Clean Up Grant of $900k form EPA for Saw Mill River

The Grant will assist in pollution cleanup, planning and restore saw mill river. The sawmill river, only 19 miles long, has a major impact on the Hudson river. Because of major industries around the river changed it marked up. The river is between a federal highway, state parkway and state highway.

Planned projects for the 3-year grant period include:

• Involvement in the planned "daylighting" of a covered up section of the river in Yonkers
• IMBY (In-My-Backyard) Demonstration Projects in local neighborhoods showcasing better stormwater techniques that can help prevent flooding and pollution: rain gardens, permeable paving, and disconnecting gutters
• Small business environmental surveys-to assist businesses in preventing pollution from their land into the river
• High School "Floatables" (plastic bottle) Project-involving local high schools in reducing plastic floatables in the river, conducting non-polluting car washes
• Saw Mill River Tour for local planning boards and decision-makers
• Restoring river banks and replanting native trees and shrubs; conducting more Free-A-Tree invasive vine cutting days including seminars on stream ecology
• Water quality monitoring by Manhattan College and Saunders High School