We will expand the Bluebelt in Staten Island and other boroughs, where possible
In many areas of Staten Island, development preceded the full build-out of the sewer system. For example, some residents of South Richmond still rely on on-site septic systems for sanitary waste disposal. During periods of rain, several areas in this region routinely experience localized flooding and septic tank failures. To address these concerns, in 1997, the DEP created the Staten Island Bluebelt as a natural solution. (See case study on following page: Reshaping the Urban Environment)

Nearly 36% of Staten Island's precipitation drains into the current Bluebelt system which covers nearly 10,000 acres. Over the next 25 years, we will seek to add an additional 4,000 acres in the borough, spread across South Beach, New Creek, and Oakwood Beach.

To date, the Bluebelt program has saved the City an estimated $80 million in infrastructure costs, and it has also saved homeowners money in flood damage. In addition, property values in the immediate vicinity of the completed Bluebelt drainage corridors have consistently appreciated, enhancing the city's tax base. The program has demonstrated that wetland preservation can be economically prudent and environmentally responsible. In 2005, the EPA recognized the leadership of the Bluebelt by awarding it an Environmental Quality Award.

Our ability to replicate this process across the city is limited due to our dense development. However, we do plan to expand the use of Bluebelts outside of Staten Island, where possible:

• Udalls' Cove and Brookville Boulevard West: We will install basins to catch storm water from the surrounding neighborhoods in Queens before it travels into Little Neck Bay and Jamaica Bay.
• Springfield Lake: We will dredge this 3.5-acre lake, located within Springfield Park in southeast Queens, and enhance it with new tidal marshes and other drainage-related improvements. This will solve ongoing flooding problems, while decreasing algae blooms in the lake and improving water quality in Jamaica Bay.
• Baisley Pond: This is a 40-acre freshwater pond in south Jamaica, Queens. This project will solve flooding problems and improve ground water conditions by incorporating natural water retention and filtering strategies.

The City will also assess opportunities in Van Cortland Park, Oakland Ravine, Sailor Snug Harbor, Riverdale Park, Seton Falls Park, and Alder Brook in Riverdale in the Bronx.

Progress (as of 4/22/08):
To date, DEP has acquired 39 acres of privately owned property required for the New Creek Bluebelt in Staten Island and is progressing on acquiring 31 more acres. In April 2008, DEP will acquire the 38 acres of privately-owned property required for the South Beach Bluebelt and in 2009 will purchased the property necessary to build the Oakwood Beach Bluebelt. DEP has begun investigations to determine the viability of Spring Lake Bluebelt in Queens.