Protecting our rivers can be done in many different ways. One way is through watershed planning, a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven process of assessing the current health of a river and all of the lands that drain to it, as well as identifying possible interventions to eliminate sources of pollution or bolster ecosystem and community well-being. The Hutchinson River, which runs through Westchester County through Scarsdale, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Pelham, and the Bronx before it empties into the Sound at Eastchester Bay, is in desperate need of this planning. Today, all segments of the lower Hutchinson River are listed on the New York State 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies.
To restore the Hutchinson River, Save the Sound and Westchester County are working closely with local stakeholders to develop the Hutchinson River Watershed Plan following the US EPA 9 element plan (9E) approach. Through this planning process, we will:
- Identify nonpoint source pollution contributing to water quality impairment and risks associated with flooding, and propose management, restoration, and design recommendations to improve water quality and reduce flooding in the watershed;
- Identify implementable restoration and stormwater mitigation projects with a focus on those that provide flood mitigation and emphasize nature-based solutions; and
- Engage and educate municipal agencies, key stakeholders in the watershed, and the public through the formation of a Watershed Steering Committee, volunteer opportunities, public meetings, and webinars.
Funding for Phase I of the plan that will cover the Westchester County portion of the watershed was awarded to Save the Sound by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. This project is being done in partnership with Westchester County Soil & Water Conservation District housed within the Westchester County Planning Department and is funded in part by NFWF and the Owens & Minor Foundation.
Click HERE to submit public input.
Latest Project Information
Project Status
Task 1: Watershed Baseline Assessment – Complete
Task 2: Identify Watershed Improvement Opportunities – In Progress
Next Public Meeting
September, 2023 – TBD
Additional Engagement Opportunities
Registration open – Hutchinson River Stream Walk – Wednesday, August 23 at 10 a.m.
Downloads
9/21/22 Hutchinson River Watershed Plan Kick Off Presentation
2/21/23 Hutchinson River Watershed Plan Second Public Meeting Presentation
Links
Interested in the Hutchinson River’s water quality?