Informational Articles
Acronyms of Importance	Vernal Ponds
Docks	Fences
Phragmites	Dredging
Pervious Driveways and Walkways	Environmentally Friendly Bottom Paint
Pump Out Boat Program

Storm Water Runoff

With the recent heavy rainfalls, we are reminded once again of the problems Southold Town has with storm water runoff. With over 100 road ends terminating at creeks, bays, inlets, or Long Island Sound, as well as all of the lawns and homes lining our miles of shoreline, 100’s of thousands of gallons of storm water runoff enters our wetlands every year.

Carrying sediment that prevents sunlight from reaching aquatic plants, nutrients from animal waste and lawn fertilizers that promote algae blooms detrimental to shellfish, and bacteria and other biologicals that in high doses can be harmful to swimmers, storm water runoff is one of the Trustees main public safety concerns. So important, in fact, that Southold has a Storm Water Management Code.

Southold Town’s Chapter 236 provides an outline for how people need to deal with storm water runoff from their properties. For example, new construction or renovation is required to contain any potential runoff to the wetlands from the construction by installing hay bales and silt fencing. This acts as a barrier and keeps our wetlands clean. Another example in Chapter 236 is that every building must have provisions to collect and disperse, ON-SITE, at least a 2 inch rainfall. This is usually handled by installing gutters, leaders and drywells to the home. The Trustees also have a standing policy of requiring pervious non-turf buffers along bulkheads and at tops of bluffs that help keep run off from entering the wetlands and prevents erosion to bluffs. These are important measures to keep our wetlands safe and clean!

Before deciding to renovate or build, the Town Trustees urge you to check our website and the other department’s websites to make sure what you are planning to do meet the Town’s Codes. These codes have been developed for the good of all citizens. And the wildlife all around us too!