Much of the value of both the economic activity and the natural resources of the State's coastal areas and inland waterfronts is based on water quality. New York State has abundant water resources, many are of high quality, but some are degraded by pollution. Even where water quality is high, human activity can pose a threat to water quality and availability. Managing activities to reduce sources of water pollution along our waterfronts and throughout the watersheds of coastal waters and inland waterways is a critical task for communities that want to make the most of their waterfronts and enjoy the many benefits that depend on good water quality. Water quality can be degraded by the collective weight of a variety of land uses and activities within a watershed, even if no single, large pollution source exists.  Many water quality problems are best addressed on a watershed basis, especially where watersheds cross political boundaries and involve more than one community.

To assist communities in addressing shared issues and opportunities in water resource management, the Department of State prepared a series of informational materials entitled, Watershed Plans: Protecting and Restoring Water Quality. http://www.nyswaterfronts.com/watershed_home.asp

The approach illustrated in the Watershed Plans guidebook recognizes the need to address not only the individual water resources within any given watershed, but all the land which drains to these waterbodies. This approach is comprehensive, action oriented, and emphasizes broad environmental goals and objectives that cover all aspects of water quality. Watershed protection and restoration each are necessary to reverse the pollution that continues to degrade the State's waters and to preserve high quality waters. The following are some of the approaches you will want to consider to protect and restore water quality in your community:

• control the location and design of development to avoid water quality impairments
• adopt an overlay district to regulate the most immediate contributing areas surrounding waterbodies, including measures to control runoff, improve septic system operation, provide vegetative buffers, and to reduce use of fertilizers and pesticides especially in sensitive areas
• implement best management practices, such as the following:
  • create of wetlands for stormwater control
  • establish vegetative treatment systems including buffers and grassy swales
  • develop a highway stormwater abatement program
  • minimize the disturbance of natural vegetation and land contours during construction work
  • protect open space parcels that currently provide water quality benefits
  • improve or restoring open space parcels to provide water quality benefits
  • require pumpouts at marinas
  • request state designation of waterbodies as no-discharge zones
  • improve wastewater treatment facilities
  • develop standards for septic systems, including routine inspections
  • eliminate or reduce combined sewer outfalls
  • establish training practices on appropriate road maintenance practices
  • provide public education and outreach programs for specific groups such as property owners or farmers
  • develop tools such as pollution-potential models and GIS-based models to help in determining priorities for water quality improvements
  • establish a water quality monitoring program
  • implement changes in institutional arrangements to coordinate implementation of water quality improvement projects
  • revise local land and water use controls to protect and restore water quality
  • implement specific actions to achieve compliance with Phase II Stormwater Permits