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STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Pursuant to a permit obtained from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Village is implementing a five year program to reduce the impact on our tidal and freshwater wetlands from storm water runoff. A major component of this program is the reduction of pollutants, such as pathogen containing pet wastes, trash, petroleum products, and nutrients and toxics found in lawn care and gardening products from being discarded into or from leaching into the Village's drainage systems. Also, feeding geese and encouraging them to become "year-around residents" creates a mess on our lawns, athletic fields and golf courses and contributes pollution to our ponds and bays.

To meet the program goals, the Village is asking residents to get involved and help. By being careful with waste disposal, chemical use, cleaning up after our pets and not feeding waterfowl, we can reduce the impairments of the receiving waters and improve the aesthetics of the community.

You can help keep our environment clean by:

REPORTING ILLEGAL PUMPING, DUMPING or direct connection to a drain or waterway to the Nassau County Illicit Discharge Hotline (516) 571-6863

CLEANING UP AFTER YOUR PET
Pet waste contains harmful bacteria and organisms that can spread disease. Pick up pet waste; seal it in a plastic bag, and dispose of it in trashcans. Don't hose waste into storm drains. Drains are a direct conduit to our waterways and beaches. Help keep our neighborhood, beaches, and waterways healthy and clean.

NOT FEEDING GEESE AND DUCKS
While we all love our "feathered friends", feeding them interrupts the natural migratory cycle. Birds that would normally migrate south in the winter to find food, take up residence if food is "artificially" provided. Further, these resident birds attract migrating birds that in turn will stay if food is present. The result of artificial waterfowl feeding can be large flocks of resident birds that create a nuisance in our parks, athletic fields, golf courses and lawns, and place an extra pollution load on our waterways. Once feeding is discontinued, geese will disperse and revert to higher quality natural foods. Geese that depend on human handouts are also less likely to migrate when severe winter weather arrives, and are more vulnerable to disease.

KEEPING YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM WELL MAINTAINED
Generally, you should have your septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped as recommended by the inspector (generally every 3 to 5 years). Household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, paint, etc. should be taken to the Town S.T.O.P collection sites and not flushed. Overflowing septic systems can pollute our waterways.

PROPERLY USING FERTILIZERS and PESTICIDES ON YOUR LAWN AND GARDEN
If you think you must use heavy amounts of pesticides to grow a beautiful lawn, think again. A bright green, weed-free lawn can be yours by following these simple steps:

	Mow your lawn only as needed. If the grass has gotten too tall, don't mow it down all at one time. Mow gradually, cutting no more than an inch off with the first mowing. Allow the lawn to recover for a day or two, and then trim another inch. Continue cutting an inch at a time until you reach the desired height.
	Water wisely. Don't water on a timer. Some grasses need more water than others, so figure out what kind of grass you have before you decide to water it frequently. When you do water, soak the grass through to the roots, not just the top of the blades.
	Use slow-release, organic fertilizers. Most lawn and garden centers now offer several organic fertilizers along with the more standard varieties.
	Keep all toxic materials in a locked cabinet or garden shed. If you must continue to use pesticides on a limited basis, be sure to remove children and their toys as well as pets from any area where the chemicals are being stored or used.

SEPARATING YOUR RECYCLABLES AND PUTTING THEM OUT ON THE DESIGNATED DAY
It is important to recycle paper, plastics, glass and metals. Reusing these material and keeping them out of our environment is one way to keep our waters clean. Please help by separating paper, glass, plastics and metals and putting them out on the designated day or the night before.

DISPOSING OF YOUR GARBAGE PROPERLY
Garbage should be kept in containers with lids that are animal proof. Open containers or plastic garbage bags provide an inviting target for raccoons and other wildlife. We can keep our garbage from being strewn about the neighborhood and ending up in our waterways by using the right containers.

DISPOSING OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES AT A TOWN SITE
The S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program offers residents of North Hempstead the opportunity to dispose of their household hazardous waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Many people do not realize that ordinary household products, such as aerosols and cleaners, can be corrosive, explosive, or toxic if mixed indiscriminately with regular household garbage.

The Town of North Hempstead's S.T.O.P. collection and motor oil recycling programs are available to all Village residents. I urge all residents to take advantage of both programs.

Under the S.T.O.P. program, the Town will accept for disposal chemicals such as pesticides, aerosol cans, household cleaners and used motor oil. For more information call the Town recycling Hotline: (516) 767- 4600

SO PITCH IN
We can all work together to keep our Village beautiful and our waterways clean.
Please take our EFFECTIVENESS SURVEY and let us know how we are doing in raising awareness.
Please click here to take the Effectiveness Survey PDF Format

Please click here for Stormwater Pollution Solutions PDF Format

STORM WATER REGULATIONS AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

HOW TO BE IN COMPLIANCE
If your project will disturb one acre or more of ground, site owners and/or operators are required to:

	Develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and follow it. The SWPPP is the plan for controlling runoff and pollutants from a site during and after construction.
	Once a SWPPP is prepared, you must file a NOI (Notice of Intent) with the DEC to obtain a Storm Water General Permit from the NYSDEC. You can obtain help from the NYSDEC or your County Soil and Water Conservation District about permit requirements. You can also visit the NYSDEC website for detailed storm water information at www.dec.state.ny.us

NOTE - It could take up to 60 business days to get a permit, but often only takes 5 business days. Plan ahead!

	Certify, under penalty of law, to follow the SWPPP. Land owners and contractor must sign a statement that they understand and agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the SWPPP.
	Have a qualified professional perform inspections after 1/2 inch of rain, as well as weekly, to determine compliance with water quality standards and adherence to the SWPPP as specified in the permit. See the NYSDEC website for more information.
	Maintain erosion and sediment control practices and update the SWPPP regurlarly.
	install permanent storm water management practices.
	Keep all SWPPP and inspection forms in a logbook on the construction site.
	If you begin construction before filing a NOI and obtaining coverage, you may be subject to a penalty of up to $37,500 per violation per day.

WHAT CONTRACTORS CAN DO AT THE SITE

Soil erosion prevention and sediment control:

	Minimize the area of exposed soil on-site: Plan the project in stages if possible; seed and mulch disturbed areas with permanent or temporary groundcover immediately upon reaching final grade; see or cover stockpiles that will not be used immediately.
	Reduce the velocity of storm water: Use ESC practices such as vegetated buffers and check dams to slow down storm water as it travels across and away from the project site; don't use silt fences or other types of perimeter filters to reduce the velocity of runoff and never install them in streams or ditches.
	Keep sediment on-site: Maintain a minimum 50-foot length of clean stone at access points to accommodate large vehicles; sweep the construction entrance road often to prevent soil and debris from entering storm drains; do not hose paved areas; use temporary sediment traps and basins with other permanent measures to retain sediment.
	Divert clean water from disturbed soil: Use interceptors and diversion structures to direct flow away from exposed areas toward stable portions of the site.
	Maintain all ESC practices to ensure their effectiveness during the life of the project: Regularly remove collected sediment from silt fences, berms, traps, and other practices; maintain sediment controls that protect sensitive areas such as diversion structures and silt fences; keep geotextiles and mulch in place until vegetation is well established.

For more information please visit the New York Sate Department of Environmental Conservation website at www.dec.state.ny.us and like to the Storm Water Program or call the Nassau County SWCD at 516-292-5069.

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The Village of Great Neck Plaza
PO Box 440
Great Neck, NY 11022
(516) 482-4500 / f. (516) 482-3503
e-mail: info@greatneckplaza.net
Mayor Jean A. Celender