To the editor:

Did you know that the Pelhams are located in the Hutchinson River Watershed? Biohabitats, a pioneer of ecological restoration that applies sound science, community input and adaptive management to restore damaged ecosystems, recently conducted field assessments within the Hutchinson River watershed to identify opportunities to improve watershed health.

Identification of watershed restoration opportunities were completed through desktop analysis and field assessments in targeted subwatersheds. A prioritization framework was then utilized to identify opportunities to move forward in planning and design. A treatment analysis was conducted to evaluate the pollutant-load potential associated with the identified opportunities. The memorandum by Biohabitats summarizes the methodology used during the field assessment, prioritization process and treatment analysis. Of note is that a majority of priority sites recommended for specific remediation methods with the greatest ancillary benefits are located in Pelham and Pelham Manor subwatersheds, including public and private properties.

This valuable document is a result of a partnership between Save the Sound, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District housed within the Westchester County Planning Department and is funded in part by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Owens & Minor Foundation. It is a roadmap for prioritizing watershed restoration opportunities in consideration of actions that take place upstream that directly affect Pelham residents, but also our neighbors downstream.

As a community, Pelham can not only work to keep the water out of our basements through grey infrastructure measures, like increasing catch basin capacities and cleaning them regularly, but in conjunction with other best management practices that include green infrastructure that captures and cleans the water while improving our environment, the health of the Hutchinson River, as well as the quality of life for all. Please read the document for yourself and get involved through volunteer opportunities, public meetings and webinars.

Tai Montanarella

464 Esplanade