Leaving a Softer Footprint in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (01/17/2008)(readMedia)-- Reducing impacts on the environment is a primary goal for Saratoga Associates. That’s why this planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering and architecture firm is encouraged by a recent law passed by the Saratoga Springs City Council aimed at protecting the environment.

Earlier this month the Saratoga Springs City Council passed Local Law 1, which further expands on the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency mandates to protect watersheds. The new law requires anyone proposing a non-residential project to the city Planning Board, to file a “Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan” or “SWPPP” on any property one-tenth of an acre or larger. In addition, residential projects proposed on land five acres or larger are required to file full SWPPP’s. Currently the DEC and EPA requires a SWPPP for non-residential projects of one acre or greater.

The SWPPP’s require a developer to evaluate watersheds on land prior to, during and post-construction. The objective is that through all stages of construction, drainage at the site remains at the same rate and quality as it was before development.

“This is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Bob Bristol, FASLA and President and CEO of Saratoga Associates. “Insuring that the amount of runoff and quality of that runoff is essentially the same after construction is an important step in keeping our environment in pristine condition. This proactive measure taken by the city council is one that may very well be duplicated around the region and throughout the state,” said Bristol.

With offices in Saratoga Springs and New York City, Saratoga Associates is one of the premier consulting firms in the region. Last summer, Saratoga Associates completed work on the Westview Apartments in Saratoga Springs. A major component of the project was stormwater drainage on the land and developing an elaborate underground drainage system to insure that the 125-unit senior housing complex would not harm the surrounding environment. “Underneath the parking lot is a maze of drainage pipes that collect water runoff and then releases that runoff at the same rate which the land did prior to construction,” said Gregg Ursprung, P.E. and Engineering Principal. “In addition to making sure there is not an excess of runoff after the construction, part of the drainage system includes facilities for treatment of stormwater runoff.”

Saratoga Associates is currently working on several projects that incorporate SWPPP’s throughout the state and are available to discuss this important step of protecting our environment.

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