Watch the press event recording here and find the watershed plan here.
(The Bronx, NY) — On Tuesday morning, the Bronx River Alliance and members of the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee celebrated the release of the updated Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan, which includes a new chapter on Climate Resilience. This update was completed with a $245,000 grant from the New York State Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and $82,000 in matching funds from the Westchester County Department of Planning and Bronx River Alliance. The Plan features over 160 new target restoration projects, policies and education and outreach efforts.
“The Department of State has made a long-term commitment to protecting and restoring the Bronx River and supporting its surrounding communities,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “This updated Plan will build on and expand the Department’s previous efforts by addressing climate resilience and environmental justice, while encouraging a unified approach to watershed management. We look forward to this next exciting phase in our collective work to protect and restore this vital natural resource for generations to come.”
The updated watershed plan centers the impacts of climate change on watershed communities while advocating for nature based projects that restore, preserve and protect the future water quality and habitat of the river. The plan continues the commitments of community advocates, agencies, and organizations to invest in the Bronx River watershed and the neighborhoods along it. The updates also include priority projects aimed at climate adaptation and resilience.
“We are excited to see the results of this intermunicipal partnership come to fruition,” said Westchester County Department of Planning Commissioner Blanca P. Lopez. “Under the leadership of the Bronx River Alliance and their dedicated staff, and with the involvement of a wide variety of stakeholder groups and organizations as well as the public, the plan describes a healthy and sustainable future for this important regional resource.”
Over the course of the plan update process, three in-person public input meetings were held in the upper, middle, and lower watershed, to identify community concerns and priorities regarding impacts of climate change, public access, and environmental issues along the river. A final virtual meeting for public feedback on the draft plan and climate resilience strategy was held in June 2024.
In addition to the $245,000 grant for the Watershed Plan Update, the NY DOS previously provided several LWRP grants to New York City totaling over $1 million to implement recommendations in the initial watershed plan, including:
- Technical assistance on projects that addressed shoreline stabilization, expansion of riparian buffers to connect habitat, stormwater management, wetland restoration, invasive species removal and planting of native species.
- Planning and implementation of public access and restoration work along Shoelace Park and the Bronx River Forest, while providing job-skills training for the local community, community volunteers, and youth programing.
- Installation and subsequent monitoring of a fish passage at the 182nd Street Dam to improve connectivity for anadromous fish and restore access to spawning habitat, which also improved canoe portage for the hundreds of paddlers that carry past the dam each year.
Link to Watershed Plan:
Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan and Appendices
Updates to this Plan would not have been possible without the collaboration of the Bronx River Alliance, Boomi Environmental LLC, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Natural Areas Conservancy, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, The POINT CDC, Bronx River Parkway Reservation Conservancy, Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation, Westchester Parks Foundation, Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Greenburgh Nature Center, Sarah Lawrence College’s Center for the Urban River, The New York Community Trust – Westchester, Tuckahoe Environmental and Sustainability Committee, Save the Sound, New York Sea Grant, New York Botanical Garden, NYC Soil and Water Conservation District, NYC Department of City Planning, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the Bronx Borough President’s Office, and the many other municipal partners who participated in the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee: Ardsley, Bronxville, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, New Castle, Scarsdale, Tuckahoe, White Plains, and Yonkers.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The original Bronx River Watershed Coalition was formed in 2003 as a partnership among Westchester County municipalities and agencies and not-for-profit organizations seeking the same goal: to improve water quality in the Bronx River. It also helped address flood mitigation. Over time, state and New York City agencies joined the effort. The coalition developed a comprehensive watershed plan, which lays out a strategy for limiting the amount of stormwater runoff and pollutants entering the Bronx River and its tributaries.
The issues addressed in 2010 included: Disturbed Hydrology, Poor Water Quality, Aging Infrastructure, Invasive Vegetation, Degraded Habitat, and Dams. In the years after the plan was published, it became clear that changing conditions throughout the watershed required a comprehensive update to the plan, including the addition of a Climate Resilience Strategy. The known issues along the river had become exacerbated by more frequent and dangerous flooding, hotter summers plaguing urban heat islands, and hard-fought public access points along the river becoming more vulnerable to damage from severe weather events.
About the Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
LWRP provides matching grants on a competitive basis to eligible villages, towns, cities and counties located along New York’s coasts or designated inland waterways for planning, design and construction projects to revitalize communities and waterfronts. The DOS Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure works in partnership with waterfront communities across the State through the LWRP focusing on protecting natural and cultural resources, expanding public access opportunities and strengthening the local economy. This program helps communities breathe new life into their underused waterfront assets in ways that ensure successful and sustainable revitalization. For more information on LWRP, visit the DOS website at https://dos.ny.gov/local-waterfront-revitalization-program.
“Our updated Bronx River Watershed Plan represents a forward-thinking investment in planning and community engagement,” said Siddhartha Sanchez, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance. “It’s clear that how waterfront ecosystems perform is critical to mitigating increased flooding and harsh heat island effects from the urban environment surrounding the Bronx River, especially in the South Bronx. We are proud to say that over 80% of the projects outlined in our last watershed plan were built or are underway. With this new ten year vision we will scale this success while supporting other communities in advocating for climate resiliency projects in various local watersheds.”
“As Chair of the Economic Development Committee, I recognize the vital role the Bronx River plays in both the environmental and economic health of our borough. The updated Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan, with its new Climate Resilience Strategy, is a critical step in addressing the impacts of climate change while protecting our communities. By prioritizing nature-based solutions and community input, we are ensuring a sustainable future for the river and the neighborhoods along its banks. This plan reflects our shared commitment to environmental justice and resilience,” said New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías, who represents District 18 in the Bronx.
“The Bronx River is a major tributary to the Long Island Sound and its watershed is home to some of the most densely populated communities in the region. We are grateful at Save the Sound to have been a member of the Advisory Committee for the development of this plan and look forward to working with partners to restore the critical ecosystems along and within the River for the benefit of wildlife and local communities for years to come,” said Katie Friedman, Director of New York Ecological Restoration Programs at Save the Sound.
“Today’s release of the updated Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Plan is a pivotal step forward for our communities in the 32nd Senate District and beyond. The Bronx River has long been a vital resource for our neighborhoods, yet disparities in access to clean water, green spaces, and climate resilience have disproportionately impacted the residents I proudly serve. This updated plan, with its focus on climate adaptation and community-driven solutions, addresses these inequities while laying the groundwork for a healthier, more sustainable future. I commend the Bronx River Alliance and all the dedicated partners who worked tirelessly to ensure our voices were heard and our needs prioritized. Together, we are not just preserving our environment; we are empowering our communities to thrive,” said New York State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda, who represents the 32nd NY State Senate District in the Bronx.
“The New York Botanical Garden is proud to be among the organizations and agencies working to protect the Bronx River and enhance its health for the benefit of the millions of New Yorkers in the Bronx and Westchester County who live within its watershed,” said Todd Forrest, Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections at the New York Botanical Garden. “We are grateful for the leadership of the Bronx River Alliance on the development of this ambitious but achievable plan, which will guide the continued transformation of an imperiled urban river into a global example of thriving and accessible urban nature.”
“The beautiful Bronx River is a treasure with many gems along its course, including the Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society) and the New York Botanical Garden, both world renowned. Restoration and ongoing maintenance of this valuable community watercourse benefits humans, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, plants, and our entire ecosystem. The Village of Ardsley is proud to be a partner in producing the fine Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan Update document and thanks all the partners and funding agencies for their excellent efforts,” said Lorraine Kuhn, Village of Ardsley Department of Stormwater Management.
“Considering how to improve community resilience to climate change impacts is a critical piece of effective watershed planning, and I’m thrilled that it is a central theme in this updated plan,” said Sara Powell, New York Sea Grant’s Sustainable & Resilient Communities Extension Professional based in Westchester County. “Along with my other New York Sea Grant colleagues working in the Long Island Sound watershed, I look forward to continuing to partner with the Alliance to advance resilience and restoration projects in Westchester and the Bronx that prioritize both ecosystem health and community well-being.”
“The City of White Plains joined Westchester municipalities and all Bronx River Alliance partners to restore and protect the Bronx River. The Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan lays out meaningful, actionable steps that can be taken to preserve this critical natural resource. The City is committed to limiting the amount of stormwater runoff and pollutants entering the Bronx River and its tributaries through continuing and enhancing its illicit discharge and catch basin cleaning programs,” said Mayor Tom Roach, City of White Plains.
“As we strive to protect our city from the effects of climate change and severe weather events, it’s more essential than ever to collaborate on innovative watershed solutions. The updated Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan represents state & local entities and community partners working together to protect the Bronx River by focusing on resiliency within the river’s watershed and neighborhoods that surround it,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “The newest plan builds on a decade of improvements along the river and emphasizes resilience measures to help reduce impacts of flooding, extreme heat, and problematic species. We’ve been proud to collaborate with the Bronx River Alliance to implement priorities from the original watershed plan, and to update it with new projects that will help make our city more resilient and more livable.”
“The Bronx River runs through Westchester County and the Bronx with no regard for municipal boundaries, leaving us to find cooperative solutions to its flooding and stewardship challenges. This updated watershed plan will guide such efforts and ensure that our resources are directed in the most effective ways possible. I look forward to seeing the improvements it generates over the years to come, in the communities of my district and throughout the watershed area,” said Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, who represents the 92nd New York State Assembly District in Westchester.
“FCWC applauds the commitment to climate change resiliency and environmental justice that are central to the updated Bronx River Watershed Plan. We look forward to working with the watershed communities and organizations to achieve the plan’s goals,” said Jan Blaire, Board of Directors of the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County.
“The updated Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Plan is a vital step toward preserving the sustainability of our natural waterways,” said New York City Council Member Kevin C. Riley, who represents District 12 in the Bronx. “The Bronx River is essential to our ecosystem, livelihoods, and overall quality of life. This plan not only strengthens our commitment to its protection but also enhances the connectivity between our communities and the invaluable resources the river provides, particularly here in the Bronx. After years of thoughtful research and planning, incorporating climate resiliency measures into this initiative is a monumental accomplishment. These efforts ensure the Bronx River remains a cherished resource for future generations while improving public access and fostering greater community engagement. I am deeply grateful to the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee, the New York State Department of State, the Bronx River Alliance, and all stakeholders for their collaboration in making this progress possible.”
“Today’s release of the updated Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Plan represents a transformative leap forward for our communities. It demonstrates effective collaboration among government agencies, local organizations, and dedicated individuals who are committed to protecting and revitalizing the Bronx River. This plan and the sustainable practices outlined within it will help the Bronx River’s health, enhance its wildlife habitats, and improve the quality of life for Bronx residents,” said Assemblymember Emerita Torres, who represents the 85th New York State Assembly District.
“Supporting environmental equity is not just a matter of protecting our natural resources, but a critical step in reversing the years of disinvestment that have disproportionately impacted our communities,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “ The Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan, with its new chapter on climate resilience, exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking initiatives we need. This updated plan, made possible by the Bronx River Alliance, the Bronx River Watershed Advisory Committee, and our local and state partners, will restore our vital ecosystems and ensure that our neighborhoods benefit from the investments necessary to combat the climate crisis. It is time we prioritize these efforts for a more sustainable and equitable future for the Bronx.”
“Today marks a new day in the life of the Bronx River and the communities that depend on it,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N., who represents the 87th New York State Assembly District in the Bronx. “The landmark announcement of the Bronx River Intermunicipal Watershed Plan is the hallmark of grassroots, community-led action, supported by sorely-needed state and local funding. This plan will guarantee that the two vital principles of community protection and now climate change are simultaneously prioritized in the conservation of this vital waterway. The communities that I represent in The Bronx and our neighbors in Westchester need access to clean water and green spaces for recreation. This has a critical impact on the social determinants of health and wellness that are essential to having a flourishing life. I thank all of the various parties and organizations that have collaborated to make this special day possible for so many in our communities.”
Additional Highlighted Resources from:
https://bronxriver.org/post/announcement/white-plains-public-input-meeting-resources
Background Resources:
- Westchester County Geomorphic Study of the Bronx River Corridor, published in 2019
Resources from the Virtual Meeting:
- Draft documents for review:
Resources from the Bronx Meeting:
- Recording and Presentation of the 3.23.23 Bronx Public Input Meeting, plus audience Q&A
- Public Input Meeting Slides (English and Spanish)
- Posters on:
- One-Pager Informational Sheets on the Breakout Discussion Topics (English and Spanish)
Resources from the White Plains Meeting:
- Posters on:
