The Staten Island Bluebelt is a stormwater management system consisting of 16 watersheds covering over 10,000 acres. It uses natural features like wetlands, streams, and detention basins to filter and slow stormwater runoff. Over $350 million has been invested in the Bluebelt, saving an estimated $80 million by preventing flooding. Interviews and site visits demonstrated the Bluebelt successfully mimics nature to manage stormwater in a cost-effective way.

1. The Staten Island
Bluebelt
Presented by: Bianca Cardaci, Christina Gioeli, Kristin
Lamonte, Gabriella Leone, and Stefanie Tozzi

3. Abstract
The Staten Island Bluebelt is a system of wetlands and waterways that
provide storm water management, flood control, and water quality
improvement. There are currently sixteen functioning watersheds located
along the South Shore of the island, with three new projects currently
being planned in Midland Beach, South Beach, and Oakwood Beach. In
addition, the construction and management of the Bluebelt is
considerably inexpensive and much more sanitary in comparison to
other procedures that could be done, such as implanting sewage pipes.
For our project, we visited the original watershed, Richmond Creek, and
took video footage of our experience. Also, we interviewed James Rossi,
the Bluebelt Field Manager, for more information about the Bluebelt
system. As a result, the Bluebelt system has proved to be a success in
controlling local flooding and providing an aesthetic atmosphere to
native Staten Islanders and wildlife.

4. What is the bluebelt?
The Staten Island Bluebelt is a manmade storm water management system
that can be found in about one-third of Staten Island’s land area.
The Bluebelt system consists of 16 individual watersheds that cover over
10,000 acres of land.
Each watershed contains a variety of Best Management Practices (BMPs),
which are natural drainage corridors, such as constructed wetlands, streams
and detention basins.

5. Watersheds
A watershed is a geographic area from which water drains into a particular
waterway.
Water enters the regular storm water drains and then enters the Bluebelt
system where it is sifted through a series of streams and ponds that contain
it, purify it and slow it down.
There are 16 separate watersheds that offer ecologically sound and cost-
effective storm water management.

6. Watersheds

7. Best Management Practices
BMPs are engineered facilities that provide flood control, water quality
improvement and habitat preservation.
Each BMP is individually designed to imitate nature and preserve all
natural processes in its surrounding area.
There are now fifty completed BMPs, including 22 storm water wetlands
with extended detention basins, 18 outlet stilling basins, 3 pond retrofits, 6
stream restorations and 1 sand filter.

8. Richmond Creek Watershed

9. RIchmond Creek Watershed

10. How does the bluebelt work?
A. Restoration/Retrofit- A retrofit is the incorporation of an already existing
pond or riverbed into the water management system. For example, Mill
Pond was dredged to remove accumulated sediments, and extensive
plantings were installed. The entire 950-acre Richmond Creek watershed
flows into this one-acre pond.

12. How Does the bluebelt work?
B. Constructed Pocket Wetland- filters storm water discharge from storm
sewer pipes, which drains into a tributary area.

13. How does the bluebelt work?
C. Outlet Stilling Basin- Accepts water from the storm sewer system of a
pipe and reduces its velocity. This speed reduction minimizes the danger of
water erosion in sections of the stream.

14. How Does the Bluebelt work?
D. Culvert- prevent the flooding that plagues stream crossing. The main
culvert, Richmond Town Bridge, marks the sport where fresh and tidal
water meet.

15. How does the bluebelt work?
E. Stream Restoration - Stream banks are stabilized with materials such as
boulders and log-shaped rolls filled with coconut husk fibers. To reduce
velocities of water within the channel, the stream is reconstructed with a
pool/riffle morphology that also encourages aquatic life.

17. How does the bluebelt work?
E. Underground Sand Filter- A concrete box that was built below ground
through which storm water is directed and filtered. The box contains two
chambers, wet and dry. The wet chamber captures sediment and floatables.
Once it’s captured, it overflows through the weir (dam) into the sand and
gravel (dry chamber) where it is filtered. Then it flows from storm sewer
into the outlet stilling basin and into Richmond Creek.

18. How does the bluebelt work?
G. Extended Detention Basin- helps to manage the storm water runoff
from an area of about 450 acres. The pond, half-acre in size during dry
weather, expands during heavy storms and detains the peak of the storm
water flow. This basin is a “last resort” and is located at the end of the
Bluebelt system.

20. Water quality
Sediments filtered from the water in each BMP are tested for heavy metals.
RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) gives the EPA the ability
to control hazardous waste such as: silver, arsenic, barium, cadmium,
chromium, mercury, lead, and selenium. The bluebelt water is below the
RCRA required levels.
Traces of barium were found in the storm water, which is thought to be a
result of tire wear.
Although the water is filtered so that it is cleaner when it exists each BMP
into Raritan Bay & the Atlantic Ocean, it is non-potable.

21. Maintenance
Preservation of watersheds is necessary for them to perform the functions of
conveying, storing, and filtering storm water.
Maintenance of the Bluebelt BMPs requires controlled water flow and
filtration, aesthetic appeal, safety, and pest control.
A main component of Bluebelt Maintenance is the Vactor truck. It vacuums
debris, and uses a high-powered hose that is capable of flushing clogged
pipes, cleaning structural chambers and power washing sediment-laden
surfaces.
BMPs require a periodic removal of sediment every two years.

22. Bluebelt budget
More than $350 million has been invested in Staten Island’s Bluebelts with
more than $220 million currently planned for the next ten years.
The City of New York has purchased approximately 325 acres wetland
property on the South Shore for the system. Since its beginning, $300
million has been invested in sewer capital projects in the South Shore’s
Bluebelt watersheds, along with $50 million for drainage improvements and
wetland restoration work in the Bluebelt system itself.
As of 2007, the city of New York has saved over $80 million as a result of the
Bluebelt system.

23. Importance of the bluebelt
“Through the success of the Bluebelt program, New York City has adopted
this approach in their Plan NYC 2030 as a means of improving climatic,
infrastructural and demographic challenges in the future.” -NYWEA
President Bruce G. Munn
The faster Staten Island urbanizes, the greater the need for the Bluebelt is.
Steets and rooftops increase the rate, velocity and volume of surface water
runoff, meaning there is more water gathering and less places for it to go.
Watersheds temporarily store the flood waters, while wetlands help protect
adjacent and downstream property owners from flood damage.

24. Success of the bluebelt
In 2004, Hurrican Ivan passed through the region without disrupting the
Bluebelt system; this is a testament to its success.
It would take a “Hundred-Year” storm to overwhelm the Bluebelt, meaning
a storm that generates 10 inches of rain and has a 1% chance of happening
every 100 years.
“[The construction of the Bluebelt is] Basically building something to mimic
Mother Nature, and that’s what happening. So, that tells us it’s
successful...that what we’re trying to do is actually happening.”- James
Rossi, Bluebelt Field Manager
The Bluebelt encourages biodiversity because it simulates nature and
provides habitats for indigenous species, such as fish.

25. Success of the Bluebelt
Before
After
South Richmond intersection

26. Future Bluebelts
The DEP is projected to install three new Watersheds in Midland Beach,
South Beach and then Oakwood Beach.
The Midland Beach Watershed (AKA New Creek) is projected to cost $37.5
million, and has a projected savings of $39 million in comparison of putting
sewers in for the same area.
On the Northern Shore of Staten Island, there is plan to reconstruct
wetlands in Snug Harbor.
There are also expansion plans for Queens and the Bronx.

27. Work Cited
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/dep_projects/bluebelt.shtml
http://statenislandusa.com/2006/blue.html
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/
staten_islands_bluebelt_progra.html
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/bbdrivingtour.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/bbwalkingtour.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/10-73pr.shtml
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/10-08pr.shtml
http://www.asla.org/lamag/lam05/november/ecology.html

28. WOrk cited
"Clear Waters Magazine Honors DEP’s Staten Island Bluebelt Program." 25 Jan.
2010. http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/10-08pr.shtml
Rossi, James, and James Garin. "Successful Maintenance of Green Infrastructure
for Stormwater Management: Staten Island Bluebelt." Hazen and Sawyer
Environmental Engineers & Scientists. 2009. http://www.hazenandsawyer.com/
publications/successful-maintenance-of-green-infrastructure-for-stormwater-
management/.
Gumb, Dana, and Sandeep Mehrotra. "Staten Island Bluebelt Program: A Natural
Solution to Environmental Problems." May-June 2001. http://home2.nyc.gov/
html/dep/html/press_releases/10-08pr.shtml http://www.asla.org/lamag/
lam05/november/ecology.html
Rossi, James, Dana Gumb, Sandeep Mehrotra, Deeya Deb, and Brian Henn. The
Staten Island Bluebelt : A Case Study in Urban Stormwater Management. Rep.
NOVATECH, 2007. Print.

29. Interview
The following is the transcription of our interview with the Field Manager of the
Bluebelt, James Rossi:
Is the Bluebelt System connected?
No, each watershed stands alone. All Bluebelt watersheds flow into Rariton Bay
and then the Atlantic Ocean, that’s why they want to distill and clean out the
water so it’s fresh and purified when emptied into the ocean.
How much water would overflow the system?
Only a 100-year storm, which only has a 1% chance of happening, would overflow
the system. In this storm, 10 inches of rain would have roaring streams and some
residual flooding.

30. Interview
What do they test the water for; is it potable?
Sediments are being sampled for any drop out heavy metals—RCRA or Resource
Recovery Act metals, which are thresholds for what is considered toxic dangers.
Luckily, the Bluebelt sediments are far below this level. However, the water is not
potable.
What form of maintenance is required for the Bluebelt system?
There is a small group of biologists supported by a larger group of contractors. We
use a vactor or eductor truck to remove excess sediments form the area. Vegetation
must also be managed due to succession. This costs the city $700,000 every two
years, which is significantly less than sewer structure upkeep.
What spurred the creation of the Bluebelt?
There was not particular storm that spurred Bluebelt development. Pipes systems
have limited capacity, but the Bluebelt introduces an open system and has a five-
bank flow. It is cost efficient and significantly saves the city money.

31. Interview
Is there a different approach to the newer watersheds being constructed?
Yes, we must take a different approach to the Midland beach Bluebelt because there is at low elevation
and high tide. We don’t want any problems with the 100-year storms. There is a lot of engineering
involved in this process.
What is the function of a mill race?
The current mill race is not very useful to the Bluebelt system. There isn’t enough waterpower to fuel
the wheel. In order for the mill race to function, some form of a electric motor would probably be
installed.
Are any species introduced to the surrounding Bluebelt area?
No, we have not introduced any species, but fish have found their way into many of our watersheds. It
is almost like, “If you build it, they will come.” Fish eggs can get on a duck’s feet and travel into
tributary waters that flow into the wetlands.
Have you encountered any malfunctions in this system?
There have been several failures, like any new project. For example, we have overplanted in some of the
areas, but the success definitely outweighs the downfalls.

32. Interview
Audio of the James Rossi (Field Manager of the Bluebelt) interview:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFUNlwk3Ad4
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iirB6T3Yf9M
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdf9L0llkvk

33. Richmond Creek Watershed Tour
These are the photos taken while on our walking tour of the Richmond Creek Watershed.
Double click the image to play.

34. RiChmond Creek Watershed tour
This is the video footage of our Richmond Creek Walking tour. To
view the video, use this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=H3UAdzpQCs4&feature=player_embedded

35. DEP Bluebelt Video
To view the DEP’s Staten Island Bluebelt video, use this link:
h t t p : / / w w w. n y c . g o v / h t m l / d e p / h t m l / d e p _ p ro j e c t s /
bluebelt_video.shtml

36. Timeline
This link leads to a timeline of our groups progress with the
Bluebelt project from it’s start to the final presentation at the
Macaulay building: http://www.dipity.com/cgioeli91/The-
Staten-Island-Bluebelt/