Stormwater
Introduction:
The Town of Salina is located in Central New York, north and west of the City of Syracuse. Most of the Town is along the north shore of Onondaga Lake, east of the Seneca River. Stormwater in the general vicinity of John Glenn Blvd. drains to the Seneca River. The rest drains to Onondaga Lake either directly or into tributaries of Onondaga Lake, including Ley Creek, Bloody Brook, and Sawmill Creek. In the City of Syracuse most of the sanitary sewage and stormwater drain to the same system of combined sewers. In the Town of Salina, the sewage drains to sanitary sewers and the drainage, or stormwater runoff, drains to separate catch basins and storm sewers. The Town of Salina, therefore, has a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System and we are referred to an MS4.
We are required to have a permit in order to be allowed to have our storm sewers drain to our creeks, brook, lake and river, and ultimately to Lake Ontario, the Saint Lawrence River and the Atlantic Ocean. This program is required to help all of us be good stewards of our environment by keeping our stormwater discharges as clean as we can, or clean to the maximum extent practicable. Clearly this is necessary for the health of fish that swim in these waters along with all area wildlife, and it is important for our own health since after it is treated, we drink it. This is a national program and even bottled water needs to be kept clean.
There are many ways that our actions can pollute stormwater. Cars, trucks, and construction equipment leave oils and grime behind, our streets get dirty and rainfall washes the dirt and grime into our storm sewers. Construction removes ground cover temporarily and leads to erosion; spills and garbage can cause significant problems; and sometimes sewage and industrial waste water get into our storm sewers through illegal connections. This program is required to address all of these sources of pollution using six Minimum Control Measures as follows:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Runoff Control
- Post-Construction Stormwater Management
- Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping of Municipal Operations
A discussion of this program including the history and legal background for these requirements, local laws that have been adopted, details of pollution and contamination sources, control measures that are being used, and copies of the semi-annual and annual reports that are submitted to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation are available by contacting the Town Codes Department.
Minimum Control Measure 1. Public Education and Outreach
Education of the public about the importance of keeping the drainage (stormwater runoff and snow melt) that goes into our lakes and rivers clean is an important component of our Stormwater Management Program. If our community was still all forests, meadows, and natural areas, that is if we weren't here, the water in our lakes and rivers would be pristine. It would be crystal clear and inviting. We would all want to come here for fishing, boating, and swimming. It would be good enough to drink. We all need to be involved and informed so that we can work towards this goal. Educational materials to help with this effort are routinely developed and produced by the Central New York Stormwater Coalition, of which the Town of Salina is a member.
The more we all know about how some of our actions injure our environment and what changes we must make to improve it, the more we will cherish this community when we make those behavioral changes. These educational materials are developed and made available each year to help each of us do our part and can be accessed by clicking here. These materials are also included in our annual reporting to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and these full reports can also be reviewed by using the above link
Minimum Control Measure 2. Public Involvement and Participation
We will not be able to improve stormwater quality in and around the Town of Salina without public involvement, interest, and support. Help and participation from interested individuals, groups, and organizations in this effort can have a significant environmental impact and all of the work needed is right here at home. The design of this program is managed by the Central New York Stormwater Coalition with partial funding from the Town of Salina and almost all of the other municipalities in Onondaga County. Each year plans are developed with measurable goals that are reported on annually to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The names, titles, and contact information for individuals, groups and organizations involved in this effort are routinely published in outreach materials that are publicly available. Any public involvement activities will be detailed with participation and results included in this plan, and updated routinely. Among the most important activities are public awareness and reporting of illegal dumping and discharges to stormwater that cause pollution (illicit discharges). These discharges include sewage, oil, and many other industrial chemicals. They also include sediment in the stormwater that comes from construction sites. If you notice a discharge from an outfall (please see minimum control measure 3 for the definition of an outfall) that is clearly not just clean water, please notify the Town and we will locate the source and make sure it is addressed. This year's annual report can be viewed at the Department of Planning & Development or here online. Complaints can be filed by clicking here. Public comments are welcomed and may be filed with codes@salina.ny.us.
Minimum Control Measure 3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
There are many stormwater outfalls in the Town of Salina. A stormwater outfall is a pipe or an open manmade drainage channel that directs stormwater to natural streams, creeks, lakes and rivers. These natural watercourses that surround us or drain through the Town include the Seneca River and Onondaga Lake, and tributaries of Onondaga Lake including Ley Creek, Bloody Brook and Sawmill Creek. A large portion of these stormwater outfalls have been located and mapped. A total of 260 have been found so far and more will be added as they are located with further field investigations.
During this year and during 2022 the Town will inspect, and test as necessary, the dry weather discharges from all of these outfalls and any others that are found. In the following five years we will continue work to find additional outfalls, observe the discharges from all of them, and repeat this process during each following five year period. The goal of this program is to find and then work to remove discharges that pollute our environment. The complete program, including mapping and all outfall inspection results and investigations, can be reviewed by contacting the Town Codes Department at (315)457-6661 or codes@salina.ny.us
Minimum Control Measure 4. Construction Site Runoff Control
Each time a construction project is started, the land is generally cleared of vegetation, and any buildings and parking lots that are unnecessary will be removed. Before construction can be started on a project that involves at least one acre of disturbance, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must be prepared, reviewed, and approved as a part of the Town Planning Board approval process. This plan must be consistent with NYSDEC requirements. The Town of Salina currently contracts with an independent engineering firm to undertake this work on the Town's behalf. This engineering firm also conducts routine inspections of these construction sites to make sure SWPPP's are being followed and functioning properly.
The complete program for this control measure, required certifications, approved SWPPP's, inspection reports and photographs can be reviewed at the Town Codes Department. Click here to report dirty water leaving a construction site.
Minimum Control Measure 5. Post-Construction Stormwater Management
Permanent stormwater management control features, installed as part of many construction projects, require routine maintenance too properly protect the quality of stormwater that is discharged from each site. The locations and descriptions of these features are listed and mapped. Inspections of each of these facilities are completed each year and the completed inspection reports are available to the public. To review the complete program for this minimum control measure along with associated mapping, completed inspection reports, and required maintenance please contact the Town Codes Department (315)457-6661.
Minimum Control Measure 6. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping of Municipal Operations.
Each year the Town undertakes various works to maintain stormwater runoff quality from municipal operations. These efforts include street and parking lot sweeping, catch basin inspections and cleaning, leaf pickup, and good housekeeping at all Town facilities. All 103 miles of Town Roads and all Town parking lots are typically swept twice annually. Leaves are also picked up twice annually. All 3,000 catch basins are inspected and cleaned at least once every five years. Catch basins, which are structures with grates at road level, can be found along the sides of most roads. They allow roadside drainage to drop into our storm sewer system below the streets. Residents can be helpful by keeping these catch basin grates clear of leaves and debris, especially in the fall. Clean and functioning catch basin grates reduce stormwater pollution, reduce street flooding, and improve overall safety for the traveling public.
Good housekeeping at the Town Highway Department and other Town facilities is an important part of this minimum control measure. The overall housekeeping program is evaluated and updated once every three years and all Town Highway and Parks personal need to receive Good Housekeeping training. To review the complete program for this minimum control measure, please contact the Town Codes Department. You will also be able to locate records of street sweeping and catch basin inspections and cleaning. Town facility assessments, including best management practices, can also be found along with our training programs and records.
Back to the top