Clean-Up Plan for Bronx River

New York’s Westchester County and New York City are leading a group of 14 municipalities along the Bronx River Parkway that have agreed to create a water quality improvement plan for the river and its tributaries to reduce polluted storm water running into the river, according to a report in the Journal News.

"The Bronx River Parkway Reservation is a cornerstone of the county parks system," County Executive Andrew Spano said. "The recreational and aesthetic values of the park are directly tied to the quality of the river itself."

Mayors and supervisors from these communities signed the nonbinding agreement: Ardsley, Bronxville, Eastchester, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, North Castle, Scarsdale, Tuckahoe, White Plains and Yonkers. County, state and New York City agencies also are involved in the effort.

Three nonprofit conservation groups — the Bronx River Alliance, Bronx River Conservancy and Kensico Environmental Enhancement Program — have signed on to help create the plan.

The focus of the work will be on updating watershed maintenance and how local lawmakers can adapt land-use regulations to tighten storm water run-off practices in the drainage basin.

The plan is expected to be completed early next year.

Source: JN