Environmental Advisory Committee, Town of Ossining

Across the nation, attention is being shifted to sources of pollution, such as Stormwater runoff, that are not normally treated by wastewater treatment plants. Stormwater management, especially in urban areas, is becoming a necessary step in seeking further reduction of pollution in our waterways.

Read more facts and suggestions and ways you can help in our Stormwater "Did You Know" flyer (from Town of Ossining and Green Ossining Committee)

DID YOU KNOW?

Bacteria from animal wastes and illicit connections to sewerage systems can make nearby lakes and bays unsafe for wading, swimming and the propagation of edible shellfish.
Oil and grease from automobiles causes sheen and odor and makes transfer of oxygen difficult for aquatic organisms.
Sediment from construction activities clouds waterways and interferes with the habitat of living things that depend upon those waters.
Careless application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers affect the health of living organisms and cause ecosystem imbalances.
Litter damages aquatic life, introduces chemical pollution, and diminishes the beauty of our waterways.

The Environmental Advisory Committee:

The EAC has successfully worked with the Town of Ossining to enact a Tree Protection Ordinance, Wetland Protection Ordinance, and Steep Slope Ordinance. The EAC is developing recommendations for the protection of Ossining's local water supply. In addition, the EAC helped Ossining to qualify as a national "Tree City", through its tree protection efforts.

Significant Tree List Nominations Solicited

Ossining has an important Tree Ordinance that protects our trees from unnecessary destruction and also provides that the Village Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) should compile a list of nominations of trees in the Village to be added to the Village’s "Significant Tree List."

Please help the EAC compile the nomination list by recommending your own favorite tree. Trees to be nominated must be located on your property. The Ordinance defines a tree as “any woody plant having at least one well-defined trunk with at least a [diameter at breast height] of four inches and having a clearly defined crown."

A Significant Tree is a single tree or grove of trees selected “on the basis of specimen quality, historical significance or other unique characteristic.” The law further provides that the designation must be agreed to by the property owner.

The EAC needs your help with nominations for inclusion on the Significant Tree List. The ultimate decision whether to approve the submitted nominations will be made by the Village Board of Trustees, but providing the EAC with pictures, locations, and a statement of why you think the tree or grove should be so honored, along with owner’s permission note or name, will be a great help and can be a fun and learning experience for you and your children.

Brief Summaries of Current Environmental Ordinances

Contacting the EAC
Residents can contact the EAC for detailed information on the Town of Ossining's environmental ordinances, to nominate a significant tree for protection, to report environmental issues, to propose environmental policies, or to volunteer their time toward EAC efforts. Please address all such questions or suggestions to:


		The Environmental Advisory Committee members: Mitzi Elkes (Chairperson), Stuart Kahan, Dennis Kirby (Planning Board Liaison), John Ladd, Valerie Monastra (Village Liaison), Christopher O’Connor, Suzie Ross, Caleb Hersh (HS representative)
		Across the nation, attention is being shifted to sources of pollution, such as Stormwater runoff, that are not normally treated by wastewater treatment plants. Stormwater management, especially in urban areas, is becoming a necessary step in seeking further reduction of pollution in our waterways. Read more facts and suggestions and ways you can help in our Stormwater "Did You Know" flyer (from Town of Ossining and Green Ossining Committee) DID YOU KNOW? Bacteria from animal wastes and illicit connections to sewerage systems can make nearby lakes and bays unsafe for wading, swimming and the propagation of edible shellfish. Oil and grease from automobiles causes sheen and odor and makes transfer of oxygen difficult for aquatic organisms. Sediment from construction activities clouds waterways and interferes with the habitat of living things that depend upon those waters. Careless application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers affect the health of living organisms and cause ecosystem imbalances. Litter damages aquatic life, introduces chemical pollution, and diminishes the beauty of our waterways. The Town of Ossining created the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) to advise in the development, management, and protection of its natural resources. EAC members are appointed by the Board of the Town of Ossining and serve five year terms. ICLEI Membership & Cities for Climate Protection [Town Board Meeting 05/26/09, Resolution J] Climate Smart Community Pledge [Town Board Meeting 06/09/09, Resolution J] Application for Permit to the DEC (Scarborough Manor Central Power Plant) Environmental, Climate Change, and Carbon Emissions Resources Stormwater Management Program compliance and relevant documents Westchester County Stormwater Management Resources The Environmental Advisory Committee: Helps to build awareness and support for the development, management, and protection of Ossining's natural resources Drafts environmental ordinances, for consideration by the Town of Ossining, designed to provide protection for natural resources Participates in environmental reviews as specified in the Town's ordinances The EAC has successfully worked with the Town of Ossining to enact a Tree Protection Ordinance, Wetland Protection Ordinance, and Steep Slope Ordinance. The EAC is developing recommendations for the protection of Ossining's local water supply. In addition, the EAC helped Ossining to qualify as a national "Tree City", through its tree protection efforts. Read the Environmental Quality Review Local Law in the online Town General Code, Chapter 85. The Town of Ossining has been complying with the NYS DEC requirements for an MS4 community. This requires completion of several tasks over a period of years. Find out how you can help the Stormwater Management Program. For more information about pesticides, please visit the Westchester County Department of Health website. Significant Tree List Nominations Solicited Ossining has an important Tree Ordinance that protects our trees from unnecessary destruction and also provides that the Village Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) should compile a list of nominations of trees in the Village to be added to the Village’s "Significant Tree List." Please help the EAC compile the nomination list by recommending your own favorite tree. Trees to be nominated must be located on your property. The Ordinance defines a tree as “any woody plant having at least one well-defined trunk with at least a [diameter at breast height] of four inches and having a clearly defined crown." A Significant Tree is a single tree or grove of trees selected “on the basis of specimen quality, historical significance or other unique characteristic.” The law further provides that the designation must be agreed to by the property owner. The EAC needs your help with nominations for inclusion on the Significant Tree List. The ultimate decision whether to approve the submitted nominations will be made by the Village Board of Trustees, but providing the EAC with pictures, locations, and a statement of why you think the tree or grove should be so honored, along with owner’s permission note or name, will be a great help and can be a fun and learning experience for you and your children. For more information or to nominate a tree, email Ossiningtreelist@gmail.com. Brief Summaries of Current Environmental Ordinances Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Adopted as Local Law 5-2006 on July 11, 2006. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing within this jurisdiction. View the Stormwater Management Local Law. Steep Slope Protection Adopted as Local Law 2-2000 on April 25, 2000. Declares it to be the public policy of the town to regulate, preserve, protect and conserve its steep slopes so as to maintain and protect the natural terrain and its vegetative features, preserve wetlands, water bodies and watercourses, prevent flooding, protect important scenic views and vistas, preserve areas of wildlife habitat, provide safe building sites and protect the subject property and the adjoining property by preventing erosion, creep and sudden slope failure. View the Steep Slope Protection Ordinance. Tree Protection Ordinance Adopted as Local Law 5-95 on July 11, 1995. Declares the intent of the Town of Ossining to control, protect, conserve, and regulate the use of trees within the Town to ensure that the benefits found to be provided by all trees will not be lost and to protect the broader public interest. This Ordinance includes regulations intended to provide a reasonable balance between the rights of the individual property owners to the free use of their property and the rights of present and future generations of Town residents. View the Tree Protection Ordinance. The Freshwater Wetlands, Watercourse and Waterbody Protection Ordinance Adopted as Local Law 2-1998 on February 24, 1998. Adopted by the Town in order to control, protect and preserve its wetlands in light of their valuable ecological functions. The ordinance strikes a reasonable balance between the rights of individual property owners and the public interest. Activities which may impact wetlands are subject to Town approval, while normal ground maintenance is permitted as a matter of right. View the Freshwater Wetlands, Watercourse and Waterbody Protection Ordinance. Contacting the EAC Residents can contact the EAC for detailed information on the Town of Ossining's environmental ordinances, to nominate a significant tree for protection, to report environmental issues, to propose environmental policies, or to volunteer their time toward EAC efforts. Please address all such questions or suggestions to: Mitzi Elkes, Chair Environmental Advisory Committee 16 Croton Avenue Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 762-6000

16 Croton Avenue Ossining, NY 10562 (914) 762-6000

DID YOU KNOW?

The Environmental Advisory Committee:

Significant Tree List Nominations Solicited

Brief Summaries of Current Environmental Ordinances

16 Croton Avenue
Ossining, NY 10562
(914) 762-6000