, along and
from the shoreline. These efforts are implemented primarily through local
building codes and through the protection of natural and open space areas. The
overall effect is a coastal area which is visually interesting and attractive, and
should be maintained and improved if possible.
D. Views which contribute to the scenic quality of the coastal area should be
maintained or where possible improved include: views to Larchmont Harbor from
Walnut and Bay Avenue street ends, and from Larchmont Harbor to the
Larchmont Harbor and Umbrella Point shoreline; views from the Premium River
and Premium Mill Pond from Pryer Manor Road and the Pryer Manor Bridge;
the view from the south end of Beach Avenue looking towards Long Island
Sound; and views from Manor Park and Park Avenue looking south, east and
west, a panoramic sweep of Long Island Sound and its north shore and offshore
areas. It is important to preserve these views, and to prevent visual impairments
to the area's scenic and open space qualities and value. Loss of these views
cannot be mitigated or replicated.
E. In order to ensure consistency with this policy, actions should protect, restore or
enhance the overall scenic quality of the coastal area by preventing impairments
to visual resources to the maximum extent practicable.
F. Impairment of visual resources includes the following:
1. the irreversible modification of vegetation or structures whenever they are
significant to the scenic quality of an identified view;
2. the addition/development of structures which because of siting or scale will
reduce identified views or which because of scale, form or material will
diminish the scenic quality of an identified view.
G. The following siting and development guidelines will be used when reviewing a
proposed action that could affect the views described in subparagraph D above
recognizing that each development situation is unique and that the guidelines will
have to be applied accordingly.
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1. Structures and other development such as power lines, pump stations,
lights, high antennae, and signs should be of appropriate design and/or
should be sited back from the shoreline or in other inconspicuous locations
so as to maintain the attractive quality of the shoreline and to retain views
to and from the shore.
2. Structures should be oriented to retain views, save open space and provide
visual organization to development.
3. Existing structures of scenic or historical value, if structurally sound, should
be retained and incorporated into the overall development scheme.
4. Deteriorated or degrading elements should be removed or rebuilt.
5. The original land form should be maintained or restored, except when
changes screen unattractive elements and/or add appropriate interest.
6. Vegetation should be maintained or added to provide interest, encourage
the presence or wildlife, blend structures into the site, and obscure
unattractive elements, except when selective clearing removes unsightly,
diseased or hazardous vegetation or creates views of coastal waters.
7. Other appropriate materials in addition to vegetation may be used to
screen unattractive elements.
8. Appropriate scales, forms and materials should be used to ensure that
buildings and other structures are compatible with and add interest to the
landscape.
9. Actions should be avoided that would be out of keeping with the scenic
character of a location because of intensity of use or potential for
generating noise, visual annoyance, litter, traffic jams, or other nuisance.
10. Where possible, erosion-protection structures in scenic or residential areas
should be built of natural wood or stone materials that blend with their
surroundings, rather than of manufactured materials (see Policy 13).
AGRICULTURAL LANDS POLICY
POLICY 26 THE STATE POLICY REGARDING THE CONSERVATION AND
PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IS NOT
APPLICABLE TO THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND
VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT.
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ENERGY AND ICE MANAGEMENT POLICIES
POLICY 27 DECISIONS ON THE SITING AND CONSTRUCTION OF
MAJOR ENERGY FACILITIES IN THE COASTAL AREA ARE
NOT APPLICABLE TO THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND
VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT.
POLICY 28 THE STATE POLICY REGARDING ICE MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THE TOWN OF
MAMARONECK AND VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT.
POLICY 29 THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES ON THE
OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, IN LAKE ERIE AND IN
OTHER WATER BODIES IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THE TOWN
OF MAMARONECK AND VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT.
WATER AND AIR RESOURCES POLICIES
POLICY 30 MUNICIPAL, INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, INTO
COASTAL WATERS, WILL CONFORM TO STATE AND
NATIONAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS.
Explanation of Policy
Excessive pollution of waters in the coastal zone is damaging to public health, the
breeding and taking of edible fish, shellfish and crustaceans, water-related recreation,
and (as noted under Policy 8) the ecology of wetlands and wildlife habitats. Effective
adherence to the water quality standards of this policy will prevent it.
Pollutant discharges covered by this policy include "end-of-the-pipe" discharges into
surface water and groundwater; runoff from plant sites; leaching; spillages; unlawful or
damaging disposal of sludge, waste oil, and other polluting wastes; and drainage from
raw material storage sites. Industrial discharges are covered if they empty directly into
coastal waters or if they pass through municipal treatment systems before reaching
coastal waters.
All such discharges are regulated by Federal and State laws. Water quality standards are
set for a wide range of toxic substances. To maintain these standards, a permit system
limits rates of effluent discharge of specified toxic substances and other pollutants by
industrial plants. Effluent discharge should conform to federal standards required for
maintaining the water classifications.
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These Federal and State regulatory systems are supplemented locally by certain legal
prohibitions, notably those of the Town Freshwater Wetland law which prohibits or limits
certain categories of pollutants in controlled areas. The Westchester County Department
of Health is responsible for monitoring coastal waters for pollutants dangerous to
swimmers, and has the power to forbid swimming when and where pollution is excessive.
The Conservation Advisory Commission has a limited pollution monitoring capability
which serves both municipal governments by hiring a consultant to identify and trace
some common pollutants, including coliform pollution, as a basis for either local, County
or State enforcement action.
Taken together, these monitoring and regulatory activities at different levels of
government go far toward assuring satisfactory water quality in the coastal zone. But
constant and vigorous implementation of existing laws and regulations is essential,
including adequate monitoring, identification and inspection of point sources, and prompt
enforcement. In addition, further experience may show that new legislation is necessary.
Therefore, government agencies will:
1. Take all practicable steps, both within their own jurisdictions and in
cooperation with other jurisdictions including neighboring municipalities as
may be necessary, to apply existing legal and administrative mechanisms for
water pollution monitoring and enforcement and for preventive inspection
and maintenance of potential point sources; and, where appropriate, to
strengthen such mechanisms. Local citizen participation in these efforts
will be encouraged both for public education and for enforcement
purposes.
2. Seek to assure, in concert with neighboring municipalities, that retail sellers
of motor oil comply with the State statutory requirement that they shall
accept waste oil for recycling and shall make this fact known to their
customers.
3. The Town and Village will support the County's efforts to incorporate
nitrogen removal (BNR) in treatment plants discharging into Long Island
Sound, and will comply with other mandates from the State as a result of
the Long Island Sound Study's Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plan (see Section II at V).
POLICY 31 STATE COASTAL AREA POLICIES AND PURPOSES OF
APPROVED LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION
PROGRAMS WILL BE CONSIDERED WHILE REVIEWING
COASTAL WATER CLASSIFICATIONS AND WHILE
MODIFYING WATER QUALITY STANDARDS; HOWEVER,
THOSE WATERS ALREADY OVER BURDENED WITH
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•
CONTAMINANTS WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS BEING A
DEVELOPMENT CONSTRAINT.
Explanation of Policy
Pursuant to the Federal Clean Water Act of 1977 (PL 95-217) the State has classified its
coastal and other waters in accordance with considerations of best usage in the interest
of the public and has adopted water quality standards for each class of waters. These
classifications and standards are reviewable at least every three years for possible
revision or amendment. Local and regional coastal management policies shall be
factored into the review process for coastal waters. However, such consideration shall
not affect any water pollution control requirement established by the State pursuant to
the Federal Clean Water Act.
Current classifications of fresh and saline waters in this area are given in Section II at Q.
The fresh-water classifications are appropriate for the proposed uses in this Program.
The salt-water classifications are consistent with proposed uses except in the former
shellfishing areas along the shore now classified SB. As noted under Policy 1OA, efforts
will be made to restore these areas to SA status.
POLICY 32 ENCOURAGE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE OR INNOVATIVE
SANITARY WASTE SYSTEMS IN SMALL COMMUNITIES
WHERE THE COSTS OF CONVENTIONAL FACILITIES ARE
UNREASONABLY HIGH GIVEN THE SIZE OF THE EXISTING
TAX BASE OF THESE COMMUNITIES.
Explanation of Policy
Alternative systems include individual septic tanks and other subsurface disposal systems,
dual systems, small systems serving clusters of households or commercial users, and
pressure or vacuum sewers. These types of systems are often more cost-effective in
smaller, less densely populated areas for which conventional facilities are too expensive.
Although the entire coastal area is within public sanitary sewer districts, some homes are
still served by on-site sanitary systems. Where such homes cannot be connected to public
sewer lines without unreasonable cost, the use of on-site systems will continue to be
permitted provided that owners use those that are most effective and pollution-free.
However, see Policy 32A.
POLICY 32A WHEREVER FEASIBLE AT REASONABLE COST, EXISTING
ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS SHALL BE
ELIMINATED AND REPLACED BY DIRECT CONNECTION TO
THE PUBLIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
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Explanation of Policy
On-site sanitary systems in this area (see Section II at U) have been found to be
unreliable and pollution-prone in many instances. Therefore, in locations now served by
such systems, where replacement of them by connection to public sewer systems would
not be unreasonably costly, such action will be required. Otherwise the most effective
and pollution-free on-site system will be required and will be closely monitored by
municipal authorities to assure adequate performance. In all cases the objective will be
the least risk of pollution consistent with acceptable cost.
POLICY 33 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WILL BE USED TO ENSURE
THE CONTROL OF STORMWATER RUNOFF AND COMBINED
SEWER OVERFLOWS DRAINING INTO COASTAL WATERS.
Explanation of Policy
The purpose of this policy is to improve the quality of coastal waters by minimizing
pollution from stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows. Best management
practices applicable to this purpose include both structural and non-structural methods.
In some cases structural methods, such as construction of detention basins or
replacement of combined sewer systems with separate sanitary and stormwater collection
systems, are appropriate and will be used. In other cases, however, structural methods
are inappropriate or excessively costly. Moreover, such methods alone cannot achieve
the stated purpose as well unless they are combined with non-structural best
management practices such as improved street cleaning, reduced use of road salt, and
control of runoff from construction sites (see Policies 37 and 37A). Non-structural
best management practices, therefore, will be required or encouraged to the greatest
extent appropriate and feasible for the purposes of this policy.
POLICY 33A ELIMINATE DISCHARGE OF RAW SEWAGE INTO COASTAL
WATERS AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS DURING STORMS, ALL
CONNECTIONS WHICH CARRY STORMWATER RUNOFF INTO
THE SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM SHALL BE PROHIBITED AND
APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE, LEGAL AND PHYSICAL
ACTIONS SHALL BE TAKEN AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS
POSSIBLE TO REMOVE ALL SUCH CONNECTIONS.
Explanation of Policy
The principal factors contributing to pollution in the coastal area are the connection of
public and private storm water drains, in many cases illegally, to the public sanitary
sewer system and the substantial leakage of storm water into the sanitary sewer system
via broken pipes or vent holes. The increased flow resulting from this practice exceeds
the capacity of the sewage treatment plant and leads to discharge of raw sewage into
III-35
streets, basements, and coastal waters and the closing of beaches during periods of heavy
rain. In the Village of Larchmont, 76% of illegal hookups have been corrected to
address the problem of inflow and infiltration. Additionally major sanitary sewer
rehabilitation projects have been completed by the Village and the Town.
The further elimination and prevention of such conditions is an especially important
objective of the community and will continue to be pursued energetically by the
responsible governments and agencies. Sewage treatment plant overflows need to be
further addressed beyond the moratorium prohibiting new sewer line extensions to the
New Rochelle Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). The Mamaroneck STP, even though
upgraded to full secondary treatment, needs further action throughout the sewer district
to correct the above mentioned inflow and infiltration problems. Recommendations in
the Long Island Sound Study's (LISS) Comprehensive Conservation and Management
Plan (CCMP) (see Section II at V) will cause Westchester County to evaluate further
nitrogen removal in the Sound's STP facilities. At the present time, the County has
complied with the LISS's Interim Report, which mandated a "no net increase" in nitrogen
discharge from 1990 levels. The Mamaroneck and New Rochelle plants are included in
this "no net increase" policy.
POLICY 34 DISCHARGE OF WASTE MATERIALS INTO COASTAL WATERS
FROM VESSELS WILL BE LIMITED SO AS TO PROTECT
SIGNIFICANT FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS,
RECREATIONAL AREAS AND WATER SUPPLY AREAS.
Explanation of Policy
The discharge of sewage, garbage, rubbish, and other solid and liquid materials from
watercraft and marinas into the State's waters is regulated by State law. Priority will be
given to the enforcement of this law in areas where such discharges may damage
shellfish beds, fish and wildlife habitats, or waters and beaches used for swimming and
other recreation. Specific effluent standards for marine toilets have been promulgated
by the Department of Environmental Conservation (6 NYCRR, Part 657). These
standards, as well as other applicable laws and regulations concerning litter and pollution
from vessels in coastal waters, shall be strictly enforced by the responsible authorities.
The development of a harbor management plan, posting signs to discourage vessel
discharges, and public education, often by the yacht clubs, are the ways in which the
Village can further address vessel discharges.
POLICY 35 DREDGING AND DREDGE SPOIL DISPOSAL IN COASTAL
WATERS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN A MANNER THAT
MEETS EXISTING STATE AND FEDERAL DREDGING PERMIT
REQUIREMENTS, AND PROTECTS SIGNIFICANT FISH AND
WILDLIFE HABITATS, SCENIC RESOURCES, NATURAL
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POLICY 38 THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF SURFACE WATER AND
GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES WILL BE CONSERVED AND
PROTECTED, PARTICULARLY WHERE SUCH WATER
CONSTITUTES THE PRIMARY OR SOLE SOURCE OF WATER
SUPPLY.
Explanation of Policy
The only water supply source to which this policy may apply is the Upper Reservoir
(Sheldrake Lake) in the Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson Conservancy.
Although outside our Coastal Zone boundary, it is part of a property owned by the
Village of Larchmont and dedicated by it to public use (see Section II at J and Q). It is
no longer used as a regular water supply, but one of the uses specified in the October
1984 act of dedication is "standby water supply" in case of severe water shortage.
Bearing in mind this use, the Village will make every effort to assure that the Upper
Reservoir's water remains in State classification A ("all uses"), and will frame and
enforce such rules as will promote this purpose. The necessary cooperation of upstream
municipalities and of the Westchester County government will be sought in this
connection.
Policies 30, 33, 36, 37 and 39 contain standards for ensuring the protection of ground and
surface water quality.
POLICY 39 THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF
SOLID WASTES, PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS WASTES,
WITHIN COASTAL AREAS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SUCH A
MANNER AS TO PROTECT GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE
WATER SUPPLIES, SIGNIFICANT FISH AND WILDLIFE
HABITATS, RECREATION AREAS, IMPORTANT
AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND SCENIC RESOURCES.
Explanation of Policy
Federal and State laws provide a substantial base for regulation of the transport, storage,
treatment, and disposal of solid wastes, particularly hazardous wastes. Strict enforcement
of these regulations by the responsible authorities is extremely important to protect
public health, the wetlands, fish and wildlife habitats, and water-related recreational
resources of the coastal area. Especially important is adequate regulation of the
transport of hazardous wastes through or near this coastal area, whether by land or on
the nearby waters of Long Island Sound.
Solid wastes in this area consist primarily of garbage and refuse from households and
retail stores, and construction debris. As far as is known, no significant quantities of
hazardous wastes enter the local solid waste stream.
III-43
Patterns of garbage and refuse collection and disposal in the coastal area have generally
been such as to have little impact on the resources enumerated in this policy other than
some contribution to street litter (see Policy 39A). However, uncontrolled and illegal
dumping -- a detriment to environmental and scenic values and potentially to public
health -- continues in several locations including vacant lots, parks and the Village leaf
disposal facility at the south end of Flint Park. The replacement of this facility as soon
as possible by a suitable alternative mode of leaf disposal for the Village, and the
restoration of the site, will, among other benefits, help to eliminate this form of pollution
in that scenically attractive and ecologically sensitive location.
Corrective action will be taken by the municipal governments in the affected locations in
a manner that will satisfy the requirements of this policy.
POLICY 39A LITTER AND DOG WASTE SHALL BE STRICTLY
CONTROLLED IN THE COASTAL AREA.
Explanation of Policy
Litter and dog waste create problems of pollution and "uglification" along streets and
shoreline and in conservation and recreation areas in the coastal area. The problem has
numerous sources including: illegal dumping in vacant lots, roadsides, stream beds, etc.;
inadequate containment of household and commercial garbage and refuse before and/or
during collection; wind-scattering of unsecured newspapers; casual discard of consumer
items, chiefly containers and printed matter by individuals; and failure of many persons
walking dogs to clean up after them. Despite municipal laws against these practices and
vigorous anti-litter measures by concerned civic and neighborhood organizations, the
problems remain.
The municipal governments will work with concerned organizations and community
leaders in renewed efforts to deal with these quality-of-life problems more effectively.
They will study the most effective control techniques in comparable communities
including action programs, incentives, penalties, means of enforcement, and educational
efforts at all levels. The most promising and appropriate techniques will be tried locally
and their effectiveness periodically evaluated.
POLICY 40 THE STATE POLICY REGARDING EFFLUENT DISCHARGED
FROM MAJOR STEAM ELECTRIC GENERATING AND
INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES INTO COASTAL WATERS DOES
NOT APPLY TO THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND VILLAGE
OF LARCHMONT.
III-44
POLICY 41 LAND USE OR DEVELOPMENT IN THE COASTAL AREA WILL
NOT CAUSE NATIONAL OR STATE AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
TO BE VIOLATED.
Explanation of Policy
New York's Coastal Management Program incorporates the air quality policies and
programs developed for the State by the Department of Environmental Conservation
pursuant to the Clear Air Act and State laws on air quality. The requirements of the
Clean Air Act are the minimum air quality control requirements applicable within the
coastal area.
According to New York State law, to the extent possible, the State Implementation Plan
will be consistent with coastal lands and water use policies. Conversely, coastal
management guidelines and program decisions with regard to land and water use and
any recommendations considering specific sites for major new or expanded industrial,
energy, transportation, or commercial facilities will reflect an assessment of their
compliance with the air quality requirements of the State Implementation Plan.
According to New York State law, the Department of Environmental Conservation will
allocate substantial resources to develop a regulatory and management program to
identify and eliminate toxic discharges into the atmosphere. The State's Coastal
Management Program will assist in coordinating major toxic control programming efforts
in the coastal regions and in supporting research on the multi-media nature of toxics and
their economic and environmental effects on coastal resources.
POLICY 42 COASTAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILL BE CONSIDERED
IF THE STATE RECLASSIFIES LAND AREAS PURSUANT TO
THE PREVENTION OF SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION
REGULATIONS OF THE FEDERAL CLEAN AIR ACT.
Explanation of Policy
The policies of the State and local Coastal Management Programs concerning proposed
land and water uses and the protection and preservation of special management areas
will be taken into account prior to any action to change prevention of significant
deterioration land classifications in coastal regions or adjacent areas. In addition, the
Department of State will provide the Department of Environmental Conservation with
recommendations for proposed prevention of significant deterioration land classification
designations based upon State and local coastal management programs.
POLICY 43 LAND USE OR DEVELOPMENT IN THE COASTAL AREA MUST
NOT CAUSE THE GENERATION OF SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS
III-45
OF THE ACID RAIN PRECURSORS: NITRATES AND
SULFATES.
Explanation of Policy
The New York Coastal Management Program incorporates the State's policies on acid
rain. As such, the Coastal Management Program will assist in the State's efforts to
control acid rain. These efforts to control acid rain will enhance the continued viability
of coastal fisheries, wildlife, agricultural, scenic and water resources.
POLICY 44 PRESERVE AND PROTECT TIDAL AND FRESHWATER
WETLANDS AND PRESERVE THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM
THESE AREAS.
Explanation of Policy
Freshwater wetlands include marshes, swamps, bogs, and flats supporting aquatic and
semi-aquatic vegetation and other wetlands so defined in the New York State Freshwater
Wetlands Act and the NYS Protection of Waters Act.
Tidal wetlands include the following ecological zones: coastal fresh marsh, intertidal
marsh, coastal shoals, bars and flats, littoral zone, high marsh or salt meadow, and
formerly connected tidal wetlands. These tidal wetland areas are officially delineated on
the Department of Environmental Conservation's Tidal Wetlands Inventory map.
The benefits derived from the preservation of tidal and freshwater wetlands include but
are not limited to habitat for wildlife and fish and contribution to associated aquatic food
chains, erosion, flood and storm control, natural pollution treatment, groundwater
protection, recreational opportunities, educational and scientific opportunities, and
aesthetic open space in developed areas.
Major portions of the wetland complexes in this area (see Map 9), both freshwater and
tidal, are protected as Town conservation areas. Their designation, together with
associated open space, as Wildlife Habitats under Policy 7 and 7A, and as critical
environmental areas will provide added protection against adverse impact from actions
nearby. Further protection will be derived from the Town Freshwater Wetlands law
revised in 1986.
However, the problem of protecting these areas is complicated by municipal boundaries.
In the Premium area, the wetland complex, which is a major factor in local control of
flooding, erosion and pollution, extends beyond the local coastal zone boundary into New
Rochelle. The same is true of the Larchmont Reservoir area. Moreover, as is noted in
the wildlife habitat narrative (Section II at M and N), all three wetland areas lie in
watersheds originating wholly or partly beyond our municipal boundaries and are thus
III-46
vulnerable to upstream impacts beyond local control. Accordingly, the municipal
governments will seek the cooperation of the upstream municipalities in the
implementation of this policy. They will also consider designating additional freshwater
wetlands meriting protection.
The following will be used to determine consistency with this policy:
1. For those wetlands and riparian areas that are serving a significant flood
protection and nonpoint pollution abatement function, this function should
be maintained while protecting the other existing functions as measured by
characteristics such as vegetative composition and cover, hydrology of
surface water and ground water, geological factors, and species
composition.
2. Where feasible, the restoration of preexisting functions of damaged
wetlands and riparian systems in areas where the systems serve or could
serve a significant nonpoint pollution abatement function as well as
promote certain fish and wildlife values should be undertaken (see Policy
44A).
3. The use of engineered and/or native vegetation treatment systems, such as
vegetated filter strips, where these subsystems can serve a significant
nonpoint pollution abatement function should be encouraged.
4. Where possible, 100 foot buffers, at a minimum, should be preserved
around all wetlands.
5. The use of fertilizers and pesticides should be kept to a minimum within
all parts of the Town and Village, with particular concern for areas around
wetlands.
6. The Town and Village should encourage the donation of easements around
wetlands.
POLICY 44A RESTORE TIDAL AND FRESHWATER WETLANDS ALREADY
DAMAGED BY EROSION, SILTATION, AND POLLUTION.
Explanation of Policy
Preservation and protection of wetlands from future damage, mandated by Policy 44,
must be supplemented in this coastal area by measures to restore, insofar as possible,
wetlands already damaged. This policy applies especially to the two tidal wetland
complexes, which have suffered cumulative damage from upstream sources for many
years - the Premium and the Hommocks wetland complexes; but damage to the
III-47
Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking wetland complexes has also occurred and requires
restorative action. A staged program to correct damage from siltation, erosion, and
pollution will therefore be combined with the protective measures under Policy 44 and
with measures under Policy 7 and 7A concerning the wildlife habitats centering on all
these wetlands. This program will be designed and carried out in appropriate
cooperation with the City of New Rochelle
and
wet andVillage
omplexesaand/or of, in whose
the upstream
jurisdictional control major parts of the three
sources of damage to them, are located. Specific implementation measures will be
designed or revised in the light of, but need not in all cases await, the results of the
technical, hydrological, and feasibility studies called for in Policy 14.
III-48
SECTION IV
PROPOSED LAND AND WATER USES AND PROPOSED PROJECTS
SECTION IV: Contents
A. LWRP 1986 and Major Accomplishments 5
1. Zoning 5
2. Habitat Protection 5
3. Legislation 6
B. Recommended Actions to Implement the LWRP 6
1. Land Use- Open Space 7
2. Land Use- Other Sensitive Areas 8
3. Wetlands and Other Natural Resources 8
4. Buffer Areas 9
5. Point and Nonpoint Pollution Control 10
6. Water Quality- Pollution (Monitoring and Control) 12
7. Flood Damage Prevention 12
8. Scenic Protection 13
9. Historic Sites 13
10. Recreational Facilities 13
11. Intermunicipal Watershed Cooperation 13
12. Management Plans for Conservation Areas 14
13. Harbor Management Plan 15
for Larchmont Harbor and Other Waterways
14. Education 15
15. Lobbying Activities 15
IV-3
SECTION IV: PROPOSED LAND AND WATER USES AND PROPOSED PROJECTS
A. LWRP 1986 and Major Accomplishments
The Larchmont-Mamaroneck LWRP, approved by the Department of State in 1986,
enumerated in its Section IV ambitious zoning, planning, and environment
enhancement goals for the two communities. Paramount was the preservation of
open spaces so that flooding and erosion could be mitigated, wildlife habitats
protected, development along the fragile coastline held to a minimum, and the
superb visual quality of the communities maintained (Policy 14 [control of upstream
flooding and erosion], Policies 7, 7A, 44 and 44A [protection of fish and wildlife
habitats and wetlands], and Policies 21 [passive recreation] and 25 [scenic
preservation)).
These goals have been attained to a remarkable degree. In the past eight years, the
following major actions have taken place consistent with the Policies of the LWRP.
(See Sections II and V for more detailed explanations.)
1. Zoning
Mamaroneck upgraded the zoning category along its coastline from R-30 to
R-50, upgraded from R-7.5 to R-30 the area around Hommocks Road
(Hommocks Marsh area), and most recently after an exhaustive environmental
study, zoned two golf course properties, Winged Foot and Bonnie Briar, as
Private Recreation.
Larchmont established a Waterfront District along its coastline with specific
controls on residential development at the Larchmont Yacht Club and the
Larchmont Shore Club, and raised the zoning in all areas to R-50.
2. Habitat Protection
The Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex (lying in the Town,
Village and City of New Rochelle) was designated by New York State as a
Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat.
The Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex, the Larchmont Reservoir-Sheldrake-
Leatherstocking Freshwater Wetlands Complex, and the Premium Salt Marsh
Complex were designated as local Critical Environmental Areas and
registered with New York State.
The Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson, Jr. Conservancy was dedicated
by Larchmont for public use in perpetuity.
IV-5
Westchester County designated roughly the area between Boston Post Road
and the Long Island Sound, which encompasses more than habitats alone, as
a County Critical Environmental Area. Also included in that designation was
the Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson, Jr. Conservancy and the
Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex.
3. Legislation
The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Coastal Zone Management Commission was
established and empowered to review all Type I and Unlisted Actions for
consistency with the LWRP before acceptance by the appropriate boards or
commissions.
Mamaroneck updated and strengthened its Freshwater Wetlands and
Watercourses Law with accompanying map.
A section was added to the Town's Site Plan Review Law requiring zero
increase in the rate of runoff as a result of new development.
An entirely new Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control Law was
enacted by Mamaroneck regulating land disturbing activities and incorporating
the Westchester County Best Management Practices Manual. (In reviewing
applications, the Village's engineer requires the use of the County's Best
Management Practices where appropriate.)
Mamaroneck updated its Environmental Quality Review Law to better reflect
local conditions.
Both the Town and Village amended their Flood Damage Prevention Laws
to reflect new federal mandates. (Mamaroneck's flood map was updated in
1987.)
B. Recommended Actions to Implement the LWRP
With the enactment of the above noted actions, the Town and Village have
embarked on a steady course of environmental protection and enhancement
consistent with the Policies and purposes of the LWRP. However, experience
demonstrates that there are additional local actions to be undertaken that will build
on what has already been done, and serve to reinforce the environmental quality of
the Town and Village as directed by this revised LWRP.
IV-6
1. Land Use - Open Space
a. Background
Of major concern is the problem of flooding, erosion and siltation from
stormwater runoff. The high cost of dealing with this problem has become
more apparent in two instances. The dredging of Gardens Lake in the Town
and the difficulty of disposing of its dredge spoil exceeded by far the original
amounts budgeted for that project. The difficulties presented by the
mandated disposal methods for dredging the Premium River have caused
repeated delays with the proposed costs far outweighing the original
substantial monies granted by the State. Upland development exacerbates the
problem of sedimentation, and nearby highways and roads transport toxic
pollutants via stormwater runoff to our waterways.
Areas of low density development still remain and land use policies should
reflect controls on development so that flooding, erosion and siltation are
mitigated and the cost of coping with siltation does not become so prohibitive
that economic resources to pay for remediation no longer exist.
b. Substantial Areas of Open Space
(1). With the recent and very important zoning of Bonnie Briar and
Winged Foot Golf Courses as Private Recreation, the Town has met,
in large measure, its responsibilities toward mitigating flooding in the
Sheldrake River drainage basin, and maintaining open space for its
ecological, recreational and scenic values.
(2). Areas between and surrounding the two golf courses contain
undeveloped properties of significant size. These localities contain
streams, ponds and springs vital to the retention of water as the land
slopes down toward the Sound. Current zoning is R-30, but some
privately held tracts are two to three acres in size.
(3). Along the Boston Post Road in the Pine Brook-Premium River
watershed are two large nursery properties adjacent to the Premium
marsh which are non-conforming uses in a residential R-7.5 zone.
Intensive residential development in these areas could increase
siltation of Pine Brook and adversely impact the Premium River and
Marsh.
(4). Adjacent to the Larchmont Reservoir between the Reservoir and
the residences on Bonnie Way is an approximately two acre site owned
by the Consolidated Edison Company for a transfer station. This site
IV-7
contains a branch of the Sheldrake River and surrounding wetlands,
part of a highly flood prone area.
c. Recommendations
(1). The Town to consider rezoning of the R-30 areas between and
surrounding Bonnie Briar and Winged Foot Golf Courses so that the
water retention capabilities and scenic value of these areas are
maintained.
(2). The Village to consider rezoning along the Pine Brook-Premium
River in order that the Pine Brook and Premium River retain their
scenic value, and siltation and degradation of these waterways and
surrounding tidal wetlands are avoided.
(3). The Town to investigate the possibility of the granting of a
conservation easement by Consolidated Edison to keep the area
adjacent to the Reservoir as open space.
2. Land Use - Other Sensitive Areas
Recommendations
a. The Village to designate its small beach lot at the narrow eastern
neck of Premium Point as a local Critical Environmental Area (CEA).
b. The Village to designate those portions of the Premium River-Pine
Brook that have not previously been designated CEA so that it is
brought into conformity with the Westchester County designated CEA.
3. Wetlands and Other Natural Resources
a. Background
In the spring of 1993, the Town commissioned aerial photographs of its
boundaries which should result in a two-foot contour map of the
Unincorporated Area. Impetus for this action came from the Surface Water,
Erosion and Sediment Control Law, which requires applicants for building
permits to prepare sediment control plans given the contours of the area
under consideration. The resulting map will be available for their purchase.
IV-8
b. Recommendations
(1). The Town's current Freshwater Wetlands Map uses the tax
assessor's map as a base. Once the Town has acquired the contour
map, a new Freshwater Wetlands map should be drawn, more
accurately delineating wetlands areas. This map would then be added
to an amended Freshwater Wetlands Law.
(2). The Conservation Advisory Commission's Natural Resources
Inventory Map was last revised in 1977. The Town's new map,
mentioned above, should enable that Commission to revise the
Inventory Map and better depict remaining open spaces, wetlands,
streams, ponds and recommended areas for protection.
(3). The Town and Village shall preserve all remaining natural
wetlands (freshwater, tidal) and floodplains (riparian areas). These
areas retain and filter water, prevent erosion and siltation, are the
spawning grounds for marine organisms and feeding places for fish and
wildlife.
(4) The Town and Village to review the State's Tidal Wetlands
Law and its effectiveness regarding local wetlands.
4. Buffer Areas
a. Background
"Stormwater Management Guidelines for New Development"prepared by the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recommends
that "Care should be exercised to ensure that riparian vegetation, including
grasses, shrubs and trees in the stream corridor or along the watercourse,
remain undisturbed during land clearing, land grading and land development".
b. Recommendations
(1). The Town and Village to study the efficacy of buffer zones to
preserve and protect sensitive areas.
(2). The Town and Village and associated conservation groups to
encourage further public education and increased awareness of the
value of undisturbed natural vegetation as it may exist along
watercourses in developed and undeveloped parcels.
IV-9
(3). Research should be conducted focusing greater attention on the
value of vegetated buffers as they relate to the protection of lands and
water bodies in the vicinity of our Critical Environmental Areas.
5. Point and Nonpoint Pollution Control
a. Background
Federal, State and County studies on water quality and nonpoint pollution
should result in an increase in governmental regulations to restore the water
quality of Long Island Sound through improved sewage treatment, and control
of polluted runoff by dealing with these problems at their source.
The federally funded, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administered
Long Island Sound Study (LISS) has completed its Comprehensive
Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The results of a computer
model of the Sound's waters undertaken by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are anticipated this year.
The reauthorized Federal Coastal Management Act requires all States with
Coastal Management Programs to establish nonpoint source programs
approved by the EPA and NOAA (Section 6217). The New York State
Department of State must have its program approved by 1996 to be fully
implemented by January 1999, and additional measures implemented by
January 2004, when the efficacy of the original 1999 measures have been
evaluated.
The Westchester County Executive's Citizens Committee on Nonpoint Source
Pollution made specific recommendations concerning land use controls to
mitigate polluted runoff. It is expected that the County will implement these
recommendations on its properties and work with the localities to educate
them to institute similar measures in their communities. Because of the
siltation and polluted stormwater runoff that occurs in our communities, steps
can be taken locally to mitigate these hazards.
The Town's recently enacted Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control
Law was a giant step forward in combating and minimizing pollution of
coastal waters by runoff of excess nutrients, organics, and eroded soils.
b. Recommendations
(1). Elimination of storm drain-sanitary sewer connections. Town and
Village to continue to give high priority to elimination of illegal
connections of storm drains to sanitary sewers, whether on private or
IV-10
municipal property, in cooperation with State and Westchester County
agencies.
(2). The Town should require golf courses to develop an integrated
pest management plan which adopts an organic approach and includes
a surface and groundwater monitoring program. Use of synthetic
fungicides should be discouraged.
(3). The Town should consider the use of wet ponds and artificial
wetlands to deal with upstream sedimentation settling in Gardens
Lake,the Larchmont and Mamaroneck Reservoirs, Goodliffe Pond and
the Pine Brook/Premium River with intermunicipal cooperation and
support. (See "Intermunicipal Watershed Cooperation")
(4). On-site sanitary systems. Town and Village to require
replacement of on-site sanitary systems by connection to public sewers
wherever possible without unreasonable cost. Alternatively, the most
effective and pollution-free on-site system should be used with
post-installation monitoring by municipal authorities to assure
performance.
(5). Large Silt Traps. Silt, trash, and other pollutants, as was noted in
Section II, enter the Premium and Hommocks marshes from upstream
sources. The Town and Village should study the feasibility of using
large silt traps, equipped with oil collars and trash racks at the outlets
of the Premium River, Pine Brook, and East Creek.
(6). Litter and dog waste. Town and Village to study effective
approaches to control these nuisances with a view to new legislative,
administrative, and/or community action.
(7). Illegal dumping. Town and Village to upgrade enforcement of
laws forbidding dumping on or near public property.
(8). Vessel waste discharges. Town and Village to keep the problem
of waste discharges from vessels in coastal waters under continuing
review, and take any necessary steps to comply with applicable laws
and regulations.
IV-11
6. Water Quality - Pollution (Monitoring and Control)
a. Background
The Town and Village do a limited amount of water quality testing. The
Conservation Advisory Commission retains a consultant who monitors mainly
for indices of coliform contamination. The County Health Department is
notified when high coliform counts are found and they are asked for
assistance in tracking the problem. Project Riverwatch monitors water quality
at the Reservoir. The Town and Village continue their efforts at controlling
non-point pollutants from entering stormwater by routine street sweeping and
periodic cleaning of catch basins.
b. Recommendations
(1). Water quality testing and monitoring should include all of the
waterways within our borders such as East Creek, the Premium River-
Pine Brook, Gardens Lake and Larchmont Harbor.
(2). Town and Village to continue to develop, with County agencies,
a systematic program to inspect, monitor, and report on water quality
for the entire watersheds of which the Town and Village are only one
part. Town and Village should pressure the County to implement its
nonpoint source pollution recommendations so that all upstream
communities comply with the County's Best Management Practices.
(3). Standby water supply. Village could seek necessary cooperation
of upstream municipalities and County government, in order to
maintain Sheldrake Lake water quality classification "A" required for
standby water supply.
7. Flood Damage Prevention
Recommendation
The Town to request that the FEMA maps be revised to reflect the data
found in the recent "Sheldrake River Watershed Hydrologic Study".
IV-12
8. Scenic Protection.
Recommendation
Town and Village to enhance protection of scenic values by applying the siting
and development guidelines in Policy 25, and by appropriate emphasis on
preserving open space for its environmental and scenic value.
9. Historic Sites.
a. Background
Policy 23 lists numerous areas and structures meriting preservation due to
their historical, architectural, cultural or archaeological significance. It
commits the Town and Village to establish appropriate procedures for
designation of such sites for protection or restoration, including the
encouragement of the Larchmont Historical Society's efforts to list sites in this
area on the National or State Register of Historic Places.
b. Recommendation
A reconnaissance level survey, followed by an intensive survey, of historic
resources and archaeological sites in the Town and Village should be
undertaken in order to have sufficient data to make educated land use
decisions.
10. Recreational Facilities.
Recommendation
Town and Village to take such steps regarding land use as may be appropriate
to prevent reduction of existing waterfront recreational facilities or of access
thereto.
11. Intermunicipal Watershed Cooperation.
a. Background
The NYS Department of State is preparing its first Long Island Sound
Regional Coastal Management Program (CMP) addressing the needs and
priorities of the shorelines of Westchester, the Bronx, Queens, Nassau and
Suffolk Counties. When complete, this LIS CMP will replace the State CMP
for this area. However, this Program does not address upstream watershed
IV-13
management problems, and the Town and Village will have to look to
Westchester County to address those needs.
b. Recommendations
(1). Westchester County should be requested to amend its Critical
Environmental Area Law so that notification of actions impacting
more than one municipality is given to all affected municipalities, and
a mechanism for intermunicipal consistency and environmental quality
review is added to that law.
(2). Town and Village to participate in intermunicipal mechanisms for
better control of flooding, erosion, and siltation through coordinated
planning and management of shared watersheds, particularly the Pine
Brook-Premium, Sheldrake and Mamaroneck drainage basins, and
work with the County Soil and Water Conservation District and other
concerned agencies to that end.
(3). Town and Village to participate in cooperative efforts with
neighboring municipalities and concerned County agencies to control
chemical and organic pollution affecting the coastal zone, including
timely repair of County sewers and construction of adequate sound
shore sewage treatment facilities.
(4). Town and Village to encourage the proper use and maintenance
of Saxon Woods Park by Westchester County.
12. Management Plans for Conservation Areas
a. Background
The Town and Village hired a naturalist consultant who surveyed the
Hommocks Marsh, the Premium River-Pine Brook Area, and the Reservoir-
Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Complex reporting on the birds,wildlife and flora.
He also drafted a Management Plan for the Reservoir-Sheldrake-
Leatherstocking Critical Environmental Area (CEA) and a Management
Report for the Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex CEA (see Section IX
Appendices H and I) recommending actions that should be taken to maintain
and enhance these areas. This was a joint project of the Coastal Zone
Management Commission and the Conservation Advisory Commission.
IV-14
b. Recommendations
(1). The above naturalist's recommendations should be considered for
implementation to prevent these sensitive areas from further
deterioration.
(2). Management plans should become a regular part of Critical
Environmental Area maintenance.
13. Harbor Management Plan for Larchmont Harbor and Other Waterways
a. Recommendations
(1). The Village and its waterfront clubs should study the benefits of
establishing a Harbor Management Plan for Larchmont Harbor. (Also
see 5 b.(8) above).
(2). The Village and Town to study the issue of restricting the size of
docks especially in its coves and embayments. The Village of
Mamaroneck should be invited to participate in this effort.
(3). The Village to encourage Westchester County to implement a
"Feasibility Study of a Cooperative Harbor Maintenance Program"
projecting dredging needs for the five Sound shore communities and
proposing an effort to accomplish same.
14. Education
Recommendation
Town and Village to develop training sessions for volunteers who serve on
various Commissions to inform them of the environmental aspects of their
respective municipalities and how local laws address those issues.
15. Lobbying Activities
Recommendations
a. The Town and the Village through their designated environmental
organizations should monitor proposed legislation at all levels of government
and be prepared to approve, disapprove or suggest improvements to these
proposed laws.
IV-15
b. The CZMC should pay particular attention to proposed changes to the
State's Waterfront Revitalization legislation,which created the local programs,
and make comments on any proposed changes from the standpoint of the
CZMC experience in implementing the local program. The CZMC should
support an amendment to the consistency portion of the State law which
would mandate that actions of a municipality impacting on a neighboring
municipality with an approved LWRP should be subject to consistency review
by the LWRP municipality. In addition, County and school districts should
be subject to consistency review.
IV-16
SECTION V
TECHNIQUES FOR LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION V: Contents
A. Summary 5
B. Local Laws and Regulations Pertinent to the LWRP
1. Architectural Review 5
2. Coastal Zone Management Commission 6
3. Conservation Area Regulations 6
4. Consistency 6
5. Critical Environmental Areas 6
6. Dog Waste 7
7. Dumping 7
8. Flood Damage Prevention 8
9. Freshwater Wetlands 8
10. Incinerators 8
11. Larchmont Reservoir 9
12. Litter 9
13. Parks 9
14. Satellite Earth Station .9
15. Sewers 9
16. Signs 10
17. Site Plan Approval 10
18. State Environmental Quality Review 11
19. Subdivision Regulations 11
20. Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control 11
21. Trees 12
22. Zoning 12
C. Local Law to Establish the Coastal Zone Management Commission 13
D. Other Laws and Directives Which Serve to Implement the LWRP
1. Comprehensive Master Plans 16
2. County Critical Environmental Areas 17
3. New York State and Federal Regulations
a. Coastal Erosion Hazard Area 17
b. Tidal Wetlands 17
c. Significant Habitats 18
d. Stream Protection Act 18
e. Reauthorization of Federal Coastal Zone Act 18
f. Long Island Sound Regional Coastal Management Programl8
E. Financial Resources Necessary to Implement the LWRP 19
F. Local, State and Federal Compliance
1. Local 19
2. State 19
3. Federal 19
V-3
SECTION V: TECHNIQUES FOR LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM
A. Summary
This section specifies the local legal, administrative, managerial and financial
techniques by which the LWRP is to be carried out by the Town of Mamaroneck and
Village of Larchmont.
Part B, Local Laws and Regulations Pertinent to the LWRP describes legislative
means in both municipalities, including local laws and regulations that existed prior
to the adoption of the LWRP that are used in implementing the Program, and
amendments to those laws and new laws that were enacted as a result of the LWRP
planning process (amendments and new laws are indicated with an asterisk). For
each item listed, an explanation is given of its application to particular LWRP
Policies.
Part C, Local Law to Establish the Coastal Zone Management Commission
delineates the management structure, the Coastal Zone Management Commission,
which was created to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the LWRP
under the joint authority of the two municipal governments.
Part D, Other Laws and Directives Which Serve to Implement the LWRP includes
the Mamaroneck-Larchmont Master Plan, which serve to implement the LWRP.
Part E, Financial Resources Necessary to Implement the LWRP discusses the
financial resources that will be provided locally or sought elsewhere to implement
special projects and other actions with financial implications as well as the costs of
day-to-day management.
Part F describes local, New York State and Federal consistency in relation to the
LWRP.
B. Local Laws and Regulations Pertinent to the LWRP. (Laws passed specifically to
implement the LWRP are indicated with an asterisk.)
1. Architectural Review
a. Town Local Law No.7, 1990 creates a Board of Architectural Review with
power to grant or deny permits "to encourage quality exterior building design
and good appearance and to relate such design and appearance to the sites
and surroundings of structures" for commercial properties. Town zoning law,
Chapter 89, requires application to the Town Board for special use permits
to change architectural design or landscaping in specified respects.
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b. Village Code created a Board of Architectural Review in 1975 with power
to deny permits for building or alteration to commercial or residential
properties that would, if granted, result in monotonous similarity, visual
offensiveness or discord, or impair enjoyment or value of property.
c. Application: Scenic values (Policy 25).
2. Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC)*. Also see Part C.
Town Local Law No. 4, 1986 Chapter 15A and Village Local Law No. 4, 1986
Chapter 253, both enacted on June 30, created a bi-municipal Coastal Zone
Management Commission to coordinate and monitor the implementation of
the LWRP.
3. Conservation Area Regulations
Town Law, Chapters 16 and 17, creates a Conservation Advisory Commission
(CAC) on which the Town and the Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck
are represented, designates certain Conservation Areas under the CAC's
supervision, and directs that these be maintained in their natural state. A
resolution adopted in September 1983 dedicated these areas as permanent
parkland.
a. Application: Policies 7/7A, 14, 19, 20, 21 and 25.
4. Consistency*
The consistency law, adopted on June 30 as Town Local Law No. 5, 1986 and
Village Local Law No. 5, 1986 Chapter 292, requires that local government
actions, including granting of permits, be consistent to maximum extent
practicable with the policies and purposes of the LWRP, and establishes
procedures to assure such consistency.
a. Application: All Policies.
5. Critical Environmental Areas
a. Several environmentally vulnerable areas were designated as Critical
Environmental Areas (CEA)by the Town and Village as defined under Policy
7A. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (see below), any
"unlisted" action in, or substantially contiguous to, a CEA must be treated as
a "Type I" action, requiring special scrutiny for environmental effects.
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Town Local Law No. 8, 1986 adopted on June 30 amended the Environmental
Quality Review law Chapter 23 to name three CEA. In 1989, two of these
areas were renamed by the Town so that the names were more descriptive of
the areas comprised:
1. The Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex (formerly
The Premium Salt Marsh Complex);
2. The East Creek-Hommocks Area (formerly The Hommocks
Salt Marsh Complex);
3. The Larchmont Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking
Freshwater Wetland Complex.
b. Larchmont Local Law No. 7, 1986, Chapter 254 Article I, adopted on June
30 refers to the Village portion of the first two CEA as the Pine Brook-
Premium Border and the Hommocks Border.
c. The 900 foot above-ground section of East Creek, which runs
approximately along the Town-Village border, was added by the Town as
Local Law No.4, 1987, Chapter 23, and by the Village as Local Law No. 3,
1987 making this area part of The East Creek-Hommocks Area CEA.
d. Application: Policies 7/7A, 11, 14, 44, 44A.
6. Dog Waste
a. Town Law, Chapter 6, Article II, requires dog-walkers to immediately
remove feces and forbids putting feces in storm drains.
b. Village Law No. 5, 1981 is similar.
c. Application: Policy 39A.
7. Dumping*
a. Town Local Law No. 6, 1987, Chapter 22, was enacted because "of a
growing problem of dumping rubbish and discarded materials on various
properties of the Town, including several park and recreation areas...."
b. Village Code, Chapter 255, makes similar provisions. All dumping must
take place in a Village designated area.
c. Application: Policy 39A
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8. Flood Damage Prevention Laws and Map
a. In accordance with Federal mandate, the Town updated its Flood Damage
Prevention Law (Local Law No.3, 1988), which sets construction controls on
building in flood plain areas, Coastal High Hazard and pertaining
Areas building
in the State designated
recommendation of the CZMC, the new law contains language allowing for
extension of the flood plain if new conditions and new studies show that such
extension is merited. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
published new Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Unincorporated Town in
September 1989 (Local Law No. 5, 1989, Chapter 28).
b. Similarly, the Village updated its Flood Damage Prevention Law, Local
Law No. 2, 1987, Chapter 266. This law sets the same building standards, as
contained in the Town law for construction in flood plain areas, and is based
on the Village's Federal Flood Insurance Rate Map of 1984.
c. Application: Policies 5, 11 and 14; also 7/7A, 44.
9. Freshwater Wetlands Laws
*a. The Town adopted a Freshwater Wetlands and Watercourses Protection
Law, Local Law No. 7, 1986, Chapter 88, which preserves and protects locally
mapped wetlands of less than 12.4 acres. That law was amended by Local
Law No. 5, 1988 so that an application for a freshwater wetlands permit is
made to the Building Inspector rather than the Town Clerk. However, the
power to grant such permits remained with the Planning Board subject to the
approval of the Consulting or Town Engineer.
b. Village Code is outdated by recent amendments to State law and requires
revision.
c. Application: Policies 7/7A, 13, 14, 44, 44A.
10. Incinerators
Town Local Law No. 3, 1992 protects public health and safety by prohibiting
burning in incinerators.
Village apartments no longer have incinerators.
Application: Policy 30.
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11. Larchmont Reservoir
Village Law No. 4, 1984 dedicates in perpetuity the Larchmont Reservoir
property to public uses such as conservation area, wildlife, preserve, nature
study area, reservoir, standby water supply, flood control, education area, and
other compatible uses.
Application: Policies 7/7A, 14, 19, 21, 38, 44, 44A.
12. Litter
a. Town Law, Chapter 30, (Garbage and Rubbish) prohibits littering on
public property and on private property adjacent to public places.
b. Village Code, Chapter 147, also prohibits littering on public and private
property.
c. Application: Policy 39A.
13. Parks
Town Law, Chapter 55, prohibits littering or inflicting harm on wildlife, birds
or plants in Town parks.
Application: Policies 7/7A, 25, 39A.
14. Satellite Earth Stations
a. Village Law No. 7, 1984 sets standards for size, position, color, etc. of
satellite earth stations (dish antennae) and requires special permit for such
devices exceeding 18" diameter. Purpose is to prevent eyesores.
b. Town zoning ordinance with limits on size and height of structures can
apply to dish antennas.
c. Application: Policy 25.
15. Sewers
a. Town Law, Chapter 60 (Plumbing Code): Article VIII requires that liquid
wastes from any plumbing system be discharged into public sewers; Article
XII prohibits any connection with any storm water drain or with any stream
or watercourse within the Town for the removal of sewage from any premises;
and prohibits surface water from the ground, or from the cellar or roof of any
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building, to enter any pipe or drain that discharges into any fixture or trap
connected with the public sewer; Article XIV mandates that such drainage
shall be discharged into a storm drain.
b. Village Code forbids connection of roof leaders, water drainage pipes or
storm water drains to the sanitary sewer system and requires that those so
connected shall be disconnected and drainage rearranged as directed by the
Village Engineer.
c. Application: Policy 33A.
16. Signs
a. Town Law, Chapter 14, Article XIX (building code) regulates appearance
of signs in commercial areas, and Local Law No. 7, 1990 directs that the
Board of Architectural Review give its approval. Signs are forbidden in
residential areas with some exceptions. Chapter 3 prohibits posting of bills,
placards, etc. on public property.
b. Village Code regulates appearance of signs in commercial districts subject
to Board of Architectural Review approval, and forbids most signs in
residential areas.
c. Application: Policy 25.
17. Site Plan Approval
a. Town Local Law No. 3, 1984 requires that a plan for any proposed
development and use of land be submitted to the Planning Board
demonstrating that such action is consistent with standards of traffic, parking,
screening and landscaping, environmental quality, drainage and sewage
disposal, as set forth in the law, and is in harmonious relationship with
adjacent uses.
*b. Town Local Law No.6, 1986 (Chapter 66A) amended Local Law No. 3-
1984 to set new limits on stormwater runoff from new development "so that
there will be no measurable increase in erosion or flooding". Generally, on
sites of 10,000 square feet or more, overflow from the site is to be limited to
zero increase in the rate of runoff.
c. Village Code (Chapter 283) requires applicants fc: building permits to
submit detailed site plans to the Planning Commission, and sets criteria for
approval including drainage, preservation of natural features, screening and
landscaping, etc.
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*d. Village Local Law No.6, 1986 amended Chapter 283 and similarly
controlled and regulated the rate of runoff in new development.
e. Application: Policies 5, 11 and 14.
18. State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Laws
a. Town Local Law No. 4, 1985, Chapter 23, which repealed and replaced the
original local State Environmental Quality Review law of 1977, provided for
environmental quality review under procedures laid down in the State SEQR
law of actions that may significantly affect the environment. The Town law
was again revised in 1989 and became the Mamaroneck Environmental
Quality Review law (MEQR), Local Law No. 4, 1989. The amendment
helped to better define those actions subject to consistency review.
b. Village Code included a SEQR law adopted in 1976. This law was
updated when the Village adopted the New York State SEQR regulations
promulgated in 1987-88.
c. Application: As supplement to State EQR law, Town law provides local
criteria for processing permit applications for projects that could produce
runoff, siltation, pollution, etc. damaging to natural or built environment.
(Policies 7/7A, 11, 14, 18, 23, 25, 30, 44, 44A, among others.)
19. Subdivision Regulations
Town and Village regulations for approval of subdivision plats, issued by the
Planning Board, require developers to (among other things) provide for
drainage, water, sewerage, traffic, parks and playgrounds.
a. Application: Same as for zoning laws below.
20. Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control*
a. Town Local Law No. 8, 1992 safeguards persons, protects property,
prevents damage to the environment and promotes public welfare by guiding,
regulating and controlling the design, construction, use and maintenance of
any development or other activity which disturbs or breaks the topsoil or
results in movement of earth.
b. The Village, as of this date, has not adopted a similar law (see Section IV
at 5 b(2) and requires use of Westchester County Best Management Practices
through its Site Plan review process.
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c. Application: Policy 37
21. Trees, Protection of
a. Town Law No. 10, 1985 (Chapter 76) prohibits destruction of any tree
above specified size without a permit; creates a Tree Preservation
Commission with power to grant permits under specified criteria and
procedures. This law was twice amended (Local Law No. 6, 1990 and again
in 1991) to clarify the purpose and intent of the law.
The Village adopted its Street and Park Trees Local Law No. 8 in 1981, and
amended it by adding penalties for offenses for tree removal by enacting
Local Law No. 5, 1988.
b. Application: Policies 7/7A, 14, 25, 37.
22. Zoning
a. Town law, Chapter 89, establishes land use and density controls in
specified zones in accordance with a comprehensive plan to guide the growth
and development of the Unincorporated Area, and prescribes rules and
procedures regarding nonconforming uses, variances, appeals, etc. Village
Code, Chapter 295, establishes comparable zoning patterns and procedures
for the Village.
*b. Concurrent with its approval of the LWRP, the Town amended its
Zoning Law in 1986 to require larger building lot sizes in two areas:
(1). lot size in the Hommocks Middle School area was increased from
R-7.5 to R-30 in order to conform to adjacent land uses and to afford
protection to the Hommocks Marsh against adverse development. In
1988, a portion of this area along Rock Ridge Road was restored to its
former R-7.5 status since the higher zoning had made all properties
there nonconforming.
(2). Zoning of the private residential areas on the Town portions of
the coastline, Hommocks Peninsula and Premium Point, was raised
from R-30 to R-50 in order to preserve the scenic low density
character of the coastline, and minimize impact on local ecosystems.
*c. The Village amended its Zoning Law with Local Law #3-1991. (A
detailed history of this law can be found in the fourth and fifth Annual
Reports. This law created a new Waterfront District (W) with R-50 zoning
(minimum lot size 50,000 square feet) encompassing all properties fronting
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directly on the open water of Long Island Sound and Larchmont Harbor. The
W District extends from Cedar Island west to the edge of the Premium Mill
Pond and includes the Larchmont Yacht Club, the Larchmont Shore Club and
Manor Park. Notable amendments include "no structure shall be located
within 100 feet of the water's edge" and reduced lot coverage by principle
structures, paved or impermeable surfaces.
On the club properties (Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont Shore Club,
Manor Park), only clubs are permitted as a matter of right, but single family
homes may be developed by special permit from the Village Board. Lots for
such homes may be as small as 30,000 square feet if the number of homes is
no more than would be allowed under the R-50 rule, and if this would better
preserve the natural and scenic qualities of the site.
d. Application: Essential to land use controls in Section IV-A and to the
policies to which they relate regarding flood control, protection of habitats
and wetlands, scenic values, especially 7/7A, 11, 14, 25, 44, 44A.
C. Local Law to Establish the CZMC
1. Background:
Design of an effective management structure for the implementation of this Program
had to take into account its bi-municipal character, as well as the fact that no
municipal or intermunicipal body existed with the overall responsibility for the wide
range of activities covered by the Policies in Section III and the actions in Sections
IV and V. Physical activities affecting the Coastal Zone are dealt with primarily by
the municipal engineers and public works departments of the two municipalities,
supported by various committees responsible for recreation, parks and trees,
beautification, etc. Land use and related functions are primarily the responsibility
of the two municipalities' respective Planning Boards and Zoning Boards, each
functioning within its own municipal boundaries. The conservation areas, water
quality monitoring, and protection of the freshwater wetlands are the responsibility
of the Townwide Conservation Advisory Commission assisted by the Town
Conservation Department. All these bodies, as their duties require, work in
cooperation with local nongovernmental groups (see list in Section II) and with the
local schools.
Since no part of this pattern fitted the unique requirements of LWRP planning, a
Coastal Zone Management Committee (CZMC) was created by the Village of
Larchmont in September 1982 to undertake the drafting of an LWRP under a State
planning grant. Soon after, the Town of Mamaroneck also received an LWRP
planning grant. Recognizing the extensive interdependence of the two areas, the
Town and the Village thereupon began working together. The Town Council
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appointed several Town residents to the CZMC, including a co-chairman. Under the
authority of both municipal governments, the CZMC undertook to draft a single
LWRP for the Village of Larchmont and the Unincorporated Area of the Town.
In its drafting work the Committee and its planning consultant conferred with many
of the bodies mentioned above. Moreover, its membership included chairmen or
members of a number of them, notably the Village Planning Commission and Zoning
Board and the Conservation Advisory Commission. Thus the Committee developed
a unique overview of the problems and possibilities facing the two municipalities in
their shared Coastal Zone. This overview function is extremely important and was
provided for in the implementation phase in order to facilitate coordination between
two neighboring municipalities working together in a single Program.
2. Commission Composition:
a. Appointment: Five members are appointed by the Village of Larchmont
and five by the Town of Mamaroneck. The chairman, to serve a one-year
term, is appointed jointly by the Supervisor of the Town and the Mayor of the
Village. The other ten members are appointed for a term of three years and
are eligible for reappointment.
b. Qualifications: Each member serving on appointment by the Village must
be a resident of the Village, and each member serving on appointment by the
Town must be a resident of the Unincorporated Area of the Town. Members
will be chosen for their demonstrated knowledge, ability, and readiness to
serve the Commission in the functions described below, and with due regard
to maintaining among the membership a range of special aptitudes and
expertise relevant to the Commission' s work.
c. Functions and powers: The Commission's basic task is to monitor and
coordinate the implementation of the LWRP, its Policies and projects,
including physical, legislative, regulatory, administrative, and other actions
included in the Program. In pursuance of this task the Commission:
(1) Advises the municipal governments on implementation
priorities, work assignments, timetables, and budgetary
requirements of the Program.
(2) Consults with the appropriate departments and professional
staffs of the two municipalities concerning the matters in
subparagraph (1) obtaining reports from them as necessary to
assure implementation of the Program and consistency of local
actions with it.
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(3) Maintains liaison with related municipal bodies (including but
not limited to the Planning Board/Commission, the Zoning
Board of Appeals and the Conservation Advisory Commission)
and with concerned nongovernmental bodies in order to further
the implementation of the LWRP.
(4) Monitors in timely fashion the planned actions of State and
Federal agencies within the Coastal Zone in order to assure
consistency of such actions with the LWRP, and recommend
appropriate action where necessary.
(5) Provides to any board, commission, or other agency of the
Town or Village (including, but not limited to, the Planning
Board/ Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals), in such
manner as may be prescribed by law, its opinion as to whether
and in what respect, a proposed action by, or subject to the
permission of, such body, may be inconsistent with the policies
of the LWRP.
(6) Subject to the approval of the municipal governments, makes
application for funding from State, Federal, or other sources to
finance projects under the LWRP.
(7) Develops and maintains liaison with neighboring municipalities
and with State and County agencies concerned with a view to
strengthening and developing cooperation in, and common
management of, shared drainage basins for flood and pollution
control and other purposes.
(8) Makes an annual report to the municipal governments on
progress achieved and problems encountered during the year,
and recommending such actions as the Commission considers
necessary for the further implementation of the LWRP.
(9) Makes or prepares such reports and communications concerning
the Program to the Department of State and other agencies of
the State of New York, by or on behalf of the municipal
governments, as may be appropriate or required.
(10) Performs such other functions regarding the Coastal Zone as
the Village Board and the Town Board may assign to it from
time to time.
d. Other provisions:
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(1) Members of the CZMC serve without compensation. They are
entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenditures in the
performance of their work, subject to budgetary limitations.
(2) The Commission may engage such professional and clerical help
and purchase such supplies and services as are necessary for its
work, subject to prior budgetary approval by the two
municipalities.
(3) The Commission meets not less than once a month except in
December. Its meetings are open to the public. It keeps and
distributes minutes of its proceedings. A majority of its
members constitute a quorum.
3. Municipal Governments:
To assure timely and coordinated implementation of the Program at the local
government level, the two municipal governments coordinate their policies and
actions as necessary, taking into account the advice and recommendations of the
Commission. For this purpose each municipal government appoints a liaison trustee
or council member to work with the Commission. The liaison members serve as
channels for guidance to the CZMC from their respective governments. They consult
as appropriate with each other, and with their respective governments, on the work
of the Commission, the implementation of the Program, and any questions arising in
that connection that may require action by or guidance from one or both
governments or coordination between the two governments.
D. Other Laws and Directives Which Serve to Implement the LWRP
1. Comprehensive Master Plans
It should be noted that Comprehensive Master Plans were written for the
Village and the Unincorporated Area in 1966 and reviewed in 1976. Among
subjects in that document relevant to the LWRP are open space and
recreation areas. The plans have never been adopted formally by either
municipal government, but recommendations in them have been drawn on in
decisions on land use, parking, traffic, etc. In 1986, the Town and Village
began to update their Master Plan in stages. Phase I, completed in
September 1986, dealt with the eastern portion of the Town and Village.
Phase II, completed in October 1987, dealt with the Boston Post Road.
Traffic, engineering and parking studies were included in the updates.
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2. County Critical Environmental Areas
In 1989, Westchester County enacted a law designating certain areas that are
critical under the State Environmental Quality Review law, but do not lie
wholly within one municipality, and areas that might impact on County
Property as Critical Environmental Areas (CEA), thereby entitling them to
some measure of legal protection against adverse actions in or near them.
The County adopted a "cultural boundary" which is mainly a line mapped
from the Boston Post Road to Long Island Sound. The Premium River-Pine
Brook Wetlands Complex and the Larchmont Reservoir-James G. Johnson,
Jr. Conservancy were also designated County CEAs.
3. New York State & Federal Regulations
a. Coastal Erosion Hazard Area
The Coastal Erosion Management Program of the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) completed in 1991
Coastal Erosion Hazard Area maps for the Town and Village, which are on
file in the respective municipal offices. Both municipalities chose not to enact
local Coastal Erosion Hazard Area laws. Therefore, the State law, which is
basically a permitting process, will be enforced by the DEC. The law
regulates the construction of new homes, modifications and additions to
existing buildings,installation of above-ground and in-ground swimming pools,
construction and restoration of erosion protection structures such as seawalls,
the excavation or dredging of beach material and other actions within the
mapped area.
b. Tidal Wetlands
(1). Actions involving Tidal Wetlands are regulated by NYS law
(Chapter 25) administered by the DEC. The DEC must provide a
map of tidal wetlands and provide applications for the granting of
permits. The law regulates the wetlands and the adjacent area
extending 300 feet landward of the most landward edge of the tidal
wetlands. Principal structures must be set back 75 feet from the edge
of wetlands, and septic tanks must be at least 100 feet landward from
the wetlands edge. The law regulates draining, dredging, any form of
dumping or filling, any pollution and anything which may substantially
alter or impair the function of the wetland. Civil and criminal
penalties may be imposed.
(2). The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers have concurrent jurisdiction over the dredge and fill of
V-17
the waters of the United States. The Fish and Wildlife Service is an
important advisor to these Services Federal wencies ais the eepartment of
tlands ands permits
Agriculture, Soil and Conservation
are reviewed by the State DOS, and must be approved for consistency
with the State's coastal policies.
c. Significant Habitats
New York State mapped, narrated and designated habitats included for
protection in New York State's federally-approved Coastal
Management Program as provided for under 19 NYCRR 602. There
are seven designated Significant iCoastal Fish River-Pine nd Wildlife
Brook Wetlands
Westchester County.
Complex is one of these (see Policy 7).
d. Stream Protection Act
This law prohibits any person from changing, modifying or disturbing
the course of any channel or bed of any stream without obtaining a
permit from DEC. The lawnavigares a ble waters or adjacentermit for yma rhes ckor
dredging or filling in any
wetlands.
e. Reauthorization of Federal Coastal Zone Act
When the Federal Coastal Zone Act was reauthorized in 1990, Section
6217 was added to require all States with coastal management
programs (CMP) to establish NOAA.nonpo1nt source Once thePe programs are
rograms which
must be approved by the EPA and
approved, they will automatically be incorporated into each State's
coastal management and nonpoint source programs. Programs
approved in 1996 must be fully implemented by January 1999, and
additional measures implemented by January 2004 when the efficacy
of the original 1999 program implementations have been evaluated.
Recommendations made in these documents will also impact the
administration of local CMP as well as require changes in regulation
of nonpoint source pollutants flowing into the Sound.
f. Long Island Sound Regional CMP
The Department of State is preparing its first regional Coastal
Management Program (CMP) to address the needs and priorities of
Long Island Sound (LIS), including the shorelines of Westchester, the
Bronx, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. When completed, this
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LIS CMP will replace the New York State CMP for this area. The
regional program will build on programs now being written for the
Sound, and Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs already
accepted. An initial draft of the LIS CMP was circulated in 1994.
E. Financial Resources Necessary to Implement the LWRP
Funding for most projects will come from the budget of the Coastal Zone
Management Commission. The CZMC and the two governments will work together
to pursue funding from other levels of government and other sources when necessary.
F. Local, State and Federal Compliance
1. Local: The Coastal Zone Management Commission will be primarily responsible
for ensuring compliance with and implementation of LWRP policies. It will inform
all agencies, boards, commissions, and officials of the two municipalities, as well as
relevant nongovernmental organizations whose work may be affected by the LWRP
policies, concerning the requirements of the policies affecting them; and it will confer
with them to determine what new actions, if any, are necessary in order to assure
fulfillment of such requirements. Problems or questions that arise from these
discussions will be referred as appropriate to the Town or Village government for
decision or action.
2. State: For State agencies' consistency with the LWRP, the municipalities will rely
primarily on the consistency procedures laid down on pages 14-16 of"Guidelines for
Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs" (Department of State, Albany, October
1982). The Coastal Zone Management Commission will evaluate promptly all
proposed State actions of which it receives notice or of which it becomes aware and
will give timely notice to the Secretary of State and the concerned agency of any
potential conflicts between such actions and the LWRP.
3. Federal: For Federal agencies' consistency with the LWRP, the municipalities will
rely primarily on the principles and procedures described in "State of New York
Coastal Management Program and Final Environmental Impact Statement," U.S.
Department of Commerce, August 1982, pages II-9-1l and 12, in which the
Department of State, State of New York, declares that it "will consult with other
State agencies and local governments before providing its official comment on all
Federal actions and that the basis for all consistency review will specifically include
"local waterfront revitalization programs." The Coastal Zone Management
Commission, on being informed by the Department of State of any Federal action
likely to affect the LWRP, will promptly evaluate and comment on the likely effect
of such action.
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In this connection, note is taken of the provision of Department of State Regulation
600.4, regarding initial review of actions by State agencies under Article 42 of the
Executive Law, that "for purposes of this part, planning or rulemaking actions which
affect land or water in the coastal area shall be deemed to be located therein."
(Emphasis added.) Because of the topography of the Westchester Sound shore,
actions inland and upstream, beyond the coastal area of the two municipalities, can
seriously affect land and water in this coastal area. Consequently, such proposed
actions by State agencies, when likely to produce such an effect, should be made
known to the Coastal Zone Management Commission in a timely fashion for its
evaluation and comment.
V-20
SECTION VI
STATE AND FEDERAL ACTIONS AND PROGRAMS
LIKELY TO AFFECT IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION VI: Contents
A. Explanation 7
B. Federal and State Actions and Programs Which Should be Undertaken
in a Manner Consistent with the LWRP
State Agencies:
Office for the Aging 8
Department of Agriculture and Markets 8
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control/State Liquor Authority 8
Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Substance Abuse Services 9
Council on the Arts 9
Department of Banking 9
NYS Bridge Authority 10
Department of Correctional Services 10
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York 10
Department of Economic Development 11
Education Department 11
Energy Planning Board and Energy Office 11
NYS Energy Research and Development Authority 11
Department of Environmental Conservation 11
Air Resources 12
Construction Management 12
Fish and Wildlife 12
Lands and Forest 13
Marine Resources 13
Regulatory Affairs 13
Solid Wastes 14
Water Resources 14
Environmental Facilities Corporation 14
Facilities Development Corporation 15
Office of General Services 15
Department of Health 15
Division of Housing and Community Renewal and Its Subsidiaries 16
and Affiliates
Housing Finance Agency 16
Interstate Sanitation Commission (regional agency) 16
Job Development Authority 16
Medical Care Facilities Financing Agency 16
Office of Mental Health 16
Office of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities 17
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (regional agency) 17
Division of Military and Naval Affairs 17
Natural Heritage Trust 17
VI-3
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (including 17
Regional State Park Commission)
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (regional agency) 18
Power Authority of the State of New York 18
NYS Science and Technology Foundation 18
Department of Social Services 18
Department of State 18
State University Construction Fund 19
State University of New York 19
NYS Thruway Authority (regional agency) 19
Department of Transportation 19
Urban Development Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates 20
Division of Youth 21
Federal Agencies:
Direct Federal Activities and Development Projects
Department of Commerce
National Marine Fisheries Services 21
Department of Defense
Army Corps of Engineers 21
Army, Navy and Air Force 21
Department of Energy 21
General Services Administration 22
Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service 22
Mineral Management Service 22
National Park Service 22
Department of Transportation
Amtrak, Conrail 22
Coast Guard 22
Federal Aviation Administration 22
Federal Highway Administration 23
Federal Licenses and Permits
Department of Defense
Army Corps of Engineers 23
Department of Energy
Economic Regulatory Commission 23
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 23
Environmental Protection Agency 24
Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Services 24
Mineral Management Service 24
Interstate Commerce Commission 24
Nuclear Regulatory Commission 25
VI-4
Department of Transportation
Coast Guard 25
Federal Aviation Administration 25
Federal Assistance
Department of Agriculture 25
Department of Commerce 26
Department of Housing and Urban Development 26
Department of Interior 26
Department of Transportation 27
General Services Administration 27
Community Services Administration 27
Small Business Administration 27
Environmental Protection Agency 27
C. State and Federal Actions Necessary to Further the LWRP
State Agencies:
Department of Economic Development 28
Department of Environmental Conservation 28
Office of General Services 28
Job Development Authority 28
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 29
Department of State 29
Council on the Arts 29
Department of Transportation 29
Federal Agencies:
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 29
and Development
Department of the Interior
National Park Service 29
Department of the Treasury 30
Economic Development Administration 30
Department of Transportation
U.S. Coast Guard 30
VI-5
A. Explanation
State and Federal actions will affect and be affected by implementation of the LWRP.
Under State law and the U.S. Coastal Zone Management Act, certain State and Federal
actions within or affecting the local waterfront area must be "consistent" or "consistent
to the maximum extent practicable" with the enforceable policies and purposes of the
LWRP. This consistency requirement makes the LWRP a unique, intergovernmental
mechanism for setting policy and making decisions and helps to prevent detrimental
actions from occurring and future options from being needlessly foreclosed. At the same
time, the active participation of State and Federal agencies is also likely to be necessary
to implement specific provisions of the LWRP.
The first part of this section (Part B) identifies the actions and programs of State and
Federal agencies which should be undertaken in a manner consistent with the LWRP.
This is a generic list of actions and programs, as identified by the NYS Department of
State; therefore, some of the actions and programs listed may not be relevant to this
LWRP. Pursuant to the State Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland
Waterways Act (Executive Law, Article 42), the Secretary of State individually and
separately notifies affected State agencies of those agency actions and programs which
are to be undertaken in a manner consistent with approved LWRPs. Similarly, Federal
agency actions and programs subject to consistency requirements are identified in the
manner prescribed by the U.S. Coastal Zone Management Act and its implementing
regulations. The lists of State and Federal actions and programs included herein are
informational only and do not represent or substitute for the required identification and
notification procedures. The current official lists of actions subject to State and Federal
consistency requirements may be obtained from the NYS Department of State.
The second part of this section (Part C) is a more focused and descriptive list of State
and Federal agency actions which are necessary to further implementation of the LWRP.
It is recognized that a State or Federal agency's ability to undertake such actions is
subject to a variety of factors and considerations; that the consistency provisions referred
to above, may not apply; and that the consistency requirements can not be used to
require a State or Federal agency to undertake an action it could not undertake pursuant
to other provisions of law. Reference should be made to Section IV and Section V,
which also discuss State and Federal assistance needed to implement the LWRP.
B. Federal and State Actions and Programs Which Should be Undertaken in a Manner
Consistent with the LWRP
1. State Agencies
VI-7
OFFICE FOR THE AGING
1.00 Funding and/or approval programs for the establishment of new or expanded
facilities providing various services for the elderly.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS
1.00 Agricultural Districts Program
2.00 Rural Development Program
3.00 Farm Worker Services Programs.
4.00 Permit and approval programs:
4.01 Custom Slaughters/Processor Permit
4.02 Processing Plant License
4.03 Refrigerated Warehouse and/or Locker Plant License
DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL/STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY
1.00 Permit and Approval Programs:
1.01 Ball Park - Stadium License
1.02 Bottle Club License
1.03 Bottling Permits
1.04 Brewer's Licenses and Permits
1.05 Brewer's Retail Beer License
1.06 Catering Establishment Liquor License
1.07 Cider Producer's and Wholesaler's Licenses
1.08 Club Beer, Liquor, and Wine Licenses
1.09 Distiller's Licenses
1.10 Drug Store, Eating Place, and Grocery Store Beer Licenses
1.11 Farm Winery and Winery Licenses
1.12 Hotel Beer, Wine, and Liquor Licenses
1.13 Industrial Alcohol Manufacturer's Permits
1.14 Liquor Store License
1.15 On-Premises Liquor Licenses
1.16 Plenary Permit (Miscellaneous-Annual)
1.17 Summer Beer and Liquor Licenses
1.18 Tavern/Restaurant and Restaurant Wine Licenses
1.19 Vessel Beer and Liquor Licenses
1.20 Warehouse Permit
1.21 Wine Store License
1.22 Winter Beer and Liquor Licenses
1.23 Wholesale Beer, Wine, and Liquor Licenses
VI-8
DIVISION OF ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
1.00 Facilities, construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
2.00 Permit and approval programs:
2.01 Certificate of approval (Substance Abuse Services Program)
3.00 Permit and approval:
3.01 Letter Approval for Certificate of Need
3.02 Operating Certificate (Alcoholism Facility)
3.03 Operating Certificate (Community Residence)
3.04 Operating Certificate (Outpatient Facility)
3.05 Operating Certificate (Sobering-Up Station)
COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
2.00 Architecture and environmental arts program.
DEPARTMENT OF BANKING
1.00 Permit and approval programs:
1.01 Authorization Certificate (Bank Branch)
1.02 Authorization Certificate (Bank Change of Location)
1.03 Authorization Certificate (Bank Charter)
1.04 Authorization Certificate (Credit Union Change of Location)
1.05 Authorization Certificate (Credit Union Charter)
1.06 Authorization Certificate (Credit Union Station)
1.07 Authorization Certificate (Foreign Banking Corporation
Change of Location)
1.08 Authorization Certificate (Foreign Banking Corporation Public
Accommodations Office
1.09 Authorization Certificate (Investment Company Branch)
1.10 Authorization Certificate (Investment Company Change of
Location)
1.11 Authorization Certificate (Investment Company Charter)
1.12 Authorization Certificate (Licensed Lender Change of
Location)
1.13 Authorization Certificate (Mutual Trust Company Charter)
1.14 Authorization Certificate (Private Banker Charter)
1.15 Authorization Certificate (Public Accommodation Office -
Banks)
1.16 Authorization Certificate (Safe Deposit Company Branch)
VI-9
1.17 Authorization Certificate (Safe Deposit Company Change of
Location)
1.18 Authorization Certificate (Safe Deposit Company Charter)
1.19 Authorization Certificate (Savings Bank Charter)
1.20 Authorization Certificate (Savings Bank De Novo Branch
Office)
1.21 Authorization Certificate (Savings Bank Public
Accommodations Office)
1.22 Authorization Certificate (Savings and Loan Association
Branch)
1.23 Authorization Certificate (Savings and Loan Association
Change of Location)
1.24 Authorization Certificate (Savings and Loan Association
Charter)
1.25 Authorization Certificate (Subsidiary Trust Company Charter)
1.26 Authorization Certificate (Trust Company Branch)
1.27 Authorization Certificate (Trust Company-Change of Location)
1.28 Authorization Certificate (Trust Company Charter)
1.29 Authorization Certificate (Trust Company Public
Accommodations Office)
1.30 Authorization to Establish a Life Insurance Agency
1.31 License as a Licensed Lender
1.32 License for a Foreign Banking Corporation Branch
NEW YORK STATE BRIDGE AUTHORITY
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement and other activities related to
the management of land under the jurisdiction of the Authority.
2.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
DORMITORY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1.00 Financing of higher education and health care facilities.
2.00 Planning and design services assistance program.
VI-10
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1.00 Preparation or revision of statewide or specific plans to address State economic
development needs.
2.00 Allocation of the State tax-free bonding reserve.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, demolition or the funding of
such activities.
2.00 Permit and approval programs:
2.01 Certification of Incorporation (Regents Charter)
2.02 Private Business School Registration
2.03 Private School License
2.04 Registered Manufacturer of Drugs and/or Devices
2.05 Registered Pharmacy Certificate
2.06 Registered Wholesale of Drugs and/or Devices
2.07 Registered Wholesaler-Repacker of Drugs and/or Devices
2.08 Storekeeper's Certificate
ENERGY PLANNING BOARD AND ENERGY OFFICE
1.00 Preparation and revision of the State Energy Master Plan.
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
1.00 Issuance of revenue bonds to finance pollution abatement modifications in
power-generation facilities and various energy projects.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement and other activities related to
the management of lands under the jurisdiction of the Department.
2.00 Classification of Waters Program; classification of land areas under the Clean
Air Act.
3.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
4.00 Financial assistance/grant programs:
4.01 Capital projects for limiting air pollution
4.02 Cleanup of toxic waste dumps
4.03 Flood control, beach erosion and other water resource projects
4.04 Operating aid to municipal wastewater treatment facilities
4.05 Resource recovery and solid waste management capital projects
4.06 Wastewater treatment facilities
VI-11
5.00 Funding assistance for issuance of permits and other regulatory activities (New
York City only).
6.00 Implementation of the Environmental Quality Bond Act of 1972, including:
(a) Water Quality Improvement Projects
(b) Land Preservation and Improvement Projects including
Wetland Preservation and Restoration Projects, Unique Area
Preservation Projects, Metropolitan Parks Projects, Open Space
Preservation Projects and Waterways Projects.
7.00 Marine Fin fish and Shellfish Programs.
8.00 New York Harbor Drift Removal Project.
9.00 Permit and approval programs:
Air Resources
9.01 Certificate of Approval for Air Pollution Episode Action Plan
9.02 Certificate of Compliance for Tax Relief - Air Pollution
Control Facility
9.03 Certificate to Operate: Stationary Combustion Installation;
Incinerator; Process, Exhaust or Ventilation System
9.04 Permit for Burial of Radioactive Material
9.05 Permit for Discharge of Radioactive Material to Sanitary Sewer
9.06 Permit for Restricted Burning
9.07 Permit to Construct: a Stationary Combustion Installation;
Incinerator; Indirect Source of Air Contamination; Process,
Exhaust or Ventilation System
Construction Management
9.08 Approval of Plans and Specifications for Wastewater Treatment
Facilities
Fish and Wildlife
9.09 Certificate to Possess and Sell Hatchery Trout in NYS
9.10 Commercial Inland Fisheries Licenses
9.11 Fishing Preserve License
9.12 Fur Breeder's License
9.13 Game Dealer's License
9.14 Licenses to Breed Domestic Game Animals
9.15 License to Possess and Sell Live Game
9.16 Permit to Import,Transport and/or Export under Section 184.1
(11-0511)
9.17 Permit to Raise and Sell Trout
9.18 Private Bass Hatchery Permit
9.19 Shooting Preserve Licenses
VI-12
9.20 Taxidermy License
Lands and Forest
9.21 Certificate of Environmental Safety (Liquid Natural Gas and
Liquid Petroleum Gas)
9.22 Floating Object Permit
9.23 Marine Regatta Permit
9.24 Mining Permit
9.25 Navigation Aid Permit
9.26 Permit to Plug and Abandon (a non-commercial, oil, gas or
solution mining well)
9.27 Permit to Use Chemicals for the Control or Elimination of
Aquatic Insects
9.28 Permit to Use Chemicals for the Control or Elimination of
Aquatic Vegetation
9.29 Permit to Use Chemicals for the Control or Extermination of
Undesirable Fish
9.30 Underground Storage Permit (Gas)
9.31 Well Drilling Permit (Oil, Gas, and Solution Salt Mining)
Marine Resources
9.32 Digger's Permit (Shellfish)
9.33 License of Menhaden Fishing Vessel
9.34 License for Non-Resident Food Fishing Vessel
9.35 Non-Resident Lobster Permit
9.36 Marine Hatchery and/or Off-Bottom Culture Shellfish Permits
9.37 Permits to Take Blue-Claw Crabs
9.38 Permit to Use Pond or Trap Net
9.39 Resident Commercial Lobster Permit
9.40 Shellfish Bed Permit
9.41 Shellfish Shipper's Permits
9.42 Special Permit to Take Surf Clams from Waters other than the
Atlantic Ocean
Regulatory Affairs
9.43 Approval - Drainage Improvement District
9.44 Approval - Water (Diversions for) Power
9.45 Approval of Well System and Permit to Operate
9.46 Permit - Article 15, (Protection of Water) - Dam
9.47 Permit - Article 15, (Protection of Water) - Dock, Pier or
Wharf
VI-13
9.48 Permit - Article 15, (Protection of Water) - Dredge or Deposit
Material in a Waterway
9.49 Permit - Article 15, (Protection of Water) - Stream Bed or
Bank Disturbances
9.50 Permit - Article 15, Title 15 (Water Supply)
9.51 Permit - Article 24, (Freshwater Wetlands)
9.52 Permit - Article 25, (Tidal Wetlands)
9.53 River Improvement District Approvals
9.54 River Regulatory District Approvals
9.55 Well Drilling Certificate of Registration
Solid Wastes
9.56 Permit to Construct and/or Operate a Solid Waste
Management Facility
9.57 Septic Tank Cleaner and Industrial Waste Collector Permit
Water Resources
9.58 Approval of Plans for Wastewater Disposal Systems
9.59 Certificate of Approval of Realty Subdivision Plans
9.60 Certificate of Compliance (Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Facility)
9.61 Letters of Certification for Major Onshore Petroleum Facility
Oil Spill Prevention and Control Plan
9.62 Permit - Article 36, (Construction in Flood Hazard Areas)
9.63 Permit for State Agency Activities for Development in Coastal
Erosion Hazards Areas
9.64 Permit for State Agency Activities for Development in Coastal
Erosion Hazards Areas
9.65 State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit
9.66 401 Water Quality Certification
10.00 Preparation and revision of Air Pollution State Implementation Plan.
11.00 Preparation and revision of Continuous Executive Program Plan.
12.00 Preparation and revision of Statewide Environmental Plan.
13.00 Protection of Natural and Man-made Beauty Program.
14.00 Urban Fisheries Program.
15.00 Urban Forestry Program.
16.00 Urban Wildlife Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES CORPORATION
1.00 Financing program for pollution control facilities for industrial firms and small
businesses.
VI-14
FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES
1.00 Administration of the Public Lands Law for acquisition and disposition of lands,
grants of land and grants of easement of land under water, issuance of licenses
for removal of materials from lands under water, and oil and gas leases for
exploration and development.
2.00 Administration of Article 4-B, Public Buildings Law, in regard to the protection
and management of State historic and cultural properties and State uses of
buildings of historic, architectural or cultural significance.
3.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
2.00 Permit and approval programs:
2.01 Approval of Completed Works for Public Water Supply
Improvements
2.02 Approval of Plans for Public Water Supply Improvements.
2.03 Certificate of Need (Health Related Facility- except Hospitals)
2.04 Certificate of Need (Hospitals)
2.05 Operating Certificate (Diagnostic and Treatment Center)
2.06 Operating Certificate (Health Related Facility)
2.07 Operating Certificate (Hospice)
2.08 Operating Certificate (Hospital)
2.09 Operating Certificate (Nursing Home)
2.10 Permit to Operate a Children's Overnight or Day Camp
2.11 Permit to Operate a Migrant Labor Camp
2.12 Permit to Operate as a Retail Frozen Dessert Manufacturer
2.13 Permit to Operate a Service Food Establishment
2.14 Permit to Operate a Temporary Residence/Mass Gathering
2.15 Permit to Operate or Maintain a Swimming Pool or Public
Bathing Beach
2.16 Permit to Operate Sanitary Facilities for Realty Subdivisions
2.17 Shared Health Facility Registration Certificate
VI-15
DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
AND AFFILIATES
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition.
2.00 Financial assistance/grant programs:
2.01 Federal Housing Assistance Payments Programs (Section 8
Programs)
2.02 Housing Development Fund Programs
2.03 Neighborhood Preservation Companies Program
2.04 Public Housing Programs
2.05 Rural Initiatives Grant Program
2.06 Rural Preservation Companies Program
2.07 Rural Rental Assistance Program •
2.08 Special Needs Demonstration Projects
2.09 Urban Initiatives Grant Program
2.10 Urban Renewal Programs
3.00 Preparation and implementation of plans to address housing and community
renewal needs.
HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
1.00 Funding programs for the construction,rehabilitation, or expansion of facilities.
2.00 Affordable Housing Corporation
INTERSTATE SANITATION COMMISSION (regional agency)
1.00 Adoption and enforcement of air and water pollution standards within the
Interstate Sanitation District.
JOB DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
1.00 Financing assistance programs for commercial and industrial facilities.
MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES FINANCING AGENCY
1.00 Financing of medical care facilities.
OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
2.00 Permit and approval programs:
2.01 Operating Certificate (Community Residence)
VI-16
2.02 Operating Certificate (Family Care Homes)
2.03 Operating Certificate (Inpatient Facility)
2.04 Operating Certificate (Outpatient Facility)
OFFICE OF MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
2.00 Permit and approval programs:
2.01 Establishment and Construction Prior Approval
2.02 Operating Certificate Community Residence
2.03 Outpatient Facility Operating Certificate
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (regional agency)
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
2.00 Increases in special fares for transportation services to public water-related
recreation resources.
DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS
1.00 Preparation and implementation of the State Disaster Preparedness Plan.
NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST
1.00 Funding program for natural heritage institutions.
OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION (including
Regional State Park Commission)
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement or other activities related to
the management of land under the jurisdiction of the Office.
2.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
3.00 Funding program for recreational boating, safety and enforcement.
4.00 Funding program for State and local historic preservation projects.
5.00 Land and Water Conservation Fund programs.
6.00 Nomination of properties to the Federal and/or State Register of Historic
Places.
7.00 Permit and approval programs:
7.01 Floating Objects Permit
7.02 Marine Regatta Permit
7.03 Navigation Aide Permit
VI-17
7.04 Posting of Signs Outside State Parks
8.00 Preparation and revision of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation
Plan and the Statewide Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan and other
plans for public access, recreation, historic preservation or related purposes.
9.00 Recreation services program.
10.00 Urban Cultural Parks Program.
PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY (regional agency)
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement and other activities related to
the management of land under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
2.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
3.00 Waterfront development project activities.
POWER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement and other activities related to
the management of land under the jurisdiction of the Authority.
2.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition.
NEW YORK STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION
1.00 Corporation for Innovation Development Program.
2.00 Center for Advanced Technology Program.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
2.00 Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
3.00 Permit and approval programs:
3.01 Certificate of Incorporation (Adult Residential Care Facilities)
3.02 Operating Certificate (Children's Services)
3.03 Operating Certificate (Enriched Housing Program)
3.04 Operating Certificate (Home for Adults)
3.05 Operating Certificate (Proprietary Home)
3.06 Operating Certificate (Public Home)
3.07 Operating Certificate (Special Care Home)
3.08 Permit to Operate a Day Care Center
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
1.00 Appalachian Regional Development Program.
VI-18
2.00 Coastal Management Program.
3.00 Community Services Block Grant Program.
4.00 Permit and approval programs:
4.01 Billiard Room License
4.02 Cemetery Operator
4.03 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
STATE UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION FUND
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement and other activities related to
the management of land under the jurisdiction of the University.
2.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
of such activities.
NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY/CANAL CORPORATION/CANAL
RECREATIONWAY COMMISSION (regional agency)
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement and other activities related to
the management of land and other resources under the jurisdiction of the
Thruway Authority, Canal Corporation and Canal Recreationway Commission.
2.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition.
3.00 Permit and approval programs:
3.01 Advertising Device Permit
3.02 Approval to Transport Radioactive Waste
3.03 Occupancy Permit
3.04 Permits for use of Canal System lands and waters.
4.00 Statewide Canal Recreationway Plan
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement and other activities related to
the management of land under the jurisdiction of the Department.
2.00 Construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition of facilities, including but
not limited to:
(a) Highways and parkways
(b) Bridges on the State highways system
(c) Highway and parkway maintenance facilities
(d) Rail facilities
3.00 Financial assistance/grant programs:
VI-19
3.01 Funding programs for construction/reconstruction and
reconditioning/preservation of municipal streets and highways
(excluding routine maintenance and minor rehabilitation)
3.02 Funding programs for development of the ports of Albany,
Buffalo, Oswego, Ogdensburg and New York
3.03 Funding programs for rehabilitation and replacement of
municipal bridges
3.04 Subsidies program for marginal branchlines abandoned by
Conrail
3.05 Subsidies program for passenger rail service
4.00 Permits and approval programs:
4.01 Approval of applications for airport improvements(construction
projects)
4.02 Approval of municipal applications for Section 18 Rural and
Small Urban Transit Assistance Grants (construction projects)
4.03 Approval of municipal or regional transportation authority
applications for funds for design, construction and rehabilitation
of omnibus maintenance and storage facilities
4.04 Approval of municipal or regional transportation authority
applications for funds for design and construction of rapid
transit facilities
4.05 Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to Operate a Railroad
4.06 Highway Work Permits
4.07 License to Operate Major Petroleum Facilities
4.08 Outdoor Advertising Permit (for off-premises advertising signs
adjacent to interstate and primary highway)
4.09 Real Property Division Permit for Use of State-Owned
Property
5.00 Preparation or revision of the Statewide Master Plan for
Transportation and sub-area or special plans and studies
related to the transportation needs of the State.
6.00 Water Operation and Maintenance Program--Activities related
to the containment of petroleum spills and development of an
emergency oil-spill control network.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION and its subsidiaries and affiliates
1.00 Acquisition, disposition, lease, grant of easement or other activities related to
the management of land under the jurisdiction of the Corporation.
2.00 Planning, development, financing, construction, major renovation or expansion
of commercial, industrial, and civic facilities and the provision of technical
assistance or financing for such activities, including, but not limited to, actions
under its discretionary economic development programs such as the following:
(a) Tax-Exempt Financing Program
VI-20
(b) Lease Collateral Program
(c) Lease Financial Program
(d) Targeted Investment Program
(e) Industrial Buildings Recycling Program
3.00 Administration of special projects.
4.00 Administration of State-funded capital grant programs.
DIVISION OF YOUTH
1.00 Facilities construction, rehabilitation, expansion, or demolition or the funding
or approval of such activities.
2. Federal Agencies
DIRECT FEDERAL ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Marine Fisheries Services
1.00 Fisheries Management Plans
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Corps of Engineers
1.00 Proposed authorizations for dredging, channel improvements, break-waters,
other navigational works, or erosion control structures, beach replenishment,
dams or flood control works, ice management practices and activities, and other
projects with potential to impact coastal lands and waters.
2.00 Land acquisition for spoil disposal or other purposes.
3.00 Selection of open water disposal sites.
Army. Navy and Air Force
4.00 Location, design, and acquisition of new or expanded defense installations
(active or reserve status, including associated housing, transportation or other
facilities).
5.00 Plans, procedures and facilities for landing or storage use zones.
6.00 Establishment of impact, compatibility or restricted use zones.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
1.00 Prohibition orders.
VI-21
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
1.00 Acquisition, location and design of proposed Federal Government property or
buildings, whether leased or owned by the Federal Government.
2.00 Disposition of Federal surplus lands and structures.
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
1.00 Management of National Wildlife refuges and proposed acquisitions.
Mineral Management Service
2.00 OCS lease sale activities including tract selection, lease sale stipulations, etc.
National Park Service
3.00 National Park and Seashore management and proposed acquisitions.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Amtrak. Conrail
1.00 Expansions, curtailments, new construction, upgrading or abandonments or
railroad facilities or services, in or affecting the State's coastal area.
Coast Guard
2.00 Location and design, construction or enlargement of Coast Guard stations,
bases, and lighthouses.
3.00 Location, placement or removal of navigation devices which are not part of the
routine operations under the Aids to Navigation Program (ATON).
4.00 Expansion, abandonment, designation or anchorages, lightening areas or
shipping lanes and ice management practices and activities.
Federal Aviation Administration
5.00 Location and design, construction, maintenance, and demolition of Federal aids
to air navigation.
VI-22
Federal Highway Administration
6.00 Highway construction.
FEDERAL LICENSES AND PERMITS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Corps of Engineers
1.00 Construction of dams, dikes or ditches across navigable waters, or obstruction
or alteration of navigable waters required under Section 9 and 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401, 403).
2.00 Establishment of harbor lines pursuant to Section 11 of the Rivers and Harbors
Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 404, 405).
3.00 Occupation of seawall, bulkhead, jetty, dike, levee, wharf, pier, or other work
built by the U.S. pursuant to Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
(33 U.S.C. 408).
4.00 Approval of plans for improvements made at private expense under USACE
supervision pursuant to the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1902 (33 U.S.C. 565).
5.00 Disposal of dredged spoils into the waters of the U.S., pursuant to the Clean
Waters Action, Section 404, (33 U.S.C. 1344).
6.00 All actions for which permits are required pursuant to Section 103 of the
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1413).
7.00 Construction of artificial islands and fixed structures in Long Island Sound
pursuant to Section 4(f) of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1912 (33 U.S.C.).
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Economic Regulatory Commission
1.00 Regulation of gas pipelines, and licensing of import or export of natural gas
pursuant to the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717) and the Energy
Reorganization Act of 1974.
2.00 Exemptions from prohibition orders.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
3.00 License for non-Federal hydroelectric projects and primary transmission lines
under Sections 3(11), 4(e) and 15 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796(11),
797(11) and 808).
4.00 Orders for interconnection of electric transmission facilities under Section
202(b) of the Federal Power Act (15 U.S.C. 824a(b)).
VI-23
5.00 Certificates for the construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipeline
facilities, including both pipelines and terminal facilities under Section 7(c) of
the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717f(c)).
6.00 Permission and approval for the abandonment of natural gas pipeline facilities
under Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717f(b)).
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
1.00 NPDES permits and other permits for Federal installations, discharges in
contiguous zones and ocean waters, sludge runoff and aquaculture permits
pursuant to Section 401, 402, 403, 405, and 318 of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1341, 1342, 1343, and 1328).
2.00 Permits pursuant to the Resources Recovery and Conservation Act of 1976.
3.00 Permits pursuant to the underground injection control program under Section
1424 of the Safe Water Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300h-c).
4.00 Permits pursuant to the Clean Air Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 1857).
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Services
1.00 Endangered species permits pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C.
153(a)).
Mineral Management Service
2.00 Permits to drill, rights of use and easements for construction and maintenance
of pipelines, gathering and flow lines and associated structures pursuant to 43
U.S.C. 1334, exploration and development plans, and any other permits or
authorizations granted for activities described in detail in OCS exploration,
development, and production plans.
3.00 Occupation of seawall, bulkhead, jetty, dike, levee, wharf, pier, or other work
built by the U.S. pursuant to Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
(33 U.S.C. 408).
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
1.00 Authority to abandon railway lines (to the extent that the abandonment
involves removal of trackage and disposition of right-of-way); authority to
construct railroads; authority to construct coal slurry pipelines.
VI-24
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
1.00 Licensing and certification of the siting, construction and operation of nuclear
power plans pursuant to Atomic Energy Act of 1954, Title II of the Energy
Reorganization Act of 1974 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
1.00 Construction or modification of bridges, causeways or pipelines over navigable
waters pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 1455.
2.00 Permits for Deepwater Ports pursuant to the Deepwater Ports Act of 1974 (33
U.S.C. 1501).
Federal Aviation Administration
3.00 Permits and licenses for construction, operation or alteration of airports.
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE'
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
10.068 Rural Clean Water Program
10.409 Irrigation, Drainage, and Other Soil and Water Conservation Loans
10.410 Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans
10.411 Rural Housing Site Loans
10.413 Recreation Facility Loans
10.414 Resource Conservation and Development Loans
10.415 Rural Renting Housing Loans
10.416 Soil and Water Loans
10.418 Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities
10.422 Business and Industrial Loans
10.424 Industrial Development Grants
10.426 Area Development Assistance Planning Grants
10.429 Above Moderate Income Housing Loans
10.430 Energy Impacted Area Development Assistance Program
10.901 Resource Conservation and Development
10.902 Soil and Water Conservation
10.904 Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
10.906 River Basin Surveys and Investigations
1 Numbers refer to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Programs,1980 and its two subsequent updates.
VI-25
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
11.300 Economic Development - Grants and Loans for Public Works and
Development Facilities
11.301 Economic Development - Business Development Assistance
11.302 Economic Development - Support for Planning Organizations
11.304 Economic Development - State and Local Economic Development Planning
11.305 Economic Development - State and Local Economic Development Planning
11.307 Special Economic Development and Adjustment Assistance Program - Long
Term Economic Deterioration
11.308 Grants to States for Supplemental and Basic Funding of Titles I, II, III, IV, and
V Activities
11.405 Anadromous and Great Lakes Fisheries Conservation
11.407 Commercial Fisheries Research and Development
11.417 Sea Grant Support
11.427 Fisheries Development and Utilization - Research and Demonstration Grants
and Cooperative Agreements Program
11.501 Development and Promotion of Ports and Intermodel Transportation
11.509 Development and Promotion of Domestic Waterborne Transport Systems
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
14.112 Mortgage Insurance - Construction or Substantial Rehabilitation of
Condominium Projects
14.115 Mortgage Insurance - Development of Sales Type Cooperative Projects
14.117 Mortgage Insurance - Homes
14.124 Mortgage Insurance - Investor Sponsored Cooperative Housing
14.125 Mortgage Insurance - Land Development and New Communities
14.126 Mortgage Insurance - Management Type Cooperative Projects
14.127 Mortgage Insurance - Mobile Home Parks
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants
14.219 Community Development Block Grants/Small Cities Program
14.221 Urban Development Action Grants
14.223 Indian Community Development Block Grant Program
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
15.400 Outdoor Recreation - Acquisition, Development and Planning
15.402 Outdoor Recreation - Technical Assistance
15.403 Disposal of Federal Surplus Real Property for Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Monuments
15.411 Historic Preservation Grants-in-Aid
15.417 Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program
15.600 Anadromous Fish Conservation
VI-26
15.605 Fish Restoration
15.611 Wildlife Restoration
15.613 Marine Mammal Grant Program
15.802 Minerals Discovery Loan Program
15.950 National Water Research and Development Program
15.951 Water Resources Research and Technology - Assistance to State Institutes
15.952 Water Research and Technology - Matching Funds to State Institutes
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
20.102 Airport Development Aid Program
20.103 Airport Planning Grant Program
20.205 Highway Research, Planning, and Construction
20.309 Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement - Guarantee of Obligations
20.310 Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement - Redeemable Preference Shares
20.506 Urban Mass Transportation Demonstration Grants
20.509 Public Transportation for Rural and Small Urban Areas
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
39.002 Disposal of Federal Surplus Real Property
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
49.002 Community Action
49.011 Community Economic Development
49.013 State Economic Opportunity Offices
49.017 Rural Development Loan Fund
49.018 Housing and Community Development (Rural Housing)
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
59.012 Small Business Loans
59.013 State and Local Development Company Loans
59.024 Water Pollution Control Loans
59.025 Air Pollution Control Loans
59.031 Small Business Pollution Control Financing Guarantee
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
66.001 Air Pollution Control Program Grants
66.418 Construction Grants for Wastewater Treatment Works
66.426 Water Pollution Control - State and Areawide Water Quality Management
Planning Agency
VI-27
66.451 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Program Support Grants
66.452 Solid Waste Management Demonstration Grants
66.600 Environmental Protection Consolidated Grants Program Support
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability (Super
Fund)
C. STATE AND FEDERAL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO FURTHER THE LWRP
STATE AGENCIES'
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Any action or provision of funds for the development or promotion of tourism
related activities or development.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
1. Planning, development, construction, major renovation, or expansion of facilities in
waterfront, including recreational improvement projects.
2. Advance assistance under the Small Communities and Rural Wastewater Treatment
Grant Program and a subsequent construction grant subsidy.
3. Review of actions within National Register Districts pursuant to SEQR.
OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES
Prior to any development occurring in the water or on the immediate
waterfront, OGS should be consulted for a determination of the State's interest
in underwater or formerly underwater lands and for authorization to use and
occupy these lands.
JOB DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Provision of low interest mortgage loans to local non-profit development
corporations to finance commercial and industrial facilities.
2 In addition to the State agency actions and programs listed above,important technical support is available from the
Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District,an agency established by the Westchester County government
under New York State law and deriving part of its funding from the State. In cooperation with the County Planning
Department, the District provides technical expertise on hydrological studies, and facilitates municipal and
inter-municipal drainage basin management programs. Its services are important for watershed management and flood
and erosion control throughout the County's coastal regions.
VI-28
OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
1. Planning, development, construction, major renovation, or expansion of recreational
facilities or the provision of funding for such facilities.
2. Provision of funding for State and local activities from the Land and Water
Conservation Fund.
3. Planning, development, implementation or the provison of funding for recreation
services programs.
4. Certification of properties within the National Register Districts.
5. Provision of funding for State and local historic preservation activities.
6. Review of Type I actions within the National Historic Districts.
7. Activities under the Urban Cultural Park program.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
1. Provision of funding for implementation of the LWRP.
2. Provision of funding under the Community Services Block Grant Program.
COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
Assistance from the Architecture and Environmental Arts program for a harborfront
plan.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Assistance for street repairs through the Consolidated Highway Improvements
Program.
FEDERAL AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development
Funding under the Community Development Block Grant Program for
improvements in the waterfront.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
1. Provison of funding under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program.
2. Review of Federal actions within the National Register Districts pursuant to NEPA.
VI-29
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
1. Continuation of Incentives for Qualified Building Rehabilitation.
2. Provision of appropriate tax-exempt status for non-profit agencies active in the
coastal area.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINIS'T'RATION
Assistance under the Public Works and Economic Development Act for street
improvements.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
United States Coast Guard
Maintenance/rehabilitation of facilities.
VI-30
SECTION VII: Contents
A. Adjacent Municipalities 5
B. Westchester County Government 5
C. State of New York 6
1. Department of State
2. Department of Environmental Conservation
D. Resolution of Conflicts 6
VII-3
SECTION VII
CONSULTATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES
SECTION VII: CONSULTATION WITH OTHER AFFECTED FEDERAL, STA 1E,
REGIONAL AND LOCAL AGENCIES
A. Adjacent Municipalities
LWRP planning in this bi-municipal area can affect, and be affected by, policies and
actions of nearby municipalities, both along the Sound shore and directly inland.
Prior to the official acceptance of the LWRP in 1986, useful consultations were held
with the Village of Mamaroneck's Coastal Zone Management Commission,who were
a step ahead in drafting their LWRP. Moreover, the two areas have important
problems in common. Both suffer from upstream flooding involving other
municipalities (including each other); thus, cooperation with each other and with
neighboring municipalities for flood and siltation control has been a basic theme in
LWRP planning for both.
In 1984, contacts were made between the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Coastal Zone
Management Committee and the City of New Rochelle and the Village of Scarsdale,
two municipalities that share watersheds with our communities. Therefore, both
municipalities were able to offer advice and information, and, at the same time, were
better able to understand the purposes of our LWRP and the problems that were
being addressed in its application of policies. When the LWRP was accepted in
1986, these two municipalities had been fully informed of its contents.
B. Westchester County Government
The County Planning Department and the staff of the Westchester County Soil and
Water Conservation District have given useful advice on questions relating to the
LWRP.
The Coastal Zone Management Commission relied heavily on the County's model
Surface Water, Erosion and Sediment Control Law when drafting a local counterpart
enacted by the Town in 1992 (see Section V). Incorporated in that law is the
mandated use of the County's "Best Management Practices" (BMP) manual.
Larchmont also uses that manual, and copies of it are in the Building Departments
of both municipalities.
At the legislative level, County Legislator George Latimer has attended meetings of
the Coastal Zone Management Commission apprising them of County matters that
have an impact on the LWRP. Latimer is also an active member of the County's
Environmental Committee which meets publicly once a week to consider County
environmental concerns, such as problems relating to Long Island Sound water
quality and the administration of County sewer districts. Recommendations for
County actions regarding environmental issues emanate from this Committee.
VII-5
The Commission has also kept informed on contacts between the governments of
Mamaroneck and Larchmont on the one hand, and County agencies on the other,
concerning matters bearing on the LWRP, notably the program to eliminate illegal
sewer connections.
C. State of New York
1. Department of State
From the inception of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program's planning
process in 1982 through its official acceptance in 1986 and the establishment of the
Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC), contact with the Department of
State (DOS) Division of Coastal Resources and Waterfront Revitalization staff has
been continuous and constructive. The CZMC has sought and received advice from
the DOS since 1986. In addition, the DOS has provided invaluable help in drafting
this revision of the original Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
2. Department of Environmental Conservation
Throughout the years, appropriate departments of the Department of Environmental
Conservation have provided information and suggestions regarding local concerns;
for example, questions about SEQRA, registration of Critical Environmental Areas,
Region II water quality in White Plains, interpretation of State laws and regulations
regarding tidal wetlands, freshwater wetlands and Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas.
D. Resolution of Conflicts
No conflicts between the LWRP and the policies or programs of the municipalities
and agencies referred to above are presently known to the Coastal Zone
Management Commission. The consultative relationships here described will be
helpful in resolving any such conflicts that may arise in the future.
VII-6
SECTION VIII
LOCAL COMMITMENT
SECTION VIII: Contents
A. Historical Background 5
B. The Present 6
VIII-3
SECTION VIII: LOCAL COMMITMENT
A. Historical Background
The first step in seeking public commitment in Larchmont to the LWRP was
taken in the choice of individuals appointed by the Village to the Coastal
Zone Management Committee when this body was first established in
September 1982. In addition to several members appointed for their known
interest and expertise in environmental matters, water management and other
relevant subjects, representation was also obtained from concerned private
organizations in the Village including the shoreline clubs and property owners'
groups. Subsequently, when the Committee became a bi-municipal body, the
members appointed by the Town Council -- as well as additional members
appointed by the Village -- included individuals with extensive experience in
local government and community service.
All working meetings of the Committee were held at least once each month,
and were open to the public. Many were attended and addressed by
interested citizens. Prior notice of meetings was routinely sent to the local
news media. The Daily Times (Mamaroneck) and the Soundview News
published numerous articles on the work of the Committee and the LWRP
planning process.
In June 1984 the Committee published as a paid advertisement in the Daily
Times a questionnaire designed to obtain residents' views on the merits and
relative importance of various issues with which the LWRP was expected to
deal. Responses were received from about.40 individuals and were taken into
account by the Committee in its work. One respondent commented: "Bravo!
A survey like this is a very good idea... why not do it every year?" "
On April 27, 1984, and again on November 27, the Committee held
well-publicized public meetings to acquaint interested residents with the
program and to obtain their views on the issues involved. Attendance at the
first meeting was about 75, at the second about 60. Committee members and
the Committee's professional consultant addressed the meetings and answered
questions. In advance of the November 27 meeting the Committee distributed
widely throughout the community a 10-page "Overview" of the draft program.
The Committee did not shy away from controversy when it arose but sought
to deal with it through open discussion and debate. When disagreement arose
in the Village of Larchmont on the issue of a permanent management
structure for the LWRP, opposing views on the subject, written by a member
of the Village Board and the Larchmont co-chairman of the Committee, were
VIII-5
published by the Daily Times in adjoining columns. The issue was later
resolved by negotiation.
Material about the LWRP, both for and against, also appeared in the letters
column of The Daily Times. A notable item in this category was a letter
printed July 10, 1984, from Town Supervisor Dolores Battalia and Village
Mayor Miriam Cumin, supporting the Committee's questionnaire project and
calling the LWRP process "an unparalleled opportunity to plan with
intelligence to nurture and protect the beautiful gift which is our coastal area".
Brief accounts of the LWRP process were printed in the 1984 annual report
of the Tri-municipal Conservation Advisory Commission and in "Facts of Life
in Larchmont," a periodical information bulletin of the Village government.
Members of the Coastal Zone Management Committee participated as
speakers and/or panelists in several meetings organized by local citizens'
organizations: a Larchmont-Mamaroneck forum on coastal zone planning
organized by the local Leagues of Women Voters on October 18, 1984; a
meeting of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Civic Association, a property owners'
group, on March 26, 1985; a Larchmont Rotary Club luncheon, July 12, 1985;
and a League of Women Voters forum on the "Westchester 2000" report (a
County-wide study of long-range issues), November 14, 1985. Discussions
were held for a briefing of realtors in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck area.
Candidates for the Mamaroneck Town Council were briefed on the LWRP
in October 1984 prior to the November election.
In connection with the LWRP planning process, "Coast Week 1984" (October
7 to 14) was proclaimed officially by the Supervisor of the Town of
Mamaroneck and the Mayor of the Village of Larchmont.
The local-access cable TV studio, LMC-TV, produced and broadcast early in
1986 an hour-long program on the LWRP with narrative by CZM Committee
members and on local access cable TV, with footage at locations critical to
the program such as the Larchmont Manor Park, the Larchmont Reservoir,
and the tidal marshes.
B. The Present
Since 1986, the Coastal Zone Management Commission(CZMC) has become
a recognizable and respected presence in Mamaroneck and Larchmont.
Commission meetings are held once a month, and are open to the public. All
proposed Type I and Unlisted actions are reviewed by the CZMC, which only
acts in an advisory capacity, but whose advice is usually taken by the
respective Boards. The advice of the CZMC is also sought by the Building
VIII-6
Departments of both municipalities. Liaisons from the CZMC attend
meetings of the Town and Village Boards, their respective Planning Board,
Zoning Board of Appeal, Board of Architectural Review and local
environmental organizations.
Commission activities are carefully detailed in Annual Reports (see
Appendix), which also list all referrals and their disposition, record other
environmental events and record all matters concerning the LWRP and the
workings of the Commission.
The Mamaroneck-Larchmont Local Waterfront Revitalization Program is a
living document. It is an integral part of the decision-making process when
environmental issues are involved. For these reasons, the 1986 LWRP
required updating.
December 1994
VIII-7
SECTION IX
APPENDICES
SECTION IX: Contents
Appendix A. Subject Index- CZMC Annual Reports 5
Appendix B. Inventory of Bird Species in 3 Fish and Wildlife Habitats 7
Biological Inventory for 3 Fish and Wildlife Habitats 14
Appendix C. Botanical Inventory- Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking 17
Complex
Appendix D. Compilation of Bird Lists for the Reservoir-Sheldrake- 22
Leatherstocking Complex
Appendix E. Compilation of Bird Lists for the Premium River-Pine 27
Brook Wetlands Complex
Appendix F. Botanical Inventory- Hommocks Marsh Complex 34
Appendix G. Bird Species- Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex 38
Botanical Inventory- Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex 42
Appendix H. Management Recommendations for the Hommocks 43
Salt Marsh Complex
Appendix I. Management Plan for the Reservoir-Sheldrake 50
Leatherstocking Critical Environmental Area
Map 1 Regional Setting
Map 2 Boundary Map
Map 3 Location Map
Map 4 Existing Open Space
Map 5 Tidal Wetlands, Watershed Boundaries and Flood Hazard Areas
Map 6 Coastal High Hazard Areas and Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas
Map 7 Land and Water Uses
APPENDIX A
SUBJECT INDEX- CZMC ANNUAL REPORTS
AR 1-First Annual Report Sept. 1986 thru Sept. 1987
AR 2-Second Annual Report Oct. 1987 thru Sept. 1988
AR 3-Third Annual Report Oct. 1988 thru Sept. 1989
AR 4-Fourth Annual Report Oct. 1989 thru Sept. 1990
AR 5-Fifth Annual Report Oct. 1990 thru Sept. 1991
AR 6-Sixth Annual Report Oct. 1991 thru Sept. 1992
SUBJECT AR1 AR AR AR AR AR
LEGISLATION
Coastal Erosion Hazard 12 16
County CEA 16 18
Erosion&Sediment Control 15 17 19 16 19-20
Flood Damage Law/Map 11 7 12,20
Litter 20
SEQR Revisions(Town) 15 19 20
Zoning
Proposed CR District(Town) 15 14-15
Rock Ridge Road(Town) 9 14
Waterfront(Town) 16 15
Waterfront(Village) 16 12 19 21-23 18-20
AREA-WIDE
Area of the Coastal Zone Map 7 9 8 8
Boaters
Education 18
Harbor security 17 12 17-18 18
Chronological History Annex D Appendix A 5-6 7-8 6-7
Davids Island 16 13 16-17 24-25 21-22
Department of State 22-23
Earth Day II 25
Freshwater Wetlands Mapping 22
Governor's Task Force 23
Historic Preservation 18 19
Jay Coalition/Property 19 25
Listen to Sound Campaign 26
Long Island Sound 23
Master Plan Update 11
National Beach Cleanup Day 26 24 23
Sewers
Infiltration&Inflow 15 14 20
Repairs 14,15
Soil&Water Conserv.District 24
Storm Drain Stencil 20 16
Water Quality Testing 17
Weaver St. Corridor 2,10
Winston Property 13 11,12
PREMIUM-PINE BROOK AREA
Beach Lot 15
Bird Surveys 13
Conservation Area 12 12-13
Feasibility Study 1,5 4,Appendix B 11
Implementation Grant-Dredging 8 10-11 9-11 9-10 9-11
Intermunicipal Cooperation 12
Lorenzen Park 12
Oil Containment Boom 8-9 11-12
5
APPENDIX A
SUBJECT INDEX- CZMC ANNUAL REPORTS
SUBJECT AR 1 AR 2 AR 3 AR 4 AR 5 AR 6
PREMIUM-PINE BROOK AREA-cont.
Pryer Manor Bridge 12 11
Public Education 6 9 12
Significant Habitat Designation 5 18 11 11-12
EAST CREEK-HOMMOCKS AREA
Critical Environmental Area 1 15 16
Dredge spoil disposal 13
East Creek
Restoration 13 15 13 16
Silt/trash traps 13 17 17-18
Leaf disposal 15 14,15 17
Water quality monitoring 15
SHELDRAKE RIVER AREA
Army Corps Flood Control Project 2,9 14 12 13 13
Gardens Lake
Dredging 2,10,13 6
Restoration 11
Golf Course Areas
Shuster Study 11 12 15
Proposed CR District 15 14-15 14-15
Intermunicipal Cooperation 15
Larchmont Reservoir
Automatic Release Valve 11 7 11,12 14
Facility Improvements 12 7 11 14
Sewer Connection 15
Water Quality Testing 12 7,15 14
R-S-L Crit.Environ.Area 16
Watershed Study 10 15
Westchester Land Trust 23
OTHER
Implementation
Physical Projects 18
Program Priorities 2,22-26
Recommendations 26-27
LWRP Update 23 20 21
Professional Consultant 22
Sale of Properties
Town of Mamaroneck
Village of Larchmont 2,8 12 14
TABLES&CHARTS
Consistency Referrals 2,6,7,14,19-21, 5,8,9-10, 22-28 27-31 25-30 25-30
Annex B Appendix C
CZMC Members
Conferences Attended 35 38 37 37
Kit 37 41
Liaison Responsibilities 34 37 36 36
Names&Terms Annex C Appendix D 33 36 35 35
Envir.Organizations 36 40 38 38
Implementing Actions-Status Annex A 16 21 39
Library Acquisitions 42 39
LWRP Policies-List 29-32 32-35 31-34 31-34
6
APPENDIX B
INVENTORY OF BIRD SPECIES IN 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
KEY:
P = Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex and adjacent lands
H = Hommocks Marsh Complex
R = Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Complex
* = Occasional or rare
E = NY State DEC list (1983) ENDANGERED SPECIES
S = SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
T = THREATENED SPECIES
V = VULNERABLE SPECIES
e, s, t = NY State DEC list (1987)
GAVIIFORMES
S Common Loon Gavia immer P H
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Horned Grebe Colymbus auritus P H
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps P R
PELECANIFORMES
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus H R
CICONIIFORMES
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias P H R
Little Blue Heron Florida caerulea P
Louisiana Heron Hydranassa tricolor P.
Great Egret Casmerodius albus P H R
Snowy Egret Egretta thula P H R
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis P.
Black-crowned Night Her. Nycticorax nycticorax P H R
Yellow-crowned NightHer. Nyctanassa violacea P.
Green Heron Butorides striatus P H R
Ss Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis P
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus P H
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus P H
ANSERIFORMES
Mute Swan Cygnus olor P H R
Snow Goose Chen hyperborea P R.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis P H R
Brant B. bernicla P
Amer. Black Duck Anas rubripes P H R
Gadwall A. strepera P
Mallard A. platyrhynchos P H R
Common Pintail A. acuta P. R.
American Widgeon A. americana P R
Eurasian Widgeon A. penelope P
Wood Duck Aix sponsa P. R
7
APPENDIX B
INVENTORY OF BIRD SPECIES IN C FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata P R
Blue-winged Teal A. discors P R
Green-winged Teal A. crecca R
Oldsquaw Clangula hyemalis P
Canvasback Aythya valissineria P
Redhead A. americana P
Ring-necked Duck A. collaris R
Lesser Scaup A. affinis P
Greater Scaup A. marila P R.
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula P
Bufflehead B. albeola P R
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis P R
Common Merganser Mergus merganser P R
Red-breasted Merganser M. serrator P R
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus P R
FALCONIFORMES
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus P H R
s Cooper's Hawk A. cooperii P R
Northern Goshawk A. gentilis P
Tt Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus P H R
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis P H R
Tt Red-shouldered Hawk B. lineatus P' R'
Broad-winged Hawk B. platypterus R
e Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos R*
Tt Osprey Pandion haliaetus P H R
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura P R
American Kestrel Falco sparverius P H R
Merlin F. columbarius P" H
GALLIFORMES
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus P*
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus P H R
GRUIFORMES
American Coot Fulica americana P H R
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola P*
Clapper Rail R. longirostris P*
Sora Rail Porzana carolina P R
CHARADRIIFORMES
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus P H
Killdeer C. vociferous P H R
American Woodcock Philohela minor P
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca P H R
Lesser Yellowlegs T. flavipes P H R
Solitary Sandpiper T. solitaria P. R
8
APPENDIX B
INVENTORY OF BIRD SPECIES IN 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
Sanderling Calidris alba P*
Pectoral Sandpiper C. melantos P
Dunlin C. alpina P'
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia P H R
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla P
Semipalmated Sandpiper C. pusilla P
White-rumped Sandpiper C. fuscicollis P
Herring Gull Larus argentatus P H R
Ring-billed Gull L. delawarensis P H R
Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus P
Laughing Gull L. atricilla P H R
Bonaparte's Gull L. philadelphia P
Ee Little (Least) Tern Sterna albifrons P
Tt Common Tern S. hirundo P H
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger P'
COLUMBIFORMES
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura P H R
Rock Dove Columba livia P H R
CUCULIFORMES
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus R*
Black-billed Cuckoo C. erythropthalmus R*
STRIGIFORMES
Common Screech Owl Otus asio P R
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus P R
Ss Barn Owl Tyto alba P
Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca P*
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Ss Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor P H R
APODIFORMES
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica R
V Ruby-throated Hummbrd. Archilochus colubris P R
CORACIIFORMES
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon P H R
PICIFORMES
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus P R.
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus P' R
Common Flicker Colaptes auratus P H R
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus P R
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius P R
9
APPENDIX B
INVENTORY OF BIRD SPECIES IN 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens P H R
V Hairy Woodpecker P. villosus P R
PASSERIFORMES
Tyrannidae-Flycatchers
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus P R
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus P R
Ash-throated Flycatcher M. cinerascens P.
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe P H R
Eastern Pewee Contopus virens P R
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens P
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher E. flairventris P R
Least Flycatcher E. minimus R
H i ru nd i n id ae-Swallows
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonata P.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica P H R
Tree Swallow Iridoprocne bicolor P H R
Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis P R
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia P R
Corvidae-Jays, Crows
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus P H
American (Common) Crow C. brachyrhynchos P H R
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristat P H R
Paridae- Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus P H R
Tufted Titmouse P. bicolor P H R
Sittidae-Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis P H R
Red-breasted Nuthatch S. canadensis P R
Certhiidae-Creepers
Brown Creeper Certhia familiaris P R
Troglodytidae- Wrens
House Wren Troglodytes aedon P H R
Winter Wren T. troglodytes P R
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus P H R
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris P
Sedge Wren C. platensis P
Mimidae-Mimic Thrushes
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum P H R
10
APPENDIX B
INVENTORY OF BIRD SPECIES IN 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis P H R
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos P H R
Turdidae-Thrushes
Ss Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis P H.
American Robin Turdus migratorius P H R
Gray-Cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus H R
Swainson's Thrush C. ustulatus P H R
Hermit Thrush C. guttatus P R
Veery C. fuscescens P R
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina P H R
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris P"
Sylviidae - Kinglets,Gnatcatchers:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula P H R
Golden-crowned Kinglet R. satrapa P H R
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea P R
Motacillidae - Pipets etc.:
Water (American) Pipet Anthus spinoletta P'
Bombycillidae - Waxwings:
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum P H R
Sturnidae - Starlings:
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris P H R
Vireonidae-Vireos
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus P H R
Warbling Vireo V. altiloquus R
Yellow-throated Vireo V. flavifrons R
Solitary Vireo V. solitarius R
Parulidae - Wood Warblers:
Northern Parula Warbler Parula americana P H R
Black-throated Green War. Dendroica virens P H R
Black & White Warbler Mniotilta varia P H R
Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata R
Black-throated Blue War. D. caerulescens P H R
Magnolia Warbler D. magnolia P H R
Yellow-rumped Warbler D. coronata P H R
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis P R
Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina P
Chestnut-sided Warbler D. pensylvanica P H R
Blackburnian Warbler D. fusca P R
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla P H R
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor P R
11
APPENDIX B
INVENTORY OF BIRD SPECIES IN 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum P R
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus P H R
V Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia P H R
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus P R
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina P R
S Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla P H R
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla P
Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia P
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas P H R
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria verens P
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis P
Louisiana Waterthrush S. motacilla P R
Ovenbird S. aurocapillus P R
Ploceidae - Weaver Finches:
House Sparrow Passer domesticus P H R
lcteridae - Blackbirds, Orioles:
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus P H R
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater P H R
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus P R
Common Grackle Quiscalus guiscula P H R
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorous P H
V Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna P H
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius P R
Northern Oriole-Baltimore I. galbula P H R
Thraupidae - Tanagers:
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea P R
Fringillidae - Finches, Sparrows:
Northern Junco Junco hyemalis P H R
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis P
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis P H R
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus P H R
Purple Finch C. purpureus P R
Evening Grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertina P" R
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis P H R
Pine Siskin C. pinus P R
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea P H R
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus P R
Rufous-sided Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus P H R
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis P H R
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys P R
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina P H R
Field Sparrow S. pusilla P R
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana P
12
APPENDIX B
INVENTORY OF BIRD SPECIES IN 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea P R
s Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum P
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca P H R
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia P H R
Ss Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus P
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis P
Sources: PREMIUM COMPLEX LWRP 1986, 6 bird lists (1967 thru 1990), Consultant 1992-1993.
HOMMOCKS COMPLEX LWRP 1986 list, Walk Book (1979), Consultant 1993.
RESERVOIR COMPLEX LWRP 1986 list, 2 Walk Books (1984 and 1986), Bird Lists 1970-1991,
Consultant 1992.
13
APPENDIX B
BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY FOR 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
KEY:
P = Premium River-Pine Brook Wetlands Complex and adjacent lands
H = Hommocks Marsh Complex
R = Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Complex
MAMMALS
Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus lucifugus R
Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus P H R
White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus P H R
Red Fox Vulpes fulva R
Common Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus P H R
White-footed (Deer) Mouse Peromyscus leucopus P H R
Muskrat Ondratra zibethicus P H R
Opossum Didelphis marsupialis P H R
D. virginiana R
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus H R
Racoon Procyon lotor P H R
Brown (Norway) Rat Rattus norvegicus H R
Short-tailed Shrew Blarina brevicauda H R
Striped Skunk Mephitis monax P H R
Eastern Gray Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis P H R
Black Squirrel S. niger P H R
North Amerivan Field Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus P H R
Woodchuck Marmota monax H R
REPTILES
Red Salamander Plethodon cinereus cinereus R
Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta R
Eastern Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum R
triangulum
Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis R
Northern Diamondback
Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin H
Box Turtle Terrapene carolina R
Painted Turtle Chrysemis picta picta R
Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina R
s Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata R
AMPHIBIANS
Red Eff Diemictylus virideseens R
Bull Frog Rana catesheiano P H R
Green Frog R. clamitans P H R
Pickerel Frog R. palustris R
Northern Leopard Frog R. pipiens R
Wood Frog R. sylvatica R
Spring Peeper Hyla crucifer R
14
APPENDIX B
BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY FOR 3 FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
AMPHIBIANS- cont.
Gray Tree Frog Hyla versicolor R
Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum R
Red-Backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus cinereus R
Lead-Backed Salamander P. cinereus cinereus R
Red-Spotted Newt Notophthalmus viridescens R
American Toad Bufo americanus P H R
INSECTS
Damselfly P H R
Dragonfly P H R
Praying Mantis P H R
Common Blue Icaricia icarioides R
Small White Cabbage Artogeia rapae R
Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa R
Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus R
Spicebush Swallowtail Pterourus troilus R
Tiger Swallowtail P. glaucus R
Common Sulphur Colias philodice R
Viceroy Basilarchia archippus R
15
APPENDIX B
BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY FOR 3 F!SH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
AQUATIC SPECIES
Marsh Snail P H
Mud Snail P H
Fiddler Crab Uca spp. P H
Marsh Crab P H
Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus P H
Ribbed Mussel Geukensia demissa P H
Naiad (freshwater mussel) Unio spp. R
FISH
Alewives Alosa pseudoharengus P H
Large-mouth Bass Micropterus salmoides R
Striped Bass Morone saxatilis P H
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix P H
Carp Cyprinus carpio R
Brown Bullhead Catfish lctalurus nebulosus R
American Eel Anguilla rostrata P H R
Flounder, winter Pseudopleuronectes P H
americanus
Goldfish Carassius auratus R
Killifish Fundulus spp. P H
Mackeral Scomber scombrus P H
Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus P H
Yellow Perch Perca flavescens R
Porgy P H
Shiner Notropis cornutus R
Silversides Menidia spp. P H
Sunfish Centrachidae family R
Tautog (Blackfish) Tautoga onitis P H
Note: Other important coastal species are found along the rocky shores, tidepools, beaches and harbors of
Larchmont, as follows:
Redbeard Sponge Mussels: Blue, Ribbed
Deadman's fingers Atlantic Bay Scallop
Jellyfish: Comb, Moon Jingle Shell
Sea Anemones Eastern Oyster
Worms: Ribbon, sand, sea Cockle
Starfish, Sea Star Clams: Northern Quahog,
Softshell, Razor
Sandhoppers: Amphipods Shipworm
Barnacles: Rock Sea Snails:Limpet, Moon
Shrimp: Mantid, Brine Slipper Periwinkle: Smooth,
rough, common
American Lobster Mud Snail
Crabs: Hermit, Blue,Green, Atlantic oysterdrill
Rock, Calico, Fiddler Whelk: Knobbed, Channeled
16
APPENDIX C
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
TREES
Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) Ailanthus altissima
Alder, Smooth Alnus serrulata
Alder, Speckled A. rugosa
Apple Malus pumila
Ash, Mountain Sorbus americana
Ash, White Fraxinus americana
Basswood, American (Linden) Tilia americana
Beech, American Fazus grandifolia
Birch, Black Betula lenta
Birch, Gray B. populifolia
Birch, White B. papyrifera
Cedar, Northern White Thuja occidentalis
Cedar, Eastern Red Juniperus virginiana
Cherry, Black Prunus serotina
Chestnut, American Castanea dentata
Cottonwood, Eastern Populus deltoides
Elm, American Ulmus americana
Hawthorne, spp. Craetegus spp.
Hemlock, Eastern Tsuga canadensis
Hickory, Butternut Carya cordiformis
Hickory, Pignut C. glabra
Hickory, Shagbark C. ovata
Hornbeam, American Carpinus caroliniana
Larch (Tamarack) Larix larieina
Locust, Black Robinia pse'idoacacia
Locust, Honey Gleditsia triacanthos
Magnolia, Cucumber Magnolia acuminata
Maple, Ash-leaved (Box elder) Acer negundo
Maple, Norway A. platanoides
Maple, Red A. rubrum
Maple, Sugar (Silver) A. saccharum
Mulberry, Red Morus rubra
Oak, Black Quercus velutina
Oak, Pin Q. palustris
Oak, Red Q. rubra (borealis)
Oak, Scrub Q. ilicifolia
Oak, Swamp Q. bicolor
Oak, White Q. alba
Pine, Austrian Pinus nigra
Pine, Eastern white P. strobus
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Shadbush Amelanchier canadensis
Spruce, Norway Picea abies
Sweetgum Liquidambar stypaciflua
Sycamore, American Platanus occidentalis
Tulip tree (Yellow poplar) Linodendron tulipfera
17
1
APPENDIX
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
TREES- cont.
Tupelo, Black Nyssa sylvatica
Weeping Willow Salix badylonica
Witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana
SHRUBS
Arrow-wood Viburnum recognitum
Barberry, Japanese Berberis thunbergii
Bayberry Myrica spp.
Bladdernut Staphylea trifolia
Blueberry, Low Vaccinium vacillans
Blueberry, Low Bush V. angustifolium
Blueberry, High Bush V. corybosum
•
Burning Bush Euonymus atropurpureus
Brambles Rubus spp.
Cranberry, High Bush Viburnum trilobum
Current/Gooseberry Ribes spp.
Forsythia spp.
Honeysuckle, Japanese Lonicera japonica
Knotweed, Japanese Polygonum cuspidatum
Pepperbush, Sweet or Coast Clethra alnifolia
Rhododendron spp.
Rose, Multiflora Rosa multiflora
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Spicebush Lindera benzoin
Sumac, Smooth Rhus glabra
Sumac, Winged R. copallina
Poison Ivy R. radicans
Viburnum, Maple-Leaf Viburnum acerifolium
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
Yew, American Taxus canadensis
WILDFLOWERS, PLANTS & HERBS
Alyssum, Hoary Berteroa incoma
Arrowhead, Broad-leaved Sagittaria latifolia
Aster, Heart-leaved Aster cordifolius
Aster, New York A. novae-belgii
Aster, White wood A. divaricatus
Avens, White Geum canadense
Baneberry, White Actaea pachypoda
Bindweed, Hedge Convolvulus sepium
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
Bluecurls Trichostema dichotomum
Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
Bugleweed Lycopus virginicus
Burdock Arctium minus
18
APPENDIX C
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
WILDFLOWERS, PLANTS & HERBS- cont.
Buttercup, Common Tall Ranunculus acris
Campion, Starry Silene stellata
Catnip Nepeta cataria
Celandine Chelidonium majus
Celandine, Lesser Ranunculus ficata
Celandine, Poppy Stylophorum diphyllum
Chickweed, Mouse-eared Cerastium arvense
Cinquefoil, Dwarf Potentilla canadensis
Clover, White Trifolium repens
Cohosh, Blue Caulophyllum thalictroides
Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara
Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
Cress, Winter, (Yellow Rocket) Barbarea vulgaris
Daisy, Ox-eye Chrysanthemum leucathemum
Dandelion, Common Taraxacum officinale
Deadnettle, Purple Lamium purpureum
Dogbane, Spreading Apocymum androsaemifolium
Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Evening Lychnis Lychnis alba
Everlasting, Sweet (Catfoot) Gnaphalium obtusifolium
Field Pussytoes Antennaria neglecta
Gall-of-the-earth Prenanthes trifoliata
Geranium, Wild Geranium maculatum
Gill-over-the-ground (Ground-ivy) Glechoma hederacea
Goldenrod, Erect Solidago altissima
Goldenrod, Blue-stemmed S. caesia
Grasses Gramineae spp.
Groundnut Apios americana
Heal-all Prunella vulgaris
Horse-balm Collinsonia canadensis
Horsetails Equisetum spp.
Hawkweed, Orange (Devil's Paintbrush) Hieracium aurantiacum
Indian-pipe Monotropa uniflora
Iris, Blue-Flag Iris versicolor
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema dracontium
Jewelweed (Spotted Touch-Me-Not) Impatiens capensis
Joe-Pye Weed Eupatorium spp.
Knotweed, Japanese Polygonum cuspidatum
Knotweed, Long-bristled Smartweed P. cespitosum
Knotweed, Virginia (Jumpseed) Tovara virginiana
Lamb's quarters (Pigweed) Chenopodium alba
Lettuce, Blue Lactula spp.
Lettuce, White Prenanthes alba
Lettuce, Tall-white P. altissima
Lily, Trout Erythronium americanum
Lily, Yellow Pond (Bullhead, Spatterdock) Nuphar variegatum
19
APPENDIX C
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
WILDFLOWERS, PLANTS & HERBS- cont.
Loosestrife, Purple Lythrum salicaria
Loosestrife, Fringed Lysimachia ciliata
Loosestrife, Swamp (Water-willow) Decodon verticillatus
Mallow, Swamp Rose Hibiscus palustris
Mallow, Crimson-eyed H. palustris peckii
Marigold, Marsh Caltha palustris
Mayflower, Canada Maianthemum canadense
Meadowrue, Early Thalictrum dioicum
Milkweed, Common Asclepias syriaca
Milkweed, Purple A. purpurascens
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris
Mullein, Common Verbascum thapsus
Mullein, Moth V. blattaria
Mullein, Pink Lychnis coronaria
Mustard Garlic Alliaria officinalis
Nettle, False Boehmeria cylindrica
Nettle, Stinging Utrica dioicia
Nightshade, Enchanter's Circaea quadrisulcata
Oats, Wild Uvularia sessifolia
Periwinkle Vinca minor
Pineapple Weed Matricaria matricariodes
Pink, Deptford Dianthus armeria
Plantain, Common Plantago major
Pokeweed Phytolacca americana
Primrose, Common Evening Oenothera biennis
Queen Anne's Lace Daucus carota
Ragweed, Common Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Ragweed, Great A. trifida
Rue, Anemone Anemonella thalictroides
Rue, Tall Meadow Thalictrum polygamum
St. Johnswort, Common Hypericum perforatum
Sarsaparilla Aralia spp.
Sarsaparilla, Bristly A. hispida
Saxifrage, Early Saxifraga virginiensis
Spikenard A. racemosa
Shepherd's purse Capsella bursa-pastoris
Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus
Snakeroot Sanicula spp.
Snapdragon, Lesser Antirrhinum orontium
Solomon's Seal Polygonatum biflorum
Solomon's Seal, False Smilacina racemosa
Sow-thistle, Common Sonchus oleraceus
Speedwell, Field Veronica arvensis
Speedwell, Thyme-leaved V. serpyllifolia
Spring-beauty Claytonia virginica
Strawberry, Wild Fragaria virginiana
20
APPENDIX C
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
WILDFLOWERS, PLANTS & HERBS- cont.
Sunflower, Thin-leaved Helianthus decapetalus
Thistle, Bull Cirsium vulgar
Turtlehead Chelone glabra
Violet, Common blue Viola papilionacea
Violet, Smooth Yellow V. pensylvanica
Violet, Sweet White V. lauceolata
Watercress, Alien Nasturtium officinale
Wintergreen, Spotted Chimophila maculata
Yarrow Achillea millefolium
VINES
Bindweed, Hedge Convolvulus sepium
Bittersweet, Asiatic Celastrus orbiculatus
Cucumber, Bur Sycios angularis
Dodder Cuscuta gronovii
Grape, Wild Vitis spp.
Greenbrier (Catbrier) Smilax rotundifolia
Honeysuckle, Japanese Lonicera japonica
Nightshade (Bittersweet) Solanum dulcamara
Porcelainberry Ampelopsis brevipedinculata
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissis quinquefolia
FERNS & FERN ALLIES
Broad Beech Dryopteris hexagonoptera
Marginal Shield D. marginalis
Christmas Polystichum acrostichoides
Cinnamon Osmunda cinnamomea
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense
Hayscented Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Interrupted Osmunda claytoniana
Lady Athyrium filix-femina
Maidenhair Adiantum pedatum
Marsh Telypteris palustris
Ostrich Matteuccia struthiopteris
New York Thelypteris noveboracensis
Rock Polypody Polypodium vulgare
Sensitive Onoclea sensibilis
Shining Clubmoss Lycopodium lucidulum
Sources: 2 Walk Books (1984 and 1986), Wallace Irwin Jr., Edward Frankel, Mary Anne Johnson.
Consultant Stephen Coleman (1992).
21
APPENDIX D
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
(Sources: LWRP 1986 Appendix A, Irma Volk, Paul Lehman, James and Mary Anne Johnson)
KEY:
1 Occasional or rare
2 Consultant Stephen Coleman- Observations March - November 1992
* Nesting in R-S-L CEA- Confirmed by Consultant
** Nests on Bonnie Briar
E ENDANGERED SPECIES NY STATE DEC LIST (1983)
S SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
T THREATENED SPECIES
V VULNERABLE SPECIES
e,s,t NY STATE DEC LIST (1987)
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Pied-billed grebe2 Podilymbus podiceps
PELECANIFORMES
Double-crested Cormorant2 Phalacrocorax auritus
CICONIIFORMES
Great Blue Heron2 Ardea herodias
Great Egret2 Casmerodius albus
Snowy Egret2 Egretta thula
Black-crowned Night Heron2 Nycticorax nycticorax
Green Heron2•' Butorides striatus
ANSERIFORMES
Mute Swan2•* Cygnus olor
Snow Goose' Chen hyperborea
Canada Goose2•' Branta canadensis
Amer. Black Duck2 Anas rubripes
Mallard2•. A. platyrhynchos
Common Pintail'•2 A. acuta
American Wigeon2 A. americana
Wood Duck2•. Aix sponsa
Northern Shoveler2 Anas clypeata
Blue-winged Teal A. discors
Green-winged Teal A. crecca
Ring-necked Duck2 Aythya collaris
Greater Scaup1•2 A. marila
Bufflehead2 Bucephala albeola
Ruddy Duck2 Oxyura jamaicensis
Common Merganser'•2 Mergus merganser
Red-breasted Merganser2 M. serrator
Hooded Merganser2 Lophodytes cucullatus
FALCONIFORMES
Sharp-shinned Hawke. Accipiter striatus
Cooper's Hawk2 A. cooperii
22
APPENDIX D
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
Tt Northern Harrier-2 Circus cyaneus
Red-tailed Hawk2'' Buteo jamaicensis
Tt Red-shouldered Hawk' B. lineatus
Broad-winged Hawk2 B. platypterus
e Golden Eagle' Aquila chrysaetos
Tt Osprey2 Pandion haliaetus
Turkey Vulture2 Cathartes aura
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
GALLIFORMES
Ring-necked Pheasant'," Phasianus colchicus
GRUIFORMES
American Coot1'2 Fulica americana
Sora Rail2 Porzana Carolina
CHARADRIIFORMES
Killdeer" Charadrius vociferous
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs T. flavipes
Solitary Sandpiper T. solitaria
Spotted Sandpiper"' Actitis macularia
Herring Gull2 Larus argentatus
Ring-billed Gull2 L. delawarensis
Laughing Gull2 L. atricilla
COLUMBIFORMES
Mourning Dove"' Zenaida macroura
Rock Dove" Columba livia
CUCULIFORMES
Yellow-billed Cuckoo' Coccyzus americanus
Black-billed Cuckoo' C. erythropthalmus
STRIGIFORMES
Great Horned Owl2" Bubo virginianus
Screech Owl2.• Otus asio
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Ss Common Nighthawk" Chordeiles minor
APODIFORMES
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
V Ruby-throated Hummingbird." Archilochus colubris
CORACIIFORMES
Belted Kingfisher' Megaceryle alcyon
23
APPENDIX D
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE RESERVCIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
PICIFORMES
Red-headed Woodpecker' Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Pileated Woodpecker"' Dryocopus pileatus
Common Flicker"' Colaptes auratus
Red-bellied Woodpecker"' Melanerpes carolinus
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker2 Sphyrapicus varius
Downy Woodpecker"' Picoides pubescens
V Hairy Woodpecker"' P. villosus
PASSERIFORMES
Tyrannidae-Flycatchers
Eastern Kingbird"' Tyrannus tyrannus
Great Crested Flycatcher"' Myiarchus crinitus
Eastern Phoebe'. Sayornis phoebe
Eastern Pewee". Contopus virens
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher2 Empidonax flairventris
Least Flycatcher E. minimus
H i ru n d i n id a e-Swallows
Barn Swallow2 Hirundo rustica
Tree Swallow"' lridoprocne bicolor
Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Corvidae-Jays, Crows
American (Common) Crow"' Corvus brachyrhynchos
Blue Jaye". Cyanocitta cristat
Paridae- Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee"` Parus atricapillus
Tufted Titmouse"' P. bicolor
Sittidae-Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch"' Sitta carolinensis
Red-breasted Nuthatch2 S. canadensis
Certhiidae-Creepers
Brown Creeper2 Certhia familiaris
Troglodytidae- Wrens
House Wren"' Troglodytes aedon
Winter Wren T. troglodytes
Carolina Wren"' Thryothorus ludovicianus
Mimidae-Mimic Thrushes
Brown Thrasher"' Toxostoma rufum
Gray Catbird"' Dumetella carolinensis
24
APPENDIX D
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
Northern Mockingbird" Mimus polyglottos
Turdidae-Thrushes
American Robing" Turdus migratorius
Gray-cheeked Thrush2 Catharus minimus
Swainson's Thrush2 C. ustulatus
Hermit Thrush2 C. guttatus
Veery" C. fuscescens
Wood Thrush" Hylocichla mustelina
Sylviidae - Kinglets,Gnatcatchers:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet2 Regulus calendula
Golden-crowned Kinglet1'2 R. satrapa
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher2."" Polioptila caerulea
Bombycillidae - Waxwings:
Cedar Waxwing2 Bombycilla cedrorum
Sturnidae - Starlings:
European Starling" Sturnus vulgaris
Vireonidae-Vireos
Red-eyed Vireo" Vireo olivaceus
Warbling Vireo2 V. gilvus
Yellow-throated Vireo V. flavifrons
Solitary Vireo2 V. solitarius
Parulidae - Wood Warblers:
Northern Parula Warbler Parula americana
Black-throated Green Warbler2 Dendroica virens
Black & White Warbler"' Mniotilta varia
Blackpoll Warbler2 Dendroica striata
Black-throated Blue Warbler D. caerulescens
Magnolia Warbler2 D. magnolia
Yellow-rumped Warbler2 D. coronata
Canada Warbler2 Wilsonia canadensis
Chestnut-sided Warbler2 Dendroica pensylvanica
Blackburnian Warbler D. fusca
American Redstart2 Setophaga ruticilla
Prairie Warbler" Dendroica discolor
Palm Warbler2 D. palmarum
Blue-winged Warbler' Vermivora pinus
V Yellow Warbler" Dendroica petechia
Worm-eating Warbler" Helmitheros vermivorus
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
S Wilson's Warbler2 Wilsonia pusilla
25
APPENDIX D
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING COMPLEX
Common Yellowthroat2" Geothlypis trichas
Louisiana Waterthrush" Seiurus motacilla
Ovenbird" S. aurocapillus
Ploceidae - Weaver Finches:
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
lcteridae - Blackbirds, Orioles:
Red-winged Blackbird" Agelaius phoeniceus
Brown-headed Cowbird' Molothrus ater
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus
Common Grackle" Quiscalus guiscular
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius
Northern Oriole-Baltimore" I. galbula
Thraupidae - Tanagers:
Scarlet Tanager" Piranga olivacea
Fringillidae - Finches, Sparrows:
Northern Junco2 Junco hyemalis
Northern Cardinal" Cardinalis cardinalis
House Finch" Carpodacus mexicanus
Purple Finch2 C. purpureus
Evening Grosbeak''2 Hesperiphona vespertina
American Goldfinch" Carduelis tristis
Pine Siskin2 C. pinus
Indigo Bunting'" Passerina cyanea
Rose-breasted Grosbeak" Pheucticus ludovicianus
Rufous-sided Towhee" Pipilo erythrophthalmus
White-throated Sparrow2 Zonotrichia albicollis
White-crowned Sparrow2 Z. Ieucophrys
Chipping Sparrow'* Spizella passerina
Field Sparrow" S. pusilla
American Tree Sparrow2 S. arborea
Fox Sparrow2 Passerella iliaca
Song Sparrow"" Melospiza melodia
26
APPENDIX E
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE PREMIUM RIVER-PINE BROOK WETLANDS COMPLEX
1 Identified in Chester Place Woods (May 1967-July 1969) by T. Waller.
Pryer Manor Marsh, Premium River/marshes, Mill Pond and adjacent lands:
2 1970-1973 Sidney Bahrt et al.
3 October 1978-1985 Mary Anne Johnson et al.
4 1987-1988 Audubon Christmas Count & PPPA monitors (partial).
5 March 11, 1989 John Moyle Bird Walk.
6 1972-1990 James Coe Life List & Bird Walk 10/14/90.
7 June '92; Jan-July '93 Consultant Stephen Coleman
* Occasional or rare.
** Nesting
E NY State list-1983 ENDANGERED SPECIES
S SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
T THREATENED SPECIES
V VULNERABLE SPECIES
e,s,t NY STATE DEC LIST-1987
GAVIIFORMES
Gaviidae - Loons:
S Common Loon Gavia immer 3
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Podicipedidae - Grebes:
Horned Grebe Colymbus auritus 3,4,5,6
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps 3,6
PELECANIFORMES
Phalacrocoracidae - Cormorants:
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus 7
CICONIIFORMES
Ardeidae - Herons:
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 3,4,6,7
Little Blue Heron Florida caerulea 6
Louisiana Heron Hydranassa tricolor 2`,4"
Great Egret Casmerodius albus 2,3,4,6,7
Snowy Egret Egretta thula 2,3,4,6,7
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 2`
Black-crowned Night Her. Nycticorax nycticorax 3,4,6,7
Yellow-crowned Night Her. Nyctanassa violacea 3'
Green Heron Butorides striatus 1,2,3,6,7"
Ss Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis 1
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus 2,3,7"
Threskiornithidae - Typical Ibises:
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 1,3
27
APPENDIX E
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE PREMIUM RIVER-PINE BROOK WETLANDS COMPLEX
ANSERIFORMES
Anatidae - Cygninae - Swans:
Mute Swan Cygnus olor 2,3,4,5,6,7**
Anatidae - Anserinae - Geese:
Snow Goose Chen hyperborea 3,4
Canada Goose Branta canadensis 2,3,4,5,6,7**
Brant B. bernicla 4,6,7
Anatidae - Anatinae - Marsh Ducks:
Amer. Black Duck Anas rubripes 2,3,4,6,7
Gadwall A. strepera 3,4,6,7
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 1,2,3,4,5,6,7'*
Common Pintail A. acuta 3*
American Widgeon A. americana 2,3,4,5,6,7
Eurasian Widgeon A. penelope 2,3`,4,6
Wood Duck Aix sponsa 2,3',7
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 3,4,6,7
Blue-winged Teal A. discors 6
Anatidae - Aythyinae - Diving Ducks:
Oldsquaw Clangula hyemalis 5
Canvasback Aythya valissineria 2,3,4,5,6
Redhead A. americana 6
Lesser Scaup A. affinis 3,4,6,7
Greater Scaup A. manila 3,4,5,6,7
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 3,6
Bufflehead B. albeola 3,4,5,6,7
Anatidae - Oxyurinae - Stiff-Tailed Ducks:
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis 3;6,7
Anatidae - Merginae - Mergansers:
Common Merganser Mergus merganser 3,6,7
Red-breasted Merganser M. serrator 3,4,5,6
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus 3,6,7
FALCONIFORMES
Accipitridae - Hawks etc.:
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 4,5,6,7
s Cooper's Hawk A. cooperii 6
Northern Goshawk A. gentilis 5
Tt Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus 3,6
Buteoninae - Eagles etc.:
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 3,5,6,7
Tt Red-shouldered Hawk B. lineatus 3
28
APPENDIX E
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE PREMIUM RIVER-PINE BROOK WETLANDS COMPLEX
Pandionidae - Ospreys:
Tt Osprey Pandion haliaetus 3,6
Cathartidae - American Vultures:
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 3,7
Falconinae - Falcons:
American Kestrel Falco sparverius 2,3,6
Merlin F. columbarius 3
GALLIFORMES
Tetraonidae - Grouse etc.:
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus 1,3*
Phasianidae - Pheasants:
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1,2,3,4,5,6,7"
GRUIFORMES
Rallidae - Duck-like swimmers:
American Coot Fulica americana 2,3,6
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola 3*
Clapper Rail R. longirostris 3'
Sora Porzana carolina 6
CHARADRIIFORMES
Charadriidae - Plovers:
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus 2",6,7
Killdeer C. vociferous 1,2,3,5,6,7**
Scolopacidae - Sandpipers etc.:
American Woodcock Philohela minor 3,6
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca 2,3,6
Lesser Yellowlegs T. flavipes 2,3,6
Solitary Sandpiper T. solitaria 2
Sanderling Calidris alba 2
Pectoral Sandpiper C. melantos 2
Dunlin C. alpina 3*
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia 3,6
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper C. pusilla 2,3
White-rumped Sandpiper C. fuscicollis 2
Laridae - Larinae - Gulls:
Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1,2,3,5,6,7
Ring-billed Gull L. delawarensis 3,4,5,6,7
Great Black-backed Gull L. marinus 2,3,4,5,6,7
Laughing Gull L. atricilla 3,4,6,7
29
APPENDIX E
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE PREMIUM RIVER-PINE BROOK WETLANDS COMPLEX
Bonaparte's Gull L. philadelphia 6
Laridae - Sternidae - Terns:
Ee Least (Little) Tern Sterna albifrons 3,6
Tt Common Tern S. hirundo 3
Rynchopidae - Skimmers:
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger 3*
COLUMBIFORMES
Columbidae - Pigeons, Doves:
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 1,2,3,4,5,6,7**
Rock Dove Columba livia 1,2,3,4,5,6,7**
STRIGIFORMES
Tytonidae - Barn Owls:
Ss Barn Owl Tyto alba 3
Strigidae - Typical Owls:
'*
Common Screech Owl Otus asio 3,7
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 3,6
Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca 3*
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Caprimulgidae - Goatsuckers:
Ss Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor 3,7
APODIFORMES
Trochilidae - Hummingbirds:
V Ruby-throated Hummbrd. Archilochus colubris 1,2,3,6,7
CORACIIFORMES
Alcedinidae - Kingfishers:
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 2,3,5,6,7
PICIFORMES
Picidae - Woodpeckers:
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus 1,3
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus 3
Common Flicker Colaptes auratus 1,2,3,4,6,7
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus 3,4,7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius 2,3
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
V Hairy Woodpecker P. villosus 1,2,3,6,7
30
APPENDIX E
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE PREMIUM RIVER-PINE BROOK WETLANDS COMPLEX
PASSERIFORMES
Tyrannidae - Flycatchers:
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus 1,2,3,6,7**
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus 2,6,7
Ash-throated Flycatcher M. cinerascens 2'
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe 1,3,6,7
Eastern Pewee Contopus virens 2,3
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher E. flairventris 1
Hirundinidae - Swallows:
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonata 1
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 2,3,6,7
Tree Swallow Iridoprocne bicolor 3,6,7
Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis 1,2,6
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia 2,3
Corvidae -Jays, Crows:
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus 3,6,7
American (Common) Crow C. brachyrhynchos 1,2,3,5,6,7
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristat 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Paridae -Titmice:
Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Tufted Titmouse P. bicolor 1,2,3,4,5,6,7"
Sittidae - Nuthatches:
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis 1,2,3,4,5,6,7**
Red-breasted Nuthatch S. canadensis 3,6
Certhiidae - Creepers:
Brown Creeper Certhia familiaris 1,2
Troglodytidae - Wrens:
House Wren Troglodytes aedon 1,3,6,7'
Winter Wren T. troglodytes 3
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 3,6,7
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris 1,3
Sedge Wren C. platensis 1
Mimidae - Mimic Thrushes:
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum 1,2,3,4,6
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 2,3,4,6,7**
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 2,3,4,5,6,7
Turdidae - Thrushes:
Ss Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 1,2,4
31
APPENDIX E
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE PREMUM RIVER-PINE BROOK WETLANDS COMPLEX
American Robin Turdus migratorius 1,2,3,4,6,7
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 1,6
Hermit Thrush C. guttatus 4,6
Veery C. fuscescens 6
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina 1,3,7
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 3.
Sylviidae - Kinglets,Gnatcatchers:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula 1,2,3,4,6
Golden-crowned Kinglet R. satrapa 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea 3
Motacillidae - Pipets etc.:
Water (American) Pipet Anthus spinoletta 3*
Bombycillidae -Waxwings:
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum 2,3,6,7
Sturnidae - Starlings:
Eurasian Starling Sturnus vulgaris 1,2,3,4,6,7
Vireonidae -Vireos:
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus 3,7
Parulidae - Wood Warblers:
Northern Parula Warbler Parula americana 6
Black-throated Green War. Dendroica virens 1,6
Black & White Warbler Mniotilta varia 1,2,3,6,7
Black-throated Blue War. Dendroica caerulescens 6
Magnolia Warbler D. magnolia 1,6
Yellow-rumped Warbler D. coronata 1,2,3,6
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis 1
Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina 6
Chestnut-sided Warbler D. pensylvanica 6
Blackburnian Warbler D. fusca 1
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla 1,2,6,7
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor 6
Palm Warbler D. palmarum 2,6
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus 3,6,7'•
V Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia 1,2,3,6,7
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus 6
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina 6
S Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla 1,6
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla 6
Mourning Warbler Oporornis philadelphia 1
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 1,2,3,6,7
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria verens 1
32
APPENDIX E
COMPILATION OF BIRD LISTS FOR THE PREMIUM RIVER-PINE BROOK WETLANDS COMPLEX
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis 1
Louisiana Waterthrush S. motacilla 1,7
Ovenbird S. aurocapillus 1,3,6,7
Ploceidae - Weaver Finches:
House Sparrow Passer domesticus 1,2,3,5,6,7
Icteridae - Blackbirds, Orioles:
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus 1,2,3,5,6,7**
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater 1,2,3,6,7
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus 1
Common Grackle Quiscalus guiscula 1,2,3,5,6,7
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorous 2,6
V Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna 2,3
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius 2,6
Northern Oriole (Baltimore) I. galbula 1,2,3,6,7
Thraupidae - Tanagers:
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea 1,2,3,7
Fringillidae - Finches, Sparrows:
Northern Junco Junco hyemalis 1,2,3,4,6
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 6
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus 1,2,3,5,6,7
Purple Finch C. purpureus 1,3,6
Evening Grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertina 3'
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis 2,3,6,7
Pine Siskin C. pinus 3*,6
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea 6,7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus 1,2,3,6
Rufous-sided Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus 1,2,3,4,6,7
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis 2,3,4,5,6,7
White-crowned Sparrow Z. leucophrys 1,3*,6
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina 1,6,7
Field Sparrow S. pusilla 2,6,7
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana 6
American Tree Sparrow Spizella arborea 1,3,6
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum 6
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca 1,2,3,6,7
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 1,2,3,4,5,6,7"
Ss Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus 1,2,6
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis 2,6
33
APPENDIX F
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- HOMMOCKS MARSH COMPLEX
TREES
Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) Ailanthus altissima
Ash, Green Fraxinus pennsylvanica lanecolata
Birch, Black Betula lenta
Birch, White B. papyrifera
Cedar, Northern White Thuja occidentalis
Cedar, Eastern Red Juniperus virginiana
Cherry, Black Prunus serotina
Cottonwood, Eastern Populus deltoides
Elm, American Ulmus americana
Elm, Slippery U. fulva
Hawthorne, spp. Craetegus spp.
Hickory, Mockernut Carya tomentosa
Hickory, Pignut C. glabra
Locust, Black Robinia pseudoacacia
Locust, Honey Gleditsia triacanthos
Maple, Norway A. platanoides
Maple, Sugar (Silver) A. saccharum
Mulberry, Red Morus rubra
Oak, Pin Quercus palustris
Oak, Post Q. stellata
Oak, Swamp Q. bicolor
Oak, White Q. alba
Pine, Red Pinus resinosa
Pine, Scotch P. sylvestris
Pine, Eastern white P. strobus
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Spruce, Norway Picea abies
Tupel Nyssa sylvatica
Willow, Weeping Salix babylonica
Willow, Silky S. sericea
SHRUBS & VINES
Barberry, Japanese Berberis thunbergii
Bindweed, Field Convolvulus arvensis
Bittersweet, Asiatic Celastrus orbiculatus
Brambles Rubus spp.
Cherry, Choke Prunus virginiana
Current/Gooseberry Ribes spp.
Dogwood, Silky Cornus amonum
Dogwood, Flowering C. florida
Elder, Red-berried Sambucus spp.
Elder, Marsh Iva frutescens
Grape, Fox Vitis labrusca
Green-brier, Common Smilax glauca
Green-brier, Bristly S. hispida
Hazelnut, American Corylus americana
34
APPENDIX F
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- HOMMOCKS MARSH COMPLEX
SHRUBS & VINES- cont.
Honeysuckle, Canadian Lonicera sempervirens
Honeysuckle, Japanese L. japonica
Morning Glory, Common Ipomoea purpurea
Nightshade, Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara
Olive, Russian Elaeagnus angustifolia
Poison Ivy R. radicans Rose, MultifloraRosa multiflora
Rose, Sweet Brier Rosa eglanteria
Rose, Multiflora R. multiflorta
St. Johnswort, Shrubby Hypericum spp.
Sea Lavender Limonium nashii
Sumac, Smooth Rhus glabra
Sumac, Winged R. copallina
Viburnum, Maple-Leaf Viburnum acerifolium
Virginia Creeper, Woodbine Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
WILDFLOWERS, GRASSES, FERNS
Alfalfa Medicago sativa
Alyssum, Hoary Berteroa incana
Anemone, Rue Anemonella thalictoides
Asparagus, Wild Asparagus officinalis
Aster, Heart-leaved Aster cordifolius
Aster, New York A. novae-belgii
Aster, White wood A. divaricatus
Avens, White Geum canadense
Baneberry, White Actaea pachypoda
Bindweed, Hedge Convolvulus sepium
Bindweed, Field C. arvensis
Bluebells, Virginia Mertensia virginica
Burdock, Common Arctium minus
Buttercup, Common Tall Ranunculus acris
Butter-and-Eggs Linaria vulgaris
Catnip Nepeta cataria
Celandine Chelidonium majus
Chickweed, Mouse-eared Cerastium arvense
Chicory Cichorium intybus
Clover, White Trifolium repens
Clover, Red T. pratense
Clover, Yellow Hop T. agrarium
Daisy, Ox-eye Chrysanthemum leucathemum
Dandelion, Common Taraxacum officinale
Dock, Curled Rumex crispus
Dogbane, Spreading Apocymum androsaemifolium
Evening Lychnis Lychnis alba
Fern, Marsh Telypteris palustris
Fern, Sensitive Onoclea sensibilis
35
APPENDIX F
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- HOMMOCKS MARSH COMPLEX
WILDFLOWERS, GRASSES, FERNS- cont.
Fleabane, Daisy Erigeron annuus
Foxtail, Meadow Alopecurus spp.
Geranium, Wild Geranium maculatum
Goldenrod, Seaside Solidago sempervirens
Goldenrod, Lance-Leaved S. graminifolia
Goldenrod, Slender S. erecta
Grass, Blue Poa pratensis var.
Grass, Cord Spartina pectinata
Grass, Reed Canary Phalaris arundinacea
Hawkweed, Mouse-Ear Hieracium pilosella
Heal-all Prunella vulgaris
Horsetails Equisetum spp.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema dracontium
Jewelweed (Spotted Touch-Me-Not) Impatiens capensis
Joe-Pye Weed Eupatorium spp.
Knotweed, Japanese Polygonum cuspidatum
Knotweed, Virginia (Jumpseed) Tovara virginiana
Lamb's quarters (Pigweed) Chenopodium alba
Lettuce, Tall Blue Lactula biennis
Loosestrife, Purple Lythrum salicaria
Milkweed, Common Asclepias syriaca
Mullein, Common Verbascum thapsus
Mullein, Moth V. blattaria
Mustard Garlic Alliaria officinalis
Nettle, Stinging Utrica dioicia
Nightshade, Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara
Nightshade, Enchanter's Circaea quadrisulcata
Phlox, Wild Blue Phlox divaricata
Phragmites Phragmites spp.
Pineapple Weed Matricaria matricariodes
Plantain, Common Plantago major
Pokeweed Phytolacca americana
Queen Anne's Lace Daucus carota
Ragweed, Common Ambrosia artemisiifolia
St. Johnswort, Common Hypericum perforatum
Saxifrage, Early Saxifraga virginiensis
Sedges Cyperus spp.
Smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum
Solomon's Seal P. pubescens
Sorrel, Wood Oxalis stricta
Star-Grass, Yellow Hypoxis hirsuta
Strawberry, Wild Fragaria virginiana
Thistle, Bull Chelone glabra
Vetch, Blue Vicia cracca
Vetch, Crown Coronilla varia
Violet, Common blue Viola papilionacea
36
APPENDIX F
BOTANICAL INVENTORY- HOMMOCKS MARSH COMPLEX
WILDFLOWERS, GRASSES, FERNS- cont.
Violet, Smooth Yellow V. pensyivanica
Violet, Sweet White V. lauceolata
Waterleaf, Virginia Hydrophyllum virginianum
Source: Consultant Stephen Coleman 1992-1993.
37
APPENDIX G
BIRD SPECIES - HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX
KEY:
1 Consultant Stephen Coleman 1992-1993
* Occasional or rare
NY State DEC list (1983)
S SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
T THREATENED SPECIES
V VULNERABLE SPECIES
e, s, t NY State DEC list (1987)
GAVII FORMES
S Common Loon Gavia immer
PODICIPEDIFORMES
Horned Grebe Colymbus auritus'
PELECANIFORMES
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus'
CICONIIFORMES
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias1
Great Egret Casmerodius albus'
Snowy Egret Egretta thula'
Black-crowned Night Her. Nycticorax nycticorax'
Green Heron Butorides striatus'
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
ANSERIFORMES
Mute Swan Cygnus olor'
Canada Goose Branta canadensis'
Amer. Black Duck Anas rubripes'
Mallard A. platyrhynchos'
FALCONIFORMES
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus'
Tt Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis'
Tt Osprey Pandion haliaetus'
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Merlin F. columbarius
GALLIFORMES
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus'
GRUIFORMES
American Coot Fulica americana'
38
APPENDIX G
BIRD SPECIES - HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX
CHARADRIIFORMES
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus'
Killdeer C. vociferous'
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca'
Lesser Yellowlegs T. flavipes
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Herring Gull Larus argentatus'
Ring-billed Gull L. delawarensis'
Laughing Gull L. atricilla'
Tt Common Tern Sterna hirundo
COLUMBIFORMES
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura'
Rock Dove Columba livia'
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Ss Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor'
CORACIIFORMES
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon'
PICIFORMES
Common Flicker Colaptes auratus1
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens'
PASSERIFORMES
Tyrannidae-Flycatchers
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe'
Hirundinidae-Swallows
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica'
Tree Swallow Iridoprocne bicolor'
Corvidae-Jays, Crows
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus'
American (Common) Crow C. brachyrhynchos'
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristat'
Paridae- Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus'
Tufted Titmouse P. bicolor'
Sittidae-Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis'
39
APPENDIX G
BIRD SPECIES - HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX
CHARADRIIFORMES
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus'
Killdeer C. vociferous'
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca'
Lesser Yellowlegs T. flavipes
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Herring Gull Larus argentatus'
Ring-billed Gull L. delawarensis'
Laughing Gull L. atricilla'
Tt Common Tern Sterna hirundo
COLUMBIFORMES
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura'
Rock Dove Columba livia'
CAPRIMULGIFORMES
Ss Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor'
CORACIIFORMES
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon'
PICIFORMES
Common Flicker Colaptes auratus'
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens'
PASSERIFORMES
Tyrannidae-Flycatchers
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe'
Hirundinidae-Swallows
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica'
Tree Swallow lridoprocne bicolor'
Corvidae-Jays, Crows
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus'
American (Common) Crow C. brachyrhynchos1
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristat'
Paridae- Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus'
Tufted Titmouse P. bicolor'
Sittidae-Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis'
39
APPENDIX G
BIRD SPECIES - HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX
Troglodytidae- Wrens
House Wren Troglodytes aedon1
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus1
Mimidae-Mimic Thrushes
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis1
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos'
Turdidae-Thrushes
Ss Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis'
American Robin Turdus migratorius'
Gray-Cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus
Swainson's Thrush C. ustulatus
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina'
Sylviidae - Kinglets,Gnatcatchers:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Golden-crowned Kinglet R. satrapa'
Bombycillidae - Waxwings:
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum'
Sturnidae - Starlings:
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris'
Vireonidae-Vireos
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus'
Parulidae - Wood Warblers:
Northern Parula Warbler Parula americana
Black-throated Green War Dendroica virens'
Black & White Warbler Mniotilta varia'
Black-throated Blue War. Dendroica caerulescens
Magnolia Warbler D. magnolia
Yellow-rumped Warbler D. coronata'
Chestnut-sided Warbler D. pensylvanica'
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla'
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus'
V Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia'
S Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas1
Ploceidae - Weaver Finches:
House Sparrow Passer domesticus'
40
APPENDIX G
BIRD SPECIES - HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX
Troglodytidae- Wrens
House Wren Troglodytes aedon'
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus'
Mimidae-Mimic Thrushes
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis'
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos'
Turdidae-Thrushes
Ss Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
American Robin Turdus migratorius1
Gray-Cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus
Swainson's Thrush C. ustulatus
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina'
Sylviidae - Kinglets,Gnatcatchers:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Golden-crowned Kinglet R. satrapa'
Bombycillidae - Waxwings:
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum'
Sturnidae - Starlings:
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris'
Vireonidae-Vireos
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus'
Parulidae - Wood Warblers:
Northern Parula Warbler Parula americana
Black-throated Green War Dendroica virens'
Black & White Warbler Mniotilta varia'
Black-throated Blue War. Dendroica caerulescens
Magnolia Warbler D. magnolia
Yellow-rumped Warbler D. coronata'
Chestnut-sided Warbler D. pensylvanica'
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla'
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus'
V Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia'
S Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas1
Ploceidae - Weaver Finches:
House Sparrow Passer domesticus'
40
APPENDIX G
BIRD SPECIES - HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX
lcteridae - Blackbirds, Orioles:
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus'
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater'
Common Grackle Quiscalus guiscula'
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorous
V Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Northern Oriole-Baltimore Icterus galbula'
APPENDIX G
Fringillidae - Finches, Sparrows:
Northern Junco Junco hyemalis'
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis'
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus'
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis1
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea'
Rufous-sided Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus'
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis'
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina'
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca'
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia'
41
APPENDIX G
BIOLOGICAL INVENTORY- HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX
MAMMALS
Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus'
White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus'
Common Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus'
White-footed Deer Mouse Peromyscus leucopus'
Muskrat Ondratra zibethicus'
Opossum Didelphis marsupialis'
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus'
Racoon Procyon lotor'
Brown (Norway) Rat Rattus norvegicus'
Short-tailed Shrew Blarina brevicauda'
Striped Skunk Mephitis monax'
Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis'
Black Squirrel S. niger
North Amerivan Field Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus'
Woodchuck Marmota monax'
REPTI LES
Northern Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin
AMPHIBIANS
Gray Tree Frog Hyla versicolor'
Bull Frog Rana catesheiano'
Green Frog R. clamitans'
American Toad Bufo americanus'
INSECTS
Damselfly
Dragonfly
Praying Mantis
AQUATIC SPECIES
Horseshoe Crab Limulus polychamus'
Fiddler Crab Uca minor'
Marsh Snail Amnicola spp.'
Ribbed Mussel Geukensia demissa
FISH
Alewives Alosa pseudoharengus
Striped Bass Morone saxatilis
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix
American Eel Anguilla rostrata
Flounder, winter Pseudopleuronectes americanus
Killifish Fundulus spp.
Mackeral Scomber scombrus
Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus
Porgy
Silversides Menidia spp.
Tautog (Blackfish) Tautoga onitis
42
APPENDIX H
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HOMMOCKS SALT MARSH COMPLEX'
Field observations of the Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex were conducted from March through
November 1993. The Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex consists of a mixture of habitats
including open fields, woods and meadows, salt marsh, intertidal flats and open water. The
water depth tends to be shallow and consists mostly of salt or brackish water. Land use
throughout the area includes a mixture of residential and commercial developments.
Management recommendations for the Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex follow standard
operating practices used in natural area management. The eventual implementation of these
management recommendations will require someone familiar with plant identification to oversee
that proper restoration and maintenance strategies are performed correctly.
I. PRESENT PROBLEMS AND/OR THREATS
A. VISITOR ACCESSIBILITY AND PERCEPTIONS
The Hommocks Conservation Area is not clearly identified for the first time visitor. Trail signs
are absent and once they find the area, it is not entirely clear where one should park and where
the trail begins and ends.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Paint all wood posts a consistent color that helps identify that each entrance location is
part of the same area. "Brown paint with Yellow or White Lettering" is often used
throughout other Westchester sites.
2. Maintain erected signs with appropriate signage that identifies the area as the
Hommocks Conservation Area.
3. Garbage cans that are located at each entrance should be maintained on a regular basis
and if possible replaced with newer ones that have a locking cover. They should also be
placed in areas that are easier for maintenance crews to maintain on a regular basis.
4. Parking along the road is not an ideal situation. Cars parked along the road can be a
nuisance to residents, passing motorists, and a potential safety hazard for visitors. A new
parking area could be created at the corner of Hommocks Road and Oak Lane for up to
6 vehicles. A parking area in this location would serve to create a definable entrance to the
Hommocks Conservation Area, remove parking from Hommocks Road, and create for the
1 The complete, detailed Management Report by Stephen Coleman, Environmental Consultant, may be seen at the Town of
Mamaroneck Conservation Department. Appendix H is an excerpt of that report.
43
APPENDIX H
visitor a clearly marked beginning point to the trail system. The periphery of the parking
area could be screened with vegetation that is native to the site. An evergreen border with
some deciduous shrubs would be appropriate. Included within the new parking area should
be a trail kiosk that would provide information for visitors about the Hommocks
Conservation Area, a large trail map, registration and other informational materials.
B. TRAIL SYSTEM
The present trail system needs some major repairs to improve the safety and overall experience
for the visitor. The present layout of the trails is confusing in two areas: the field/meadow trail
section and the lower trail nearest Hommocks Road. In addition, all of the boardwalks are in
need of maintenance and stabilization.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Make necessary repairs to the boardwalk sections of the trails.
2. At the junction of the main boardwalk where it goes out into the marsh and terminates
was probably designed to serve as an area to allow easier access to the salt marsh. This
could be re-built and expanded to serve as a sampling area for educational groups studying
the salt marsh environments.
3. Where the trail ends at the school playing field, it would be desirable to visually
demonstrate that the trail continues to the other end of the school playing field. Either
marking the trail edge or creating a trail inside the edge of the playing field would solve this
problem for visitors.
4. The trail within the field/meadow area needs to have a marking system to visibly show
visitors that the trail goes around the edge of the field/meadow.
5. If the recommendation for creating a new parking area is adopted, the following
improvements should also be made to the existing trail system:
a. The trail should begin and end at the new parking lot area.
b. The trail layout should be designed to be a one-way loop.
c. The trail entrances along Hommocks Road should be removed, posts should be taken
out or chained with a sign indicating the direction for the new entrance area. The trail
section for each entrance should be changed to be one continuous loop and marked with
a sign, or vegetation planted to discourage their use by visitors and residents.
d. Garbage cans should only be present at the new parking area.
44
APPENDIX H
e. At the far edge of the salt marsh by the school playing field, it may be appropriate
to install an informational sign/shelter that explains the Hommocks Conservation Area.
II. HABITAT MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION
The Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex represents an ecological system that has been significantly
altered due to internal and external influences. The Hommocks Conservation Area consists of
approximately five distinct habitat types. These include a mixture of woodland habitats,an open
field/meadow area, a salt marsh, intertidal flats within the salt marsh area, and an open water
environment. Each habitat area has shown the adverse impacts of land use practices and
encroachment from adjacent land use activities. The management recommendations that follow
are designed to help restore and improve the natural functioning of this unique and very
important ecological resource.
A. WOODLANDS/FOREST
The woodland habitat present within the Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex primarily refers to
the areas adjacent to Hommocks Road. This wooded section provides a distinct transition zone
between the residential homes and golf course on one side and the salt marsh complex on the
other side. In many instances, this wooded section helps to serve as a corridor for wildlife
species to move between habitat zones.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Asiatic bittersweet has aggressively become established throughout the woodland habitat.
This aggressive vine needs to be pruned back at its roots in successive years until the
majority of it has been weakened and starts to die back.
2. Japanese Barberry and Japanese Honeysuckle should be spot cut and removed from the
site to favor some of the more indigenous species.
3. Additional pruning of shrubs and vines should occur to keep them out of the trail areas
and where they are encroaching other more sensitive native species.
4. Ailanthus and Locust trees should be cut immediately from the site. Ailanthus has
become well established and will continue to take over the site and drastically change the
transition zone between the forest edge and the salt marsh.
5. Introduced cultivated species like Blue Spruce should be cut and removed from the site.
There is only one individual of this species present on the study area.
6. Several trees have been removed recently along the Hommocks Road adjacent to the golf
course. This has served to alter the corridor that was present for wildlife species. In
addition, these changes will encourage the introduction of more aggressive invasive species.
45
APPENDIX H
Periodic surveys of what species become established will need to be monitored.
B. FIELD/MEADOW
The field/meadow habitat has a relatively good diversity of species and its small size allows the
opportunity to create a more self-sustaining system with minimal management and maintenance.
Species commonly associated with a farm/agricultural operation can be observed within the
field/meadow. This is representative of former land use practices within this particular area.
The field/meadow site has a minimal transition area to the salt marsh environment and consists
of species that have adapted well to the limitations of the site. This area could be restored to
demonstrate and reveal typical successional stages within a natural plant community.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. The trail around the edge of the field/meadow should be mowed frequently during the
growing season. Poison Ivy(Rhus radicans) should be pulled out along the edges of the trail
as needed.
2. All tree, shrub and vine saplings and shoots should be cut back within the open meadow
area once per year.
3. The open meadow area should not be mowed every season as is currently the practice.
Instead the meadow should be mowed every 3-4 years as long as step # 2 above is being
done on an annual basis.
4. To restore the diversity of species present within the meadow it is advisable to add new
plants on an annual basis. This will serve to increase diversity and in the long run help
sustain the plant community. Perennial native wildflowers and grasses should be planted
every spring or fall. This practice should continue for 3 -5 years.
5. Along the Hommocks Road border, a new corridor should be established to isolate the
road and golf course from the field/meadow area. This should be done in two layers. First
a layer of trees followed by a layer of shrubs to create two distinct zones of vegetation.
Tree species should be native species. Evergreen trees would be ideal to create more of a
screen from the golf course area. The shrub layer should consist of native species,
preferably berry and seed producing species that are preferred by wildlife.
6. The screening border along the edge of the salt marsh should be maintained. Some
pruning of the lower branches should be done to create a few more layered vistas from the
field/meadow trail area into the salt marsh. All vines that are growing around these trees
should be cut and later removed.
46
APPENDIX H
C. SALT MARSH
The Salt Marsh appears to be relatively stable with the plant community fairly well established,
especially the shrub layer. Species present are representative of other salt marsh communities.
The loss of tidal flow throughout this area more than likely has influenced the growth of
monotypic stands of salt marsh shrub species. A significant amount of pollution is evident
within the salt marsh environment. Garbage and debris is readily found along with evidence of
petroleum remains at the base of many of the plants.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. The phragmites have taken over the area between the two boardwalks and has virtually
eliminated any other species. They should be cut and removed to encourage a more open
growth pattern and establishment of other marsh grass species. Phragmites cannot be
eradicated, however, a judicious cutting and removal a few times a year can have a
pronounced effect on its aggressiveness.
2. If possible, a planting program to establish more diversity of salt marsh grasses would
greatly improve the value of this area. Cord grass (Spartina pectinata), is readily available
from many nursery sources. The key criteria would be to have the personnel to implement
this type of project.
3. The edge of the salt marsh adjacent to the school field could be planted with a shrub and
tree border to screen this area from the school field and create a more permanent buffer
between these two areas.
D. INTERTIDAL FLATS
The intertidal flats habitat zone is well represented and provides plenty of suitable area for salt
marsh species. There appears to be a limited abundance and activity by salt marsh organisms.
Few crabs were observed in the area. Observed use by wildlife species appeared to be
infrequent and these areas were not functioning as a principal feeding area. Wildlife species
were observed using the area but were not actively exhibiting feeding behavior. The amount of
intertidal habitat appears average for the site and relatively free from encroachment by shrub
species. Through time, due to less tidal flushing action, it is likely that the amount of this
particular habitat will begin to diminish in area.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
No specific recommendations at this time.
E. OPEN WATER
A large section of open water habitat is present within the salt marsh complex. The open water
47
APPENDIX H
area is relatively shallow and appears to remain relatively consistent. At entry points there is
evidence of siltation that is helping to reduce the amount of open water habitat available. A
lot of debris is evident in the water. The water is murky and has a lot of suspended solids.
Aquatic vegetation is minimal. Considerable use by wildlife species was observed, however, it
appeared to be mainly for resting and loafing.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. A monitoring program should be established to determine the inflow of siltation into the
salt marsh area from upstream entry point sources and the influence of sewer system and
storm water discharge.
2. The water should be tested to determine the presence of any leachate material from the
former landfill site or the leaf mulch operation.
3. More rip-rap material should be placed along the edges to minimize shoreline erosion
and increased sedimentation.
4. Installation of a permanent siltation barrier should be investigated for the leaf mulch
operation and for the present development project adjacent to the school. Further testing
needs to be conducted to determine whether this type of device would assist with minimizing
potential impacts to the salt marsh habitats.
5. The impact of the old barge remains within the salt marsh area requires further analysis
to determine its contributive effect on the environment. Unless an educational value is
associated to the old barge, it should be removed and disposed of properly.
III. EDUCATIONAL VALUE AND POTENTIAL USES
The Hommocks Salt Marsh Complex provides a wealth of potential for educating residents and
visitors about the values of preserving and restoring natural areas. The proximity to the school
and easy accessibility for visitors enables this site to serve as a major outreach service to the
residents and area school children. Expansion of the informational materials provided about
the site could enhance people's understanding about the Town's natural resources and why these
critical areas have been preserved.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. A new trail map should be developed for the Hommocks Conservation Area. This
should be designed to be part of a brochure that includes information about the Town's
Conservation Areas and related programs and services.
2. A trail kiosk should be built that includes within its design a place to exhibit brochures
and additional literature about the site.
48
APPENDIX H
3. A self guided brochure could be developed in conjunction with making the trail system
into a self-guided trail. To accentuate the interpretive value and interest level of visitors the
self-guided trail and brochure should not exceed 10-12 stations.
4. If the recommendation for a new parking area is implemented, it would be a good time
to restructure the trail system as outlined above. These improvements could be packaged
together to help communicate to residents the exciting plans that are being put into place
to restore and enhance the area for their enjoyment and use.
5. The CAC or CZMC should create an informative newsletter or brochure that talks about
the Town's Critical Environmental Areas to educate the residents and visitors about these
unique resources. It also may help residents to understand that these areas require
management and maintenance and are not areas where people can dispose of their lawn
clippings and other trash. It also could be a source to advertise for volunteer or community
support to carry out some of the management initiatives outlined in this report.
6. Efforts should be made to interest local science teachers in utilizing the Hommocks Salt
Marsh Complex for teaching environmental science and as a living laboratory for applying
classroom concepts. Students could get involved in water testing, siltation studies, planting
trees, shrubs and wildflowers, and many other experiential learning exercises. The
boardwalk could be redesigned or modified to include a sampling station area.
49
APPENDIX I
MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE RESERVOIR-SHELDRAKE-LEATHERSTOCKING
CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA (RSL-CEA)`
I. OVERVIEW
Field Observations of the Reservoir-Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Critical Environmental Area(RSL-
CEA)were conducted from February through November 1992. The RSL's main ecological habitats
and communities consists of the 60 acre Larchmont Reservoir, sections of the West Branch of the
Sheldrake River, the Bonnie Briar and Winged Foot Golf Courses (totaling over 421 acres) and the
Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Conservation Area(comprising 55 acres). The Sheldrake Watershed and
its tributaries provide the connecting links for the majority of habitats found within the RSL-CEA.
The importance of the RSL-CEA cannot be understated. The area due to its configuration of
residential properties, private golf courses, and Town and Village Conservation areas provides a
critical mass of open spaces resources. It is this extensive mosaic network of open space and
natural resources which help contribute to the unique beauty and character of Mamaroneck and
Larchmont. The values of the RSL-CEA are well documented within the LWRP and will not be
mentioned in detail here.
The long history of existing land use patterns within the RSL-CEA and development in surrounding
communities have created an extensive "green"corridor. The configuration of these properties and
existing road systems have created a critical--though fragmented--"stable"--corridor for local wildlife
populations. The RSL has an extensive sampling of most ecological communities typical of the
Westchester region. Several stages of wooded communities are present,along with several wetlands,
streams, ponds, meadows and fields.
II. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
A. OPEN SPACE RESOURCES
The value to the TOM of open space resources provided within the RSL-CEA represent
irreplaceable resources that could not be re-created. Based upon field observations and data
provided as part of the recommendations submitted on the proposed development of the
Bonnie Briar Country Club, they support the establishment of a new zoning district
designated as Recreation Zone. The Bonnie Briar Country Club,The Winged Foot Country
Club and a portions of the Hampshire Country Club should be included within this zone.
B. WATER RESOURCES
A majority of the fresh water resources within the TOM are located in the RSL-CEA.
These include several wetland communities consisting of reservoirs, streams, wooded
The complete, detailed Management Plan by Stephen Coleman, Environmental Consultant, may be seen at the Town of
Mamaroneck Conservation Department. Appendix I is an excerpt of that plan.
50
APPENDIX I
swamps, wet meadows, and ephemeral ponds. The Sheldrake Watershed and its tributaries
are the major water resource.
Natural surface water drainage patterns are still evident throughout the site, especially in
the two golf courses, even though the natural contours of the landscape have been modified.
The history of flooding within the golf courses, primarily Bonnie Briar, reflect that prior
drainage patterns are still functioning to some degree despite present land use patterns.
Natural buffers adjacent to the Sheldrake River and its tributaries are basically non-existent,
which further contributes to the intensity of siltation and erosion of the stream and its
banks. The proper placement of vegetative buffer strips would help alleviate some of the
problems from increased surface water runoff.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations would provide greater protection and enhancement of
existing water resources. It is important that any protective or improvement strategy
adopted, bear in mind, that for enhancement measures to be successful, will require a long-
term program. Several years are often needed to rehabilitate or improve the functioning
of water resources.
1. Any development projects under consideration should require as part of the sub-
division plan the cumulative effects of upstream development on the proposed new
project and its impact on present water resources at the site and those downstream.
2. The Town of Mamaroneck should adopt a "no net loss"policy regarding its water
resources especially wetlands or wetland habitats. All mitigation measures should
be considered to avoid impacts to existing wetland resources with the exception of
the common mitigation technique of replacing existing wetlands with the creation of
new wetlands in other areas of a development project. Creating wetlands is not an
exact science and in a majority of the cases, the results have not come even close to
duplicating the natural features and functioning of an existing wetland system. All
attempts be made to restore and enhance rather than replace a wetland.
3. Vegetative buffers should be established for all water resources within the RSL-
CEA. They are as follows:
a. Ephemeral Ponds-Temporary, seasonal flooded areas which should have
a minimum buffer of 50 feet. This is necessary to provide sufficient
terrestrial habitat for those animals directly associated with this type of
community. Ephemeral ponds or vernal ponds, are located at the Larchmont
Reservoir, within the Sheldrake-Leatherstocking Conservation Area near
Knollwood Drive, the Bonnie Briar and Winged Foot Country Clubs.
b. Wooded Swamps- A buffer should be established of a minimum of 100
51
APPENDIX I
feet with a goal to extend them to 300 -400 feet. These wetlands are located
throughout the area. During field investigation, another wooded swamp was
identified on the northeastern section of Bonnie Briar. This area probably
represents remnants of wetlands that were once adjacent to the Sheldrake
that is now piped underground and channeled.
c. Sheldrake River and its Tributaries--within Bonnie Briar where the lower
Sheldrake traverses the property, the natural ability of this system to slow
down the rate of runoff is severely limited. A vegetative buffer strip
extending out a minimum of 20 feet with a mixture of meadow grasses that
are allowed to grow taller and maintained at different heights and cut in
different directions,would help trap sediments and filter some of the surface
water runoff. If these buffers are properly designed it should have minimal
impact on the fairways.
4. The placement of rip-rap along the bank of the Sheldrake combined with planting
of meadow grasses would be another approach to trap and hold sediments longer
before entering the river.
5. A long-term strategy would be to recommend the installation of circulation
pumps/filtration devices to minimize the build-up of nutrients combined with
periodic draining of the ponds themselves.
6. Sediment traps properly placed along the Sheldrake would help minimize some
of the downstream pollution that occurs during major storms. In addition, water
detention systems could be installed to hold back some of the storm water discharge.
7. Managing the harmful impacts from pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers is a
major concern that is not restricted only to the RSL-CEA. Because the RSL-CEA
has a high percentage of steep slopes, and the bedrock is close to the surface
throughout the Sheldrake Watershed, the impact from chemicals is of major
significance on surface and ground water resources.
a. The Town should require that an integrated pest management plan be
developed for each of the golf courses to encourage or mandate adoption of
an "organic" approach to golf course management. The plan should include
a surface and ground water monitoring program.
b. The Town should have the annual ground water recharge rate tested to
help predict what the current overall impact of nitrate compounds are within
the groundwater supplies.
c. The use of synthetic fungicides which are often used to kill most weeds
and insects should be discouraged.
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APPENDIX I
d. An overall monitoring program that reviews annual phosphorous and
nitrogen loads would enable a more accurate prediction of what the
Sheldrake Watershed's natural retention capabilities are.
e. The golf courses should be encouraged to consider the use of native
grasses and a cutting rotation that allows grasses to grow longer. This will
enable grasses to develop a stronger root system which in turn makes the
plants stronger and less susceptible to disease;hence,less need for fungicides
and herbicides.
C. WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Due to the long history of existing land use practices, wildlife populations are well
represented with a good diversity of species present. The area is primarily second growth
forests with various successional stages. The composition of plant communities and species
is average with a good diversity of trees, shrubs and wildflowers typical of most Westchester
naturalized environments.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Town should adopt a "no net loss approach" to habitat management. This
would imply that if any habitats are altered due to development or land use changes,
that the areas altered should be replaced, with the exception of wetlands as
previously noted.
2. All efforts should be made to minimize habitat fragmentation and if possible,
expanding the size of these corridors would be preferred, especially in areas where
there are gaps in the corridors.
3. A more thorough study should be conducted that looks at the relationship
between wildlife populations, habitat suitability and productivity, to document the
potential impacts on species composition and survivability from land use changes.
4. Periodic follow-up surveys should be conducted to document changes over time
of species distribution throughout the RSL-CEA.
5. Applied management (for example, mechanical removal of Japanese Knotweed
and Black Locust) should be implemented in dealing with the encroachment of
exotic plant or animal species within the RSL-CEA.
D. SHELDRAKE--LEATHERSTOCKING CONSERVATION AREA
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The entrance signs at all points should be improved. Painting of the signs to make them
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APPENDIX I
1
more visible would help people notice the area and increase usage.
2. The current Walk Books should be revised and simplified. The interpretive trail markers
are in a state of disrepair and should either be removed or replaced to avoid confusion to
visitors.
3. A new trail information kiosk'should be erected at the major entrances tp the trail
system. Materials that could be displayed would include a registration book, trail maps,
walk books, information on other Town programs, a blown-up laminated map of the entire
trail system and rules and regulations. This would require regular maintenance but would
help create a more active utilized look to the area.
4. Actual trail improvements appear to be under control by summer work crews and should
continue.
5. More extensive improvements could be made to the trail system but would require
additional resources and would require a more careful analysis than possible within this
report.
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