DRAFT Cortlandt Indian Brook Croton Gorge Watershed Overlay 3 13 24
document
11 pages
Meeting: portal event 958 (no meeting page on file)
Agenda item: Discussion on adopting legislation to establish an Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District.
Document, 11 pages. Attached to agenda item: “Discussion on adopting legislation to establish an Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District.”
Retrieved 2026-04-15 from the village's meeting portal.
View the original PDF ↗
Also attached to this agenda item:
3.15.24 Croton Referral
CAF - LL Intro 7 of 2024
Croton Bay Indian Brook Watershed Map 5.14.2024
Croton Bay Indian Brook Watershed Map 5.3.2024
DRAFT Map of Indian-Brook Croton Gorge WPOD
EAF - LL Intro 7 of 2024
HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY PROGRAM GRANT AWARDS 2016
Indian Brook Croton Gorge project summary
Local Law Intro 7 of 2024
Map of Croton Parcels in the IB-CG WPOD
May 15th Resolution 98-2024 LL Intro 7 of 2024 Referrals
Memo on Indian Brook Overlay
Extracted text
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§ XXXX. INDIAN BROOK–CROTON GORGE INTER-
MUNICIPAL WATERSHED PROTECTION OVERLAY
DISTRICT (WPOD) TOWN OF CORTLANDT
A. Findings and purpose. The purpose of the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal
Watershed Protection Overlay District is to protect the health and welfare of residents living within
the boundaries of the of the Indian Brook–Croton Gorge Watershed by minimizing the potential for
groundwater and surface water contamination and taking steps to limit the severity of resource
degradation. The Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Watershed encompasses portions of five
municipalities including the Towns of Cortlandt, New Castle, and Ossining, and the Villages of
Croton-on-Hudson and Ossining. Since the actions of upstream municipalities can have as much
of an impact on a downstream municipality’s land and water resources as those actions carried
out locally, a commitment from all municipalities within a watershed is critical to protecting the
health of its resources. The intent of this ordinance is to create a partnership for the comprehensive
management of the Indian Brook–Croton Gorge Watershed by creating provisions for:
1. Protecting and restoring the natural resources, most significantly the Croton River, Indian
Brook Reservoir, existing wetlands and groundwater drinking sources; and
2. Developing and implementing stormwater management practices that will improve water
quality; and
3. Promoting sustainable development through land use and environmental regulations; and
4. Preserving and protecting fish, wildlife, and significant habitat; and
5. Educating the public.
B. Definitions.
For purposes of this §XXX, the following definitions shall apply:
Agricultural Animal Waste: Manure and other animal waste derived from agricultural industries.
Aquifer: A consolidated or unconsolidated geologic formation, group of formations or part of a
formation capable of yielding a significant or economically useful amount of groundwater to wells,
springs or infiltration galleries.
Battery Energy Storage System: A rechargeable energy storage system consisting of batteries,
battery chargers, controls, power conditioning systems and associated electrical equipment. The
system is typically used to provide standby or emergency power, an uninterruptable power supply,
load shedding, load sharing, smoothing and dispatching of intermittent renewable energy sources,
or similar capabilities. A battery energy storage system is classified as a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3
Battery Energy Storage System as follows:
A. Tier 1 Battery Energy Storage Systems include either:
a) Battery energy storage systems for one to two family residential dwellings within or
outside the structure with an aggregate energy capacity that shall not exceed:
1. 40 kWh within utility closets and storage or utility spaces
2. 80 kWh in attached or detached garages and detached accessory structures
3. 80 kWh on exterior walls
4. 80 kWh outdoors on the ground
b) Other battery energy storage systems with an aggregate energy capacity less than or
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equal to the threshold capacity listed in Table 1.
Battery Technology
Capacity
Flow batteries
20 Kwh
Lead acid, all types
70 Kwh
Lithium, all types
20 Kwh
Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd)
70 Kwh
Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH)
70 Kwh
Other battery technologies
10 Kwh
B. Tier 2 Battery Energy Storage Systems include battery energy storage systems that are not
included in Tier 1, have an aggregate energy capacity greater than the threshold capacity listed in
Table 1, and have an aggregate energy capacity less than 600 kWh.
C. Tier 3 Battery Energy Storage Systems include all the following:
a) Battery energy storage systems with an aggregate energy capacity greater than or equal
to 600kWh
b) Battery energy storage systems with more than one storage battery technology is
provided in a room or indoor area
Chloride Salt: Any bulk quantities of chloride compounds and other deicing compounds intended
for application to roads, including mixes of sand and chloride compounds in any proportion where
the chloride compounds constitute over 8% of the mixture. A bulk quantity of chloride compounds
means a quantity of 1,000 pounds or more but does not include chloride compounds in a solid
form, including granules, which are packaged in waterproof bags or containers which do not
exceed 100 pounds each.
Building Inspector: The Building Inspector of the Town of Cortlandt.
Discharge: Any intentional or unintentional action or omission in the releasing, spilling, leaking,
pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping into the waters of the municipality or onto lands
from which the discharged substances or material might flow or drain into said waters, or into waters
outside the jurisdiction of the municipality, when damage may result to the lands, waters, or natural
resources within the jurisdiction of the municipality.
Fertilizer: Any commercially produced mixture generally containing phosphorous, nitrogen and
potassium which is applied to the ground to increase nutrients to plants.
Generator of Hazardous Waste: Any person or site whose act or process produces hazardous
waste.
Groundwater: Water contained in interconnected pores and fractures in the saturated zone in an
aquifer.
Hazardous Substance: Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof,
which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may
cause, or significantly contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety,
property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise
managed and as defined in Chapter 263 Storm Sewers of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code.
Hazardous Waste: See 6 NYCRR Part 371 and amendments thereto for the identification and listing
of hazardous wastes.
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Herbicide: Any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate
any weed, including those substances defined as herbicides pursuant to Environmental
Conservation Law § 33-0101, and amendments thereto.
Low Impact Development (LID): refers to systems and practices that use or mimic natural
processes that result in the infiltration, evapotranspiration or use of stormwater in order to protect
water quality and associated aquatic habitat.
Manure: Animal feces and urine.
Mining: Any operation which involves the breaking of the earth's surface for the purpose of extracting
and removing raw natural materials (such as topsoil) from the premises for the purpose of sale or
off-premises use.
Municipal Water Supply: Aquifers and watersheds within the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge
Watershed that serve as water sources for municipal water systems.
Municipal Water System: A water system which provides piped water to the public for human
consumption as defined and regulated by 10 NYCRR Subpart 5-1.
Natural Recharge: The replenishment of underground water reserves.
Non-point Discharge: Discharges of pollutants not subject to SPDES (State Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System) permit requirements.
Overlay Map: The overlay map showing the boundaries of the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge
Watershed Protection Overlay District.
Pest: Any insect, rodent, fungus or weed; or any other form of terrestrial or aquatic plant or animal
life or virus, bacteria or other microorganism (except viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms on or
in living man or other living animals) which the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation
declares to be a pest as provided in Environmental Conservation Law § 33-0101.
Pesticide: Any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate
any pest, including any substances defined as pesticides pursuant to Environmental Conservation
Law § 33-0101 et seq. and amendments thereto.
Petroleum: Oil or petroleum of any kind and in any form including but not limited to oil, petroleum
fuel oil, oil sludge, oil refuse, oil mixed with other waste, crude oil, gasoline, and kerosene, as defined
in 6 NYCRR Part 597.1(7) and amendments thereto.
Point Source Discharge: Pollutants discharged from a point source as defined in Environmental
Conservation Law §17-0105 and amendments thereto.
Pollutant: Any material or byproduct determined or suspected to be hazardous to human health
or the environment as defined in in Environmental Conservation Law §17-0105 and as defined in
as defined in Chapter 263 Storm Sewers of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code.
Solar Farms: A tier three energy system as defined in Chapter 255 Solar Energy Systems of the
Town of Cortlandt Town Code.
Solid Waste: Includes all manner of useless or unwanted or discharged solid or semisolid nontoxic,
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domestic, commercial, industrial, institutional, construction and demolition waste materials, except
hazardous, toxic, chemical, human or rendering wastes.
State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“SPDES”): The system established pursuant to
Article 17 Title 8 of Environmental Conservation Law for issuance of permits authorizing discharges
to the waters of the state of New York.
Steep Slopes: Within the Watershed Protection Overlay District a steep slope is defined as any
slope greater than 15 percent and as defined in Chapter 259 Steep Slopes in the Town of Cortlandt
Town Code.
Stormwater Hotspots: a land use or activity that generates higher concentrations of
hydrocarbons, trace metals, or toxicants than are found in typical stormwater runoff, based on
monitoring studies. For purposes of the Indian Brook Croton Gorge Watershed Protection
Overlay District, the following land uses, and activities are deemed stormwater hotspots:
•
Vehicle salvage yards and recycling facilities
•
Vehicle fueling stations
•
Vehicle service and maintenance facilities
•
Vehicle and equipment cleaning facilities
•
Fleet storage areas (bus, truck, etc.)
•
Industrial sites
•
Marinas (service and maintenance)
•
Outdoor liquid container storage
•
Outdoor loading/unloading facilities
•
Public works storage areas
•
Facilities that generate or store hazardous materials
•
Commercial container nursery
•
Other land uses and activities as designated by an appropriate review authority
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP): A plan for controlling stormwater runoff and
pollutants from a site during and after construction activities as defined in Chapter 262
Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code.
Surface Waters of the State of New York: Lakes, bays, sounds, ponds, impounding reservoirs,
springs, wells, rivers, streams, creeks, estuaries, marshes, inlets, canals, the Atlantic Ocean within
the territorial seas of the State of New York and all other bodies of surface water, natural or artificial,
inland or coastal, fresh or salt, public or private (except those private waters that do not combine or
effect a junction with natural surface or underground waters), which are wholly or partially within or
bordering the state or within its jurisdiction. Storm sewers and waste treatment systems, including
treatment ponds or lagoons which also meet the criteria of this definition, are not waters of the state.
This exclusion applies only to man-made bodies of water which neither were originally created in
waters of the state (such as a disposal area in wetlands) nor resulted from impoundment of waters
of the state.
Wastewater: Water that is not stormwater, is contaminated with pollutants and is or will be discarded
as defined in Chapter 263 Storm Sewers of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code.
Wastewater Treatment System: Any treatment plant, sewer, disposal field, lagoon, pumping
station, septic system, collection and distribution pipes, on-site disposal systems and seepage units,
constructed drainage ditch or surface water intercepting ditch, or other system not specifically
mentioned in this definition, installed for the purpose of transport, treatment, neutralization,
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stabilization, storage, or disposal of wastewater and as defined in Chapter
Water body: Any body of water which exists at least three months of the year as defined in Chapter
179. Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and Watercourses.
Watercourse. Any identifiable channel through which water flows continuously or intermittently as
defined in Chapter 179. Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and Watercourses of the Town of
Cortlandt Town Code.
Watershed. The geographic region within which water drains to a particular wetland, water body, or
watercourse as defined in Chapter 179. Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and Watercourses.
Watershed Protection Overlay District: Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed
Protection Overlay District. The Watershed for specific municipal water supplies, as designated on
the official Watershed Protection Overlay District Map[1] and described in § XXX-3 of this chapter.
Water Supply: The groundwater resources of the watershed, or the groundwater resources used
for a particular well or community water system in the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge watershed.
Well: Any present or future artificial excavation used as a source of public or private water supply
which derives water from the interstices of the rocks or soils which it penetrates including bored wells,
drilled wells, driven wells, infiltration galleries, and trenches with perforated piping, but excluding
ditches or tunnels, used to convey groundwater to the surface.
Wellhead Buffer: An area surrounding a municipal water system well, designated as a critical area
for protecting the well, created by a two hundred foot radius around each protected well.
Wetland Buffer Areas: An area surrounding a wetland, watercourse or water body that is subject
to the regulations specified herein. Within the Indian-Brook Croton Gorge Watershed Protection
Overlay District it is defined as the land area within 150 linear feet along the surface, away from,
and around the perimeter of the outermost boundary of a wetland or watercourse or water body.
A buffer is intended to provide protection from human activity and other encroachment associated
with development.
C. Applicability.
1. The provisions of this section shall be applicable to all new land use, construction, or
subdivision. Existing land use, construction, improvements and subdivisions within the Indian
Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District. Existing land use,
construction, improvements and subdivision initiated or completed prior to the effective date
of adoption of this chapter are not subject to the requirements herein.
2. These prohibitions, restrictions, and principles shall be applied within the Watershed
Protection Overlay District through the existing building permit, site plan review, and code
enforcement procedures of each municipality in the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal
Watershed Protection Overlay District by its officers and boards. Additionally, all development
in the watershed shall be in accordance with New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation regulations related to environmental protection and stormwater management.
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3. Site plan review by the agency having approving jurisdiction is required for all new activities or
property uses in the Watershed Protection Overlay District, except one- and two-family
residences, and shall take into consideration the requirements and principles outlined in this
chapter.
4. Within the Watershed Protection Overlay District, all major subdivisions shall be designed as
a conservation/cluster subdivision with a minimum of 30% of the parcel permanently
preserved. Town Board authorization of a cluster subdivision proposed within the WPOD is
not required.
D. Boundaries.
1. The boundaries Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay
District is established on a map entitled “Indian Brook–Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal
Watershed Protection Overlay District, Westchester County, NY 2023” (watershed map),
which is adopted simultaneously herein. The areas included encompass the entire watersheds
of Indian Brook and the Croton Gorge and their tributaries which are sub-watersheds of the
larger Croton Bay Watershed. The Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Watershed includes
watersheds and aquifers that function as sources of supply for municipal water systems. The
particular municipal water supplies protected under this chapter include:
i. Indian Brook Reservoir/Indian Brook Basin - serves as a drinking water source for
portions of the Town and Village of Ossining, and portions of the Town of New Castle
ii. Croton Gorge Basin and Croton River Aquifer - a water source for the Village of
Croton-on-Hudson water system and a water source for individual wells within portions
of the Town of Cortlandt and the Town of New Castle.
2. Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries shown on the Watershed Map, the following
shall apply:
i. Where area boundaries are indicated as approximately following a street, railroad, or
highway line or centerlines thereof, such lines shall be construed as said boundaries.
ii. Where area boundaries are indicated as approximately following lot lines, such lot lines
shall be construed to be said boundaries. However, a survey plat prepared by a
registered land surveyor may be submitted to the municipality as evidence that one or
more properties along these boundaries do not lie within the protected area.
iii. Where the boundaries lie at a scaled distance of more than 25 feet from any parallel lot
line, the boundaries shall be determined by use of the scale appearing on the watershed
map.
iv. Where the boundaries lie at a scaled distance of less than 25 feet from any parallel lot
line, the boundaries shall be construed to be the lot line.
v. When a large parcel is bisected by the boundary, the applicant may submit a detailed
topographical map of the property as documentation of those portions of the property
that are within as well as outside the boundary.
vi. Where other uncertainty exists, the authorized Approval Agency shall interpret the
Watershed Map as to location of such boundaries. The municipality may, at the
applicant's expense, consult with agencies or others in determination of a project's
location within a protected area and applicability of these standards.
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C. Effect of district. Within the WPOD, all underlying land use district rules remain in effect, except
as they are specifically modified by this Chapter. In case of a conflict between this Chapter and
the underlying use regulations, the more restrictive shall control. Nothing in this Chapter shall be
construed to allow uses that are not permitted by the underlying land use district.
D. Prohibited uses and practices. The following uses shall be prohibited in the WPOD District:
1. Disposal of hazardous material or solid waste.
2. Treatment of hazardous material, except remediation programs authorized by a government
agency for treating hazardous material that existed on the site prior to the adoption of this land
use law
3. The creation or manufacturing of any hazardous materials
4. Dry cleaning, dyeing, printing, photo processing, and any other business that stores, uses, or
disposes of hazardous material, unless all facilities and equipment are designed and operated
to prevent the release or discharge of hazardous material.
5. Disposal of septage or septic sludge
6. Automobile service and gas filling stations
7. New underground storage of petroleum
8. Petroleum product pipelines
9. Solar Farms
10. Vehicle Storage Yards/Truck terminals
11. Contractor’s Yards
12. The bulk storage of deicing salt, except in municipally-approved impervious structures
13. Installation of dams, water diversions, and stream channelization except undertaken directly
in relationship to drinking water resources.
14. Clearing of more than 30,000 square feet of vegetation without a site plan approval.
15. Landfill of domestic, industrial, construction and demolition, or hazardous materials.
16. Junkyards
17. Land spreading of sludge or ash, including domestic wastewater or waste industrial process
material, except for ash from individual residential heating equipment.
18. New dry wells directly connected to any floor drain, garage drain, wash basin or sink.
19. New fuel storage facilities in any amount greater than 660 gallons.
20. Commercial trash containers and dumpsters which are not under a roof or which are located
so that leachate from the receptacle could escape unfiltered and untreated.
21. Any mining activities including consolidated and solution mining activities, unless permitted by
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
22. Point source discharges, other than discharges authorized by permits issued by the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation.
23. Tier 3 Battery Energy Storage Systems
E. Performance criteria.
1. All construction activities (as defined by the agency having approving jurisdiction) that involve
soil disturbances greater than 5,000 sf shall comply with the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Stormwater Manual dated 2014. All construction
activities shall be required to meet the standards set forth in the SPDES General Permit for
construction activities that involve soil disturbances greater than 5,000 sf and all stormwater
pollution prevention plans shall meet water quantity and quality controls for all new impervious
surfaces as outlined below.
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2. Any new construction activity which creates new impervious surfaces greater than 1,000 sf
shall be treated for water quality volume (WQv), peak flows (cfs) and volume (cf) as outlined
in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Stormwater
Management Design Manual, latest edition, and Chapter 262. Stormwater Management and
Erosion and Sediment Control of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code and include enhanced
requirements for pollutants of concern as outlined and incorporated in the Stormwater
Management Design Manual, latest edition.
3. Low Impact Development (LID) Practices - shall be provided to the extent feasible for all new
or redevelopment within the watershed including the use of bioretention facilities, rain gardens,
vegetated rooftops, rainwater harvesting, and permeable pavements.
4. Pollutant loadings will not damage any wetland, waterbody or watercourse.
5. Grading and removal of vegetation is minimized for all construction.
6. Septic systems must be pumped at least once during every 3-year period.
7. The storage and stockpiling of manure and other animal waste for use in agricultural
operations, agricultural use of fertilizers and land application of manure, and pesticide
(including herbicide) storage and use shall comply, to the maximum extent possible, with the
practices detailed in the most current versions of "Controlling Agricultural Nonpoint Source
Water Pollution in New York State - A Guide to the Selection of Best Management Practices
to Protect Water Quality," published by the Bureau of Technical Services and Research,
Division of Water, or "Agricultural Management Practices Catalogue for Nonpoint Source
Pollution Prevention and Water Quality Protection in New York State.
8. Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides shall not be applied in a manner or at a rate which
contributes to or causes a contravention of the water quality standards set forth in 6 NYCRR
700 to 705.
9. Pesticide storage and use (including herbicides) are subject to the approval of, and shall
comply with the regulations of, the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation.
10. Disposal of pesticide, including herbicides, is prohibited unless authorized by a permit issued
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
11. Disposal of water used for pesticide makeup water or for washing of pesticide equipment is
prohibited unless authorized by a permit issued by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation.
12. Use of streams as sources of water for the washing of equipment used in conjunction with
pesticide or herbicide application is prohibited.
13. Lawn chemicals (pesticides and herbicides) shall not be applied within 25 linear feet of any
watercourse, or within a wellhead buffer area.
14. Storage of chloride salts and coal shall be in structures designed to minimize contact with
precipitation and constructed on low-permeability pads designed to control seepage and run-
off.
15. Chloride salt application. Deicing chloride salt use is restricted to the minimum amount needed
for public safety as determined by the Town Highway Superintendent.
16. Any petroleum storage tank(s) installed or replaced after the effective date of this chapter must
be aboveground or fully visible for inspection within the basement or other interior space, and
secondary containment is required for all new tanks.
F. General Provisions for Wetlands, Watercourses, Water Bodies, Wetland Buffers Areas and
Steep Slopes. These regulations apply to all wetlands, watercourses, water bodies and buffer areas
as defined in Chapter 179. Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and Watercourses of the Town of
Cortlandt Town Code and located within the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed
Protection Overlay District (regardless of size).
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1. Development of wetlands, watercourses, water bodies and buffer areas are to be avoided
except where no reasonable alternative exists or where the applicant would otherwise suffer
undue hardship if a permit is not issued. In the event such development is approved, impacts
shall be minimized to the greatest extent practicable, and a mitigation plan shall be prepared.
2. All applications for permits to disturb wetlands, watercourses, water bodies and buffer areas
in the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District shall
follow the requirements contained in Chapter 179. Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and
Watercourses of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code unless a more stringent or restrictive
requirement is listed in this section.
3. As a condition of the granting of any wetland permit within the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge
Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District, the approving authority shall require
that the applicant submit a mitigation plan per the requirements listed in Chapter 179.
Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and Watercourses of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code.
4. Within the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District,
the applicant shall be required to create replacement wetlands or restore, recreate or enhance
existing wetlands or wetland buffer areas equal to twice the area of wetland or wetland buffer
directly impacted.
5. Within the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District,
no disturbance within 150 feet of any wetlands, watercourses, or waterbodies shall be
permitted. Buffers shall be regulated as follows:
Buffers
i.
Buffers along wetlands and waterbodies (as defined in Chapter 179. Freshwater
Wetlands, Water Bodies and Watercourses of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code) must
extend a minimum of 150 feet horizontally away from and paralleling the delineated
wetland boundary.
ii. Buffers along watercourses (Chapter 179. Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and
Watercourses of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code) extend a minimum of 150 feet
horizontally away from and paralleling the highwater mark or level of bank full
discharge. In undeveloped areas, the buffer shall also be extended to include the 100
year floodplain.
iii. Buffers along steep slopes (Chapter 179. Freshwater Wetlands, Water Bodies and
Watercourses of the Town of Cortlandt Town Code) shall extend 150 feet horizontally
plus 2 ft per 1% of slope.
Buffer vegetation
i.
Planting within buffers shall be based on a site-specific planting plan designed to
maximize the buffer’s capacity to intercept stormwater runoff, stabilize banks, improve
water quality, and provide habitat. Planting shall incorporate:
a. a diverse mix of perennial native species
b. trees and shrubs with dense ground cover to protect soil
c. salt tolerant plants in areas where road salt is used
d. steep slopes: native perennial grasses; trees and woody shrubs along the
water’s edge
e. bank erosion control: plants with fibrous root systems; deep-rooted woody
species
Allowable buffer uses
i.
unpaved foot paths, recreational access, revegetation planting and mitigation planting
per the requirements listed above, manual removal of invasive species, removal of
trees that pose a safety hazard.
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Restricted buffer uses
i.
new impervious surfaces, construction of roads, structures or pipelines
ii. removal of vegetation or trees (except for safety purposes)
iii. excavation and grading
iv. additional lawn
v. constructed stormwater measures are to be used outside the buffer to direct
stormwater sheet flow to the buffer
vi. mining
vii. septic tank drain fields
viii. agriculture and livestock
ix. de-icing application of road salt
x. waste disposal or dumping of trash, yard waste and debris
xi. application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
xii. dams, water diversions, stream channelization
xiii. All other activities not specifically listed above are subject to Federal, State and local
permit procedures
6. Special provisions.
These special provision apply to new development in previously developed areas where there
is no available area for required buffer:
i.
The protected buffer shall be as wide as the site allows, subject to the above-listed
conditions where possible, and maintaining as much vegetated cover as possible
within 150 feet of wetland or watercourse, especially in areas where bank erosion is
evident.
ii. Alternative or additional conservation practices (including low impact development
(LID)) to reduce runoff load into a wetland or watercourse shall be applied.
G. Wellhead Buffers and Stormwater Hotspots. Within the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-
Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District, no disturbance within 200 feet of any wellhead
or stormwater hotspot shall be permitted. Wellhead buffer areas and stormwater hotspots shall be
protected as follows:
1. Construction activities within 200 feet of a wellhead is prohibited except those used for
municipal water system purposes such as pumping, treatment, and control facilities and
equipment. Wellhead buffer areas shall not be used for any purpose other than municipal water
supply, except when a permit has been issued by the Town Board for nonintrusive recreation
uses such as picnicking, nature study, fishing, or hiking. The wellhead buffer shall be posted
prohibiting trespass for any purpose except as permitted in this subsection.
2. Buffers adjacent to stormwater hotspots (as defined above) shall extend 200 feet horizontally
away from hotspot source.
H. Enforcement.
1. Compliance orders. The Director of Code Enforcement/Town Engineer/Building Inspector is
authorized to order in writing the remedying of any condition or activity found to exist in, on or
about any building, structure, or premises in violation of this chapter. Upon finding that any
such condition or activity exists, the Director of Code Enforcement/Town Engineer/Building
Inspector shall issue a compliance order.
i.
The compliance order shall:
a. Be in writing;
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b. Be dated and signed by the Director of Code Enforcement/Town
Engineer/Building Inspector;
c. Specify the condition or activity that violates this chapter
d. Specify the provision or provisions which is/are violated by the specified
condition or activity;
e. Specify the period of time which the Director of Code Enforcement/Town
Engineer/Building Inspector deems to be reasonably necessary for achieving
compliance;
f. Direct that compliance be achieved within the specified period of time; and
g. State that an action or proceeding to compel compliance may be instituted if
compliance is not achieved within the specified period of time.
2. The Department of Code Enforcement shall cause the compliance order, or a copy thereof, to
be served on the owner of the affected property personally or by registered mail. The
Department of Code Enforcement shall be permitted, but not required, to cause the compliance
order, or a copy thereof, to be served on any builder, architect, tenant, contractor,
subcontractor, construction superintendent, or their agents, or any other person taking part or
assisting in work being performed at the affected property personally or by certified mail;
provided, however, that failure to serve any person mentioned in this sentence shall not affect
the efficacy of the compliance order.
I.
Penalties for offenses.
1. Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the applicable
penalties under this chapter, and any other applicable code or ordinance, without limitation.
The chapter penalties are:
i.
Fines. The person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be liable for a civil
penalty of not more than $250 for each day or part thereof during which such violation
shall be continued.
ii.
Alternatively, or in addition to any action to recover civil penalties provided by
Subsection i, the Town Attorney may institute any appropriate action or proceedings
to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct or abate any violation of or to enforce any provision
of this chapter.
J. Severability.
Should any section or provision of this article be declared, adjudged or ordered null, void, voidable,
or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such finding of invalidity shall not affect the validity
of the remaining portions of this article.
K. When effective.
This chapter shall take effect upon filing with the New York Secretary of State.
Machine-extracted for search and reference — the original PDF is the authoritative version.