Environment DEC
From the September 2004 issue
DEC Announces Amended Wetland Maps for Westchester County
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty announced revised state freshwater wetland maps for northern Westchester County, which includes portions of the New York City Watershed.
"Wetlands are extremely critical and provide many important benefits to the overall health of our environment," Commissioner Crotty said. "These amended wetlands maps will help provide additional protection to vital natural resources that help improve water quality and provide important wildlife habitat in northern Westchester County."
Benefits of Wetlands
Wetlands are home
to many plant and
animal species,
including the
endangered bog turtle
Wetlands naturally cleanse and purify water by removing nutrients and other impurities and keeping them from entering our streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs. They are especially important in protecting the long-term quality of the New York City drinking water supply. Wetlands also preserve ecosystems by serving as fish and wildlife habitat, including many endangered and threatened species, and they protect communities against flooding by holding back and reducing the volume and velocity of water entering streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs following storm events.
What the Amendment Includes
Wetland amendment map
The amendment includes the areas of northern Westchester County that are within the New York City Watershed and those areas immediately adjacent to the New York City Watershed. It consists primarily of the addition of previously overlooked and unmapped wetland areas. A total of 5,750 acres of wetlands now appears on Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Act regulatory maps. Within the New York City Watershed portion of Westchester County, 3,370 wetland acres were added and an additional 2,380 acres of wetlands were added just outside the New York City Watershed.
Beginning in December 2003, DEC held three informational sessions and a public hearing to provide landowners, stakeholders and other interested citizens with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft freshwater wetland maps before the amendment was finalized. The public comment period officially closed on February 15, 2004.
Viewing Revised Maps
View the revised New York State Freshwater Wetland Regulatory Maps for Westchester County using the link below or at local government clerks' offices, at local town libraries, or at DEC's Region 3 Office located at 21 South Putt Corners Road in New Paltz, New York. Purchase full-size copies of the maps via BT Images or the Syracuse Blueprint Company. (see links below)
Wetland Regulation and Protection
The Freshwater Wetlands Act, Article 24 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, provides DEC with the authority to regulate the state's freshwater wetland resources. This act regulates wetlands 12.4 acres (5 hectares) or greater in size, certain smaller wetlands identified as of unusual local importance (ULI), and 100-foot buffer areas around mapped wetlands. To be regulated under the act, a wetland must be identified on official Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Regulatory Maps. The act also allows DEC to amend maps by adding, deleting or modifying areas from Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Maps.
Wetlands and other waters of the United States are also protected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Questions concerning the Section 404 program should be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New York District Office (212) 264-0184. In addition, municipalities also may regulate wetlands under local municipal law.
