Photo by Steve SandbergUnfortunately, the storm incidents are starting to add up.

Earlier this week, a powerful category F2 tornado and localized storms hit parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. It looks like Mother Nature is sending us a message: storm incidents are on the rise, probably due to global warming. And with that comes flooding, often extreme. And, once again, runoff from our streets contributed heavily to that flooding. Even Mayor Bloomberg, in yesterday's press conference about the storm, couldn't avoid speaking about the runoff problems.

Halloween Invite

SWIM coalition members with Councilman James F. Gennaro (D-Queens), Chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee

Intro 630, which passed this week by the New York City Council, puts the full force of public reporting and target dates into the City's plan for using storm water as an environmental resource to "green" our streets and reduce water pollution. Much of that plan was driven by constituent groups and citizen activists.

Intro 630, once signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, will push NYC to capture rainwater as it falls with "green infrastructure" solutions, including green roofs, permeable pavement, wetland restoration, and storage systems for buildings that can use the water before it enters the sewer system.

Editors Note: I received this message last week - again sorry for the delay in posting - JK

In a February 19th Blue Room ceremony at City Hall, NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg signed Intro 630-A into law. The bill requires the City to conduct a thorough study of stormwater best management practices, determine the estimated costs and benefits of each practice, and provide a stormwater management plan for implementation.